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What’s there to do in Scottsdale this summer time? Lots! Scottsdale sizzles with enjoyable in June, July, and August. Lovely year-round, this sprawling suburb of Phoenix provides vacationers and locals of all ages numerous nice summer time actions and refreshing methods to chill off. Plus, Scottsdale’s superb resorts present deep reductions for a Scottsdale trip or staycation. Whether or not you are visiting my hometown otherwise you dwell within the Valley of the Solar — you will like this record of one of the best issues to do in Scottsdale in summer time 2023, from morning to midday to nighttime!
Desert magnificence in Scottsdale, AZ (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
This story is dropped at you in partnership with Expertise Scottsdale and ItsThatHot.com.
Outside Scottsdale Summer season Actions
As a longtime resident, I do know it is best to stand up early to take pleasure in out of doors Scottsdale actions throughout cooler mornings earlier than the warmth peaks in summer time. With the dearth of solar at night time and little water within the air to carry the warmth, temperatures within the desert can drop 20 to 30 levels Fahrenheit between the most well liked time of the day to the best temps proper earlier than dawn.
The most effective climate for out of doors play is from daybreak (between 5 and 6 am) till issues get toasty round 10 or 11 am. Regardless of which out of doors exercise you select, it is necessary to use sunblock, keep hydrated with water or electrolyte drinks, and put on a brimmed hat for solar safety.
Cholla cactus within the McDowell Mountain Protect (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Climbing within the Sonoran Desert
Even throughout summer time, it is enjoyable to take in a few of Scottsdale’s desert magnificence. Set your alarm to absorb the dawn earlier than hitting the paths.
McDowell Sonoran Protect Gateway Path
With dozens of mountaineering paths to select from, you are positive to seek out one which meets your loved ones’s mountaineering ranges and wishes. McDowell Sonoran Protect Gateway Path is a well-liked start line.
Pinnacle Peak Path
One other fairly possibility is Pinnacle Peak Path. It is good for hikers in search of a average hike with views of the granite summit for which it was named.
Pinnacle Peak Mountain (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Quartz Trailhead
For a much less crowded expertise, take a look at Quartz Trailhead as an alternative close to Desert Canyon Elementary College. Maintain your eyes peeled for the path marker right here. It is throughout the road from the car parking zone, simply to the appropriate of the place the sidewalk begins.
Stellar Adventures ATV Sonoran Desert Tour (Picture courtesy of Expertise Scottsdale)
ATV or Hummer Tour
Get your coronary heart pumping by exploring the Sonoran Desert on 4 wheels throughout your Scottsdale trip.
Stellar Adventures
Stellar Adventures leads guided ATV excursions or you’ll be able to romp by means of the desert as a passenger in a Hummer or Blazer.
Inexperienced Zebra
Inexperienced Zebra provides 1- and 2-hour guided self-driving ATV excursions of Scottsdale’s backcountry.
Segway of Scottsdale Tour (Picture credit score: Segway of Scottsdale)
Discover Scottsdale by Segway
Why stroll when you could possibly discover Scottsdale by Segway?
Segway of Scottsdale
Segway of Scottsdale leads 2-hour morning excursions by means of historic Outdated City Scottsdale. Mics and earpieces in vivid orange helmets assist preserve riders secure and knowledgeable. Throughout your 6-mile tour, you will zoom previous artwork galleries, the Civic Heart Mall, Scottsdale Waterfront and extra. (Individuals have to be aged 12 to 75.)
Scottsdale Segway Excursions
Along with Outdated City Scottsdale morning excursions, Scottsdale Segway Excursions a Sunsets, Segways and Metropolis Lights possibility. It is good for exploring the town with out the warmth of the solar.
Giraffes on the Phoenix Zoo (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Phoenix Zoo
The biggest non-profit, privately owned zoo within the U.S. is dwelling to widespread residents like giraffes, orangutans, and elephants. Additionally search for indigenous animals like coyotes, mountain lions, and Mexican grey wolves.
Mountain lion on the Phoenix Zoo (Picture credit score: Phoenix Zoo)
Summer season Hours
Throughout hotter months, morning is one of the best time to go to the animals on the Phoenix Zoo. Summer season hours begin and finish early to reap the benefits of comparatively cool mornings. From June 1 by means of August 31, go to the zoo 7 am – 1 pm. Phoenix Zoo members can get a headstart and enter as early as 6 am.
Household Zoo Actions
For those who’re visiting Scottsdale with children, then you definitely’ll recognize the household Scottsdale summer time actions on the Phoenix Zoo. Youngsters love the Concord Farm petting zoo and playground, Enchanted Forest play space, and the zoo’s Endangered Species Carousel. Be sure you deliver alongside swimsuits to chill off on the Leapin’ Lagoon and Yakulla Caverns splash pads, too. The Phoenix Zoo even provides a summer time camp program for teenagers.
Paradise Pacific Railroad at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (Picture courtesy of Expertise Scottsdale)
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Households with younger kids will certainly wish to go to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. It is an excellent place to spend the morning in Scottsdale in summer time.
Paradise Pacific Railroad
The spotlight at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is the Paradise Pacific Railroad. This ride-on miniature practice chugs by means of the expansive grassy park.
In the meantime, true practice lovers take pleasure in exploring indoor mannequin railroad shows and out of doors full-sized practice automobiles.
Outdated West-themed Playground at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Playgrounds
A large playground and a smaller Outdated West-themed play space please children of all ages.
Picnics
Purchase hotdogs, hamburgers, and ice cream on the Snackstop. Or pack a picnic to take pleasure in an early lunch at shaded picnic areas.
Charros Carousel at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (Picture credit score: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park)
Scottsdale Charros Carousel
The Scottsdale Charros Carousel at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is numerous enjoyable, too, with its vintage horses and two wheelchair-accessible chariots.
Troon North Golf Membership (Picture credit score: 4 Seasons Resort Scottsdale)
Golf in Scottsdale in Summer season
Golfers ought to plan to hit the hyperlinks very first thing within the morning in Scottsdale in summer time. The Scottsdale space boasts over 200 programs positive to please any golfer.
Summer season Golf Pricing
What’s extra, {golfing} costs plummet when the warmth rises in Scottsdale. At two luxurious programs, Troon North Golf Membership and The Boulders, costs drop as a lot as 75 p.c throughout summer time months, permitting golfers on a finances to reap the benefits of these wonderful golf programs.
Scorching air balloon flying over Scottsdale, AZ (Picture credit score: Rainbow Ryders Scorching Air Balloon Co.)
Scorching Air Ballooning
Rise up very early in summer time to take pleasure in a scorching air balloon trip over the Valley of the Solar. With 300 days of sunshine per yr in Scottsdale, the realm provides extra flyable days than anyplace else within the nation.
Floating above the desert in a scorching air balloon is an expertise you’ll lengthy bear in mind. Select from shared or non-public flights with Scorching Air Expeditions and Rainbow Ryders.
Arizona Boardwalk (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Scottsdale Summer season Afternoon Points of interest
After a morning of taking part in open air, your complete household might be prepared to chill down. For those who’re nonetheless up for extra exploring (or you’ll be able to’t rouse the troops earlier than midday), then relax with air-conditioned indoor Scottsdale summer time actions. Alternatively, the afternoon is the right time to splash in a swimming pool or water park. And you could possibly at all times beat the dry warmth with an ice cream deal with!
Arizona Boardwalk
The entire household may spend a whole day at Arizona Boardwalk and by no means get bored. It’s dwelling to tasty eating places, a handful of retail shops, and eight main sights.
OdySea Aquarium (Picture credit score: Odysea)
OdySea Aquarium
The first attraction at Arizona Boardwalk is the most important aquarium within the Southwest, the 200,000-square-foot OdySea Aquarium. This attraction homes intriguing sea creatures like fish, stingrays, otters, and penguins.
Butterfly Wonderland (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Butterfly Wonderland
Additionally situated throughout the Arizona Boardwalk campus, Butterfly Wonderland impresses vacationers in America’s largest butterfly conservatory. View residing fluttering bugs in a reasonably indoor botanical backyard. Tip: Put on fragrance or cologne and vivid colours if you would like the butterflies to land on you!
Posing subsequent to the world’s tallest man at Ripley’s Imagine It or Not! (Picture credit score: Journey Mamas)
Ripley’s Imagine It or Not
View a megalodon shark jaw, crawl by means of a life-sized reproduction of an infinite prehistoric snake, and pose subsequent to an animatronic model of the tallest man who ever lived at Ripley’s Imagine It or Not.
Museum of Illusions
Museum of Illusions is a enjoyable spot for Instagrammers and TikTokers. Take pleasure in all kinds of interactive trick artwork shows on your photo-taking and videoing pleasure.
Mirror Maze at Arizona Boardwalk (Picture credit score: Arizona Boardwalk)
Laser + Mirror Mazes
Youngsters love Laser + Mirror Mazes with its difficult laser-filled walk-through puzzle and colourful reflective labyrinth.
Cyber Quest
Deal with your loved ones to arcade video games at Cyber Quest. Save up your tickets to win prizes like plush toys or a Snoopy Snow Cone Machine.
A dinosaur egg picture op outdoors Pangea Land of the Dinosaurs (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Pangea Land of the Dinosaurs
Dinosaur lovers will roar with delight at Pangea Land of the Dinosaurs.
UFO Expertise
The UFO Expertise at Arizona Boardwalk is out of this world. Embark on an entertaining and academic journey of all issues alien from UFO sightings to alien “artifacts.”
Glow Putt Mini Golf (Picture credit score: Glow Putt)
Indoor Miniature Golf
With two indoor choices, miniature golf is at all times in season regardless of the time of yr in Scottsdale.
Glow Putt
Youngsters love the glowing, playful shows at Glow Putt. This has lengthy been certainly one of my household’s favourite issues to do for summer time enjoyable in Scottsdale. Sink a hole-in-one on the final gap to win one other spherical on the home!
Negroni cocktail at Puttshack (Picture credit score: Puttshack)
Puttshack
New to Scottsdale in summer time 2023, Puttshack is an upscale mini golf expertise with thrilling tech-infused options at Kierland Commons procuring space. Buy snacks like pizza or salads plus cocktails and different drinks to take pleasure in earlier than or after a spherical or two.
Musical Instrument Museum (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Scottsdale Museums
Among the best methods to chill off throughout summer time is at an area museum within the Phoenix space. Along with year-round academic experiences, search for particular summer time applications at these Scottsdale museums.
Musical Instrument Museum
Wander by means of the world-renowned Musical Instrument Museum with shows that includes songs, movies, musical devices, and conventional costumes from world wide.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
Have a good time cowboy tradition and think about Amerindian shows at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West.
Heard Museum
Discover extra Native American cultures of the Southwest on the Heard Museum in Phoenix.
Scottsdale Museum of Up to date Artwork
Admire fashionable artwork on the Scottsdale Museum of Up to date Artwork in Outdated City Scottsdale. Begin right here after which head to Artwork Stroll on a Thursday night.
Youngsters taking part in on the Phoenix Youngsters’s Museum (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Further Museums
Relying on your loved ones’s pursuits, you might also wish to go to museums past Scottsdale. Fascinating choices embrace the tutorial Arizona Museum of Pure Historical past in Mesa, the interactive Arizona Science Heart in Phoenix, the Phoenix Artwork Museum with artwork from world wide, or the playful Youngsters’s Museum of Phoenix.
Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s former dwelling (Picture credit score: marcoscasiano, Depositphotos.com)
Taliesin West
Followers of architectural design will recognize a go to to Taliesin West. As soon as the winter dwelling of the well-known architect Frank Lloyd Wright, immediately it’s the headquarters of his basis. It’s open seven days every week for self-guided audio excursions and 90-minute guided strolling excursions.
McDowell Mountain Aquatic Heart in Scottsdale (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Outside Swimming pools and Water Parks in Scottsdale and Past
Though practically all resorts in Scottsdale function swimming swimming pools, in case you’re searching for a unique splashy scene, then you have got some enjoyable choices with lazy rivers and water slides within the Valley of the Solar.
McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Heart
McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Heart provides a winding water slide, a pleasing lazy river, excessive and low diving boards, and a zero-entry splash play space.
El Dorado Aquatic Heart
Additionally, El Dorado Aquatic Heart is dwelling to a water playground with a slide for younger kids, a zero-entry pool, plus two full-sized waterslides for greater children.
A rainbow of waterslides at Large Surf Water Park in neighboring Tempe (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Water Parks within the Phoenix Space
Moreover, water parks in neighboring areas embrace Large Surf in Tempe, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Phoenix, and Golfland Sunsplash in Mesa.
Turtle Sundae at Candy Republic (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Ice Cream
All of us scream for ice cream, significantly in summer time in Scottsdale!
Candy Republic
For one of the best ice cream in Scottsdale, my advice is Candy Republic. Their artisanal ice lotions and sorbets will tempt anybody who visits this ice cream store situated in the identical strip mall as Glow Putt.
Seasonal flavors like Strawberry Buttermilk rotate all year long. In the meantime, year-round choices like Salted Caramel Swirl and Brownie Fudge Swirl at all times delight. Get your sundae topped with a roasted handmade marshmallow!
I give 12 out of 10 stars to Candy Republic’s Pecan Turtle Sundae. It comes with two scoops Salted Caramel Swirl, candy and salty Arizona pecans, scorching fudge, salted caramel sauce, and whip cream. YUM!
Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor (Picture credit score: Sugar Bowl Fb web page)
Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor
In Outdated City Scottsdale you will discover the candy pink Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor. It is the right place for fogeys to relaxation weary ft whereas children play within the onsite classic arcade.
This old style restaurant has been serving up sandwiches, soups, and, most significantly, ice cream since 1958. Get requirements like a scorching fudge sundae or banana break up. Or, order certainly one of their Tremendous Fancy Sundaes. Mint lovers (like me!) will adore the Blarney Dream Sundae, made with mint syrup, vanilla ice cream, scorching fudge, a scoop of butter pecan, whipped cream, and a cherry.
Outdated City Scottsdale (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Scottsdale Summer season Evenings
Because the solar units within the desert, temperatures drop. That is when to hit the city. This is what to do in Scottsdale in summer time through the evenings.
Wine flight at Wine Lady Scottsdale (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Completely satisfied Hour
Kick off your summer time night in Scottsdale with blissful hour. Since my husband and I’m going to blissful hour practically each Friday night time, I like to think about myself a Scottsdale blissful hour aficionado. Beneath are a few my favourite spots.
Sipping wine in a swing at Wine Lady Scottsdale (Picture credit score: Journey Mamas)
Wine Lady Scottsdale
For a Scottsdale girlfriend getaway or any night time out together with your gal friends, nothing beats Wine Lady Scottsdale in Outdated City. Anticipate wine flights, enjoyable merch, female pink and white décor, and swings from which to sip. For one thing fancy, order a Rosé Petals Winetail made with rosé, rose extract syrup, and glowing water sprinkled with mini rosebuds.
Completely satisfied hour takes place all day Monday by means of Wednesday with half-off choose bottles of wine. Monday by means of Thursday, blissful hour final from opening till 6 pm with $2 off meals, wine on faucet, and beer on faucet.
Completely satisfied hour cocktails in Scottsdale at Picazzo’s Wholesome Italian Kitchen (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Picazzo’s Wholesome Italian Kitchen
This Arizona restaurant caters to gluten-sensitive eaters (like moi) and ensures these with meals allergic reactions or different restrictions (like vegan) really feel comfy eating out.
Picazzo’s “Wholesome Hour” runs 3 to six pm every day. Take pleasure in such scrumptious discounted choices as Mama’s Meat-Za Balls made with floor turkey, marinara, and basil or Baked Brie with roasted garlic, Gala apple, fig jam, and house-made gluten-free focaccia.
Completely satisfied hour drink specials embrace $5 native drafts, $6 home wine by the glass, and $7 house-made sangria. You can too get $8 signature cocktails like Rick’s Smoked Outdated Usual, Aperol Spritz, Cucumber Ginger Mule, or Limoncello Margarita. Search for enjoyable mocktails, too.
(Picture credit score: Scottsdale Gallery Affiliation)
Scottsdale ArtWalk
Outdated City Scottsdale is dwelling to greater than 100 artwork galleries, lots of which concentrate on items by native Arizona artists and Southwestern American artwork. For greater than 45 years, this space of city has been welcoming guests to the Scottsdale ArtWalk on Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 pm. Typically galleries supply refreshments, dwell music, and particular reveals.
Summertime procuring at Scottsdale Quarter (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Buying in Scottsdale
Along with the paintings and Arizona-theme items present in Outdated City, Scottsdale provides a plethora of procuring alternatives.
Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter
Neighboring Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter out of doors procuring districts function misters in summertime that reduce the warmth. Bonus: The Quarter provides a fountain the place kids splash and play to chill off.
Scottsdale Trend Sq.
In the meantime, the indoor Scottsdale Trend Sq. provides 240 air-conditioned retail shops positive to please critical customers. Trend Sq. makes a speciality of high-end choices like Neiman Marcus, Burberry, and Gucci. Discount customers might be happy to seek out favorites like H&M and Windsor, too. Sit back and watch a movie on certainly one of 14 screens on the mall’s Harkins movie show when you’re there.
Aerial view of the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch (Picture credit score: Michael Baxter)
Scottsdale Lodges with Nice Swimming pools and Water Parks
Because the temperatures soar in Scottsdale, room charges on the metropolis’s swanky resorts drop drastically. Search for one of the best offers of the yr on resort spa providers as nicely.
Many resorts additionally supply issues to do open air like tennis, golf, and guided hikes. With unbelievable resort swimming pools in Scottsdale and summer time choices like dive-in motion pictures, you could by no means wish to depart your resort!
Household pool at 4 Seasons Scottsdale (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
4 Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
Friends of all ages in search of pampering, scrumptious eating places, out of doors actions, and beautiful desert surroundings will adore 4 Seasons Scottsdale. This resort options three swimming pools — a shallow kids’s pool, a household pool, and a pool only for grown-ups.
Tucked away in North Scottsdale subsequent to Pinnacle Peak Park, 4 Seasons is the place to go to flee all of it. Learn my complete overview of 4 Seasons Scottsdale.
Waterslides on the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (Picture credit score: Fairmont)
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Need to go to the seashore in Scottsdale? Head to the Fairmont! You will discover a white sand seashore, six swimming swimming pools, and two twisting waterslides. On the weekends, children will go gaga for Let’s Glo Pool Events and Dive-In Motion pictures. In the meantime, mother and father will recognize their swish world-class spa and championship golf course.
New for 2023, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is throwing the most important summer time bash in Scottsdale. The 80s and 90s-themed Retro Recess contains a shaded out of doors curler rink, a classic arcade and themed laser tag journey, and a glowing mini golf course. There are even fireworks each Saturday night time. Let’s hope this turns into an annual occasion, much like their Scottsdale Christmas soirée.
Lazy river at Westin Kierland Resort & Spa (Picture credit score: Westin Kierland)
The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa
Pool lovers flock to the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa for his or her Journey Water Park. This resort provides the long-lasting Kierland FlowRider flow-board simulator for browsing within the desert, a lazy river, a 110-foot-long waterslide, and an adult-only pool with a scorching tub.
If you wish to keep away from crowds, then lease a family-friendly poolside cabana to loosen up in shaded luxurious. Higher but, take pleasure in your very personal Tommy Bahama Leisure Reef non-public “island”.
Nice Wolf Lodge Scottsdale indoor waterpark (Picture credit score: Nice Wolf Lodge)
Nice Wolf Lodge Arizona
The Nice Wolf Lodge Arizona is dwelling to the state’s first indoor water park. Anticipate a number of waterslides, a splash-loaded treehouse with a large tipping bucket, play swimming pools, and a lazy river. In summer time, households additionally benefit from the out of doors Raccoon Lagoon’s water play space with fountains galore.
Waterslide and splash pad at Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch (Picture credit score: Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch)
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch
Calm down at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale’s 2.5-acre water playground full with a sand seashore, 10 swimming swimming pools, 20 fountains, and 45 waterfalls. Daredevils will particularly like their three-story, high-speed waterslide.
Even in case you’re not staying on the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, you’ll be able to nonetheless cruise by means of the resort’s seven-acre lake aboard a handcrafted Italian Gondola boat whereas being serenaded by an expert gondolier!
After a $110-million renovation, this resort will reopen because the Grand Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa in late 2024, making it the primary Grand Hyatt resort in Arizona.
Flowering spiny cholla cactus in Arizona (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)
Discover Extra of Arizona
Check out my complete record of issues to do in Scottsdale with children for much more enjoyable within the Valley of the Solar.
Headed to Northern Arizona? You will undoubtedly wish to learn my Grand Canyon suggestions!
Go to a quaint school city and gateway to the Grand Canyon with this record of one of the best issues to do in Flagstaff, AZ.
To expertise America’s greatest ghost city, take a look at my suggestions for visiting Jerome, Arizona.
Uncover the charms of Arizona’s territorial capital in my information to Prescott.
Save these Scottsdale Summer season Actions
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