Scottsdale is one of those rare places where a sunrise hike, a world-class art museum, and a sunset dinner can all happen in the same day. The Sonoran Desert gives this city its glow, and the people give it its energy. At Endless Stays, we’ve spent years welcoming guests into our Scottsdale homes, and we’ve gathered our favorite things to do in Scottsdale into one easy guide.
Whether this is your first visit or your tenth, you’ll find a mix of the must-see classics and the local secrets that turn a good trip into a great one. We’ll walk you through outdoor adventures, family attractions, art and culture, history, and the small details that make Scottsdale feel endless.
Outdoor Adventures in the Sonoran Desert
Scottsdale’s outdoor scene is the soul of the city. Wide-open trails, blue desert skies, and saguaro cacti taller than a house make every step memorable. These are our top picks for getting outside.
Pinnacle Peak Park
If you want a hike that rewards every step, Pinnacle Peak is our favorite. The 1.75-mile out-and-back trail climbs gently up the north side of Scottsdale and gives you huge views of the McDowell Mountains and the valley below. It’s the kind of place where you slow down, breathe, and remember why you came to the desert.
The trail is well-marked and family-friendly, but the lack of shade means you’ll want to start early. Guests often tell us spring and fall mornings are pure magic here.
- Rating: 4.8 stars (1,692 reviews)
- Address: 26802 N 102nd Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85262
- Phone: (480) 312-0990
- Best time to visit: October through April, early morning
- Local tip: The parking gates lock at the posted closing time, so plan your sunset photos with a buffer
Learn more about Pinnacle Peak Park
Camelback Mountain (Echo Canyon Trailhead)
Camelback is the iconic hike of the Phoenix-Scottsdale area, and the Echo Canyon side is the more technical of the two routes. Expect about 1,280 feet of elevation gain in just over a mile, with steep rock scrambles and metal handrails on the slickest sections. It’s tough, but the 360-degree summit views are unmatched.
We always tell our guests two things: bring twice as much water as you think you need, and arrive before 7 a.m. if you want a parking spot. Wear real trail shoes. This is not a casual stroll.
- Rating: 4.9 stars (2,789 reviews)
- Address: E McDonald Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85018
- Hours: 5 AM to 8 PM daily
- Difficulty: Extremely strenuous
- Local tip: Skip the summer months; the desert heat here is no joke
Learn more about Echo Canyon Trailhead
Salt River Tubing
When the desert heat rises, locals head to the Salt River. Just a short drive northeast of Scottsdale, this stretch of cool, slow-moving water is perfect for floating with friends, family, or anyone who wants to swap pavement for paddles. The scenery is unreal: red cliffs, towering cottonwoods, and the chance to spot wild mustangs walking along the shoreline.
The tubing season runs from late spring through early fall. Bring a hat, river shoes, and more sunscreen than you think you’ll use.
- Rating: 4.7 stars (3,050 reviews)
- Address: 9200 N Bush Hwy, Mesa, AZ 85215
- Phone: (480) 984-3305
- Hours: 9 AM to 6 PM (8 AM weekends)
- Best for: Groups, families with older kids, anyone craving a cool-down day
Learn more about Salt River Tubing
Quick insight: The McDowell Sonoran Preserve protects more than 30,000 acres of pristine desert right inside Scottsdale’s city limits. That’s larger than many national parks.
Family-Friendly Attractions
Scottsdale is one of the easiest cities in the Southwest to plan a trip with kids. The attractions are clustered, the parks are clean, and there’s enough variety to keep different ages happy. These are the spots we recommend most often to families staying with us.
OdySea Aquarium
OdySea is the largest aquarium in the Southwest, and it’s a guaranteed hit with kids of every age. Inside you’ll find more than 50 exhibits, a moving theater that takes you under the sea, and animal encounters that feel personal rather than rushed. Plan on spending around two hours to see everything without feeling pressed for time.
We always recommend buying tickets ahead of time and going on a weekday afternoon if you want fewer crowds. The combo passes that include nearby attractions are worth a look.
- Rating: 4.5 stars (18,145 reviews)
- Address: 9500 East Vía de Ventura, Suite A-100, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
- Phone: (480) 291-8000
- Hours: 9 AM to 7 PM most days
- Local tip: The bathroom with the shark tank wall is genuinely one of the most fun photo spots in town
Learn more about OdySea Aquarium
Butterfly Wonderland
Right next door to OdySea, Butterfly Wonderland is the largest indoor butterfly conservatory in the United States. Walking into the rainforest atrium feels like stepping into another country, with thousands of butterflies fluttering inches from your face. There’s also a 3D theater, a small reef aquarium, and a chrysalis viewing room where you can sometimes catch a butterfly emerging in real time.
It’s a peaceful, slow-moving experience, which makes it a great pairing with the more energetic aquarium next door.
- Rating: 4.6 stars (7,390 reviews)
- Address: 9500 East Vía de Ventura F100, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
- Phone: (480) 291-8000
- Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM daily
- Tip: Combo tickets with OdySea save money if you’re doing both
Learn more about Butterfly Wonderland
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
This 30-acre park is one of Scottsdale’s best-kept family secrets. The grounds are free to enter, and a $3 ticket gets you a ride on the miniature railroad that loops past playgrounds, picnic spots, and historic train cars. Inside, kids can explore actual Pullman coaches and a vintage carousel that still runs.
It’s a relaxed, low-cost half-day for families, and it works year-round thanks to plenty of shade.
- Rating: 4.8 stars (7,234 reviews)
- Address: 7301 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
- Phone: (480) 312-2312
- Hours: 9 AM to 7 PM daily
- Best for: Train lovers, toddlers, and grandparents
Learn more about McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Art, Culture, and Architecture
Scottsdale has earned its reputation as one of the country’s most creative cities. Public art lines the sidewalks, galleries open their doors to walk-ins, and a few of the most important pieces of American architecture sit just outside town.
Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden is one of those places that surprises every guest who visits. It’s not just cacti behind glass; it’s 55 acres of living desert, with five themed trails, rotating art installations, and seasonal events that turn the garden into a glowing wonderland after dark. The Las Noches de las Luminarias display in winter is genuinely one of the best holiday experiences in Arizona.
Plan to spend about two hours, and stop at Gretchen’s restaurant on site for a desert-inspired lunch.
- Rating: 4.8 stars (22,715 reviews)
- Address: 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
- Phone: (480) 941-1225
- Hours: 6 AM to 10 PM daily
- Local tip: Members get free entry here and at over 300 other gardens around the country
Learn more about Desert Botanical Garden
Taliesin West
Taliesin West was Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home, studio, and architecture school, and it’s still considered one of the most important buildings in the United States. Wright designed it to feel like it grew out of the Sonoran Desert itself, using local stone, sand, and redwood. Walking the property is part architecture lesson, part meditation.
We recommend the self-guided audio tour, which lets you set your own pace, and reserving online is a must.
- Rating: 4.7 stars (2,649 reviews)
- Address: 12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259
- Phone: (888) 516-0811
- Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM daily
- Bring: Headphones for the audio tour
Learn more about Taliesin West
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA)
SMoCA is a small but mighty museum housed in a former movie theater in the heart of downtown. The four gallery rooms rotate exhibits every few months, with a strong focus on immersive, sensory installations. James Turrell’s Knight Rise skyspace alone is worth the trip; sit inside the dome for ten minutes and watch the desert sky shift through changing light.
Thursdays are pay-what-you-wish, which makes this an easy add-on to a downtown afternoon.
- Rating: 4.3 stars (1,172 reviews)
- Address: 7374 E 2nd St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
- Phone: (480) 874-4666
- Hours: Wed to Sun, 11 AM to 5 PM (Thu until 7 PM)
- Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Wonderspaces Arizona
Tucked inside Scottsdale Fashion Square, Wonderspaces is an immersive art experience built around about 14 rotating sound and light installations. Some are interactive, some are pure visual spectacle, and the on-site bar makes it an easy date-night stop. Plan for 45 to 90 minutes inside.
- Rating: 4.5 stars (1,960 reviews)
- Address: 7014 E Camelback Rd #584, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
- Hours: Open Wed through Mon (closed Tuesdays)
- Best for: Couples, art fans, photo lovers
Learn more about Wonderspaces Arizona
Cosanti Originals
Just outside Scottsdale, Cosanti is the former home and studio of architect Paolo Soleri. The earth-formed buildings, sculptural courtyards, and famous bronze and ceramic wind-bells make this one of the most unique stops in the Valley. Tours run daily, and on most days you can watch the team pour molten bronze for the bells live.
- Rating: 4.6 stars (565 reviews)
- Address: 6433 E Doubletree Ranch Rd, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
- Phone: (480) 948-6145
- Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM (Sun 11 AM to 5 PM)
- Best for: A unique souvenir and a one-of-a-kind setting
Learn more about Cosanti Originals
A Sample One-Day Itinerary
If you only have one day and want a taste of everything, here’s how we’d plan it:
- 7:00 AM: Sunrise hike at Pinnacle Peak Park
- 9:30 AM: Breakfast and coffee at Yellow Spruce in Old Town
- 11:00 AM: Self-guided audio tour at Taliesin West
- 2:00 PM: Lunch and afternoon at the Desert Botanical Garden
- 5:00 PM: Walk Old Town’s public art districts
- 7:00 PM: Live music and dinner at Rusty Spur Saloon
You’ll cover desert, architecture, art, and history without feeling rushed.
Where to Stay in Scottsdale
The right home base makes a Scottsdale trip feel twice as good. We’ve spent years curating a portfolio of vacation homes designed for the way people actually want to travel: with private pools to cool off in after a Camelback hike, game rooms for evenings in, and locations close to Old Town and the major attractions.
If you’re planning your trip, browse our Scottsdale vacation rentals or explore Endless Stays homes across our destinations to find the right fit for your group. Every property is designed and styled by our team with the same level of care you’d expect at a resort, just with the privacy and space of your own home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Scottsdale best known for?
Scottsdale is best known for its desert resorts, world-class golf, vibrant Old Town with its public art and Western charm, and easy access to hiking trails and the Sonoran Desert landscape.
How do I spend a day in Scottsdale?
Start with a morning hike at Pinnacle Peak or Camelback, grab breakfast at a local Old Town cafe, tour Taliesin West or the Desert Botanical Garden, then end the evening with dinner and live music in Old Town Scottsdale.
What are some unique Scottsdale experiences?
Some of the most unique experiences include touring Cosanti to see bronze bells being poured, sitting inside James Turrell’s Knight Rise skyspace at SMoCA, floating the Salt River with wild horses on the shoreline, and visiting Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West.
What is the best month to visit Scottsdale?
The best months to visit Scottsdale are November through April. The weather is mild and sunny, which makes hiking, golf, and outdoor dining ideal. Summer months can climb past 100 degrees, so plan accordingly.
Is Scottsdale a good place for families?
Yes. Scottsdale is very family-friendly, with attractions like OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, and McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Many vacation rentals also offer pools, game rooms, and space that hotels can’t match.
Do you need a car in Scottsdale?
A car makes a Scottsdale trip much easier. Attractions are spread across the city and into Phoenix and Mesa, and most trailheads, hidden gems, and restaurants are not within walking distance of each other.
