When I lived in Tucson for two years, I spent a lot of time in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Phoenix has about 1.5 million people and continues to grow rapidly. I still prefer visiting Tucson for its charm, but Phoenix is much easier to fly into, with several daily direct flights from all over the United States, and even some direct flights to Europe.

That said, within the Phoenix area, my favorite by far is Scottsdale Arizona. It’s like Scottsdale was made for tourists; there are so many hotels and restaurants and fun things to do! Since I moved to Utah, I try to plan a quick weekend getaway to Scottsdale each winter. As much as I love snow, it’s nice to thaw out in the desert for a few days!

This post contains affiliate links. Buying through these links will not cost you extra, but I will earn a small commission.

Things to Do in Scottsdale

Scottsdale has a little bit of everything, which is why it is such a popular spot!

• Golf is obviously huge in Arizona, and Scottsdale has over 50 courses!
• Wherever you find golf resorts, you’ll find an equal amount of spas. Treat yourself!
• Cheer on the Chicago Cubs at Spring Training in nearby Mesa.
• The Desert Botanical Garden is a good alternative to Tucson’s Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.
• Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West is one of my favorite museums near Phoenix.
• Hiking in the Sonoran Desert is my favorite thing to do in Arizona.
  • The McDowell Sonoran Preserve has a nice 3-mile loop with great views
  • For hikers seeking a big challenge, check out Camelback Mountain. But don’t underestimate it; people are rescued from this strenuous hike all the time.
• Shopping seems to be a popular Scottsdale past time. There are two large shopping districts in Scottsdale: Fashion Square Mall and Kierland Commons. Then there’s the historic shopping area of Old Town Scottsdale. All of these Scottsdale neighborhoods have tons of shops and restaurants. Parking near Old Town can be difficult, so use a shuttle or ride share if you can.

Scottsdale Tours

Besides exploring on your own, there are some fun tours in and around Scottsdale. I love joining tours, especially when solo traveling as it’s a great way to meet other travelers. Scottsdale has some really fun tours, like the Pedal Pub or golf cart tours. You can find bike tours, e-bike tours, and segway tours. If there’s something you’re interested in, there’s probably a Scottsdale tour for you!

ATV / UTV Tours

ATV tours are a great way to explore the desert. We joined Arizona Outdoor Fun for an ATV adventure just north of the Phoenix Metro. UTV tours are a popular summer activity in Park City, but I had never driven an ATV. They were a little tricky to drive, but super fun once you get the hang of it! They also have a 4-seater UTV in the group in case anyone doesn't pass the initial driving test. One of our group took this option! I probably should have, seeing as how I flew off my machine a few times, haha!

Taco Tour

Of course, I had to take a taco tour in Scottsdale! Even the best Mexican restaurants in Park City can't hold a candle to Mexican food in Arizona. Scottsdale has all different kinds of Mexican, New Mexican, and Native American restaurants. Even Tex Mex!

On this tour, we visited Cien Agaves (good Tex Mex style tacos,) America's Taco Shop, and Los Olivos Mexican Patio which is the oldest restaurant in Scottsdale. We wrapped up with dessert at The Monarch Hotel, a cute vintage hotel near Old Town Scottsdale. If I wasn't such a points hoarder, I would totally stay here!

Salt River Rafting Tours

If you're visiting Scottsdale in summer, the best thing you can do is get out on the water! There are a few options for whitewater rafting in Arizona. The Lower Salt (shown below) is super mellow and just great on a hot day. It's more of a party scene on the weekends, so keep that in mind. Weekdays are pretty chill.

For a bit more adventure, book an Upper Salt River Rafting trip. You'll have to drive east about two hours to the put-in (some companies may shuttle you from Scottsdale; others will shuttle you back to the put-in.) Salt Canyon is truly one of the most breathtaking places in Arizona. Especially during the spring bloom!

Hot Air Balloon Rides

If you haven't taken an early morning hot air balloon ride in Arizona, you're missing out! This is one of the most popular things to do in Scottsdale, so reserve your spot well in advance of your trip. I am not a morning person, but this is one experience worth waking up for!

Scottsdale Restaurants

There is an overwhelming amount of restaurants in Scottsdale! Because I live in a small town without many chain restaurants, I often take the opportunity to eat at some of my favorite chain restaurants that we don't have in Park City. I have eaten at the Cheesecake Factory, RA Sushi, and Fogo de Chao during various Scottsdale visits. I also love First Watch for breakfast tacos. When staying at Hyatt resorts in Scottsdale, I'm just as likely to stay on property and take advantage of my employee discount!

Toca Madera has been highly recommended to me, so that will be top of my list for my next trip to Scottsdale.

Where to Stay in Scottsdale

One of the reasons that Scottsdale is such a popular weekend getaway destination is the plethora of resorts in Scottsdale. There are so many to choose from! These are a few of my favorites that I've stayed at in the last few years. Where I stay depends on who I'm working for at the time, as I try to take advantage of employee discounts. Since I've worked for Marriott, Hilton and now Hyatt, this is where I've stayed in Scottdale.

Grand Hyatt Scottsdale

The former Hyatt Regency Scottsdale recently underwent a $115 million renovation and reopened as the first Grand Hyatt in Arizona! I stayed here in early December, shortly after the reopening, and loved it. (Comp rooms as a Hyatt employee certainly help!) There is a huge pool with a waterslide and a separate adults-only pool that I enjoyed. There are plenty of dining options and a market with snacks and gifts. The shuttle service is perfect, especially if you don't want to pay the $38 daily parking fee. There's a morning hiker shuttle to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and several shuttles to local shopping centers like Kierland, Old Town, and Fashion Square.

On a December trip, I spent a lot of time on my balcony, just taking in the warm desert air.

Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

Another favorite resort in Scottsdale is the Westin Kierland. I've always been a big fan of Westin, and I cashed in some points for a quick weekend trip at the end of ski season last year. I was upgraded to a ridiculously huge room with Bonvoy Suite Night Awards, and I love the location. You can walk next door to Kierland Commons, which has many shops and restaurants.

Check rates at Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

Doubletree Paradise Valley

In 2024, I met several of my hometown friends for a weekend of baseball and sunshine. Since I worked for Hilton at the time, I got a $50 rate at the Doubletree in Paradise Valley. The property is quite large, and the units are motel-style where your door opens to the outside. I loved having a balcony and slider to leave open at night. The pools were nice and the food was good so overall this is a good mid-range hotel in Scottsdale.

Hilton Garden Inn

This Hilton Garden Inn is in a great location for visiting Old Town Scottsdale. I stayed here for a quick overnight while attending a conference at the nearby Phoenician. I didn't spend much time on property, but it's definitely not a resort. If you're here for sightseeing, it's a great spot.

Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows

Next month, I'm staying at the Andaz Scottsdale. It's in the same area as the Doubletree and Grand Hyatt but the Andaz brand is new for me, so I'll be sure to update after my trip. I've heard so many great things, so I'm excited for this one! Check back here in April for an update!

When deciding where to stay in Scottsdale, think about what kind of trip you want to have. You'll either be sequestered at a resort with no reason to leave, or you'll want to be in the heart of the action, near Old Town's famous bars. Once you've narrowed that down, then you can choose the best Scottsdale hotel for you.

Getting to Scottsdale

Getting to Scottsdale is so easy! Most visitors to Scottsdale will fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) but Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) also has a fair number of direct flights as well. Ubers are plentiful, although if you want to do any exploring, you're better off renting a car.