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Things to do · Scottsdale

Things to do in Scottsdale

39 ideas for a day or a night in Scottsdale, by what you’re in the mood for.

By type

Nightlife · 8 Outdoors · 8 Tours & day trips · 8 Live music · 5 Family · 4 Arts & culture · 3 Festivals & events · 2 Sport · 1

Nightlife in Scottsdale

Rusty Spur SaloonOld Town · $$Crescent BallroomDowntown Phoenix · $$Brat HausOld Town · $$Goldwater Brewing Co.Scottsdale · $$Wasted GrainOld Town · $$Pub Rock LiveSouth Scottsdale · $$Kishi Bashi: Sonderlust 10th Anniversary TourWed 21 October, 8pm · Crescent Ballroom Strange Garden Spirit Walk NightThu 22 October, 6pm · Desert Botanical Garden · From $70

Outdoors in Scottsdale

FreeCamelback Mountain (Cholla and Echo Canyon trails)about 2.5 hrs FreeMcDowell Sonoran Preserve: Gateway Trailheadabout 2 hrs FreeHistoric Old Town Scottsdale Walking Tourabout 1 hr FreeIndian Bend Wash Greenbelt Path17.7 km FreePinnacle Peak Trail6.4 km · about 2.5 hrs FreeScottsdale Public Art Walking Tourabout 1 hr FreePapago Park and the Crosscut Canal Trailabout 1.5 hrs Strange GardenThu 22 October · Desert Botanical Garden

Tours & day trips in Scottsdale

Verde Canyon RailroadClarkdale, AZ (about 2 hours drive)Boyce Thompson Arboretum8 hrs · Superior, AZ (about 1.5 hours drive) · From $10 Desert Belle Cruises on Saguaro Lake1.5 hrs · Saguaro Lake Marina (about 45 minutes drive)Tonto National Monument8 hrs · Roosevelt, AZ (about 2 hours drive) · From $10 Lost Dutchman State Park4 hrs · Apache Junction, AZ (about 50 minutes drive) · From $10 Montezuma Castle National Monument4 hrs · Camp Verde, AZ (about 1.5 hours drive) · From $10 Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Rides3.8 hrs · Glendale, AZ (Phoenix operation)Tortilla Flat on the Apache Trail4 hrs · Tortilla Flat, AZ (about 1 hour drive) · Free

Live music in Scottsdale

Los Vega: Son JarochoMon 19 October, 7pm · Musical Instrument Museum · From $39 The Sideguys: The Music of David SanbornTue 20 October, 7pm · Musical Instrument Museum · From $45 We3 10th Anniversary CelebrationFri 23 October, 7:30pm · Musical Instrument Museum · From $45 Morgan JamesSun 25 October, 7pm · Musical Instrument Museum · From $45 John MorelandMon 26 October, 7pm · Musical Instrument Museum · From $39

Family in Scottsdale

Spook-Track-UlaMon 19 October, 6pm · McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park · From $15 Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon FestivalFri 23 October · Salt River Fields at Talking Stick · From $20 FreeCandie's Halloween Character CarnivalSat 24 October, 10am · Arizona Boardwalk Courtyard FreeMovies at the Boardwalk: Minions & MonstersSat 24 October, 5pm · Arizona Boardwalk Courtyard

Arts & culture in Scottsdale

Ballet Arizona: Romeo & JulietThu 22 October, 7pm · Symphony Hall FreeScottsdale ArtWalkThu 22 October, 7pm · Scottsdale Arts District (Main Street galleries)Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now!Fri 23 October, 7:30pm · Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts · From $74

Festivals & events in Scottsdale

Arizona State FairMon 19 October, 12pm · Arizona State Fairgrounds · From $12 FreeScottsdale Día de los Muertos FiestasThu 22 October · Scottsdale Civic Center

Sport in Scottsdale

Arizona State Sun Devils vs Kansas State (Blackout Game)Sat 24 October · Mountain America Stadium

Things to do in Scottsdale, answered

What are the best things to do in Scottsdale?

Right now: Rusty Spur Saloon (nightlife), Camelback Mountain (Cholla and Echo Canyon trails) (outdoors), Verde Canyon Railroad (tours & day trips) and Los Vega: Son Jarocho (live music). Each list is refreshed several times a day.

What can I do for free in Scottsdale?

Camelback Mountain (Cholla and Echo Canyon trails), McDowell Sonoran Preserve: Gateway Trailhead, Historic Old Town Scottsdale Walking Tour and Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt Path, and 7 more.

What's on in Scottsdale this week?

What's On Scottsdale has this week day by day: tonight, this weekend, the Top 10 and the regular nights hotels and hostels run.