Scottsdale, Arizona is known for...
its art scene and opulent resorts. However, the city also features many interesting attractions for visitors to enjoy! From museums to outdoor adventures, you can find just about anything in this desert city. Here are ten of the best things in do in Scottsdale, Arizona. 10 Things to do in Scottsdale AZ.
(More info about our Scottsdale Segway Tours. Tempe Town Lake Segway Tours. 10 Reasons to Choose Us. Segway for Sale.
(More info about our Scottsdale Segway Tours. Tempe Town Lake Segway Tours. 10 Reasons to Choose Us. Segway for Sale.
10 Things to Do in Scottsdale AZ
1) Carnival of Illusion A UNIQUE Old-World Illusion Show perfect for anniversaries, birthdays, date nights, and special evenings!
Imagine a vaudeville inspired theater show with old-world magic, add a twinkling hint of 1900's Parisian humor, shake and stir for 100 minutes for your passport filled with FUN! You are a passenger in this entertaining theater of illusion. Theater of Illusion.
2) OdySea in the Desert. This is a fairly new Scottsdale attraction, and you could spend an entire weekend just exploring this complex. In addition to a few small entertainment attractions and restaurants, OdySea includes an impressive aquarium, a dolphin encounter, and a stunning butterfly pavilion.
3) The Desert Botanical Garden. This isn’t a very good summer excursion, since it is outdoors, but it’s something you can’t miss if you visit Scottsdale during any other season! Explore and photograph the beautifully landscaped grounds to learn about desert plants and animals. You’ll be amazed at the diversity of life in the desert!
4) The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Before you go, let us give a disclaimer: this is a small museum, and you can’t expect to find conventional art here—even conventional modern art. Instead, you’ll find pieces like an American cheese square mural and a gum-covered chair. The best part of this museum is a room full of hanging lights—the perfect Instagrammable background!
5) McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The Phoenix Metro Area is known for its excellent hiking trails that begin just steps from busy streets. Scottsdale offers some of the best hiking in the region! Head to McDowell Sonoran Preserve to escape into the hills. Take a long hike through the winding trails to check out the scenic views.
6) McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. This is a fun thing to do in Scottsdale with kids, but adults love it, too! You can learn about the history of trains and see train cars both modern and vintage.
7) Arizona Cowboy College. As long as you’re in the Southwest, you may as well learn some real cowboy skills! You can take a week of Cowboy Camp, or just take a lesson for a day. Imagine donning a cowboy hat and riding off into the desert landscape!
8) The Musical Instrument Museum. If you love music, culture, history, or all of the above, you should check out this unique museum! There are instruments from virtually every culture and era at the MIM. This is a great place to while away a hot Scottsdale afternoon.
9) Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. Don’t write this place off as just another zoo. If you’ve already done the zoo thing a hundred times, then this is the perfect place for you to experience animals in a new way! All of the creatures here are unable to survive in the wild. Many are in the process or rehabilitation and release, while others are permanent residents.
10) Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. This is predominately an art museum, filled with paintings and bronzes of the Southwest. There are several other exhibits, as well, including film showings and Hopi pottery.
Writer: Breana Johnson
Imagine a vaudeville inspired theater show with old-world magic, add a twinkling hint of 1900's Parisian humor, shake and stir for 100 minutes for your passport filled with FUN! You are a passenger in this entertaining theater of illusion. Theater of Illusion.
2) OdySea in the Desert. This is a fairly new Scottsdale attraction, and you could spend an entire weekend just exploring this complex. In addition to a few small entertainment attractions and restaurants, OdySea includes an impressive aquarium, a dolphin encounter, and a stunning butterfly pavilion.
3) The Desert Botanical Garden. This isn’t a very good summer excursion, since it is outdoors, but it’s something you can’t miss if you visit Scottsdale during any other season! Explore and photograph the beautifully landscaped grounds to learn about desert plants and animals. You’ll be amazed at the diversity of life in the desert!
4) The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Before you go, let us give a disclaimer: this is a small museum, and you can’t expect to find conventional art here—even conventional modern art. Instead, you’ll find pieces like an American cheese square mural and a gum-covered chair. The best part of this museum is a room full of hanging lights—the perfect Instagrammable background!
5) McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The Phoenix Metro Area is known for its excellent hiking trails that begin just steps from busy streets. Scottsdale offers some of the best hiking in the region! Head to McDowell Sonoran Preserve to escape into the hills. Take a long hike through the winding trails to check out the scenic views.
6) McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. This is a fun thing to do in Scottsdale with kids, but adults love it, too! You can learn about the history of trains and see train cars both modern and vintage.
7) Arizona Cowboy College. As long as you’re in the Southwest, you may as well learn some real cowboy skills! You can take a week of Cowboy Camp, or just take a lesson for a day. Imagine donning a cowboy hat and riding off into the desert landscape!
8) The Musical Instrument Museum. If you love music, culture, history, or all of the above, you should check out this unique museum! There are instruments from virtually every culture and era at the MIM. This is a great place to while away a hot Scottsdale afternoon.
9) Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. Don’t write this place off as just another zoo. If you’ve already done the zoo thing a hundred times, then this is the perfect place for you to experience animals in a new way! All of the creatures here are unable to survive in the wild. Many are in the process or rehabilitation and release, while others are permanent residents.
10) Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. This is predominately an art museum, filled with paintings and bronzes of the Southwest. There are several other exhibits, as well, including film showings and Hopi pottery.
Writer: Breana Johnson
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