17 Best Reasons to Make North Scottsdale Your Next Vacation Getaway
Activities in North Scottsdale Area
Go for a bike ride. If you prefer leisurely rides, rent an electric bike from Pedego Electric Bikes and explore McDowell Mountain neighborhoods or choose a shop-recommended tour. We also suggest electric bike rentals from Bicycle Ranch.
Commit to a biking adventure. Mountain biking more your speed? REI has you covered. With any rental (they rent road bikes too), you’ll get navigational tools, aids, and heaps of good advice from a friendly local. REI will even deliver your mountain bike rental directly to a trailhead.
Get cultured. In addition to interactive galleries, the Musical Instruments Museum features a creative list of musicians and concerts (artists including Chris Botti, Taj Mahal, and Lyle Lovett to name a few) — but be sure to book concert tickets ahead of time. Have children in tow? There’s plenty for them to do too!
Have a unique dining experience. Dine Sonoran style with Cloth & Flame, a company offering one-of-a-kind, al fresco feasts. Dinners feature multi-course wood-fired, family-style menus built around locality and community with big shared plates, showcasing all that is fresh and seasonal. Dinners fill up fast! Sign up for their newsletter to be the first to know, and be sure to check out our experience!
Golf. Obviously. Don’t miss our top 3 favorite public courses:
Golf. Again. Play your favorite courses from around the world all in one spot, rain or shine. Topgolf Scottsdale features inclusive, high-tech golf games paired with an extensive food and beverage menu, climate-controlled hitting bays and music. Come here year-round for date night, with the whole family, or plan a party.
Take a hike. Here are our two faves:
Gateway Loop: Run the trail or hike at your own pace. There are some elevation areas but we consider this a light hike. You can find additional hikes on the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy page. Finish your hike with lunch at Isabella's Kitchen and take in the views.
Pinnacle Peak: This two-mile jaunt features a moderate out-and-back trail through the pristine Sonoran desert. Conclude your hike with lunch at The Living Room Wine Bar at DC Ranch, which is part of Market Street.
Visit the casino. This isn’t your average casino. Talking Stick Resort takes things up a notch with fantastic shows and concerts, dining venues and gambling, of course.
Get in a pickle. One of America’s fastest-growing sports, pickleball is everywhere. Even (and especially) in Scottsdale. Pack your paddle and head to Horizon Park, where 10 lighted pickleball courts mean you can play from dawn till dusk.
Shop, play, eat. Not necessarily in that order. Scottsdale Quarter, Kierland Commons, and Market Street at DC Ranch have a plethora of fine dining, premium shopping and entertainment fit for the whole family.
Celebrate Christmas in the desert. A beloved, family-friendly holiday festival at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Christmas at the Princess features light displays, Santa experiences, ice lounges, a ferris wheel, two 6,000-square-foot ice skating rinks, fire pits, s'mores and much more.
Take flight. See the beauty of the Arizona landscape from the air. From customized chartered flights to curated experiences like the mountains and lakes tour, sunset tour, and city lights tour, Western Sky Helicopters promises an unforgettable aerial adventure.
Float away. If slow and steady is more your pace, enjoy the scenery from an open-air basket. Whether you’re a first-time flier, or hot-air ballooning connoisseur, floating over the stunning Sonoran desert with Hot Air Expeditions will leave you in awe of Arizona’s beauty.
Fall in love with architecture. Those with an eye for design won’t want to miss Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert laboratory, where he and his apprentices lived, worked, and developed his enduring principles of organic architecture.
Treat yourself to a spa day. Why stick to your usual spa routine of an in-and-out massage or facial? Instead, indulge in a full-day retreat at one of Scottsdale's acclaimed resort spas. These are our top 3 spas for a day of relaxation and rejuvenation.
Unleash your book nerd. Sure, we love to read on vacation, but reading in a building as cool as the Arabian Library really piques our curiosities. Bring a book or grab one off the shelves and find a quiet corner for some seriously cool “me” time. Or, just spend some time checking out the ultra-modern architecture.
Plan a day trip. Ready for a little cowboy adventure? Head 30 miles north to Cave Creek in the desert foothills for a full-on Western immersion. Go for a trail ride, hike the desert, or comb the town for tchotchkes, but don’t miss the Cave Creek Museum and bull riding at the Buffalo Chip Saloon.