15 Best Things to Do in Scottsdale, AZ (2026)

1

Camelback Mountain (Echo Canyon Trail)

Iconic desert hike with panoramic Valley views

Echo Canyon or Cholla Trail

Camelback Mountain is the most iconic hike in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area for a reason. The Echo Canyon trail is steep and challenging (1,280 feet of elevation gain in 1.2 miles), but the views from the summit are unbeatable. You can see the entire Valley spread out below you. Go early in the morning, especially in summer, and bring more water than you think you need. The Cholla Trail is slightly easier if Echo Canyon seems too intense.

Iconic Valley views1,280 ft elevation gainGo early to beat the heat

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2

Old Town Scottsdale

Art galleries, restaurants, bars, and Western charm

Downtown Scottsdale

Old Town is the beating heart of Scottsdale. The art galleries along Marshall Way and Main Street are world-class, the restaurant scene is incredible, and the Thursday night ArtWalk is one of the best free things to do in the Valley. During the day, browse Western boutiques and contemporary galleries. At night, the entertainment district comes alive with some of the best bars and restaurants in Arizona. You could spend an entire trip just in Old Town.

Thursday ArtWalk100+ art galleriesRestaurant and nightlife hub

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3

Desert Botanical Garden

Stunning desert plant collection with art installations

Papago Park (near Scottsdale border)

The Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park is one of the most unique botanical gardens in the world. With over 50,000 desert plants from around the globe, it's a beautiful introduction to Sonoran Desert ecology. The seasonal art installations (like the famous Chihuly exhibit) add another layer, and the luminaria nights in December are magical. Reddit consistently ranks this as a must-do for both visitors and locals.

50,000+ desert plantsSeasonal art installationsLuminaria nights

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4

OdySea Aquarium

World-class aquarium and entertainment complex

OdySea in the Desert (Loop 101 & Via de Ventura)

OdySea is the largest aquarium in the Southwest and it's genuinely impressive. The shark exhibit, the penguins, and the sea lion shows are all top-notch. The entire OdySea in the Desert complex also includes Butterfly Wonderland (the largest indoor butterfly conservatory in America), the Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs experience, and more. It's an easy half-day or full-day outing, especially for families.

Largest aquarium in the SouthwestButterfly Wonderland next doorGreat for families

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5

Scottsdale Museum of the West

Smithsonian-affiliated museum celebrating Western art and culture

Old Town Scottsdale

The Scottsdale Museum of the West is a Smithsonian-affiliated museum that tells the story of the American West through art, artifacts, and interactive exhibits. The building itself is architecturally striking, and the rotating exhibitions keep it fresh for repeat visits. It's right in the heart of Old Town, so you can easily pair it with gallery hopping and lunch. One of the most underrated museums in Arizona.

Smithsonian-affiliatedRotating exhibitionsOld Town location

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6

Scottsdale ArtWalk

Free weekly gallery walk with wine and live art

Marshall Way & Main Street, Old Town

Every Thursday evening from 7 to 9pm, the galleries along Marshall Way and Main Street in Old Town open their doors for Scottsdale ArtWalk. It's free, it's walkable, and it's one of the longest-running public art walks in the country. Many galleries offer wine and light refreshments, and you'll often see artists working live. It's the perfect low-key evening out, and it's genuinely one of the best things about living in Scottsdale.

Every Thursday 7-9pmFree admissionLive art demonstrations

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7

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

30,000 acres of protected desert with 225+ miles of trails

North Scottsdale

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is one of the largest urban preserves in the country with over 30,000 acres of protected Sonoran Desert and more than 225 miles of trails. Unlike Camelback, most of these trails offer solitude and true desert immersion. The Gateway Trailhead is the most popular access point, and trails like Tom's Thumb and Windgate Pass offer stunning views without the crowds of the more famous hikes.

30,000+ acres225+ miles of trailsLess crowded than Camelback

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8

Saguaro Lake & Desert Belle Cruise

Scenic lake cruise through towering desert canyon walls

Tonto National Forest (20 min east of Scottsdale)

Saguaro Lake is just 20 minutes east of Scottsdale and feels like another world. The Desert Belle cruise is a 90-minute narrated tour through the canyon walls where you'll often spot wild horses, bald eagles, and bighorn sheep. The scenery is absolutely stunning, especially in the morning light. You can also kayak, paddleboard, or fish. It's one of those experiences that makes you forget you're 20 minutes from a major city.

Wild horses and bald eagles90-minute narrated cruiseStunning canyon walls

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9

Talking Stick Entertainment District

Casino, entertainment, and dining complex on Salt River Pima-Maricopa land

Loop 101 & Indian Bend Road

Talking Stick is a massive entertainment complex on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community that includes a casino, resort, multiple restaurants, a 240-acre park, Top Golf, Octane Raceway, and more. It's a one-stop destination for a night out or a full day of activities. The resort itself is sleek and modern, and the casino floor is one of the nicest in the Valley.

Casino and resortTop Golf and Octane RacewayMultiple dining options

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10

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

Family-friendly park with train rides and playgrounds

Indian Bend Road, Central Scottsdale

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is a Scottsdale institution. The park features a 15-inch gauge railroad that circles the 30-acre park, a 1950s carousel, playgrounds, and a model railroad museum. It's free to enter (train and carousel rides are $2), making it one of the best budget-friendly family activities in Scottsdale. The park also hosts seasonal events and concerts. Every Scottsdale kid grew up riding these trains.

$2 train ridesFree park entryScottsdale institution since 1975

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11

Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)

World-class museum with 8,000+ instruments from every country

North Scottsdale (Mayo Blvd)

MIM is one of those places that surprises everyone who visits. With over 8,000 instruments from every country in the world, it's the largest museum of its kind. You wear wireless headphones as you walk through, hearing each instrument played as you approach. The interactive Experience Gallery lets you play instruments yourself. Even people who aren't particularly into music walk out saying it was one of the best museums they've ever visited.

8,000+ instrumentsWireless headphone experienceInteractive galleries

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12

Scottsdale Fashion Square

Premier luxury shopping destination in the Southwest

Old Town Scottsdale

Fashion Square is the largest shopping mall in Arizona and one of the top luxury shopping destinations in the Southwest. With stores like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Nordstrom, and Apple, plus a solid food court and nearby restaurants, it's a destination in itself. The recent luxury wing expansion elevated the whole experience. Even if high-end shopping isn't your thing, the people-watching is unmatched.

Largest mall in ArizonaLuxury wing with top brandsOld Town walkability

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