Scottsdale began as a tiny farming settlement in the late 1800s and grew into an arts-forward desert city with more than 330 days of sunshine. Today, its adobe alleys and sunlit canals mingle with sleek galleries, chef-driven restaurants, and midcentury icons that glow under starry Sonoran skies.

Expect the outdoors to lead the way: sunrise hikes among saguaro forests, golden-hour jeep trails, and day trips to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Scottsdale’s culture runs deep, too—Western heritage at world-class museums, Thursday night ArtWalks, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, a living studio against the McDowell foothills.

Practical notes: summers are very hot—plan early activities and hydrate; fall through spring is ideal. Scottsdale cuisine is a modern mosaic—Southwestern, Native, Mexican, Mediterranean—paired with Arizona wines and serious cocktail craft. A rental car is useful, but Old Town is delightfully walkable.

Scottsdale

Sun-warmed patios, citrus-scented breezes, and the most biodiverse desert on earth—the Sonoran—make Scottsdale an inspired base for a week. Old Town’s Western storefronts hide sleek tasting rooms, while nearby trailheads deliver instant granite spires and saguaro panoramas.

• Top sights: Taliesin West, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, SMoCA, McDowell Sonoran Preserve (Gateway & Tom’s Thumb), Desert Botanical Garden (nearby), Butterfly Wonderland and OdySea Aquarium, Scottsdale Waterfront and Fashion Square.
• Good to know: Thursday night Scottsdale ArtWalk; Cactus League spring training at Scottsdale Stadium (Feb–Mar); sunrise and sunset are prime for photos and cooler temps.

Where to stay: For boutique vibes near galleries and dining, consider Old Town (Hotel Valley Ho, Bespoke Inn, The Saguaro). For resort pools and golf, look to North Scottsdale and Paradise Valley (Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, The Phoenician, Sanctuary Camelback). Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting there: Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), ~20–25 minutes to Old Town. Check fares and schedules on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: LAX ~1h30m, DEN ~1h45m, SEA ~2h45m, ORD ~3h45m, JFK ~4h45m. Rideshare to Old Town usually $25–$40; rental cars often $40–$90/day.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town Orientation, and Sunset Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the travel with an effortless overview on the Sightseeing Golf Cart Tour of Scottsdale (1.5 hours)—a fun, breezy way to map the districts, public art, and photo spots.

Sightseeing Golf Cart Tour of Scottsdale - 1.5 Hours

Evening: Dinner in Old Town at The Mission (tableside guacamole, achiote pork shoulder, mesquite-kissed mains) or Citizen Public House (order the original chopped salad and the short rib). Dessert at the retro-pink Sugar Bowl. Nightcap choices: live country at Rusty Spur Saloon or martinis and artful minimalism at AZ88.

Day 2: Old Town Art, Museums, and a Signature Food Tour

Morning: Coffee at Berdena’s (excellent cappuccino and tahini toast) or Fourtillfour (car-culture café, great cortados). Explore SMoCA for contemporary art and light installations, then pop into Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West for Native arts, saddlery, and frontier stories.

Afternoon: Lunch at Diego Pops (braised pineapple pork tacos, Brussels sprout nachos) or Farm & Craft (bowls, flatbreads, kombucha). Then join the Old Town Scottsdale Food Tour for a curated tasting of local favorites—an easy way to sample Arizona flavors and meet fellow travelers.

Old Town Scottsdale Food Tour -Alcohol Pkg Included!

Evening: If it’s Thursday, stroll the Scottsdale ArtWalk—galleries pour wine, doors stay open late, artists chat streetside. Dinner at FnB (James Beard–lauded, Arizona produce hero) or Virtù Honest Craft (Mediterranean-inspired, house-made pastas). Sip after-hours at Kazimierz Wine & Whiskey Bar or craft cocktails at The Beverly on Main.

Day 3: Full-Day Grand Canyon and Sedona

Full-day tour: Beat dawn with a coffee and pastry from Morning Squeeze, then head out on a guided Grand Canyon and Sedona Day Adventure. You’ll catch two of the South Rim’s top viewpoints, walk the rim trail, browse historic lodges, and break in red-rock Sedona on the return—no driving stress, just scenery.

Grand Canyon and Sedona Day Adventure from Scottsdale or Phoenix

Back in Scottsdale, refuel with casual bites: Cien Agaves for tacos and a prickly-pear margarita or Rehab Burger for late-night patties and fries.

Day 4: Taliesin West, Canal Walks, and McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Morning: Coffee at Cartel Coffee Lab by the Waterfront, then tour Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and desert laboratory—angles, light, and low-slung lines embedded in the landscape. Architecture fans: look for his playful desert masonry and camel-colored canvas roofs.

Afternoon: Lunch at Postino Highland (bruschetta boards, shaved brussels salad) or The Herb Box (sweet potato tahini, short rib enchiladas). Hike the Gateway Loop in McDowell Sonoran Preserve (4.4 miles, moderate) or, if you’re seasoned and start early, tackle Tom’s Thumb (steep, sweeping views over granite domes).

Evening: Treat yourself to spa time: The Phoenician Spa (rooftop pool, desert botanicals) or Sanctuary Spa on Camelback. Dinner options: Cafe Monarch (romantic tasting menu, patio with bistro lights) or Fat Ox (silky Tajarin, 24-hour short rib).

Day 5: Golf, Pools, and a Sunset Jeep Adventure

Morning: Tee off at Troon North or TPC Scottsdale (home of the rowdy 16th). Not golfing? Families love Butterfly Wonderland and OdySea Aquarium. Brunch at Hash Kitchen (DIY Bloody Mary bar, cannoli pancakes) or The Breakfast Club (big scrambles, old-town bustle).

Afternoon: Cool it poolside—resort cabana, a book, and a paloma. Or shop Scottsdale Fashion Square and the indie boutiques along Fifth Ave.

Evening: Kick up dust on the Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour at Sunset. It’s a bumpy off-road ride through Tonto National Forest with golden light on saguaro columns and creosote-scented breezes—bring a bandana and closed-toe shoes.

Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour at Sunset

Post-ride eats: Hula’s Modern Tiki (island ribs, Mai Tais) or Roaring Fork (wood-fired trout, green chile pork). Finish with a mellow pour on the Scottsdale Waterfront.

Day 6: Papago Park, Desert Botanical Garden, and Wine Tasting Rooms

Morning: Head to Desert Botanical Garden (10–15 minutes away) to learn the saguaro from the ocotillo along artful desert trails; loop up Hole-in-the-Rock at nearby Papago for a city-meets-desert viewpoint. Coffee at Press Coffee (Scottsdale Quarter) or Sip Coffee & Beer (Old Town).

Afternoon: Lunch at OHSO Arcadia (canal-side, house beers, burgers) or back in Old Town at The Vig McCormick (patio, guac and chips, short rib tacos). Browse indie shops and turquoise jewelers, then sample Arizona vino at Merkin Vineyards or LDV Winery tasting rooms.

Evening: Casual dinner at Diego Pops or step it up at Maple & Ash (steakhouse swagger) or Toca Madera (glam modern Mexican). Fancy a laugh? Grab stools at AZ88 or catch live tunes at Old Town Tavern.

Day 7: Sunrise Views, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: If you’re up for it, greet the day on Camelback Mountain (Echo Canyon or Cholla; start early, bring water). Prefer easy-mode? A gentle canal walk near the Waterfront. Brunch at Morning Squeeze (chilaquiles, cold brew) or Butters Pancakes & Café (lemon-ricotta pancakes).

Afternoon: Final shopping for desert spices and artisan goods in Old Town. If time allows, one last museum stop at the Museum of the West or a quick dip in the hotel pool before you roll to PHX. Check flight updates or book new plans on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Depart in the afternoon with a sun-touched glow.

Optional Add-Ons (If You Want More Adventure)

If you’d like a second backcountry blast, consider swapping a half-day for a guided UTV ride or an e-bike experience, or trade Day 6 for the historic Apache Trail with a steamboat glide on Canyon Lake. For families, Topgolf, Butterfly Wonderland, and OdySea all cluster conveniently in Scottsdale’s Salt River district.

Another Way to See Old Town (Short & Fun)

Short on time but want the stories behind the murals, public art, and iconic watering holes? Book a glide or a guided tasting to fill gaps between pool sessions and hikes.

1.5 Hour Stretch Limo Golf Cart Tour, Ultimate Old Town Exploration

Safety & Seasonal Tips

• Heat: From May–Sept, start hikes at dawn, carry 1 liter of water per hour, wear sun protection, and avoid midday ascents.
• Wildlife: Give rattlesnakes space; check shoes for scorpions if staying at ground level.
• Monsoon: July–Sept can bring brief, intense storms—never enter flooded washes.

Link your stay to desert light and local flavor, and Scottsdale rewards you with days that start in sandstone and end in starlight. Between red-rock wonder, sky-island trails, and a dining scene that punches above its weight, this week balances adventure and ease. You’ll leave with dusty boots, a camera full of sunsets, and a promise to return.