Travel Guide
Plan your visit around Old Town Scottsdale, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and more of Scottsdale, Arizona.
Discover the best things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona, from signature sights to memorable local experiences.
The city pairs Sonoran Desert trails and preserved open space with a concentrated urban arts, dining, and resort scene. Plan outdoor time for late fall through spring and verify tickets and trail status for winter festivals, Taliesin West tours, and preserve access.
Why Visit Scottsdale
Scottsdale pairs Sonoran Desert wilderness and miles of trails with refined urban leisure: preserved desert open space, championship golf and luxury resorts sit alongside concentrated arts and design districts. Old Town offers dense dining, galleries and nightlife, while Taliesin West and SMoCA deliver architecture and contemporary art.
Seasonal festivals, spring training baseball, and a robust food-and-wine scene make the city appealing to active travelers, art lovers and families seeking a mix of nature, culture and resort relaxation.
Top Things to Do in Scottsdale, Arizona
From walkable Old Town galleries to protected Sonoran Desert trails and architectural landmarks, Scottsdale layers outdoor recreation with resort and cultural amenities. Use the list below to plan neighbourhoods and outdoor time around seasonal weather and event schedules.
Old Town Scottsdale (shopping, galleries, dining)
The compact historic-commercial core of Scottsdale, Old Town condenses restored streetscapes with more than a hundred galleries, independent boutiques, restaurants, bars and civic venues. It’s the primary walkable area for gallery hopping, the Thursday evening ArtWalk, a Saturday farmers market, public art and concentrated dining.
Expect busy evenings and weekend events—use public lots or rideshares and verify individual business hours or reservation needs in advance.
Official Old Town Scottsdale (shopping, galleries, dining) website →
McDowell Sonoran Preserve (trails and desert wilderness)
A permanently protected Sonoran Desert reserve with over 30,000 acres and 200+ miles of multi‑use trails, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers hiking, mountain biking on designated routes, equestrian access on specified trails, guided hikes, and wide desert vistas.
The Preserve is generally open sunrise–sunset and free to enter, but trailheads and amenities vary—bring water, sun protection and a map, check trailhead status before you go, and note rules about e-bikes, dogs and firearms.
Official McDowell Sonoran Preserve (trails and desert wilderness) website →
Taliesin West (Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation)
Taliesin West is Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter campus and studio, interpreted by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Guided and audio-accompanied walking tours explore interior rooms, landscape interventions and Wright’s desert design; the property also hosts exhibitions and educational programs.
Tours include outdoor walking on gravel and uneven surfaces, so wear sturdy footwear and sun protection. Advance ticket reservations are required or strongly recommended and accessibility accommodations vary by site—confirm current tour options and booking rules before visiting.
Official Taliesin West (Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation) website →
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA)
SMoCA, run by Scottsdale Arts, is the city’s contemporary art museum within the Civic Center complex. It presents rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, architecture and design and sits adjacent to Civic Center public art and landscape features.
Exhibition schedules and public programs change frequently; some installations or events may require advance registration or separate admission—check Scottsdale Arts/SMoCA channels for the latest information.
Official Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) website →
Scottsdale Fashion Square (regional shopping mall)
Scottsdale Fashion Square is the region’s largest upscale enclosed shopping complex, featuring department stores, luxury and specialty retailers, and a large restaurant roster. It functions as a one-stop place for shopping, dining and visitor services with on-site concierge and parking garages.
Store and restaurant hours vary by tenant and season—verify specific retailer or event details with the mall before you go.
Official Scottsdale Fashion Square (regional shopping mall) website →
Scottsdale Civic Center & Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
The Scottsdale Civic Center is a 20+ acre civic and cultural campus combining municipal buildings, public art, lawns and performance stages, and it adjoins the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The Center presents a rotating season of dance, music, theater and film while the civic grounds host outdoor sculpture and public events.
Check Scottsdale Arts and City of Scottsdale calendars for event schedules, box‑office info and any temporary closures that may affect access or parking.
Official Scottsdale Civic Center & Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts website →
WestWorld of Scottsdale (events and expos)
WestWorld is a large multi‑use equestrian and events complex that hosts horse shows, trade expos, motorsports demonstrations, concerts and seasonal fairs across indoor arenas and outdoor pavilions. Public access depends on scheduled events—many require advance tickets or organizer registration and use event-specific parking or shuttle plans.
Check the event page and WestWorld’s official site for ticketing, parking and RV reservation details before attending.
Official WestWorld of Scottsdale (events and expos) website →
Scottsdale Stadium (Spring Training/baseball)
Scottsdale Stadium is the downtown Old Town ballpark used for Cactus League spring training and seasonal baseball events; it’s the spring home of the San Francisco Giants and hosts community events.
Game-day services, ticketing rules and parking vary by season and event—verify current ticketing, entry rules and accessibility information with Scottsdale Stadium or the event organizer before attending.
Official Scottsdale Stadium (Spring Training/baseball) website →
Best Time to Visit Scottsdale
Late October through April is the most comfortable period for hiking, golf, outdoor dining and high‑season events. Winter and early spring offer mild daytime temperatures and peak cultural programming, including Major League Baseball spring training.
Monsoon season (roughly June–September) brings afternoon thunderstorms and higher humidity that can affect desert trails.
Summer is very hot—reserve outdoor excursions for early mornings or focus on shaded, water-based and indoor activities.
Getting Around Scottsdale
Scottsdale is compact enough that Old Town and nearby neighbourhoods are walkable, but most visitors use rental cars to reach trailheads, golf courses, and regional sites. Ride-hailing services and taxis are widely available, and the city and Experience Scottsdale provide visitor maps and shuttle information for major events.
Public transit links to Phoenix and area airports exist—confirm schedules and last-mile connections with official agencies before travel.
Location
Map of Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
The interactive map loads only when you choose to view it.
Plan Your Visit to Scottsdale
Scottsdale is car-centric; rental cars or rideshares are the most practical options for reaching trailheads, golf courses, and dispersed attractions. The city posts official transit, trailhead, and visitor-guide information—use those resources for parking addresses, shuttle details, and event logistics.
For outdoor visits, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve is generally open sunrise. Sunset and free to enter, but trailhead amenities and parking vary.
Pick trails that match your fitness and access needs and check current trailhead status before you go.
Confirm ticketing, tour times, and any seasonal closures for indoor cultural sites such as Taliesin West and the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on their official pages.
Local Tips for Scottsdale
Center days on one or two neighbourhood clusters—Old Town for galleries, dining and shopping, and separate days for outdoor preserves or Taliesin West—to minimize driving. Pick up the official Scottsdale Visitor Guide or downloadable maps before arrival for trailhead locations and seasonal events.
Use the McDowell Sonoran Preserve maps to choose trailheads with appropriate amenities; popular trailheads can fill early on weekends. Taliesin West requires advance booking for guided tours and may limit entry for programming—check the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation site before visiting.
Carry water, sun protection, and an offline map in case of limited cell service.
Live conditions
Current Weather
Updated 2026-11-05 19:00
- Feels like
- 71°F / 22°C
- Today’s high / low
- 76°F / 25°C · 59°F / 15°C
- Humidity
- 25%
- Wind
- ↙ 2 mph
- Precipitation
- 0 in
- Chance of rain
- 1%
- Local time
- 2026-11-05 19:07
Safety
Desert conditions are the main safety concerns: heat, sun exposure, and limited water. Avoid midday hikes in summer, carry sufficient water and sun protection, and check official trail advisories before setting out.
Dogs must be on handheld leashes and owners should follow heat‑safety guidance; note preserve rules about permitted equipment and activities. For any questions about closures or regulations, consult City of Scottsdale or attraction pages.
