Scottsdale
Scottsdale is a desert city in Arizona's Phoenix area, known for golf, resorts and the Old Town arts district.
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Where to stay, by what matters to you
- Places to stay in Scottsdale that work without a car
- Quiet places to stay in Scottsdale: few bars nearby
- Within 30 minutes by car of WM Phoenix Open
- Within 30 minutes by car of Scottsdale Airport
- Within 30 minutes by car of Taliesin West
- Within 30 minutes by car of Camelback Mountain
- Within 30 minutes by car of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Best things to do in Scottsdale
The one thing not to miss
Spend a day at Sedona, the red rock town in northern Arizona, which has more than 400 miles of trails. Check pass and parking rules with the visitor centre before you go.
A day out to Sedona1. A day out to Sedona
A city in the northern Verde Valley of Arizona, inside the Coconino National Forest. Its tourism board promotes the red rock scenery, more than 400 miles of trails and over 80 galleries.
The sources do not say whether you need a pass for trails or parking; check the Red Rock Pass and parking pages with the visitor centre before you go. It is well north of Scottsdale, so plan for a long day.
16,771 readers a month
2. Grand Canyon National Park
A national park in northern Arizona centred on the gorge of the Colorado River, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. It received more than 4.9 million recreational visits in 2024. The South Rim is open all year.
Every visitor needs an entrance pass. The North Rim is day-use only, with no lodging and its campground closed, per the park service. Check the park's daily status page and road conditions before you set out; it is a long way from Scottsdale.
11,129 readers a month
3. Taliesin West
Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and studio in the McDowell Mountain foothills of Scottsdale, used from 1937 until his death in 1959. It is a National Historic Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and houses the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.
Tickets are limited and the Foundation strongly recommends reserving ahead. Tours are walking tours on gravel and concrete paths.
5,468 readers a month
4. Tonto National Forest and the Salt River
The largest of Arizona's six national forests, at about 2.9 million acres, running from Sonoran Desert saguaro country up to the Mogollon Rim. The Salt River, about 200 miles long, is the main river through this part of Arizona.
Some sites in the forest charge a fee and the Forest Service posts closures and fire alerts on its website, so check it before you go.
5,111 readers a month
5. Superstition Mountains and Lost Dutchman State Park
A mountain range east of the Phoenix area, protected as the 159,757-acre Superstition Wilderness. Legend says a lost gold mine lies here, though none of the claimed sites has been verified. Lost Dutchman State Park, 320 acres, sits at its foot off the Apache Trail.
The range has high summer temperatures and few perennial water sources. Check park and Forest Service pages for access and conditions before you go.
4,750 readers a month
6. WM Phoenix Open
A PGA Tour golf tournament held at TPC Scottsdale. The official site gives 8 to 14 February 2027 for the 92nd edition, with general admission, daily and weekly passes, and a concert series during tournament week.
Tickets are sold through the tournament's ticket pages. Dates come from the tournament website and may change.
2,431 readers a month
7. Camelback Mountain
The highest peak in the Phoenix area, named for its resemblance to a kneeling camel. The city of Phoenix runs its trails as the Echo Canyon Recreation Area, a popular spot for hiking and rock climbing. It lies in Phoenix, next to Paradise Valley.
The city says the park is open sunrise to sunset, and trails have been closed for works; check the city page before you go.
2,377 readers a month
8. Barrett-Jackson collector car auction
A collector car auction company based in Scottsdale. Its first auction was held in December 1971 and it grew into an annual event that led to other collector car auctions in the Scottsdale area.
We have not confirmed the dates or ticket arrangements for the next Scottsdale auction; check the company's website.
2,327 readers a month
Sources
9. Papago Park and Hole-in-the-Rock
A 1,496-acre municipal park shared by Phoenix and Tempe, home to the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo. Its landmark Hole-in-the-Rock is a red sandstone formation that the Hohokam appear to have used to mark the equinoxes and solstices.
A path leads up to the chamber but Wikipedia calls the trail popular and potentially dangerous; take care.
1,985 readers a month
10. The Apache Trail
A historic route of about 40 miles from Apache Junction through the Superstition Mountains to Theodore Roosevelt Lake. It is paved to a few miles past Tortilla Flat, then mostly dirt, with steep drops and few barriers.
Not recommended for large RVs or SUVs. A landslide closure between Fish Creek Hill Overlook and Apache Lake Marina ended in September 2024; check current road status.
1,232 readers a month
Sources
Just missed the list: Musical Instrument Museum (11th by readers; a museum in Phoenix); Phoenix Zoo (12th by readers; in Papago Park, Phoenix)
How we ranked these
By how many people read about each place on English Wikipedia in a typical month, measured October 2026. It is a popularity measure, not our opinion. A day out to Sedona leads with about 16,771 readers a month. Photos come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; the author and licence are on each photo.
Research required. Area notes for this destination are not written yet. The top 10 above is sourced; the rest of this page is an outline.
Affiliate disclosure: Booking links on this site are partner links. Once our partnership is active we earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what we recommend. How this works.