Things To Do in the Scottsdale Area

Upscale seafood & steaks with a live jazz vibe. One of Scottsdale's most celebrated fine-dining experiences.

Handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and a beautiful patio. Consistent favorite for Italian from scratch.

Modern Latin cuisine by Chef Matt Carter — tableside guacamole, plancha meats, signature margaritas.

A New York-style Parisian bistro with mussels, steak frites, and a romantic candlelit garden patio.

Island-inspired seafood & steaks with a lively patio and second-story lanai views.

Wine, bruschetta boards, and light bites in a relaxed open-air setting. Great for happy hour.

Craft cocktails, pretzel fondue, slow-braised ribs, and live music. High energy, great vibes.

Classic steakhouse excellence — USDA Prime aged beef, fresh seafood, and signature Mortinis at Bar 12|21.

California-inspired seasonal dishes (roasted sea bass, Atlantic salmon) in a charming bungalow setting.

Award-winning USDA Prime steaks with rooftop poolside dining under the stars. Perfect for special occasions.

America's largest indoor rainforest butterfly atrium — thousands of butterflies plus reptiles, honeybees, and stingrays. Highly interactive.

300+ hands-on exhibits: a 3-story climbing structure, art studio, pretend grocery market, and noodle forest. Best for ages 0–10. Voted one of America's top 10 children's museums.

Largest private non-profit zoo in the U.S. — 3,000+ animals across African, Arizona & Tropics trails plus a petting zoo, splash pad, and carousel. Feed the giraffes!

Largest aquarium in the Southwest — over 30,000 animals, shark & stingray exhibits, and live dive shows.

A Scottsdale classic: ride-on miniature Paradise & Pacific Railroad, Old West playground, and railroad museum. Free entry; nominal ride fee.

Guided horseback trail rides through the desert (min. age 6), plus a petting zoo and hayrides. Just 20–30 min from the resort.

World's largest music museum — 8,000+ instruments, interactive Experience Gallery where visitors can play instruments from every continent.

Indoor water park with thrill slides, lazy river, splash pad, mini-golf, climbing wall & arcade. Great for full-day family fun.

Not a zoo — a rescue haven for bobcats, bears, mountain lions, coyotes & wolves. Book ahead; guided tours give kids a real sense of conservation.

30,580-acre desert preserve with 200+ miles of trails. Gateway Loop Trail (4.4 mi, moderate) is the top pick. Bajada Nature Trail is stroller-friendly. Restrooms & maps on site.

Scenic 3.5-mile out-and-back through North Scottsdale desert with sweeping valley views and unique granite terrain. Moderate difficulty.

Phoenix's most iconic hike — challenging Echo Canyon Trail climbs 1,300 ft. Best for fit hikers; not recommended for young children.

55-acre garden with 5 nature trails through Sonoran Desert flora; butterfly exhibit, kids' Cactus Clubhouse play area. Beautiful in the evening.

Float over the Sonoran Desert at sunrise — a bucket-list experience. Several operators depart near Scottsdale; champagne toast typically included.

Walkable park with green lawns, fountains, public art (LOVE sculpture), and easy access to Old Town shops, restaurants & galleries. Great for a casual stroll.

Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic desert masterpiece — UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guided tours of the architecture school and studio.

Walkable district with art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, free trolley, and a lively public art scene. Perfect afternoon or evening outing.

One of the nation's premier museums of American Indian art and culture. Rotating exhibits, live performances, and stunning permanent collections.

Rotating exhibitions of modern art, design, and architecture. Located in Old Town Scottsdale. Save $2 by booking tickets online.

Upscale open-air shopping district immediately adjacent to Kierland Commons — additional dining, boutiques, Cinebar, and Culinary Dropout.