Scottsdale is one of my favorite cities in the country. It’s always a great time to visit, and there are so many things to do here! We’ve got hiking, museums, art galleries, and even some kid-friendly activities. You can spend hours exploring the city on foot or by bicycle; it’s great exercise but also gives you time to appreciate all the beautiful designs around town. Want to book flights check out round trip flights for great offers and deals.
Hike the Lost Dutchman State Park
There are several trails within the park, each with varying levels of difficulty. The most popular is the Dutchman’s Gold Loop, which is 2.5 miles long and takes approximately two hours to complete. This trail features a wide variety of desert wildlife and scenic views. Other trails include the Lost Dutchman State Park Trail (1 mile) and Aravaipa Canyon Trail (2 miles).
Trails range from easy to moderate in difficulty level depending on your experience level and fitness level. All trails are shaded by trees making them more comfortable during hot weather months, but they do get dusty in dryer times of the year so be sure to wear appropriate footwear such as hiking boots or running shoes that will provide good traction when traversing rocks along the way!
This park is open year-round from dawn until dusk so it’s perfect for those looking for an early sunrise hike or late-night stargazing session under clear skies
Visit the Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden is a great place to visit in Scottsdale. It’s home to over 50,000 plants from around the world and you can learn about them all at this education and learning facility. If you’re short on time or just want a quick trip there are guided tours that will teach you more about how these plants grow in different climates. You can also make use of the self-guided tour where you get to walk around by yourself and take photos of some amazing scenery!
Explore Camelback Mountain
Camelback Mountain is a popular hiking destination, and for good reason. The mountain has an elevation of 2,707 feet and offers two trails to the summit: Echo Canyon Trail and Cholla Trail. Both are easy to access from the city center, but they offer different experiences.
The Echo Canyon Trail begins at the base of Camelback Mountain in Papago Park, just north of downtown Scottsdale. This trail is a paved path that ascends through several switchbacks to reach its highest point at 1 mile above sea level (you can also take this route down!). The terrain here consists mainly of desert plants such as creosote bushes, mesquite trees, and saguaro cacti; you may even spot some tortoises along the way! The Echo Canyon Trail ends at the Seventh Iron trailhead parking lot on McDowell Road where it connects with other trails branching off toward North Mountain Park or South Mountain Park if you’re feeling ambitious enough for another adventure later in your trip!
Spend time at Tempe Town Lake
If you’re looking for something to do in Scottsdale, try spending time at Tempe Town Lake. The lake is located near the heart of Tempe and is an excellent place for going for a walk or jogging, taking your bike out for a ride, attending concerts and festivals (there’s always something happening), and visiting the Tempe Beach Park and Center for the Arts. If you feel like swimming, you can stop by one of the many lakeside pools!
Visit the Musical Instrument Museum
If you’re a music lover, this is the place to go. The museum has a collection of over 15,000 instruments that span several centuries and musical genres. It’s located in a building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and was built as his retirement home.
The museum features instruments from all around the world and offers guided tours every day except Mondays at 10 am, 12 pm, or 2 pm. You can also buy tickets for a special behind-the-scenes tour which takes place once per month on Saturdays at 11 am (reservations required).
Go to the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture
The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture is an architectural school founded in 1937. It has since moved three times and currently resides at 820 North 44th Street in Phoenix, Arizona. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as continuing education courses for professionals.
You can visit the campus between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday; and 1-5 p.m., Sunday (closed on holidays). Admission is free unless you want to attend one of the special tours offered throughout the year that require reservations or purchase tickets ahead of time on their website (https://franklloydwrightarchitecturecollegeofarizona/visit). If you do not have tickets for any of these special events, you can still walk around freely during your visit at no cost whatsoever!
Visit Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the best places to see art in the entire city. It’s a beautiful museum with many different pieces of art, and it’s always free to visit! You can go there every day (except Mondays), and you will see something new each time you go. The cafe at this museum is also very good—you can get lunch or dinner there if you want something more than just ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery across the street. However, if you don’t want to eat at the cafe, there’s still plenty more that this place has to offer. For example:
There’s an amazing gift shop filled with souvenirs from all over Arizona! You’ll find everything from t-shirts with a funny saying on them (such as “I Love Phoenix”) or things like postcards showing off famous landmarks around town like Camelback Mountain or Desert Botanical Garden). Plus there are some really neat books about Arizona history too!
Explore the Tonto National Forest
There are many things to do in Scottsdale, but one of the best is to explore Arizona’s Tonto National Forest. This forest is located just south of the city and offers plenty of opportunities for recreation including hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and more.
If you’re looking for some exercise you can go hiking or mountain biking on one of their many trails. There are also several lakes within the forest boundaries where you can camp out or go swimming. In addition to these activities, two major lakes offer boat rentals so that you can enjoy water sports like sailing or kayaking while exploring this beautiful area.
The Tonto National Forest provides visitors with an amazing opportunity to experience nature at its finest!
Conclusion
Scottsdale is a great place to visit if you’re looking to experience the best of Arizona. With so many things to do, it’s easy for anyone to get lost in the city and never leave. Whether you want to spend time hiking, exploring museums, or going shopping there will always be something new around every corner! Want to rent a car check out the best car rental deals for great offers and deals.
