Old Town Scottsdale
The core Scottsdale stroll for western storefronts, galleries, patios, and the part of town that gives your visit its easiest evening rhythm.
Old Town, Arts District, and Waterfront · Half day
Family travel guide
Things to Do in Scottsdale with Kids
Scottsdale can be a spa escape, an Old Town food weekend, or a base for desert hiking. Choose the mix that fits your trip and leave room to enjoy it. Each choice includes a pace, weather, or access cue for planning with children.
Desert Botanical Garden
A top desert introduction for travelers who want cactus landscapes, design-minded paths, and an Arizona setting that actually feels rooted in place.
South Scottsdale, Papago, and Camelback Edge · Half day
Taliesin West
One of Scottsdale's most distinctive cultural stops, especially if design, architecture, or the desert-modern side of Arizona is part of why you came.
North Scottsdale, Taliesin, and the Preserve · Half day
McDowell Sonoran Preserve Gateway Loop Trail
Make this the move when you want a real desert outing without pretending the stay needs to become a hardcore adventure vacation.
North Scottsdale, Taliesin, and the Preserve · Half day
Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West
A more distinctive Old Town museum stop than most first-timers expect, especially if you want Scottsdale to feel like more than spas, patios, and golf.
Old Town, Arts District, and Waterfront · Half day
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
A compact but smart cultural stop that helps Scottsdale feel more design-forward and less one-note when the heat or trip pace calls for an indoor block.
Old Town, Arts District, and Waterfront · Half day
Scottsdale Arts District
Scottsdale Arts District is a Old Town-side cultural anchor for gallery hopping, public art, and the design-forward version of Scottsdale that helps your visit feel more specific than just patios and shopping.
Old Town, Arts District, and Waterfront · Half day
OdySea Aquarium
Go here when your visit wants a refined indoor attraction that still feels bigger than filler.
Central Scottsdale and Resort Corridor · Half day
Pinnacle Peak Park
A more distinctive North Scottsdale desert outing for granite boulder scenery, broad Sonoran views, and a classic first-timer trail that feels more iconic than filler.
North Scottsdale, Kierland, and Troon · Half day
Musical Instrument Museum
A high-signal arts and culture stop that adds a distinct indoor option to the destination's existing activity mix. Build it into the day when this is the part of Scottsdale visitors would otherwise miss.
Old Town, Arts District, and Waterfront
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
A strong family addition that fills a genuine gap in Scottsdale's current top-attractions mix and works naturally in guides, itineraries, and map recommendations.
Old Town, Arts District, and Waterfront
Confirm current details with Official Old Town Scottsdale information before departure.
Travel conditions, access, and reservations can change. Check official sources close to departure.