Things To Do In Scottsdale

Best Things to Do in Scottsdale – An Overview

Scottsdaleis a vibrant city located in the eastern edge of Maricopa County, Arizona. It is adjacent to the Greater Phoenix and has a population of about 236,839 according to the U.S. Census Bureau (2015). It was named Scottsdale in 1894 after its founder Winfield Scott and got incorporated in 1951 with a small population of 2000. Scottsdale city is known for its buzzing hotel scenes and late night partying, traits that make it hard for anyone to miss fun things to do in this incredible city. Among the fun things to do in Scottsdale include outdoor activities, golfing, shopping, dining, sightseeing and spending your nights at the glamorous fun-filled nightclubs.

When it comes to outdoor activities, Desert Wolf Tours leads the pack as it boasts amazing packages and outdoor activities that both locals and visitors will find it hard to find somewhere else. Desert Wolf Tours have been ranked the best Off-Road ATV Adventure Tour for six years in a row, a clear indication that what it offers remains unrivalled. Some of the fun things at Desert Wolf Tours include exploring the beautiful Sonoran Desert with Tomcars, participating in shooting competition as well as teaming up with others on a rescue mission and to pin down a hostage courier. Apart from Desert Wolf Tours, other great places for outdoor activities include McDowell Sonoran Preserve where you can go hiking and McDowell Mountain Ranch Park & Aquatic Center, a home to soccer fields, ball fields, skate park and an aquatic center. Other spots include TPC at Scottsdale, MacDonald’s Ranch, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, Pinnacle Peak Park, Chaparral Park & Community Center, Phoenix Zoo and El Dorado Park. All these make it impossible for you to run short of fun things to do in Scottsdale, AZ.

Scottsdale also has amazing golfing facilities where you can spend quality time playing golf. Whether you’re a recreational player or a professional golfer, you’re assured to find the perfect place to enjoy your favorite game while on vacation. Some of the best golfing spots in Scottsdale include Troon North Golf Club, commonly known as Scottsdale’s “crown jewel”, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club located on the eastern edge of Scottsdale, TPC at Scottsdale, a home to the most attended golf competition in the world, Kierland Golf Club, Orange Tree Golf Club and McDowell Mountain Golf Club among others. All these golfing spots have something unique to offer to different types of golf players, with most of them providing a breathtaking view of the adjacent Sonoran Desert.

Although you might be on vacation in Scottsdale, there comes a point when you have to do some shopping. Scottsdale boasts amazing shopping destinations with the latest items from different designers and manufacturers. In case you’re after uniquely Arizona gifts and souvenirs, there’re specific stalls where you can get exactly that. Some of the best shopping spots in Scottsdale include Scottsdale Fashion Square, which happens to be the largest shopping spot in the Southwest, Scottsdale Quarter located in the north central Scottsdale, Scottsdale Waterfront at the edges of Old Town Scottsdale, Kierland Commons, El Pedregal Festival Marketplace, Scottsdale Pavilions and The SHOPS Gainey Village among others.

While you enjoy yourself with jeep tours and Arizona ATV adventures, dining remains at the center of almost everything you do. Scottsdale boasts a blooming culinary scene characterized by more than 400 amazing high-class restaurants. The city has the best chefs and cuisines from different corners of the globe, something that makes the city one of a kind. Among the best dining spots in Scottsdale include the charming Virtu located in the Beespoke Inn, vintage-inspired EVO that provides timeless Italian cuisines, FnB, Café Monarch, The Mission where you can enjoy candlelight dinner, Taggia located at FireSky Resort & Spa, Roaring Fork and Citizen Public House among others.

Scottsdale also has some of the best sightseeing spots in the larger Arizona area, including Butterfly Wonderland with more than 3,000 butterflies flying there every day, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, a spot that boasts as being the sole National Historic Landmark in the entire Scottsdale area and Desert Botanical Garden that has the world’s finest collection of desert plants from almost every corner of the globe. Other sightseeing places you should consider visiting during your vacation in Scottsdale include Musical Instrument Museum with more than 6,000 musical instruments, Odysea Aquarium with sharks, penguins, sea turtles and sea lions, Sea Life Arizona Aquarium and Scottsdale Historical Museum among others. If you would like to know more about the history of Scottsdale city the best place to go sightseeing would be Scottsdale Historical Museum, but if you love car races and would like to know more about racing and other related stuff, the perfect place would be Penske Racing Museum.

Apart from shopping, sightseeing, dining, golfing and engaging in different outdoor activities, your vacation in Scottsdale will be incomplete if you fail to visit some of the finest nightlife/entertainment joints within the city. It’s true that Scottsdale is yet to achieve the nightlife glamour of Los Angeles and New York, but it has some of the best entertainment spots in Arizona. Some of these spots include Livewire located in the southern part of Scottsdale and has the ability to accommodate more than 1,100 revelers, Rogue Bar with great pools, live music and big comfy booths, Goodwood Tavern located in Old Town Scottsdale with vintage style and elevated bar bites as well as cushy booths and sprawling patio seating and AZ88 Bar & Restaurant famous for its sandwiches and burgers. Other entertainment joints include The Beverly, Kazimierz World Wine Bar, Maya Day & Nightclub, The Mint, Wasted Grain and Rockbar Inc. All these spots will make your night seem shorter and your stay in Scottsdale more fun.

It is pretty clear that you can’t run short of fun things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona if you decide to spend your vacation in this amazing city. You can enjoy Arizona ATV tours and adventures, jeep tours and Scottsdale shooting adventures provided by leaders Desert Wolf Tours or go golfing, shopping, sightseeing or even dining to make your vacation a worthwhile adventure.

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Best Things to Do in Scottsdale – Sightseeing

Scottsdale is one of the best places to visit if you’re planning to have unforgettable sightseeing experience. The vibrant city is home to some of the best sightseeing spots in the larger Arizona area, including Butterfly Wonderland, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, Desert Botanical Garden and Sea Life Arizona Aquarium among others. Apart from embracing other fun things to do in Scottsdale, sightseeing would make your visit worthwhile only if you manage to pay a visit to at least two or three of these amazing sightseeing spots.

1. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West

Taliesan West is a popular tourist attraction in Scottsdale.

Taliesin West boasts as being the sole National Historic Landmark in Scottsdale. The structures are built of sand and rocks of the Sonoran Desert and melds to the McDowell Mountains. Set in the middle of Sonoran Desert Preserve, Taliesin West meanders through landscaped gardens, provocative terraces and walkways commanding nothing but a breathtaking views of the glorious Valley of the Sun and Camelback Mountain. You will be able to view the innovative and glamorous desert masonry of Taliesin West with the help of expert guides. You will make multiple rests along the way as you learn about the incredible history of Taliesin West and its renowned creator. The Panorama Tour includes visits to Music Pavilion, Cabaret Theater as well as Wright’s Private Office, while the Insights Tour adds the gracious Garden Room and Wright’s Living Quarters to the places you visited during Panorama Tour.

2. Butterfly Wonderland

Butterfly Wonderland is one of the best sightseeing spots in Scottsdale as it records more than 3,000 butterflies per day flying within it confines. It is the largest butterfly pavilion in the US and you’ll be able to enjoy a 3D theater, Emergence Gallery, live nature and honeybee displays, a lush rainforest atrium that has thousands of butterflies flying freely all year round.

3. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art features the most incredible and compelling contemporary art, architecture and design from different parts of the globe. It includes a public “skyspace” designed by artist James Turell. The skyspace enables visitors to experience the changing light of desert sky. The museum was designed by Will Bruner, an award-winning architect and is located in Old Town district in Scottsdale.

4. Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden has the world’s finest collection of desert plants from different deserts around the globe. It has in excess of 50,000 accessioned plants set out in five different thematic trails. The Garden offers workshops and lectures on desert landscaping, botanical art and illustration, horticulture, photography and nature art as well as health and wellness. When you visit Desert Botanical Garden you’ll enjoy special events, specialized tours, seasonal exhibits, family activities, concerts, dining options as well as the Garden’s gift.

5. Musical Instrument Museum

A budding artist tries his hand at one of the many instruments at the Musical Instrument Museum.

Odysea AquariumThe Musical Instrument Museum showcases different musical instruments and musical cultures from different parts of the world. You’ll find more than 6,000 musical instruments and objects. It has monthly events and an acoustically magnificent theater that hosts more than 200 concerts every year. TripAdvisor ranks Musical Instrument Museum the leading tourist attraction site. It is also ranked among the best museums for families by USA Today Travel. Some of the instruments at MIM include the ones played by notable artists such as John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Taylor Swift and Johnny Cash among others. You will also be taken to the Experience Gallery where you’re allowed to touch and play an array of instruments.

Odysea Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the southwest. The aquarium has sharks, penguins, sea turtles, sea lions and octopus among other aquatic animals, making you immersed in a fascinating aquatic life from different parts of the world. You’ll enjoy a 3D movie and SeaTreak underwater ocean adventure among other amazingly interactive experiences. Other amazing features include nine sphere-shaped aquariums with colorful schools of fish and a giant submerged escalator descending into the deep ocean to give you a perfect glimpse of thousands of sea creatures.

7. Sea Life Arizona Aquarium

Here you’ll be taken by surprise by the strange, beautiful and fascinating sea creatures as you go through an underwater world. You’ll see sea sharks, octopus, rays and sea turtle Ziva from a very close range. There’re interactive touch tanks and a quiz trail as well as an amazing 360-degree ocean tunnel.

8. Scottsdale Historical Museum

The Scottsdale Historical Museum located in the Little Red Schoolhouse chronicles the history of Scottsdale city with artifacts, photographs and changing displays. Group tours and speakers are available to enable visitors enjoy the tours. The Schoolhouse is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 5pm and on Sundays between noon and 4pm. The schoolhouse remains closed on Mondays and Tuesday, on holidays as well as in July and August. The Schoolhouse has shorter hours in June and September from Wednesday to Saturday (10am – 2pm) and on Sunday (12pm – 4pm). However, it remains the perfect best place to visit if you would like to know more about Scottsdale’s history.

9. Penske Racing Museum

If you’re a fan of Motorsports, Formula One and other related racing sports, Penske Racing Museum would be the perfect place to visit for an awesome sightseeing experience. The museum showcases a collection of trophies, cars and other racing memorabilia chronicling the incredible career of Penske Racing as one of the most successful sporting dynasties. On display include the 1963 Pontiac Catalina that was driven by Roger Penske when he stormed to victory in 1963 Riverside 250 and 2009 Dallara that was driven by Helio Gastroneves when he won the 2009 Indy 500.

10. Phoenix Art Museum

The Phoenix museum has more than 17,000 works of different artists from America, Asia, Europe, Latin America and Modern America. It houses different contemporary and fashion designs rarely found in any other museum across the globe. At Phoenix Art Museum you’ll get a chance to enjoy different festivals, independent art films & educational programs as well as live performances. If you’ve your kids with you do not worry because PhxArtKids is an interactive space for kids. Additionally, you’ll enjoy vibrant photography exhibitions, dining at Palette, lushly landscaped Sculpture Garden and doing shopping at The Museum Store.

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Scottsdale Shopping

Shopping is one of the fun things to do in Scottsdale, AZ, a city that boasts amazing shopping destinations all year round. Whether you’re looking for a uniquely Arizona gift or the latest piece from your favorite designer, chances are you’ll find it in Scottsdale. Some of the popular shopping points within Scottsdale include Scottsdale Fashion Square, Fifth Avenue Shops, Old Town Scottsdale and Hilton Village among others. Let’s now have a look at each of these shopping points and what unique features they offer.

1. Scottsdale Fashion Square

Scottsdale Fashion Square in the place to shop for top designer fashions.

This is Southwest’s premier dining, shopping and entertainment spot. It is also the largest shopping spot in the Southwest and boasts in excess of 225 retailers, which include Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Nordstrom and Dillard’s. Exclusive retailers at Scottsdale Fashion Square include Burberry, Boss Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Sephora, MaxMara, Tiffany & Co. and St. John Boutique. It also has 5 restaurants and more than 15 specialty food selections. To make life easier for shoppers, there’re Valet parking, limo and taxi services as well as roving concierge for assisting shoppers.

2. Scottsdale Quarter

The Scottsdale Quarter is a shopping center located in north central Scottsdale. It’s not only urban and chic but also decidedly hip. It is characterized by water features, towering palm trees and more than 350,000 square feet of retail space. It has dozens of upscale boutiques that make it the perfect destination for fashionistas and enthusiastic shoppers. Among the retail shops at Scottsdale Quarter include Calvin Klein, Apple, Bath & Body Works, Free People, Express, Kendra Scott, Calypso St. Barth, Drybar, Urban Outfitters, Pottery Barn, Elan Style, Sephora, Swimspot, Dr Martens, West Elm and Verde Maison. Additionally, this shopping spot is a home to best eateries in town, including Brio Tuscan Grille, True Food Kitchen, TK’s Urban Tavern, Zinburger, Eddie V’s and Stingray Sushi.

3. 5th Avenue Shops of Scottsdale

The Fifth Avenue features many specialty boutiques, jewelry shops, art galleries and more than 35 restaurants. It’s one of the busiest as well as most photographed spots in town and is a perfect place to go shopping for souvenirs. If you’re after souvenirs you should stop by Kactus Jock, a boutique that specializes in gifts and souvenirs. Stones Gifts and Collectibles would be another perfect place to stop by and buy unique and rarely found desert gifts.

4. Scottsdale Waterfront

The Scottsdale Waterfront is located at the edges of Old Town Scottsdale and features retail, restaurant, office and high-rise residential buildings. Retailers within Scottsdale Waterfront include Urban Outfitters, David’s Bridal, High Point, Primp & Blow, Verizon Wireless and Polished the Dental Spa. The place also has amazing restaurants where you can have your meal after shopping, including Zoes Kitchen, Culinary Dropout, P.F. Chang’s and Olive & Ivy.

5. Kierland Commons

Shoppers enjoying some awesome Scottsdale weather at Kierland Commons.

Kierland Commons is an edgy and fun-flavored, city-inspired shopping village that features palm-lit streets, high energy bars and restaurants and splashing fountains. It boasts a sophisticated and eclectic mix of shopping, dining and entertainment, such as Crate and Barrel, Sur La Table, J. Crew, Barnes and Noble among others. If you’re after something truly personal, Kierland Commons Concierge situated between Etch Salon and Tommy Bahama is the perfect place to stop. The concierge offers personal shopping, printing of boarding passes and dinner reservations among other essentials you’ll need while on the property.

6. El Pedregal Festival Marketplace

Sitting beneath a natural rock formation against the desert backdrop, El Pedregal Festival Marketplace is a perfect replica of a Moroccan market. It houses 35 stores and restaurants surrounding a courtyard and an amphitheater. If you’re a fan of art, clothing and gifts with the Southwest flavor, then you should pay a visit to this marketplace. You will find upscale apparel and accessories as well as local art and hand-crafted leather goods that will leave you wanting more. To add a touch of high culture to a busy day of commercialism is the Heard Museum North, a satellite branch of the Native American museum located in Phoenix.

7. Scottsdale Pavilions

The Pavilions at Scottsdale is a perfect shopping destination in case you’re near the Salt River Indian Reservation. It features a mix of big-game retailers and restaurants. Some of the stores and restaurants include Petco, Hobby Lobby, Goodwill, Sprint Wireless, Guitar Center, Chipotle, Buffalo Wind Wings & Bar and Mountainside Fitness Center. Additionally, the Pavilion is home to Burlington Coat Factory, Conn’s Home Plus and 99 Cents Store. It’s also set to add new entertainment features that will make it more appealing to both locals and visitors.

8. Old Town Scottsdale

Old Town Scottsdale boasts many specialty shops, an identity for this amazing shopping destination. It has high quality Native American and Mexican jewelry as well as skillfully-made crafts arranged alongside the wallet-friendly souvenirs. The Old Town Scottsdale is a must-see for any visitor and is the perfect place where you can pick up a souvenir.

9. The SHOPS Gainey Village

The Shops at Gainey Village is where you can get casual upscale shopping, entertainment and dining. If you’re looking for the latest exclusive boutique or you’re shopping for unique souvenirs that will remind you of your Scottsdale vacation, the perfect place to go would be The SHOPS Gainey Village. Casual, cafes, fine dining and full-service spa add the icing on the cake at this deluxe shopping point. Do not miss the Sips & Sounds Evening Concert Series held every first Thursday of the month.

10. Hilton Village

The Hilton Village is situated on Scottsdale Road, a few meters away from Hilton Resort. Hilton Village is a busy, upscale casual shopping joint and features a perfect mix of popular big-name retailers and specialty boutiques. Some of the highlights at Hilton Village include Lindsay Lou’s Boutique, Cupcakes, Diva Plus Size Shop, The Linen Tree and the Chocolate Shop among others. Newer additions include Sylvia’s Designer Shop, Urbyan and Chico’s. This is a perfect place if you’re looking for a joint to enjoy lunch and dinner after your shopping spree. The main cafes at Hilton Village are Bink’s Scottsdale, an organic café serving gourmet treats and Vaneto Trattoria café that serves traditional Northern Italy dishes.

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Scottsdale Nightlife and Entertainment

While Scottsdale is yet to achieve nightlife reputation of New York or L.A., it’s only fair to say the vibrant city has a reputation of being among those with the busiest nightlives in the West. The setting of the sun over the Valley brings Scottsdale’s more than 80 clubs, wine bars and lounges to life, offering you plenty of fun places to party like a rock star. Whether you’re in a club to dance or drink, Scottsdale offers sufficient late-night distractions that will keep you going until sunrise. It’s pretty clear that you can never run short of fun stuff to do in Scottsdale. After your Arizona ATV tours and adventures, here are some of the best places to enjoy yourself all night long in Scottsdale.

1. Livewire

Livewire has a state-of-the-art entertainment system.

Livewire is the centerpiece of live music in the southern part of Scottsdale and can accommodate more than 1,100 music and dance enthusiasts. The state-of-the-art club was master designed right from its foundation and has the most advanced sound and video technology. Livewire plays host to acclaimed club DJs from different parts of the world, touring national acts as well as comedy performers. The club features a built-in stage, spacious dance floor, VIP Lounge, wrap-around LED screen and a green room. Its grand staircase, tufted seating and crystal chandelier lend Livewire the vintage glam touch that no other entertainment spot in the entire Scottsdale can claim to enjoy.

2. Rogue Bar

Rogue Bar is characterized by a great pool, big comfy booths, greasy bar food and live music. Rogue Bar’s dance floor is a perfect place to boogie down after a long and tiresome week. Saturdays often have a DJ spinning records while revelers enjoy themselves on the main dance floor. The live music calendar is characterized by upcoming rock and indie acts, making it one of the perfect places to catch a superstar in the making.

3. Goodwood Tavern

After you’re done with enjoying yourself on the dance floors of different Scottsdale nightclubs, the Goodwood Tavern located in Old Town will be waiting for you. It is a perfect place to cool off with warm, vintage style and elevated bar bites that comes with hand-crafted cocktails. Goodwood Tavern features sprawling patio seating, cushy booths and open front. This is the perfect place to watch people as they go about their daily activities in Old Town. The spot is also famous for its delicious cocktails and amazing food menu. Do not miss the delicious, hot and salty pretzels. If you’re a fan of bourbon, this joint is one of the best places in Old Town where you can find the finest selections of bourbons.

4. AZ88 Bar & Restaurant

AZ88 Bar & Restaurant is famous for its sandwiches, burgers and “galettes”. A “galette” is a flat bread topped with olives, cheese, onions and bacon. When you visit this nightlife joint expect to be impressed by plentiful sides, fresh ingredients as well as uniquely grilled big hamburgers. Located in Old Town Scottsdale’s Civic Center Mall, the AZ88 Bar & Restaurant offers rich ambience with picturesque views of green spaces and fountains.

5. The Beverly

The Beverly is Old Town Scottsdale’s nightlife gem boasting old-school glamour and sophistication. The mahogany wood bar, exposed brick walls and leather booths give it a warm and intimate feel. The Beverly’s menu is full of delicious cocktails and comfort food favorites, including mac and cheese, gourmet sliders, deviled eggs, flatbreads and truffle fries. The Beverly has a happy hour that happens daily between 4pm and 7pm.

6. Kazimierz World Wine Bar

Kazimierz World Wine Bar’s subdued lighting, wine casks lining its walls and softly-playing jazz gives it a subterranean feel that makes it standout from most of the nightlife spots in Scottsdale. At Kazimierz World Wine Bar, you’ll have more than 1,500 varieties of wine to choose from. Luckily, you won’t have to go through a hard time trying to identify the best wine because the management has made a list of top 50 brands and the servers can as well guide you if you can’t seem to settle on one specific brand.

7. Maya Day & Nightclub

Maya Day and Nightclub is famous for spinning illusions and is one of the most famous dance clubs in Scottsdale. It you’re looking for a joint where you can see fire breathers, dancers swinging from the rafters and other high-octane tricks, all you’ve got to do is drop by this amazing nightlife spot. The crowd at Maya Day and Nightclub always dress to impress and is young and energetic. It usually hosts different celebrities every year and attracts many A-list DJs from all over the world. Additionally, Maya Day and Nightclub often holds special events that attract large number of revelers.

8. The Mint

You can dance the night away at The Mint in Scottsdale.

Wasted GrainThe Mint is among the finest and most glamorous spots to dance the night away in Scottsdale. The Mint is designed to stimulate the Hollywood Regency style. The DJs at The Mint play extensive pop and house music. It also has a 4,500 square ft. of al fresco drinking and mingling, which features resort-style cabanas. In case you want to be in a less crowded place you can book one of the VIP’s wine and dining rooms. Additionally, The Mint has a luxurious 30-ft bar, specialty champagne bar and custom dynamic LED installation.

A laid-back restaurant, bar and nightclub, Wasted Grain has something special for everyone. If you want to play a few rounds of corn hole with your friends while enjoying your favorite beer or you want to enjoy yourself on the dance floor, then you should not pass on a chance to spend some worthwhile time at Wasted Grain. Wasted Grain is also a great choice if all you want is a place where you can relax on a patio while enjoying cocktails with friends.

10. Rockbar Inc.

Rockbar Inc. is one of the best rock-n-roll spots in Scottsdale. It features live music, rock DJs as well as exclusive performances from both local and national acts. It is a home to one of the famous rooftop bars in the city and is the perfect spot to soak in the glittering downtown Scottsdale lights. The bar is opened every day of the week at 4pm.

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