Located in the Sonoran Desert, the city of Scottsdale, Arizona, is unlike any urban cityscape you’ve ever seen. Green public parks and golf courses, palm tree-lined walkways along a glittering canal cutting through Old Town, and beautiful blocks filled with restaurants, shops, and galleries can sometimes make you forget that you’re in the desert. That won’t last long, though. Celebrations of the region’s culture and natural landscape are meshed into its urban lifestyle, and the beauty of the McDowell Mountains visible from even the most populated area is always a reminder.
One of the nation’s most desirable communities to live in and to visit, Scottsdale’s beginnings as a community and then as a resort destination share the same sentiment. This desert location with access to water, as well as near-constant sunshine, appealed to former United States Army Chaplain, Winfield Scott when he bought his 640 acres near modern-day downtown Scottsdale in 1888. From there, the community grew through farming and then ranching, giving the city its slogan, “The West’s Most Western Town.”
After construction of the Granite Reef Dam and Roosevelt Dam, Scottsdale saw a population boom. Resorts were built, seasonal events were planned, and suddenly, tourism spiked. With Phoenix sitting along Scottsdale’s western border, it’s easy to enjoy a day trip from Arizona’s capital city or take advantage of the close proximity to its airport.
While Scottsdale’s roots in cattle drives and cowboys are still honored today, the city also offers more destination spas per capita than any other city in the United States. There’s a definite difference between today’s Scottsdale and that of its past. Still, the city does a wonderful job of balancing the dichotomy of its old ways and where it is headed, with special nods to the community’s different cultural heritages along the way.
To fully explain this idea, let’s start with the city’s museums and landmarks. Scottsdale’s history is found in a collection of specialized institutions that tell its story through various exhibits, and some may even surprise you.
Keeping its Western spirit alive, visitors can stop by Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. This Smithsonian Affiliate Museum is located in the downtown arts district, where several museums and galleries call home. Rotating exhibits featuring art, photographs, artifacts, and more that tell the tale of the American West. Voted the best Western Museum in the United States by True West magazine, this museum is kid-friendly and worth the trip.
The Scottsdale Historical Museum is a small, but complimentary museum that offers a great history of the city with exhibits, educational film, and a recreated schoolhouse room. It’s located steps away from the Winfield Scott Memorial. Down the street, you’ll find the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, a perfect stop for visitors who appreciate all sorts of mediums.
Other museums worth noting if you’re up for a short drive into Phoenix, are the Musical Instrument Museum, Penske Racing Museum, and the Heard Museum, which houses a collection of more than 3,600 American Indian artwork. For a family-friendly experience, head to the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. There, you’ll be able to ride on various trains and even a carousel, along with the opportunity to take a turn through the Scottsdale Railroad Museum and check out the 10,000-square-foot model railroad.
You’ll make it to Old Town Scottsdale at some point during your trip, as there is so much to see and discover there. It’s made up of a collection of 9 neighborhoods that are easy to navigate through by foot. We’ve already mentioned the Arts District, Historic Old Town, and Civic Center Park, but just above these neighborhoods are the 5th Ave. Shopping District, a great place to find local boutiques, Native American jewelry, and more, as well as Southbridge, a section where you’ll find luxury shopping. Across the canal, are the Scottsdale Waterfront and Scottsdale Fashion Square districts, where there are plenty of great restaurants and you got it, more shopping! For those on the lookout for nightlife, the Entertainment District’s bars and nightclubs should be on your radar.
Activities found on Quest Travel Club at the time of article publication–prices subject to change.
Look into taking a Historic Old Town Walking Tour to make exploring the area a lot easier. For those who’d rather speed things up a bit, take a street-legal golf cart tour, or even see the sights by Segway! There are also awesome tours centered around food for all you foodies out there!
Those who are interested in architecture will want to make a stop at Taliesin West, what was once Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home. You’ll have the incredible opportunity to tour the remarkable home, but tickets do tend to sell out fast, so reservations are strongly recommended.
Scottsdale offers many attractions and indoor activities to choose from, which is great when the temperature rises—it is a desert after all! But the desert is beautiful and nature lovers won’t want to miss the chance to get out and explore it. Jeep and Sand Buggy tours are available, but for those who want to do some hiking, start with the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Open from sunrise to sunset, you’ll be able to explore more than 225 miles of recreational trails within the preserve’s 30,500 acres, making it one of the largest urban preserves in the country! Find the right trail for you on their website.
Another great hike is the Pinnacle Peak Summit Trail at Pinnacle Peak Park. You’ll be walking about 2 miles one way and will have climbed about 1,300 feet. This trail is pretty moderate and quite popular! The trail itself is smooth and relatively wide, just watch your footing as you ascend the dry rock as it can sometimes be slippery. The best times to hike in Scottsdale are between October and May.
Looking for a little bit more adventure? How does whitewater river rafting sound? Not technically in Scottsdale, you’ll find outfitters and guides on the Salt River about two hours away. Plan to book a half-day or full-day guided trip during the snow melt season between March and May. The water does get a little challenging, but you’ll have experienced guides along for the ride.
Activities found on Quest Travel Club at the time of article publication–prices subject to change.
Speaking of outdoor activities, arguably the most popular, is golf. Scottsdale is a golfer’s playground, offering a wide array of courses that differ in variety but all offer great views and a great round. The city’s courses are some of the most highly rated in the world, so if you consider yourself a golfer, definitely bring your clubs along on your vacation. You’ll be able to pick from more than 200 courses in the region.
We could go on forever about things to do in Scottsdale, but to wrap it up, let’s do a rapid-fire list! Great for families—and really, everyone—the Arizona Boardwalk has a whole lot of fun in store. We’re talking about the OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland atrium, UFO Experience, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, dinosaur exhibit, bumper boats, and more.
Just outside of town, the Desert Botanical Garden offers more than 50,000 plants throughout its 140 acres. In nearby Papago Park, discover the natural sandstone landmark, Hole in the Rock, or visit the Phoenix Zoo which sits on 125 acres and offers a narrated tram ride.
Since we’re already talking outside of city limits, it’s worth mentioning that Scottsdale is a great starting point to explore the greater Phoenix area and other popular places in Arizona. You’ll be able to find numerous day trip tours that will take you wine tasting, to see the Montezuma Castle National Monument, and even to Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and more!
The best time to visit Scottsdale, AZ, is in spring and fall. Like we said before, for those looking to go hiking or enjoy other outdoor activities, March to May is your sweet spot. But everyone else thinks so too, so it does get pretty busy. Spring in Scottsdale does end up getting a little toasty, but nothing like the summertime temperatures. It’s the best time for outdoor walking tours, a round of golf, and well, pretty much everything else. Many events like the Uncorked: Wine Festival and Art Market are scheduled in the spring, and sports fans can see the San Francisco Giants play during their Spring Training.
For those of you who hate the heat…just plan on not visiting Scottsdale anytime from late May to September. But if you really want to know the average temperatures during the summer, June can see a high of 103 degrees, July, 106, August, 104, and September a mere 99 degrees. But if you can handle the heat, or you’re planning to enjoy Scottsdale’s indoor activities and nightlife, or even if you’re a morning person heading out on that hike in the early morning hours, then enjoy discounts on accommodations.
There’s a reason snowbirds like to descend on Scottsdale in the winter since daytime temperatures can still reach the high 60s and low 70s. The average lows for December and January are set at 38 and 39 degrees, which is nothing for those who live up north! No need to drip your faucets, here!
For a full list of seasonal and upcoming events, visit experiencescottsdale.com.
Your Palmera Vacation Club membership gives you access to the RCI Exchange. Use your membership points to plan a stay at one of the many beautiful resorts and hotels in Scottsdale listed on RCI. If you’d rather use cash, use your Quest Travel Club membership to book a stay. Adjust your filters to see the search results to find the best deals and possibly save hundreds on your accommodations!
Examples of RCI Exchange Resorts chosen at random. Prices are subject to change.
Map of available resorts and hotels on Quest Travel Club at the time of publishing:
Examples of Resorts Available on Quest Travel Club. Prices are subject to change.
