At just under 30 minutes away from Phoenix, Scottsdale makes for a wonderful weekend getaway. It’s home to some of the most popular sporting events, amazing hikes, and delicious dining options. This guide will walk you through how to spend one weekend in Scottsdale. In my (not-at-all-biased) opinion, it’s the best 3-day Scottsdale Itinerary!
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Side note: The following post was written by Haley and Michele, locals of Scottsdale. This way, you can be sure you are reading the best and most accurate one weekend in Scottsdale itinerary. Locals know best! See the author’s bio at the end for more information.
Table of Contents
How do I get to Scottsdale?
The closest airport to Scottsdale is the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which is only about 15 minutes from Old Town Scottsdale and 30 minutes from North Scottsdale.
Scottsdale and Phoenix are pretty spread out in terms of sights to see and trails to hike, so renting a car would be the easiest way to get around. There are also some great day trips you can take from Scottsdale so a rental car makes visiting them much easier.
If you don’t want to rent a car, you can still use ride-shares, take a tour, or use public transportation, but again, things are a little spread out so ride-shares and public transportation may not be the cheapest or most convenient ways to get there. Tours are however a great way to take some of those day trips from Scottsdale up to places like Sedona or the Grand Canyon.
Tip! Check out the Discover Cars search engine to find the very best deals on rental cars in Scottsdale!
What is the best time to visit Scottsdale?
Scottsdale is a very popular tourist destination for about half of the year when the weather is pleasant and lots of events are happening. This peak season starts in early winter and lasts through mid-spring, but prices will be significantly more expensive and it will be very crowded.
Aside from the pleasant 60 to 70-degree weather during these seasons, you can attend some of the most popular events like the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament, the Barrett-Jackson car show, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, and MLB Spring Training.
As soon as the spring season ends around the month of April, temperatures start rising and prices start dropping. You can find really great deals on hotels and activities during the summer months in Scottsdale but temperatures average above 100 degrees and it does not feel great. If you do visit during this time, you have to go outside early in the day, you have to drink lots of water, and you have to plan some indoor activities to give yourself a break.
If you don’t mind a little dry heat and you’re not interested in any of the events in Scottsdale, late fall is a great time to visit for cheaper prices. It can still be pretty warm but usually at least 20 degrees cooler than summer temperatures.
Where should I stay in Scottsdale?
Typically the two most popular areas to stay in Scottsdale are in Old Town and North Scottsdale. But a few other good areas include Kierland, Desert Ridge, and the Biltmore.
Old Town Scottsdale is further south so it is a lot closer to Phoenix and Tempe, and it is a nice little walkable area with lots of shops and restaurants.
North Scottsdale is obviously further north, and it is closer to towns like Cave Creek. North Scottsdale also has lots of shops and restaurants and is where events like the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the Barrett-Jackson, and the Arabian Horse Show are located.
We lived in the North Scottsdale area so this is where we prefer to stay when we go back to visit, but you really can’t go wrong when choosing an area to stay in Scottsdale!
Our recommendations:
- Budget-friendly Option: Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale North/Perimeter Center
- Mid-range Option: Scottsdale Marriott Old Town
- Luxury Option: The Phoenician or The Princess
- Dog-friendly Stay: Royal Palms Resort and Spa or Bespoke Inn Scottsdale
Weekend in Scottsdale: The Perfect 3-day Scottsdale Itinerary!
Yay! Time for the good stuff! Below you’ll find our favorite things to do in Scottsdale if you only have one weekend.
Day 1: Old Town Scottsdale, The Camelback Mountain Hike, & The Biltmore
Morning:
Regardless of the time of year you visit, the Camelback Mountain hike should be started early in the morning. If you’re visiting during the summer, you’ll want to start the hike around 4:30 or 5:00 in the morning to avoid the heat and the crowds.
If you’re visiting any other time when there is pleasant weather, you still need to start just before the sun rises to avoid the very large crowds and secure a parking spot.
It’s just over 2 miles (out and back), but it is a very vertical hike so take your time, watch your step, and drink lots of water.
Afternoon:
Once you finish the Camelback hike, head west to the Biltmore area to find one of our favorite healthy (and allergy-friendly) restaurants in Scottsdale – Tocaya.
The modern Mexican-style restaurant started in California but has since spread to Arizona. My favorite thing to get there is the gluten-free burrito…you can thank me later 🙂
After having a bite to eat, check out all the best spots in Scottsdale via this exciting e-bike tour. During this 3-hour guided tour, you’ll ride along Scottsdale’s pristine bike paths while learning fun and interesting facts about the city.
Evening:
End your first day by walking around Old Town Scottsdale where you’ll find gift shops, jewelry stores, art galleries, and other fun attractions! There are a lot of places to choose from for dinner like Barrio Queen, Farm and Craft, and The Herb Box (all popular spots with healthy and allergy-friendly options).
Day 2: Cave Creek Day Trip
Morning:
Wake up bright and early to head up north of Scottsdale for the day to experience a little Wild West in the town of Cave Creek. It’s just a 30-mile drive, but you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported back in time.
Before going into the town itself, head to one of the many nearby trails. Our favorites include the popular Pinnacle Peak Trail, Black Mountain Trail, or even the McDowell Mountain Preserve trail area.
If you are not a hiker, there are also tons of golf course options all over Scottsdale and a very unique mountainside course up in Cave Creek at Rancho Mañana.
Afternoon:
After your morning exercise (or golf round), head into the town of Cave Creek to check out some of the museums and other Wild West activities they have available.
For lunch, one of the most unique places to check out is El Encanto. We used to love going to this Mexican restaurant as kids because of the pond with ducks that sits in the middle of the restaurant.
Evening:
Be sure to visit on a Wednesday or Friday so you can head over to the Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse to grab some dinner and watch bull riding for $10. Ride times vary depending on the night starting at 7:30 and going as late as 10:45.
Side note: You can still grab some delicious BBQ here if visiting on a different night, but you will miss out on the exciting bull riding.
Day 3: Phoenix, Tempe, & Papago Park
Morning:
On your final day, head over to the Papago Park area to find lots of great outdoor activities and more museums.
Inside Papago Park, you can take the short little hike to the Hole in the Rock, visit the Phoenix Zoo, check out the Desert Botanical Garden, or golf at Papago Golf Club or Rolling Hills Golf Course.
Afternoon:
Then, give yourself a quick break from the heat and head over to downtown Phoenix to visit some museums like the Arizona Capitol Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard Museum, and more.
This is also where you can find the Diamondbacks MLB stadium and the Phoenix Suns NBA stadium.
Evening:
Just south of Papago Park, you’ll find Tempe, the Tempe Town Lake, and the ASU campus.
The Tempe Town Lake area is very popular for bike rides and paddling. You can rent bikes or boats right at Tempe Beach Park. They even have unique Swan Pedal boats and electric donut boats!
It’s a great place to pack a picnic and watch the sun go down. The famous Arizona sunsets never disappoint!
Other things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona:
- Macdonalds Ranch – Horseback riding place just north of Scottsdale; prices range from $55 to $145.
- Epic Adventures AZ – An outdoor adventure tour company with tour options ranging from $192 to $388.
- Lake Pleasant – The largest body of water close to the Scottsdale and Phoenix areas.
- Hot Air Balloon Rides – One of the most popular sunrise or sunset activities with tours starting at $250.
Where (else) to Eat in Scottsdale:
- Butters Pancakes & Café – A popular breakfast spot in North Scottsdale.
- Pita Jungle – A fresh Mediterranean chain with locations all over Phoenix and Scottsdale.
- Sapiens Paleo Kitchen – A healthy, Paleo-friendly restaurant in North Scottsdale.
- Flo’s – Delicious Chinese food in North Scottsdale.
- Pizzafarro’s – Pizza spot on the way to Cave Creek.
Other Tips to know before visiting Scottsdale:
No matter what time of year you choose to visit Scottsdale, be sure to drink lots of water. Arizona is very dry so even if it’s not that hot out, you still need to keep your body hydrated.
Along with drinking more water in the dry climate, you should also bring plenty of lotion and tissues. When we go back to visit, our skin constantly cracks and our noses occasionally bleed.
Although Spring and Fall are fairly pleasant temperature-wise in Scottsdale, these two seasons have really bad allergies and pollen. If you suffer from allergies, be sure to bring whatever you need to get through it.
One Weekend in Scottsdale Isn’t Enough
As you can see, there’s SO much to do in Scottsdale that one weekend would never be enough to see it all. You can customize your 3-day Scottsdale itinerary based on what interests you. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find plenty of entertaining activities to create your own fun-filled, jam-packed adventure weekend in Scottsdale!
What else would you add to this “One Weekend on the Scottsdale” Itinerary?
About the author!
Fernweh Foreigner is a mother-and-daughter team, Haley and Michele, that focuses on traveling with a healthy lifestyle. We’ve both dealt with health problems and have severe dietary restrictions and food allergies, but we love traveling so much that we don’t let any of that stop us. We lived in Scottsdale for more than a decade and continue to go back and visit often. It’s one of our favorite places to visit for hiking and healthy travel!
Follow along on the Fernweh Foreigner blog or Instagram!
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