Scottsdale Travel Guide 2025

Scottsdale, Arizona goes by the official nickname “The West’s Most Western Town,” but while Old West-style scenery and attractions are certainly easy to come by, this is very much a happening modern city — one of the fastest-growing in the country. Part of the “Valley of the Sun,” aka the Phoenix metropolitan area, Scottsdale is famous for its arts district, its golf courses and resorts, and its spring-training baseball, among other diversions — all cast against the truly stunning backdrop of the Sonoran Desert that enfolds the Southwest's biggest, most booming metro region.

In the following Scottsdale travel guide, we’ll clue you into the basics of a getaway to The West’s Most Western Town: from the nuts-and-bolts of weather and transportation to a variety of recommended attractions, activities, restaurants and accommodations.

getty / Klaus Vedfelt

Scottsdale is quite easy to get around in, and you certainly don’t need your own vehicle to do so (unless it fits your vacation goals and personal preferences). The Downtown/Old Town Scottsdale core is very walkable and bikeable; along with bicycle and e-bike rentals, you can also zip around by electric scooter.

The free Scottsdale Trolley, meanwhile, runs a 20-minute circuit from Monday to Friday, and in addition to city sightseeing, you can use its fixed routes to link into the Greater Phoenix bus lines of Valley Metro Transit and the Tempe Orbit.

You’ve got multiple choices when it comes to Scottsdale taxi companies and rideshare options, not to mention luxury car services, are widely available as well. The airport’s a mere 15-minute cab or Lyft/Uber ride away from Old Town.

A rental car is certainly an attractive way to go for visitors looking to do some desert day-tripping outside Scottsdale and the metro area. However, if it fits within your budget, bear in mind you can also explore farther afield via guided tours and sightseeing companies, letting somebody else handle the driving.

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Scottsdale is a classic “snowbird” getaway, with many cold- and snow-averse vacationers and seasonal residents beelining here during the winter. That reflects its sunny, hot-desert climate down in the so-called “Arizona Sun Corridor,” among the snowbird hotspots of the American Southwest and a well-named label: Scottsdale sees more than 330 days of sunshine per year.

The climate here in the Salt River Valley is a hot and arid one defined by mild winters, scorching summers, low annual precipitation and low relative humidity. Winter here feels radically different than in much of the continental U.S. Although subfreezing temperatures aren’t all that uncommon on winter nights, the dips are fleeting and the days warm up downright deliciously. Mean lows in January are in the low 40s Fahrenheit, with afternoon highs climbing into the mid-70s.

Compare that to the height of the Sonoran Desert summer: In July, minimum daily temperatures tend to be in the low 80s, while the daily maximum temperatures average in the mid-100s. The mercury often soars above 110 degrees during summer heatwaves.

Spring and fall are the transitional shoulder seasons. October tends to see the most dramatic temperature change of the year on average, with a steep — and very much welcome — climb-down from torrid summers earlier in the month to more pleasant, “winter-style” mildness as November kicks off.

The rainfall pattern here in the Sonoran Desert is what climatologists call a bimodal one, with two rainy seasons — a winter one brought on by occasional Pacific rainstorms and a summer one fueled by the Southwestern (aka Arizona) Monsoon — characterized by (often photogenic) thunderstorms. Spring and fall are typically dry, by contrast. And when we talk about the "rainy seasons" down here, we need to put things in context: Scottsdale, after all, has a firmly desert climate, with annual rainfall totaling less than 10 inches.

When should you visit Scottsdale? Winter brings the most consistently comfortable temperatures of the year and the peak activity levels, with lots of different festivals and events and a whole lot of general hustle-and-bustle given the snowbird crowd. However, this also means it's a pricier time of year to visit. If you can stand the heat of summer — and the many air-conditioned indoor attractions here offer readymade refuge — you can find some fantastic deals. Spring and fall — especially early spring and late fall — bring generally great weather (more pool-friendly than midwinter), and there’s plenty on the calendar, ranging from spring training (more on that shortly) to loads of fall events, such as the Scottsdale International Film Festival.

From adventuring out in the sublime Sonoran Desert to sampling one of the Southwest’s premier arts-and-culture scenes, The West’s Most Western Town offers visitors a plethora of things to do all year round — yes, including under the blazing sun of summer. Here’s a survey of some of the best things to do in Scottsdale.

Some 30,500 acres of magnificent and rugged Sonoran Desert wildland sprawls on Scottsdale’s northeastern outskirts: the must-visit McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which ranks as one of the biggest “city parks” (if you can call it that) in the nation. The Sonoran is among the most scenic and biologically diverse deserts on Earth, famed among other natural treasures for its iconic cactus forests of towering saguaros. More than 225 miles of hiking and mountain-biking routes lace the preserve, including the Lost Dog Ringtail Trail, Sunrise Trail East and Granite Mountain Scenic Hike. It’s remarkable how remote and pristine these craggy mountains and saguaro stands feel, even though they’re but a hop, skip and a jump from the heart of town.

Any trip to Scottsdale ought to take in at least one or two of the city’s top-notch museums, which cover quite the breadth of thematic territory. Visit the longtime winter refuge of celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesen West, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed National Historic Landmark set in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, which features a striking design primarily manifested from local “desert masonry.” Then there’s the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) in Old Town, focused on contemporary art, design and architecture and displaying an impressive permanent collection as well as traveling exhibitions and Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, where everything from historical artifacts to paintings and sculptures evoke the story of the Old West.

If you’re a fan of America’s Favorite Pastime, you’re in luck: Scottsdale’s been hosting Major League Baseball spring training since the 1940s, and it remains a major center of action for the “Cactus League.” The San Francisco Giants call Scottsdale Stadium in Old Town their spring-training home base, while Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community hosts the Colorado Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Besides the jampacked games, try attending a few of the spring training practices, open to the public and a great opportunity to nab an autograph or two. (And keep in mind Scottsdale’s also a fine launchpad for checking out other Cactus League teams in action at various additional Greater Phoenix ballparks.)

The supremely walkable Scottsdale Arts District is a linchpin of Old Town/Downtown Scottsdale, host to a world-class lineup of art galleries as well as boutiques, jewelers and interior-design showrooms. The best way to get oriented here — and in the process sample some quintessential Scottsdale nightlife — is via the Scottsdale ArtWalk, the oldest continuously running art walk in the U.S., which takes place every Thursday evening.

Spring training is only one (very popular) fixture on Scottsdale’s packed-to-the-gills calendar of annual events, which also includes everything from the Scottsdale International Film Festival and Scottsdale Fashion Week to the Barrett-Jackson Auction and Dreamy Draw Music Festival. Some of these festivals in particular are special enough to structure a trip to Scottsdale around, such as the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show (the largest event of its kind in the world), the Parada del Sol (with one of the biggest horse-drawn parades anywhere) and the Arizona Indian Festival, a spectacular inter-tribal celebration of the region’s rich Indigenous heritage.

Host to better than 200 courses and a sun-drenched desert climate, it’s little wonder Scottsdale has earned the nickname of “The World’s Finest Golf Destination.” From the McCormick Ranch Golf Club and Grayhawk Golf Club to the Camelback Golf Club and Papago Golf Course, lovers of the links are spoiled for choices here.

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From luxurious resorts to more budget-friendly hotels, Scottsdale offers a wide range of accommodations, many of them AAA Diamond properties. With AAA recommendations to consult, you’ve got a trusted source for the best places to stay.

A tropical lagoon and a two-acre cactus garden are among the highlights of the sumptuously landscaped The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale, which also offers extensive sports, spa and wellness facilities and no fewer than five restaurants for on-site dining against the base of Camelback Mountain. Some of the nearly 600 units include multiple bedrooms and kitchens.

Set on 23 acres in the shadow of Camelback Mountain, Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows nestles you in the heart of desert luxury. Along with amenities such as spa services, on-site restaurants and valet laundry, the resort delights with its accommodations, which include mid-century modern bungalows festooned with local art and the Saarinen Studio Suites (complete with outdoor showers) that offer private view-drenched terraces.

Conveniently situated with great access to many of Scottsdale’s top attractions, the Aiden by Best Western at Scottsdale North offers 164 units in the form of both single- and two-room suites, including poolside setups. Amenities at this completely smoking-free hotel include a hot tub, heated outdoor pool, fitness center and an amphitheater hosting outdoor games, live music and more.

Chic, modern and pet-friendly Aloft Scottsdale harbors 126 spacious (and stylish) guest rooms across its five stories. Along with the restaurant, bar and lively public spaces, you’ll enjoy easy access to Old Town Scottsdale’s nightlife.

One of the best ways to admire shapely and iconic Camelback Mountain is definitely by doing so while soaking in the glitzy rooftop pool at Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town, situated amid all the excitement and attractions of Downtown Scottsdale. This upscale seven-story hotel maintains 177 units and includes a restaurant, bar, fitness room and hot tub, among other features.

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You’ll work up an appetite hiking and biking Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert trails and hopping between its galleries, museums, boutiques and malls. And that’s no kind of problem, not with the caliber and variety of restaurants on hand. Visit a AAA Diamond restaurant for the best experience.

Scottsdale lays claim to its own branch of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s famed Nobu empire, situated in Scottsdale Fashion Square. You can’t miss with such signature Nobu dishes as Miso Black Cod and Yellowtail Jalapeno.

Cozy, intimate and charming Atlas Bistro has been a Scottsdale treasure since 2001. This B.Y.O.B. eatery, known for an impeccable, eclectic prix-fixe menu overseen by Barbados-born Executive Chef Jabari Corbin, comes conveniently attached to the well-curated Atlas Wine Shop, which sells beer as well.

As its name suggests, SumoMaya Mexican-Asian Kitchen draws upon two very different but beautifully complementary cuisines. Its creative, wide-ranging and seasonally informed menu — best savored as shareable tapas-style plates — lets you combine sushi, street tacos, ceviche, pork-belly ramen, Mexican street corn and more into one magnificent medley.

For old-school, white-tablecloth dining in Scottsdale, it’s hard to beat Mastro’s City Hall Steakhouse. Live entertainment enhances the upscale ambience, making this an ideal choice for date nights or special occasions.

Styled after a neighborhood Italian eatery, EVO offers a warmly dark and crowd-pleasing dining experience right in the heart of Old Town. Highlights include the handmade pastas, some very delicious pizzas and fresh salads.

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From the heart of the city to its sublime natural backyard, Scottsdale comes chockablock with photo ops. Whether you’re looking to capture desert beauty, boost your social-media game or pull off the perfect engagement pics, here are some of the go-to ones in and around town.

McDowell Sonoran Preserve: From sunset fire on desert mountains to dreamlike forests of saguaro, Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert preserve offers endless opportunities for shutterbugs.
The LOVE Sculpture at Scottsdale Civic Center: Scottsdale gets to call one of Robert Indiana’s instantly recognizable LOVE sculptures its own and (no surprise) it shows up on more than a few Instagram feeds.
Pinnacle Peak Park: Hike to the nearly 3,000-foot summit of Pinnacle Peak, one of Scottsdale’s great natural landmarks and you’re sure to be dazzled by the mountaintop panorama, which includes a fine overview of the city itself.
Taliesin West: Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home, built in 1937 largely from local rock melded together in wooden forms with cement and sand (“desert masonry”), is an architectural masterpiece rich with photographic potential—as are the Sonoran Desert expanses it overlooks.
Desert Botanical Garden: While technically within Phoenix city limits, the marvelous Desert Botanical Garden nudges right up against the outskirts of Scottsdale and offers an absolute treasury of plantlife native to global drylands, not least the Sonoran. Photograph up-close flowers and succulents or nab a first-class selfie against an evocative gardenscape backdrop.

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Scottsdale’s position within the Phoenix metro area of southwestern Arizona means you’ve got an awful lot of amazing desertland and Southwestern culture at your fingertips beyond the city limits. From a close-by mountain range of famously staggering scenery (and surprisingly deep wilderness) to some world-famous Arizona outposts a bit farther afield, here are some recommended day-trip (or road-trip) destinations to expand your Scottsdale vacation.

From the massive, palisaded Superstition Mountain to wild-looking spires such as Weavers Needle, the Superstition Mountains offer some of the most ethereally scenic and rugged landscapes in the Phoenix metro area’s immediate backyard. Drenched in the lore of the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine, the range has held significance to humans long before those days, as Indigenous petroglyphs and cliff dwellings attest.

Split between two units on the doorstep of Tucson, Saguaro National Park is one of Arizona’s true treasures, another spectacular showcase for Sonoran Desert ecology and beauty.

Road trip your way from Scottsdale to the famous Red Rocks of Sedona, a stunningly situated town well known for its energy vortexes and New Age vibe.

One of the most iconic of all Wild West outposts, Tombstone is best known as the site of the legendary Gunfight at the O.K. Corral —reenactments of which make a big-time tourist draw here.

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Although Scottsdale is certainly well-known for ritzy resorts, gilded galleries and exclusive golf clubs, the city is absolutely one which you can rewardingly explore on a budget. We'll close out our AAA guide to Scottsdale with some tips for doing so:

As we’ve mentioned, the intense heat of a Sonoran Desert summer makes this the low season in terms of tourism in Scottsdale. That means you can take advantage of plenty of excellent deals on accommodations and other travel packages while cooling off in air-conditioned restaurants and museums — or in the hotel pool.

There’s much to do in Scottsdale that doesn’t cost money, not least simply strolling the streets of Old Town. Museums often offer no-admission days of the week. And the spectacular McDowell Sonoran Preserve is free to visit and open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset.

From free on-site parking to complimentary breakfasts, savvy budget-minded travelers key into accommodations with amenities and deals that translate to real travel savings. And if you want to do most of your sightseeing on foot or cost-effective public transportation, select a hotel or resort within the Old Town Scottsdale core.

Seeing and doing it all—including day-tripping to other regional attractions — can do a number on your pocketbook. If you’re traveling to Scottsdale on a budget, consider a more focused itinerary and perhaps one mainly focused on walkable sites in town. It’s amazing how often narrowing your focus and imposing some restrictions on your vacation can often deepen your experience.

Your AAA membership can shake out to major savings on a trip to Scottsdale, not least when it comes to significant discounts for vehicle rentals, attraction/event tickets and lodgings.

Once you’ve gathered inspiration for your dream Scottsdale trip on Trip Canvas, contact one of AAA’s Travel Agents today to start making your dream a reality, using your AAA membership to access exclusive deals. No matter your budget, they can help you simplify the planning process with prepackaged trips or à la carte options.