Local’s Guide to a Perfect Weekend in Scottsdale Arizona
This guide to a weekend in Scottsdale Arizona includes the best things to do, luxury resorts, restaurants, and general travel tips.
Scottsdale Arizona is one of my favorite weekend getaways in the United States. With year-round sunshine, great resorts, and amazing restaurants, Scottsdale is a destination I visited many times per year when I lived in Seattle.
In fact, I loved Scottsdale so much, I moved here a couple years ago! Now I spend every weekend exploring the best restaurants and activities in the area.
Follow this guide to a weekend in Scottsdale for the best things to do from a local’s perspective, including some hidden gems and some touristy things that are worth the hype.
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What to Do in Scottsdale AZ
In my opinion, the perfect weekend in Scottsdale Arizona includes a combination of adventure, exploration, and relaxation.
The below activities include all these things! For the perfect weekend itinerary, I recommend one relaxing activity and one active activity every day.
For example, enjoy a spa day in the morning followed by a sunset Camelback hike.
1. Hot Air Balloon Flight
The number one activity I recommend in Scottsdale is this morning hot air balloon ride with champagne and breakfast.
It is guaranteed to be the highlight of your trip with the amazing desert views and a bit of adrenaline.
The tour begins with a hotel pickup, then 60-minute flight over the Phoenix with mountain, desert, and wildlife views.
The trip ends with a catered breakfast and champagne. If you are visiting Scottsdale for a special occasion, this activity is the best way to make it unforgettable.
2. Explore Old Town Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale is its version of a “downtown.” Old Town is made up of a few blocks of old western-themed streets and backs up to the newer fashion mall.
In Old Town, there are many amazing restaurants and cute shops. Allocate an extra hour or two around a dinner reservation in Old Town to check the area out.
3. Hike Camelback
The most famous hike in Scottsdale is Camelback Mountain. The iconic mountain looks like a camel, with the two peaks looking like a camel head and hump.
Since it’s the most famous hike in the area, expect a busy trailhead with rewarding views.
There are some portions of the hike that require scrambling up rocks, so prepare with the correct gear including hiking boots and gloves.
If the hike sounds intimidating, this tour is a great option to make it easier.
4. Desert Botanical Garden
The desert botanical garden is a great way to experience the unique plants and beauty of the Arizona desert. You can visit the gardens or attend a special event.
If the timing of your visit allows, I highly recommend going to an event. An example of events they host in the gardens are Chihuly in the Garden featuring blown-glass artwork or Las Noches de Las Luminarias, a night event with glowing lanterns.
5. McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Another great way to explore the nature of Scottsdale is by visiting the McDowell Sonoran preserve. This preserve includes various hiking and nature trails for all abilities.
If hiking Camelback seems daunting, this is a great place for a more laid-back hike.
6. Visit a Spa
As mentioned above, the perfect trip to Scottsdale includes a bit of relaxation. The best way to relax is by spending a day at one of the elite spas in the area.
Some of my favorite Scottsdale spas are at the Omni Hotel or Sanctuary Camelback.
7. Explore Scottsdale’s Nightlife
If your weekend in Scottsdale is a girl’s trip or bachelorette party, be sure to check out the great nightlife scene.
All the top bars and clubs in the area are located within a block of each other, making a night out super easy.
My favorite bar in Scottsdale is Dierks Bentley Whiskey row. It has a great mix of country and pop music, a large dance floor, and a great atmosphere.
Where to Stay Near Scottsdale
There are many amazing hotels and resorts in the Scottsdale area. There are options at all price points and for all occasions, including family vacations, bachelorette parties, or a romantic getaway.
The below resorts are my favorite for their stunning properties, luxury amenities, and great service. For large groups, there are also many incredible vacation rentals.
Mountain Shadows Resort
The Mountain Shadows Resort is a mid-century modern, boutique hotel, at the base of Camelback Mountain. The resort has two restaurants, amazing bar, and great lounge space for guests.
The long pool is lined with cabanas, perfect for bachelorette parties or birthdays. This is where I stay when I visit Scottsdale, and I highly recommend it!
For more information, check out my honest review of Mountain Shadows resort.
JW Camelback Inn
Another great resort near Camelback Mountain is the JW Marriott. This large, western themed property has amazing amenities and is a destination in itself.
There are a variety of room options, ranging for a traditional hotel room to a suite with a private plunge pool.
Sanctuary Camelback
The third resort I recommend near Camelback is the Sanctuary. I love staying near Camelback, in the town of Paradise Valley, because it is safe, quiet, and near Old Town Scottsdale.
The Sanctuary Camelback Resort has a spa-like atmosphere, great restaurant, and beautiful plunge pool.
JW Desert Ridge
The JW Desert Ridge is the best family-friendly resort on this list. This huge property has multiple restaurants, a lazy-river, and hundreds of high-end hotel rooms.
Kids of all ages would have a blast at the waterpark-esque pool area, and the adults can enjoy the luxurious hotel bar and spa.
The Scott
The Scott is a super-trendy resort near Old Town that has instagrammable areas around every corner. Stay here for a chic girls trip or bachelorette party.
Best Restaurants in Scottsdale
Scottsdale is such a foodie city. In Arizona, some of the best cuisine to try are Mexican and Southwestern, but there are great restaurants of all types. In addition to great food, all the restaurants on this list have great ambience and cool vibes.
Brunch
Snooze AM Eatery – Snooze is consistently one of my favorite brunch spots anywhere in the world. It has a classic brunch menu, with their most popular item being their different eggs benedicts.
Schmooze – Schmooze, not to be confused with Snooze, is a great brunch spot in Old Town Scottsdale. Their outdoor patio is perfect for the warm Scottsdale weather and the food is great too!
Zuzu – Zuzu is the feature restaurant at the Hotel Valley Ho.
I love getting a meal at the different resorts in the area as an excuse to check them out and Zuzu is a great way to do just that! If you have a morning sweet tooth, their milkshakes are iconic.
Lunch
Diego Pops – When in Scottsdale, you need to eat some Mexican food. Being close to the border, Scottsdale has a lot of great Mexican food with an American Twist.
Diego Pops does just that with their tacos, bowls, and delicious margs.
The Montauk – The Montauk will transport you from Scottsdale to New York. The restaurant is themed after the town in the Hamptons of the same name and serves great Northeastern food such as lobster rolls or fish tacos.
Evo – For casual Italian in Old Town, Evo is a great lunch option. Their pizzas and pastas are all great and easily shareable for a group.
Dinner
The Mission – The Mission is my favorite restaurant in Scottsdale. With a scratch kitchen and great menu, everything you order will be amazing.
Some of my favorite dishes are the tableside guacamole, porchetta, and pork shoulder tacos. The Mission’s head chef trained in France, giving the menu a unique spin on Mexican food.
Hearth 61– Hearth 61 is the main restaurant at the Mountain Shadows Resort and is often rated the best restaurant in Paradise Valley.
The outdoor patio has fantastic sunset views of Camelback Mountain.
The menu ranges from casual options such as flatbreads or a burger to gourmet options such as beef tenderloin or herb crusted salmon.
Lincoln Steakhouse – Lincoln Steakhouse at the JW Camelback Inn is my favorite steakhouse in Scottsdale.
The restaurant has a western theme with very high-end service. From their perfectly prepared steaks to the dessert, your entire meal is guaranteed to be delicious.
Kyoto – For a dinner experience, Kyoto in Old Town is great. Elect for a teppanyaki table for an interactive show while your dinner is prepared in front of you.
There are a variety of dinner options, including filet mignon, shrimp, and more.
Citizen Public House – The Citizen Public House has a super unique restaurant atmosphere. The décor is eclectic and so is the menu.
I recommend getting a bunch of starters to share and rounding out the meal with the monkey bread for dessert.
Check out my Scottsdale restaurant guide for more restaurant recs and details on the above list.
Best Time to Visit Arizona
Arizona is a great destination in the United States to find sunshine and tank top weather year-round. That said, the summers are a bit brutal with daily temperatures ranging from 100-120 degrees.
The best months to visit Scottsdale are between September and April. Expect temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees, and very little rain.
The busiest times to visit are December and March, during winter and spring break respectively, so avoid these times if you can.
Getting to Scottsdale
Scottsdale is a short 20-30 minute drive from the Phoenix International Airport. If you are flying, this is the best airport to select. There are direct flights into Phoenix from most destinations in the US.
Downtown Scottsdale is drivable from any destination in Arizona and can be a great start or end-point for a Southern United States road trip.
Transportation around Scottsdale
Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area is spread-out across around 10 miles. If you plan to do a lot of the activities in the guide and explore the entire area, I highly recommend getting a rental car.
This will allow you to explore the area, try a variety of restaurants, and potentially take any day trips easily. In addition, parking is readily available in Scottsdale, so having a car is convenient.
If you choose to not rent a car, using rideshare such as Uber and Lyft will be your next best option for trips around the area.
Within Old Town Scottsdale, you can get around easily by walking or using the golf cart taxis. If you plan to stay in Old Town your entire weekend in Scottsdale, disregard my previous tip about renting a car.
Day Trips from Scottsdale
If you have visited before or have longer than one weekend in Scottsdale, a day trip is a great addition to your trip. Scottsdale is great because its central to a lot of great destinations.
Grand Canyon – This day trip speaks for itself. If you have never visited the Grand Canyon, you need to! This American monument is iconic and incredible.
This day tour from Scottsdale includes transportation with stops in the Sonoran Desert, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon. By doing this tour, you will see all the highlights of the state in less than 24 hours!
If you want a bit more time to explore, check out my two day Grand Canyon itinerary.
Sedona – Sedona Arizona is home to the beautiful and unique red rocks. This Sedona day trip jeep tour is the most popular ways to see the area. ‘
The iconic pink jeeps will visit the best sites and views in Sedona, Native American ruins, and the town for lunch.
Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend – Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are the most well-known attractions in Page Arizona.
This tour allows you to easily see both in one day! In addition to seeing these amazing sites, the tour is very educational with historical facts about the state shared throughout the drive.
Gilbert – Gilbert is a suburb of Phoenix and a great weekend getaway in Arizona. From Scottsdale, Gilbert makes a great day trip for lunch and shopping.
The downtown area is quaint and charming. Check out my guide to Gilbert for more tips on what to do and see.
Summary of a Weekend in Scottsdale
With the help of this guide, your Scottsdale weekend vacation is guaranteed to be a success.
Stay at any of these recommended hotels, try a couple restaurants, and do a couple activities for the perfect weekend escape.
See below for the best three day Scottsdale itinerary based off this travel guide:
Day 1: First, arrive in downtown Scottsdale and check into the Mountain Shadows Resort. Next, head to Old Town to grab dinner at The Mission and explore.
Day 2: Start your full day in Scottsdale with a sunrise hot air balloon ride followed by lunch at Diego Pops and pool time at your resort. For dinner, stay in and have dinner at Hearth 61.
Day 3: Kick off your last day with a sunrise hike of Camelback followed by brunch at Schmooze. Round out your Scottsdale weekend trip with a visit to the Desert Botanical Garden.
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- Long Weekend In Sedona Arizona – The Best Itinerary And Travel Guide
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