Why Visit Scottsdale?
Scottsdale is Arizona's luxury destination, sitting at the eastern edge of the Phoenix metro area, backed by the McDowell Mountains and open Sonoran Desert. The city is known worldwide for its concentration of high-end resorts and spas, world-famous golf, with more than 200 courses across the greater area, and a level of fine dining that rivals much larger cities.
Old Town Scottsdale anchors the city's walkable core, blending genuine western heritage with contemporary art galleries, boutiques, and nightlife, while the surrounding desert supports genuine outdoor adventure right at the edge of the resort district. That combination of five-star hospitality and real desert scenery is part of what makes Scottsdale feel distinct from other luxury destinations, it never feels disconnected from the landscape around it.
Scottsdale's location also makes it a perfect base for exploring the rest of Arizona. Sedona, Jerome, and eventually the Grand Canyon are all within reach of a Scottsdale resort, letting visitors pair a relaxing luxury stay with day trips into some of the Southwest's most dramatic scenery, without ever needing to compromise on comfort.
What sets Scottsdale apart from other desert resort destinations is the sheer density of high-end hospitality packed into a single, walkable stretch of the Valley. Few cities anywhere in the country offer this concentration of five-star resorts, championship golf courses, and acclaimed restaurants within such a compact, easily navigable area, making Scottsdale as workable for a single indulgent weekend as it is for a longer, more relaxed stay.
Top Things to Do in Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale
Time needed: 2–3 hours. Scottsdale's walkable historic core mixes western heritage storefronts with contemporary galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, making it the natural starting point for any visit.
Scottsdale Waterfront
Time needed: 1–2 hours. A canal-side district of upscale shops, restaurants, and public art just south of Old Town, popular for an evening stroll along the water.
Taliesin West
Time needed: 1.5–2 hours. Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and architecture school, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers guided tours through one of the most significant works of American architecture.
McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Time needed: 2–4 hours. One of the largest urban preserves in the country, with an extensive trail network for hiking and mountain biking right at the edge of the city.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West
Time needed: 1.5–2 hours. A genuinely well-curated museum covering the art, history, and culture of the American West, a worthwhile stop for visitors interested in Scottsdale's cowboy heritage.
Butterfly Wonderland
Time needed: 1–1.5 hours. North America's largest indoor butterfly conservatory, a relaxed, immersive stop that works especially well for families.
OdySea Aquarium
Time needed: 2–3 hours. One of the largest aquariums in the Southwest, with a rotating walkway and a strong lineup of marine life exhibits, located next door to Butterfly Wonderland.
Scottsdale Fashion Square
Time needed: 2–3 hours. Arizona's largest shopping mall, anchoring Scottsdale's reputation for luxury shopping with a lineup of high-end and flagship retailers.
Scottsdale ArtWalk
Time needed: 1.5–2.5 hours. Held every Thursday evening in the Old Town Arts District, this weekly gallery walk is one of the longest-running art walks in the country.
Desert Jeep Tours
Time needed: 2–3 hours. Guided off-road tours reach backcountry Sonoran Desert terrain around Scottsdale that most visitors would never find on their own, often paired with stories about the desert's plants, wildlife, and history.
Best Restaurants in Scottsdale
Scottsdale's dining scene is genuinely among the best in the Southwest, with a real concentration of nationally recognized chefs and restaurants. Old Town remains the densest concentration of options, though North Scottsdale's resort corridor has increasingly developed its own destination-worthy restaurants in recent years.
Fine Dining
FnB
A James Beard-recognized restaurant built around Arizona-grown produce and wine, among Scottsdale's most acclaimed tables.
Mastro's City Hall Steakhouse
An upscale, lively steakhouse with live music, a longtime favorite for special occasions.
Steakhouses
Steak 44
A polished, high-energy steakhouse popular with both locals and visiting resort guests.
Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina
Set inside the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, pairing elevated steakhouse fare with resort-level service.
Southwestern Cuisine
The Mission
Modern Latin cuisine in a stylish Old Town setting, known for its guacamole and elevated small plates.
Barrio Queen
Upscale modern Mexican fare with a lively patio near Old Town.
Casual Local Favorites
The Mission Old Town
A relaxed, approachable spot for a casual meal without leaving Old Town's core.
Chelsea's Kitchen
Farm-to-table American fare with a large, popular outdoor patio.
Brunch & Coffee
The Herb Box
A well-loved spot for brunch and healthy, seasonal fare in Old Town.
Cultivate Coffee + Cocktails
A relaxed, plant-filled coffee shop that quietly turns into a cocktail bar in the evening.
Where to Stay in Scottsdale
Luxury Resorts
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, and The Phoenician are among the most acclaimed full-service luxury resorts in the Southwest, each offering championship golf and destination-level spas.
Boutique Hotels
Smaller, design-forward properties throughout Old Town offer a more intimate, walkable alternative to the large resort campuses, often at a more accessible nightly rate.
Spa Resorts
Miraval Arizona and Sanctuary Camelback Mountain both lean specifically into wellness and spa culture, built around treatments and programming rather than golf or nightlife.
Family-Friendly Hotels
Resort properties with dedicated water features, lazy rivers, and kids' clubs, particularly around North Scottsdale, cater specifically to families traveling with children.
Budget-Friendly Options
Chain hotels along the Loop 101 corridor and in nearby Tempe offer more accessible rates for visitors prioritizing value over resort amenities, while still keeping Scottsdale within easy reach.
Outdoor Adventures
Scottsdale's resort culture sits directly against genuine Sonoran Desert wilderness, and that proximity is part of its appeal.
Hiking & Mountain Biking
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers an extensive network of trails right at the city's edge, while Camelback Mountain and Pinnacle Peak both provide more strenuous climbs with sweeping desert views, popular with locals and visitors alike.
Horseback Riding & Jeep Tours
Horseback riding through the Sonoran Desert is a classic Scottsdale activity, evoking the region's western heritage, with several stables offering guided rides suited to complete beginners as well as experienced riders. Desert jeep tours reach backcountry terrain most visitors would never find on their own, often venturing into the McDowell Mountains or nearby Tonto National Forest.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Sunrise hot air balloon flights over the desert are one of Scottsdale's signature experiences, offering a quiet, sweeping view of the McDowell Mountains and surrounding desert as the city wakes up below, often followed by a champagne toast on landing, a nice touch that fits Scottsdale's overall luxury positioning.
Arts, Shopping & Entertainment
Old Town Scottsdale anchors the city's arts and entertainment scene, with a walkable mix of galleries, boutiques, and restaurants that stays lively well into the evening. Scottsdale Fashion Square gives the city its reputation for luxury shopping, home to a lineup of high-end and flagship retailers rarely found together outside major coastal cities.
The weekly ArtWalk, held every Thursday evening in the Old Town Arts District, is one of the longest continuously running art walks in the country, with local galleries opening their doors for a genuinely lively evening of art, music, and people-watching. Public art is woven throughout Scottsdale's downtown, and a strong live music and nightlife scene keeps Old Town active well after the shops close.
That nightlife scene has grown considerably over the past decade, with rooftop bars, lounges, and live-music venues throughout Old Town giving Scottsdale a genuine after-dark energy that complements its daytime resort culture. Combined with its gallery density and shopping, Scottsdale manages to feel simultaneously like a relaxed desert getaway and a genuinely cosmopolitan small city, a balance few other Arizona destinations strike quite as well.
Best Time to Visit Scottsdale
Spring
Spring is one of the most popular times to visit, with comfortable temperatures, occasional desert wildflower blooms, and peak golf season in full swing.
Summer
Summer brings genuinely extreme heat, though it's also Scottsdale's resort off-season, with rates dropping considerably for visitors willing to stay close to a pool.
Fall
Fall brings gradually cooling temperatures and the return of festival season, as patio dining and outdoor events become comfortable again.
Winter
Winter is Scottsdale's peak resort season, when comfortable daytime temperatures draw visitors from colder climates, filling resorts and golf courses to capacity and pushing pricing to its highest point of the year.
Family-Friendly Things to Do
OdySea Aquarium and Butterfly Wonderland, located next door to each other, make an easy, air-conditioned pairing for families during the hotter months, and both sit within the larger OdySea in the Desert entertainment complex, which includes additional dining and shopping options. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park offers miniature train rides and a carousel in a shaded park setting, a longtime favorite with younger kids and one of the more affordable family outings in the area. The Desert Botanical Garden, just south in Phoenix, is an easy add-on for families interested in desert plant life, and Scottsdale's many parks and easy hiking trails, including flatter sections of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, give families an approachable way to experience the desert without a strenuous climb.
Luxury Experiences in Scottsdale
Scottsdale may be the single best fit anywhere in Arizona for a genuinely luxury-focused trip. Five-star spa resorts like The Phoenician and Miraval Arizona set a standard few destinations can match, and championship golf is practically the city's signature activity, with courses designed by some of the sport's most respected architects. Private chef experiences and elevated wine tastings are increasingly common additions to a Scottsdale resort stay, and hot air balloon flights and helicopter tours both offer a genuinely different perspective on the surrounding desert.
Luxury shopping at Scottsdale Fashion Square rounds out an elevated visit, and for guests looking to extend that same level of comfort into a wider Arizona itinerary, Grand Canyon Journeys offers private guided tours built around exactly this kind of travel, including the Sedona Highlights & Wine Tour and the Private Grand Canyon Day Tour, both built around private vehicles and knowledgeable local guides rather than large shared buses.
That same private, unhurried approach tends to be what separates a genuinely luxury Arizona trip from a merely comfortable one. Rather than joining a fixed-departure group tour, guests traveling with a private guide can build a day around their own pace, timing viewpoints for the best light and skipping anything that doesn't interest them, an approach that fits naturally with the way Scottsdale itself already operates.
Best Day Trips from Scottsdale
Scottsdale's location makes it an excellent base for exploring the rest of Arizona, from a quick afternoon trip to the start of a longer Northern Arizona itinerary. The destinations below are ordered roughly by distance, from an easy half-day outing to a full day's drive best paired with an overnight stay.
Sedona
Red rock country is about 2 hours north, best paired with an overnight stay.
READ GUIDE →Jerome
A historic mining town turned artist colony, roughly 2 hours north.
READ GUIDE →Flagstaff
A mountain gateway town about 2.5 hours north.
READ GUIDE →Williams
Historic Route 66 and the Grand Canyon Railway, about 3 hours north.
READ GUIDE →Grand Canyon National Park
The South Rim is roughly 3.5–4 hours north, best combined with an overnight stay.
READ GUIDE →Montezuma Castle National Monument
A well-preserved cliff dwelling about 1.5 hours north.
READ GUIDE →Tuzigoot National Monument
Hilltop pueblo ruins in the Verde Valley, about 1.5 hours north.
READ GUIDE →Verde Valley Wine Country
Tasting rooms and vineyards around Cottonwood and Jerome, about 1.5 hours north.
READ GUIDE →
Suggested Scottsdale Itineraries
One Day in Scottsdale
Start with breakfast in Old Town, then browse galleries and boutiques through the morning. Spend the afternoon poolside or with a spa treatment at your resort, then return to Old Town for dinner and, if your visit lands on a Thursday, the weekly ArtWalk.
Weekend Luxury Escape
Follow the one-day plan above, then dedicate a second day to a morning round of golf or a guided desert hike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, followed by a sunset hot air balloon flight and a fine-dining dinner at one of Scottsdale's acclaimed steakhouses.
Five-Day Arizona Luxury Road Trip
Spend your first two days in Scottsdale following the weekend itinerary above, then head north: day three in Sedona with a wine-tasting day trip to Jerome, day four exploring Sedona's red rocks and Oak Creek Canyon, and day five at the Grand Canyon's South Rim before returning south, ideally with a private guide handling the driving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scottsdale worth visiting?
Yes. Scottsdale offers some of the Southwest's best luxury resorts, championship golf, fine dining, and desert scenery, all within a short drive of Phoenix and a comfortable base for exploring the rest of Arizona.
How many days should I spend in Scottsdale?
Two to three days is enough to enjoy a resort, explore Old Town, and fit in a spa day or round of golf, before extending north to Sedona or the Grand Canyon.
What is Scottsdale famous for?
Scottsdale is known for its luxury spa resorts, championship golf courses, upscale shopping and dining, and Old Town's western heritage and gallery scene.
Is Scottsdale expensive?
Scottsdale skews upscale, especially at its resorts and top restaurants, though boutique hotels and casual dining options make it possible to visit on a more moderate budget.
What is the best time to visit Scottsdale?
Late fall through early spring, roughly October through April, offers the most comfortable temperatures and is Scottsdale's peak resort and golf season.
Can you visit the Grand Canyon from Scottsdale?
Yes, though it's a long day, roughly 3.5 to 4 hours each way. Most visitors combine it with an overnight stay in Sedona, Flagstaff, or Williams.
Is Scottsdale family-friendly?
Yes. OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, and McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park all make Scottsdale workable for families, alongside its resort culture.
What are the best luxury resorts in Scottsdale?
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, and The Phoenician are among Scottsdale's most acclaimed luxury resort properties.
Experience Arizona Beyond Scottsdale
Scottsdale is the perfect starting point for discovering Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and Northern Arizona. Grand Canyon Journeys offers private, fully customizable tours with experienced local guides and luxury transportation.
Continue Exploring Arizona
Scottsdale connects directly to some of Northern Arizona's most remarkable destinations. Here's where to go next:
Sedona, Arizona
Red rock country and Northern Arizona's ideal home base.
READ GUIDE →Jerome
A historic mining town turned artist colony.
READ GUIDE →Williams
Historic Route 66 and the Grand Canyon Railway.
READ GUIDE →Page
Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend.
READ GUIDE →Arizona Wine Country
Verde Valley wineries and tasting rooms.
READ GUIDE →Hot Air Ballooning
Sunrise flights over the Arizona desert.
READ GUIDE →Luxury Arizona Experiences
Private guides and boutique lodging.
READ GUIDE →Outdoor Adventures
Hiking, biking, and recreation across the state.
READ GUIDE →Route 66 Arizona
The historic Mother Road through Williams and Flagstaff.
READ GUIDE →Native American Arts & Culture
Galleries and artwork across the state.
READ GUIDE →
Grand Canyon Travel Planner
Planning to continue north from Scottsdale to the Grand Canyon? These in-depth guides cover the details.
Best Time to Visit
Plan around weather and crowds.
READ GUIDE →Grand Canyon FAQ
Answers to common planning questions.
READ GUIDE →
Explore Arizona with Grand Canyon Journeys
Once you're ready to head north from Scottsdale, our private tours make it easy to explore Sedona and the Grand Canyon with door-to-door hotel pick-up and a knowledgeable local guide.
