Things to Do in Scottsdale: Neighborhoods, Food, Museums, and Outdoor Activities.
Sep 8, 2026 / Public Storage
When you arrive in Scottsdale, Arizona, palm trees, turquoise pools, and mountain silhouettes create the perfect desert backdrop. With around 242,000 residents, the city combines resort-style relaxation with outdoor adventure. Scottsdale is known for its luxurious resorts, creative dining, and stylish shopping, all bathed in sunshine for more than 300 days a year.
Scottsdale offers Sonoran Desert trails, art museums, resort amenities, local dining, golf, and walkable shopping districts. Plan your visit around Old Town Scottsdale, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale Waterfront, and nearby desert attractions to combine activities by area.
Scottsdale Travel Essentials:
- Explore Old Town Scottsdale for galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and public art.
- Hike or bike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and nearby desert trail areas.
- Visit Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West.
- Tour Taliesin West to learn about Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert architecture.
- Visit Desert Botanical Garden for Sonoran Desert plants and seasonal displays.
- Try Southwest food, local restaurants, brunch spots, and Scottsdale nightlife.
- Use walking, biking, rideshare, or a car based on your route.
Scottsdale Travel at a Glance:
What Are the Best Things to Do in Scottsdale?
The best things to do in Scottsdale include exploring Old Town, hiking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, visiting art museums, touring Taliesin West, and trying Southwest food. Visitors can also visit Desert Botanical Garden, shop at local boutiques, attend Scottsdale ArtWalk, or spend time at a spa or golf course.
Plan each day by area. Combine Old Town galleries, restaurants, and Scottsdale Waterfront in one itinerary, then schedule the preserve, Taliesin West, or Desert Botanical Garden for a separate day.
What Can You Do in Old Town Scottsdale?
Old Town Scottsdale offers art galleries, boutiques, museums, restaurants, public art, and nightlife. The area is walkable and provides access to Scottsdale ArtWalk, Western Spirit, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and local dining.
Old Town Scottsdale attractions include:
- Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art: Contemporary art exhibitions and public programs
- Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West: Western art, history, and cultural exhibits
- Scottsdale ArtWalk: Gallery visits and local art events
- Scottsdale Waterfront: Canal-side paths, restaurants, shops, and public art
- Old Town boutiques: Local shopping, gifts, art, and Southwest-inspired goods
- Restaurants and nightlife: Brunch spots, cocktail bars, patios, and live music venues
What Museums and Cultural Attractions Are in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale museums and cultural attractions include Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, Taliesin West, and galleries throughout Old Town. These destinations provide contemporary art, Western history, architecture, and regional culture.
What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale outdoor activities include hiking, biking, golf, desert walks, spa visits, and garden exploration. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Camelback Mountain, Desert Botanical Garden, and nearby mountain areas provide common starting points.
Popular outdoor activities include:
- Hiking or biking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
- Hiking Camelback Mountain
- Visiting Desert Botanical Garden
- Walking along Scottsdale Waterfront paths
- Playing golf at Scottsdale-area courses
- Exploring desert trails and scenic drives
- Attending outdoor events in Old Town Scottsdale
Bring water, sun protection, and suitable footwear for desert trails. Schedule longer outdoor activities early in the day during hot weather and check trail conditions before leaving.
What Can You Do in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve?
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers hiking, biking, desert landscapes, and mountain views in northern Scottsdale. Choose a trail based on your available time, fitness level, and current weather conditions.
Bring water, use sun protection, and review trail guidance before starting. Desert temperatures can rise quickly, especially from late spring through early fall.
What Food Is Scottsdale Known For?
Scottsdale is known for Southwest cuisine, Mexican food, modern American restaurants, local brunch spots, craft cocktails, and farm-focused dining. Old Town Scottsdale, Scottsdale Waterfront, and North Scottsdale offer varied options for food and drinks.
Common Scottsdale food experiences include:
- Southwest and Sonoran-style dishes
- Mexican food and tacos
- Brunch and coffee shops
- Farm-focused seasonal menus
- Wine bars and craft cocktails
- Restaurants with patios and desert views
- Local bakeries and dessert shops
Plan meals around your route. Pair Old Town museums and galleries with nearby dining, or schedule a dinner reservation after a day of hiking or shopping.
Which Scottsdale Neighborhoods Should Visitors Explore?
Scottsdale neighborhoods offer different options for art, food, shopping, hiking, resort amenities, and desert views. Old Town, Scottsdale Waterfront, South Scottsdale, North Scottsdale, and the McDowell Mountain area are practical places to start.
Consider these areas:
- Old Town Scottsdale: Galleries, restaurants, local shops, museums, and nightlife
- Scottsdale Waterfront: Canal walks, dining, shopping, and public art
- South Scottsdale: Central location, local restaurants, and access to nearby Phoenix attractions
- North Scottsdale: Golf, resorts, desert trails, and mountain views
- McDowell Mountain area: Hiking, biking, outdoor recreation, and scenic drives
- Fashion Square area: Shopping, restaurants, hotels, and Old Town access
What Shopping and Entertainment Can You Find in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale offers local boutiques, art galleries, shopping centers, golf, live music, museums, and nightlife. Old Town and Scottsdale Fashion Square provide different options for local goods, art, dining, and larger retailers.
How Should You Get Around Scottsdale?
Use walking, biking, rideshare, buses, or a car to get around Scottsdale. Old Town Scottsdale and Scottsdale Waterfront are easier to explore on foot once you arrive.
A car or rideshare is useful for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Taliesin West, desert trails, golf courses, and destinations outside Old Town. Check parking, event schedules, and weather conditions before traveling.
Plan Your Scottsdale Visit or Move.
Explore Scottsdale by combining Old Town galleries, restaurants, museums, desert trails, and shopping into a clear daily route. Public Storage can help you put away permitted, clean, dry household items while you organize a move or settle into a Scottsdale home.
Start in Old Town. Head for the desert.
Scottsdale Travel FAQs
What Are the Best Things to Do in Scottsdale?
Popular Scottsdale activities include exploring Old Town, hiking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, visiting Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, touring Taliesin West, and spending time at Desert Botanical Garden.
What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale offers hiking, biking, golf, desert walks, garden visits, and scenic drives. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Camelback Mountain, and nearby desert trails provide common outdoor options.
What Food Is Scottsdale Known For?
Scottsdale is known for Southwest cuisine, Mexican food, modern American restaurants, brunch spots, craft cocktails, and farm-focused dining. Old Town, Scottsdale Waterfront, and North Scottsdale offer varied dining options.
What Neighborhoods Should First-Time Visitors Explore in Scottsdale?
First-time visitors can explore Old Town Scottsdale, Scottsdale Waterfront, South Scottsdale, North Scottsdale, and the McDowell Mountain area. These areas offer art, restaurants, shopping, hiking, golf, and desert views.
Do You Need a Car to Visit Scottsdale?
You can walk or use rideshare services for Old Town and Scottsdale Waterfront attractions. A car or rideshare is useful for hiking trails, Taliesin West, North Scottsdale, golf courses, and other destinations outside central Scottsdale.
