Phoenix · Scottsdale · Valley of the Sun · 2026

100 Best Things To Do
in Phoenix & Scottsdale.

The definitive Valley bucket list — from sunrise hot air balloons over the Sonoran Desert to the WM Phoenix Open, Old Town nightlife, world-class golf, and hidden gems. Updated for 2026.

Book Experiences on Viator → 🏨 Hotels ⛳ Golf Guide 🥂 Nightlife 🍽️ Dining
✦ 100 curated experiences
✦ Filterable by category
✦ Viator booking links
✦ Updated April 2026
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001
🎈 Sunrise Hot Air Balloon over the Sonoran Desert
MUST-DO BUCKET LIST
Floating over saguaro cacti as the desert turns gold at sunrise — Hot Air Expeditions provides the finest balloon experience in the Phoenix metro with champagne brunch on landing.
💡 Book 2–3 weeks ahead. October–May is the most comfortable season. Dress in layers — cool at altitude.
Book →
002
🥾 Hike Camelback Mountain — Echo Canyon Trail
MUST-DO ADVENTURE
Arizona's most iconic hike — 2.5 miles round trip to the summit with 360° views of the entire Valley. Strenuous but achievable for most fit adults. The most-completed bucket list item in Phoenix.
💡 Parking reservation required online (free). Arrive before 6am on weekends. Bring 2+ liters of water.
003
⛳ Play TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course
MUST-DO GOLF
The Waste Management Phoenix Open course — playing the same fairways as the pros with stadium bleachers on every hole. A bucket-list round for any golfer.
💡 Book 30–60 days ahead for peak season. The 16th hole is the signature — surrounded by natural bleacher terrain.
Book →
004
🥂 Old Town Scottsdale Bachelorette Night
MUST-DO NIGHTLIFE
America's #1 bachelorette destination delivers — Bottled Blonde, Salty Señorita, Maya Day Club, and a bar scene that never disappoints 7 nights a week.
💡 Start at Salty Señorita for margaritas, move to Bottled Blonde for the rooftop, finish at Maya or Riot House.
Book →
005
🏨 Stay at The Phoenician or Sanctuary Camelback
MUST-DO LUXURY
The Phoenician's iconic 250-acre resort at the base of Camelback or Sanctuary's dramatic north-slope perch — both are world-class experiences worth splurging on.
💡 The Phoenician Sunday brunch is worth booking even as a non-guest. Sanctuary's jade Bar at sunset is magical.
006
🌵 Desert Botanical Garden — Especially at Night
MUST-DO NATURE
55 acres of the world's finest desert plant collection in Papago Park. The night events (Las Noches de las Luminarias in winter, Chihuly glass in select seasons) are extraordinary.
💡 Book Las Noches tickets months ahead — they sell out. The evening walks with the garden lit are far more magical than daytime.
Book →
007
🏛️ Visit the Heard Museum
MUST-DO CULTURE
The world's finest museum of Native American art and culture — 40,000+ objects and genuinely world-class exhibitions. One of the great American museums that most visitors overlook.
💡 Free on Wednesdays 3–9pm. The Hopi pottery collection is extraordinary. Allow 2+ hours.
Book →
008
🍽️ Dinner at FnB with Chef Charleen Badman
MUST-DO DINING
James Beard-nominated Chef Charleen Badman's seasonal farm-to-table masterwork — the most critically acclaimed restaurant in Scottsdale and one of the best in Arizona.
💡 Book 3–4 weeks ahead for weekends. The weekly-changing menu means every visit is different. Order the tasting menu.
009
🎭 Watch the Suns at Footprint Center
SPORTS NIGHTLIFE
NBA basketball in downtown Phoenix — the Suns are one of the NBA's most exciting teams and Footprint Center is an excellent arena post-2021 renovation.
💡 Section 101–105 are the best value lower-bowl seats. Arrive early to explore the concourse improvements.
010
🌄 Camelback Mountain at Sunrise — Photography
PHOTOGRAPHY SUNRISE
Photograph the Valley from the Echo Canyon parking area or the summit at dawn — the light on Camelback's red rock face turns extraordinary for 20 minutes at sunrise.
💡 The best photography position is actually from the base, facing east — the morning light on the rock face is perfect.
011
⛳ Round at Troon North — Monument Course
GOLF LUXURY
Consistently ranked Arizona's best public golf course — Troon North's Monument Course winds through boulders and pristine Sonoran desert in a design that's among America's finest.
💡 Afternoon (after 1pm) tee times are significantly cheaper. The course plays differently in afternoon wind.
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012
🥂 Maya Day Club on Saturday
NIGHTLIFE PARTY
Scottsdale's hottest pool party venue — celebrity DJs, production value that rivals Las Vegas, and an energy you won't find anywhere else in the Southwest.
💡 Cabana reservations required for the full experience. Buy ahead — they sell out weeks in advance.
013
🏊 JW Marriott Desert Ridge — The Pool Experience
FAMILY RESORT
The Valley's finest resort pool complex — lazy river, waterpark, multiple pools, and enough activities to fill an entire day without leaving the property.
💡 Cabana reservations are available and worth it on peak season weekends. The lazy river fills fast.
014
🎸 Barrett-Jackson Car Auction in January
CULTURE EVENTS
The world's most famous classic car auction transforms Scottsdale every January — even as a spectator, the collection of vehicles on display is extraordinary.
💡 Day passes available at the gate. The TV broadcast doesn't capture the energy — you have to experience it in person.
015
🌿 Spa Day at Sanctuary Camelback
WELLNESS LUXURY
The most romantic spa setting in Scottsdale — panoramic Camelback Mountain views, world-class treatments, and the jade Bar for cocktails after.
💡 Book 2+ weeks ahead. Couples treatment rooms are highly coveted — book early. Non-guests are welcome.
016
⚾ Cactus League Spring Training Game
SPORTS FAMILY
15 MLB teams, 10 intimate stadiums, February through March — the most relaxed and accessible baseball experience in the sport. Players are close, tickets are affordable, and the weather is perfect.
💡 Scottsdale Stadium (Giants) is the most walkable venue. Salt River Fields (D-Backs/Rockies) is the nicest facility.
Book →
017
🚁 Helicopter Tour over Scottsdale and Camelback
ADVENTURE AERIAL
30-minute aerial tour over Camelback Mountain, the McDowell Mountains, and the full Scottsdale skyline — extraordinary perspective on the Valley's geography.
💡 Morning flights have the clearest air for photography. Arizona Helicopter Adventures is the top operator.
Book →
018
🍷 Old Town Kazimierz Wine Bar
NIGHTLIFE DINING
Scottsdale's sophisticated underground wine bar — 800+ labels, live jazz, and a genuine wine geek atmosphere that's a complete departure from the party bars above ground.
💡 Ask the sommelier for their current favorite on the list — they know it better than anyone. Live jazz Thu–Sat.
019
🥾 Tom's Thumb Trail — McDowell Sonoran Preserve
HIKING NATURE
One of the best moderate hikes in Scottsdale — 3.5 miles round trip to a distinctive rock formation with panoramic North Scottsdale views and far fewer crowds than Camelback.
💡 Best in fall and spring. Parking at the Gateway Trailhead fills fast — arrive before 7am on weekends.
020
🏺 Taliesin West — Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture
CULTURE HISTORY
Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and architecture school — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of America's most extraordinary pieces of organic architecture, open for public tours.
💡 The Signature Experience tour (4 hours) reveals spaces the standard tour never shows. Book 1 week ahead.
Book →
021
🎵 Live Music at the Van Buren or Rhythm Room
NIGHTLIFE MUSIC
Phoenix's best mid-size venues — the Van Buren books indie/alternative national acts, the Rhythm Room is the city's legendary blues and roots institution.
💡 Check venue calendars 2–4 weeks ahead. The Van Buren has a balcony level worth the premium. Rhythm Room is cash-only.
022
🍽️ Mariposa — The Best View Dining in Valley
DINING ROMANCE
Chef Lisa Dahl's Latin-inspired flagship with panoramic mountain views — often called the most beautiful dining room in Arizona. The tableside guacamole trolley is a must.
💡 Request a window table at sunset when booking. The tableide guacamole is mandatory. Margarita program is excellent.
023
🚙 Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour
ADVENTURE NATURE
Desert Wolf Tours or Pink Jeep's Scottsdale routes take you through the open Sonoran Desert with geology, wildlife, and sunset that you cannot access by any other means.
💡 The sunset tour (3 hours) is the peak experience. Book for small groups — the intimate setting makes it more special.
Book →
024
🌅 Dobbins Lookout Sunset — South Mountain
SUNSET FREE
Drive to Dobbins Lookout in South Mountain Park for the best panoramic sunset view of the Valley — no hiking required, and it's completely free.
💡 Go 45 minutes before sunset for parking. Bring a bottle of Arizona wine and a blanket for the full experience.
025
⛳ Golf + Old Town Dinner — The Perfect Day
GOLF DINING
The definitive Scottsdale day: morning round at TPC Scottsdale or Grayhawk, lunch at the 19th hole, afternoon pool at your resort, dinner at FnB or The Mission.
💡 This is what repeat Scottsdale visitors do. The golf-to-dinner pipeline is the city's most satisfying daily arc.
026
🎨 First Friday Art Walk — Phoenix Roosevelt Row
CULTURE FREE
Every first Friday of the month, Phoenix's Roosevelt Row arts district hosts hundreds of artists and thousands of visitors — galleries open late, street art, food trucks, live music.
💡 Free to attend. The District between 7th Street and 7th Avenue concentrates the galleries. Go 7–10pm.
027
🌿 Miraval Arizona — Full Wellness Escape
WELLNESS LUXURY
2 hours from Scottsdale, Miraval Arizona is North America's premier wellness resort — all-inclusive programming, exceptional spa, and the only place where you truly disconnect.
💡 Book 2–3 months ahead for preferred dates. The LifeInBalance activities (ropes course, equine experience) are transformative.
028
🏟️ Phoenix Suns Playoff Game
SPORTS NIGHTLIFE
Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix transforms during the playoffs — the energy is extraordinary and the surrounding bars fill with fans creating a city-wide party atmosphere.
💡 Buy tickets early — they sell out and surge significantly for playoff rounds. Pre-game at Majerle's Sports Grill.
029
🎭 Musical Instrument Museum — MIM
CULTURE UNIQUE
Phoenix's most underrated attraction — 15,000+ instruments from 200 countries with personalized audio at every exhibit. Genuinely one of the finest museum experiences in the US.
💡 Allow 3+ hours — most visitors are surprised how long they stay. The Artist Gallery downstairs has rotating exhibitions.
Book →
030
🍺 Four Peaks Brewery — Tempe
LOCAL CASUAL
Arizona's most beloved craft brewery — the Kiltlifter Scottish Ale is the state's most popular craft beer, and the Tempe taproom next to the brewery has excellent food.
💡 The Kiltlifter Scottish Ale and the Hop Knot IPA are their signature brews. The taproom patio is excellent in the evening.
031
🏃 South Mountain Park — National Trail
HIKING STRENUOUS
America's largest municipal park offers the challenging National Trail — 14 miles traversing the full ridge of South Mountain with panoramic Valley views. For serious hikers only.
💡 Start at 5am in summer. The Telegraph Pass area is the best access for the most dramatic views. Bring enough water.
032
🌵 Pinnacle Peak Hike at Golden Hour
HIKING SUNSET
3.5-mile roundtrip in North Scottsdale with significant elevation gain and sweeping views of Four Peaks, the Superstitions, and the Valley — best at golden hour.
💡 Arrive 2 hours before sunset for the hike plus the view. The rock formations along the trail are excellent.
033
🎰 Casino Arizona — Scottsdale
EXPERIENCE
Gaming, live entertainment, and dining at Casino Arizona — one of the finest tribal gaming destinations in the Southwest. Major concerts book into their entertainment venue.
💡 524 N 92nd St, Scottsdale AZ 85256. The entertainment venue regularly books national touring acts.
034
🥾 Peralta Trail — Superstition Mountains
HIKING ADVENTURE
One of Arizona's most dramatic hikes — 4.5 miles round trip through the Superstition Mountains to Fremont Saddle with views of Weaver's Needle and the Lost Dutchman legend country.
💡 45 minutes east of Scottsdale. Start early — the exposed trail heats up fast after 9am. Bring extra water.
035
🎸 Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall
CULTURE MUSIC
The Valley's premier classical music institution — Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix hosts the Phoenix Symphony, Opera, and Ballet Arizona in a renovated 1972 concert hall.
💡 2901 N 3rd St, Phoenix AZ 85004. (602) 495-1999. Season runs September–May. The Holiday Pops sells out fastest.
036
🏊 Tempe Town Lake — Stand-Up Paddleboard
OUTDOOR WATER
Rent a paddleboard or kayak on Tempe Town Lake — a mile-long artificial lake in the heart of Tempe with Camelback Mountain views and easy access from ASU campus.
💡 Tempe Town Lake Recreation (480-355-4600) rents paddleboards and kayaks. Best early morning before wind picks up.
037
🌺 Boyce Thompson Arboretum — Superior
NATURE DAY TRIP
Arizona's oldest botanical garden — 323 acres in the Sonoran Desert with the finest collection of desert plants outside Tucson. 60 minutes east of Phoenix. Underrated gem.
💡 Daily 6am–3pm. Best in spring for wildflowers. The herb and cactus gardens are exceptional. Admission $15.
038
🎭 Phoenix Theatre Company
CULTURE EVENING
Phoenix's oldest professional theater company — excellent productions of Broadway musicals, dramas, and Arizona premieres in an intimate 750-seat venue.
💡 1825 N Central Ave, Phoenix AZ 85004. (602) 254-2151. Season runs September–June. Book early for popular shows.
039
🛍️ Scottsdale Fashion Square — Premier Shopping
SHOPPING LIFESTYLE
The finest shopping mall in the Southwest — Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Dior, Gucci, and 240+ stores in an air-conditioned luxury setting adjacent to Old Town.
💡 Camelback Rd & 68th St, Scottsdale AZ 85251. Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom anchor the luxury wing. Restaurant row inside.
040
🌵 Botanical Garden Holiday Lights
EVENTS FAMILY
Desert Botanical Garden's Las Noches de las Luminarias — thousands of paper bag candles illuminate the garden every December weekend for one of Arizona's most magical holiday traditions.
💡 Book 2–3 months ahead — it sells out every year. Friday and Saturday evenings are the most atmospheric.
Book →
041
🐴 Desert Horseback Riding
ADVENTURE
Trail ride through the Sonoran Desert with desert wildlife, saguaro cacti, and mountain views — M Diamond Ranch is the finest operator in the Phoenix metro area.
💡 M Diamond Ranch (480-471-8520) in Cave Creek. Morning rides are cooler. Beginners welcome.
Book →
042
⛷️ Snowbowl at Flagstaff — Day Trip
ADVENTURE DAY TRIP
2 hours from Phoenix, Arizona Snowbowl on the San Francisco Peaks offers legitimate skiing and snowboarding December through March — 32 runs, 2,300 vertical feet.
💡 Check snowreport.azsnowbowl.com before going. Friday arrivals miss weekend crowds. Rental equipment on site.
043
🎈 Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market
LOCAL FOOD
Saturday mornings at Scottsdale Civic Center — artisan vendors, local produce, excellent food stalls, and the best people-watching in Scottsdale. Year-round.
💡 Saturdays 8am–1pm. The tamale vendor and the local honey seller are the most popular stalls. Go before 10am.
044
🏌️ Golf at Desert Mountain — Multiple Courses
GOLF LUXURY
Six championship courses at Desert Mountain — when resort guest access is available, this is among the finest desert golf properties in the world.
💡 Access requires resort connection. Call (480) 595-4000 for current guest access programs. Geronimo course is the finest.
045
🌙 Night Sky Safari — Salt River Pima Reservation
NATURE EVENING
The Salt River area east of Scottsdale offers dark sky stargazing with cultural programs run by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
💡 Check the tribal parks department for current programs. The area is accessible without a tour but guided programs add significant context.
Book →
046
🍷 FnB Restaurant — Wine Bar Experience
DINING WINE
Chef Charleen Badman's James Beard-nominated restaurant also has one of Arizona's finest curated wine and local beer lists — ask the sommelier for an Arizona wine recommendation.
💡 The Arizona wine flight is a revelation — local winemakers are producing world-class bottles. Ask for current favorites.
047
🎭 Improv Comedy — Scottsdale Center
NIGHTLIFE COMEDY
National touring comedy acts at the intimate Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts — 400-seat venue with excellent sightlines and consistently strong booking.
💡 Check scottsdaleperformingarts.org for current schedule. Celebrity surprise guests appear several times per year.
048
🏄 Salt River Tubing — Mesa
ADVENTURE FAMILY
The classic Arizona summer activity — tube down the Salt River with coolers and friends through the Tonto National Forest. A genuine Arizona tradition for 50+ years.
💡 Salt River Tubing (480-984-3305) in Mesa. Open May–September. Arrive early — lines form before 9am on hot weekends.
049
🌵 McDowell Mountain Regional Park Camping
NATURE ADVENTURE
Camp within 25 miles of downtown Scottsdale in the McDowell Mountains — trails from your campsite, incredible dark sky viewing, and genuine desert immersion.
💡 Reserve through Recreation.gov 6 months ahead for peak dates. Sites with electric hookups book fastest.
050
🎸 WM Phoenix Open — 16th Hole
SPORTS BUCKET LIST
The most attended golf tournament in the world — the 16th hole stadium (capacity 20,000) creates an electric stadium atmosphere unlike anything else in golf. February only.
💡 Tickets go on sale months ahead and sell out. Thursday or Saturday are the best days. The 16th hole is the entire experience.
051
🏋️ Yoga in the Desert — Outdoor Class
WELLNESS OUTDOOR
Multiple Scottsdale studios offer outdoor yoga sessions with McDowell Mountain or Camelback views — combining desert landscape with practice creates a genuinely powerful experience.
💡 Search 'outdoor yoga Scottsdale' on Viator. CorePower Yoga has excellent Scottsdale locations for indoor practice.
Book →
052
🚙 Tonto National Forest — Off-Road Adventure
ADVENTURE NATURE
1.3 million acres of Sonoran Desert wilderness accessible from Scottsdale — jeep trails, swimming holes, desert lakes, and the iconic Apache Trail scenic drive.
💡 The Apache Trail (AZ-88) is one of America's great scenic drives. Start at Tortilla Flat — excellent saloon.
053
🍺 SanTan Brewing Company — Gilbert
LOCAL CASUAL
Gilbert's beloved craft brewery with an excellent taproom in the Heritage District — the Epicenter pale ale is their flagship and the food program is strong for a brewery.
💡 1 S San Marcos Pl, Gilbert AZ 85233. (480) 917-8700. The Gilbert location taproom is the original and the best.
054
🎨 Scottsdale ArtWalk — Thursday Evening
CULTURE FREE
Every Thursday 7–9pm, Old Town Scottsdale's galleries open for the longest-running ArtWalk in the country — 80+ galleries, free wine, and casual browsing with artists present.
💡 Start at Scottsdale Road and work north to 5th Avenue galleries. Most galleries are free to browse. Free.
055
🌺 Gilbert Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch
NATURE FREE
110-acre urban wetlands in the heart of Gilbert — home to 200+ bird species, desert turtles, and the finest birding experience within the Phoenix metro. Completely free.
💡 2757 E Guadalupe Rd, Gilbert AZ 85234. Dawn and dusk are peak birding times. The observatory is open Friday–Saturday evenings.
056
🏊 Private Pool Villa — Luxury Resort Day
LUXURY RELAXATION
Book a pool villa at Andaz Scottsdale, W Scottsdale, or Sanctuary Camelback for a private pool experience — the desert sunshine and cold drinks formula is Scottsdale's finest offering.
💡 Andaz Scottsdale and W Scottsdale have the best public pool atmospheres. Sanctuary has the most beautiful setting.
057
🎰 ISM Raceway — NASCAR Phoenix
SPORTS EVENTS
Phoenix hosts two NASCAR Cup Series races per year — the fall race is a championship event. 75,000-seat facility in Avondale with a genuinely passionate racing crowd.
💡 7602 Jimmie Johnson Dr, Avondale. Camping packages are the full NASCAR experience. Infield tickets are premium but extraordinary.
058
🌄 Four Peaks Wilderness Day Hike
HIKING STRENUOUS
The Four Peaks are the most distinctive geological feature visible from Phoenix — a challenging day hike 45 minutes east of Scottsdale with extraordinary panoramic views.
💡 Accessible via AZ-87 to AZ-188. The Browns Peak trail is the primary route. Allow 6+ hours for the full hike.
059
🍽️ Quiessence at The Farm — Farm Dinner
DINING UNIQUE
Chef Greg LaPrad cooks dinner on an 11-acre working organic farm in South Phoenix — the most unique dining experience in Arizona and one of the finest in the American Southwest.
💡 Prix fixe only — call to book. 6106 S 32nd St, Phoenix. The farm tour before dinner is available by request.
060
🌵 Saguaro Lake Ranch — Day at the Lake
NATURE ADVENTURE
Saguaro Lake is the finest desert reservoir near Phoenix — boat tours, kayak rentals, and the iconic Saguaro Lake Ranch marina experience 30 minutes from Scottsdale.
💡 Saguaro Lake Ranch Marina (480-984-2194) in Mesa. Sunset boat tours are the signature experience.
Book →
061
🎵 Phoenix Open Concert Experience
EVENTS MUSIC
The WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale has evolved into a week-long festival — concerts on the practice facility stage most evenings draw major acts.
💡 Concert tickets are separate from golf tickets. Check TPC Scottsdale's event calendar for the entertainment lineup.
062
🏌️ Late Afternoon Golf + Scottsdale Dinner
GOLF DINING
The quintessential Scottsdale visitor experience — afternoon round at Grayhawk (1pm tee time), quick pool stop, then dinner at Citizen Public House or The Mission.
💡 Grayhawk after-noon rates are significantly cheaper. The 19th hole at Grayhawk has great views of the course.
063
🎭 Arizona Opera — Phoenix Symphony Hall
CULTURE EVENING
Arizona's professional opera company presents world-class productions in Symphony Hall — ticket prices that would be triple in San Francisco or New York for equivalent productions.
💡 Check azopera.org for current season. Opening night productions are the most festive. Great date night.
064
🌺 Cave Creek Regional Park — Desert Hiking
HIKING NATURE
36,000-acre preserve northwest of Scottsdale with excellent mountain biking and hiking trails through classic Sonoran Desert terrain — far less crowded than the Scottsdale trails.
💡 37900 N Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek. The Go John Trail (6.3 miles) is the finest hiking loop in the park.
065
🐆 OdySea Aquarium — Scottsdale
FAMILY CULTURE
The largest aquarium in the American Southwest — 2 million gallons, 30,000 animals, and the most impressive indoor attraction in Scottsdale. Essential for families.
💡 9500 E Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale AZ 85256. (480) 291-8000. oddysea.com. Daily 9am–6pm. Book online to skip lines.
066
🥾 Superstition Wilderness — Peralta Canyon
HIKING ADVENTURE
One of Arizona's finest desert canyon hikes — 4.5 miles through the Superstitions to Fremont Saddle with dramatic geology and Lost Dutchman gold mine legend.
💡 60 minutes east of Scottsdale. Start before 7am in warm months. The trail becomes very exposed — carry extra water.
067
🌵 Phoenix Zoo — Safari Train at Sunset
FAMILY NATURE
One of America's finest private zoos — 3,000 animals on 125 acres. The Safari Train tour and the Arizona Trails exhibit are the best experiences. Evening hours in summer are magical.
💡 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix. (602) 273-1341. phoenixzoo.org. Summer evening hours (5–10pm) are the most comfortable.
068
🏄 Kayak the Salt River at Dawn
ADVENTURE NATURE
The pre-dam section of the Salt River through the Lower Salt River Recreation Area is a wildlife corridor with wild horses, blue herons, and bald eagles.
💡 Access through Saguaro Lake Ranch Marina (Mesa). Wild horses frequently wade in the river — a genuinely magical sight.
Book →
069
🎨 Mesa Arts Center — Performance
CULTURE ARTS
Mesa's world-class performing arts center — one of the largest in the Southwest, hosting Broadway touring productions, concerts, and visual art exhibitions.
💡 1 E Main St, Mesa AZ 85201. (480) 644-6500. mesaartscenter.com. Broadway touring shows are the premier programming.
070
🌮 Street Food Tour — Phoenix Public Market
DINING LOCAL
Phoenix Public Market Cafe and the surrounding food scene in downtown Phoenix — craft beer, artisan food, and a genuine community atmosphere that captures local Phoenix culture.
💡 14 E Pierce St, Phoenix AZ 85004. Saturday market 8am–noon. The cafe is excellent for weekday lunch.
071
🏌️ Sunrise Golf — Papago Golf Course
GOLF VALUE
Phoenix's finest municipal course at sunrise prices — $55 or less for a round on a genuinely excellent course adjacent to Papago Park and the Desert Botanical Garden.
💡 5595 E Moreland St, Phoenix. (602) 275-8428. Book online 1 week ahead. Tee times from 6am.
072
🎭 Ellie Theater — Tempe
CULTURE MUSIC
Tempe Center for the Arts — intimate 500-seat theater with outstanding acoustics and an eclectic programming mix of jazz, classical, world music, and performing arts.
💡 700 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe AZ 85281. (480) 350-2822. templecenterforthearts.com. Regular free events.
073
🌵 Evening Stroll — Scottsdale Waterfront
LIFESTYLE FREE
The Scottsdale Waterfront canal district is one of the most pleasant evening walks in the Valley — restaurants, art galleries, and the Arizona canal lit at night.
💡 Adjacent to Scottsdale Fashion Square on Camelback Rd. The Camelback Bridge offers excellent skyline views.
074
🍷 Local Wine Tasting — Arizona Vineyards
FOOD & WINE UNIQUE
Arizona has 130+ wineries — Scottsdale wine bars like The Scotch Wine Bar and Corkscrew Barrel showcase the state's increasingly impressive wine production.
💡 Ask for Arizona Stronghold Vineyards wines at local bars — their production in the Verde Valley is consistently excellent.
075
🎸 Live Jazz Dinner — Diego Pops
DINING NIGHTLIFE
Chef Stephen Jones's Diego Pops in Old Town has live jazz on weekend evenings — the combination of creative Mexican food, mezcal cocktails, and jazz creates a singular atmosphere.
💡 3961 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale AZ 85251. (480) 363-2944. Arrive before 7pm for walk-in availability.
076
🏺 Arizona Science Center — IMAX
FAMILY CULTURE
The Giant Screen IMAX at Arizona Science Center is the finest cinema experience in Phoenix — nature documentaries and specialty films on a screen that fills your entire field of vision.
💡 600 E Washington St, Phoenix. (602) 716-2000. azscience.org. Combo tickets for science center + IMAX are best value.
077
🌅 Sunrise at Hole-in-the-Rock — Papago Park
SUNRISE FREE
A natural sandstone opening in Papago Park frames a perfect sunrise view of Camelback Mountain — one of Phoenix's finest free sunrise photography spots.
💡 Papago Park, Phoenix. Easy 10-minute walk from parking. Free. The alignment at sunrise is extraordinary.
078
🎭 Chandler Jazz Festival — April
EVENTS MUSIC
Annual jazz festival in downtown Chandler — free outdoor concerts spread across multiple days with national and regional jazz artists in Heritage District venues.
💡 Check chandlerjazz.com for dates. The Heritage District venues are walkable and the atmosphere is excellent.
079
🏊 Private Luxury Cabana — Andaz Scottsdale
LUXURY POOL
Andaz Scottsdale's pool and cabana program — the most stylish pool setting in Scottsdale with desert garden views and excellent food and beverage service.
💡 6114 N Scottsdale Rd. (480) 368-1234. Cabana reservations required for weekend access. The pool bar serves excellent cocktails.
080
🌿 Camelback Mountain Cholla Trail — Easier Route
HIKING NATURE
The north-side approach to Camelback's summit — slightly longer (3 miles roundtrip) but with easier scrambling than Echo Canyon. Best if Echo Canyon feels too intense.
💡 Park on E Cholla Ln off E McDonald Dr, Scottsdale. Arrives at same summit as Echo Canyon — same extraordinary views.
081
🎯 Escape Room — The Escape Game Scottsdale
ACTIVITY GROUPS
Old Town Scottsdale's finest escape room experience — multiple themed rooms with high production value, challenging puzzles, and a perfect activity for groups.
💡 7143 E Shoeman Ln, Scottsdale AZ 85251. (480) 418-4930. theescapegame.com. Private bookings for groups of 4–8.
082
🌵 Lost Dutchman State Park — Superstitions
HIKING HISTORY
The gateway to the Superstition Wilderness and the Lost Dutchman gold mine legend — excellent hiking, desert wildflowers in spring, and extraordinary geology.
💡 6109 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction AZ 85119. (480) 982-4485. azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman. Daily 5am–10pm.
083
🍺 Arizona Craft Beer Scene — Tempe & Scottsdale
LOCAL CASUAL
Arizona's craft beer scene has exploded — Four Peaks (Tempe), SanTan Brewing (Gilbert), Arizona Wilderness Brewing (Gilbert), and Fate Brewing (Scottsdale) are the must-visits.
💡 Arizona Wilderness Brewing in Gilbert is the most critically acclaimed. Their River Run Kolsch is exceptional.
084
🌺 Scottsdale Greenbelt — Morning Bike Ride
OUTDOOR FREE
The Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt runs 11 miles through Scottsdale — 13 parks, lakes, golf courses, and recreation areas connected by a paved multi-use path.
💡 Rent bikes at Scottsdale Bike Shop on 68th Street. Best early morning before heat builds. Free.
085
🎭 Phoenix Comicon / Fan Fusion
EVENTS CULTURE
Phoenix's massive pop culture convention — 100,000+ attendees, celebrity guests, and cosplay culture at the Phoenix Convention Center. May and September editions.
💡 Check fanfusion.org for dates and celebrity guests. Buy early-bird tickets months ahead for best pricing.
086
🏊 Waterpark Day — Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix
FAMILY SUMMER
The Valley's finest waterpark — 22 slides and attractions on 41 acres. A genuine full-day summer experience for families and groups.
💡 4243 W Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix AZ 85027. (623) 201-2000. wetnwildphoenix.com. Go on weekdays for shorter lines.
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🌵 Desert Arboretum — Tempe Sculpture Tour
CULTURE FREE
Tempe's public art collection scattered through the city's parks and along Town Lake — over 80 major sculptures in the finest open-air collection in the Valley.
💡 Start at Tempe Town Lake and walk both shores. The city's public art map is available on the Tempe Parks website.
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🎸 Talking Stick Resort — Casino & Entertainment
NIGHTLIFE ENTERTAINMENT
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community's premier resort — casino, spa, golf, and a consistently strong entertainment and concert lineup.
💡 9800 E Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale AZ 85256. (480) 850-7777. talkingstickresort.com. Major concerts in their outdoor venue.
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🌺 Botanical Garden Morning Photography Walk
PHOTOGRAPHY NATURE
Desert Botanical Garden opens at 7am — the soft morning light on desert succulents and cacti creates extraordinary photography opportunities before the crowds arrive.
💡 Weekday mornings October–May are ideal. The brittlebush in bloom (February–March) against the red Cholla is spectacular.
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🏌️ We-Ko-Pa Golf — Scottsdale's Best Secret
GOLF VALUE
Scottsdale's most underrated golf course — consistently ranked among America's top 100 public courses with better pricing than its North Scottsdale neighbors.
💡 18200 E Toh Vee Cir, Fort McDowell. (480) 836-9000. wekopa.com. 30 minutes from Old Town — worth every mile.
Book →
091
🎭 ASU Gammage — Broadway in Scottsdale
CULTURE EVENING
Arizona State University's signature theater — designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, it hosts Broadway touring productions, classical music, and major performing arts events.
💡 1200 S Forest Ave, Tempe AZ 85281. (480) 965-3434. asugammage.com. Season runs September–May.
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🌵 Scottsdale Culinary Festival — April
EVENTS FOOD
Annual culinary festival celebrating Arizona's food and beverage scene — chef demonstrations, tasting events, and the finest local restaurants showcasing their best work.
💡 Check scottsdaleculinaryfestival.com for dates. VIP tastings sell out months ahead.
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🏊 Waterfront Dinner Cruise — Tempe Town Lake
DINING ROMANCE
Private dinner cruises on Tempe Town Lake — a surprisingly romantic experience with Camelback Mountain backdrop and excellent catering.
💡 Tempe Town Lake Recreation (480-355-4600) for current cruise operators. Private charters are available.
Book →
094
🌺 Phoenix Botanical Gardens Holiday Lights
EVENTS FAMILY
Desert Botanical Garden's Las Noches de las Luminarias in December — 8,000 luminaria bags light the garden paths in the most beautiful holiday tradition in Arizona.
💡 Tickets sell out 2–3 months ahead — book immediately when they go on sale in October. Friday/Saturday evenings peak.
Book →
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🎸 Open Mic & Live Music — Tempe Mill Avenue
NIGHTLIFE LOCAL
Mill Avenue's bar scene supports genuine live local music — House of Tricks, The Yucca Tap Room, and multiple Mill Avenue bars book local and regional artists weekly.
💡 The Yucca Tap Room is the most authentic — a genuine local dive with excellent music booking since 1986.
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🌵 Desert Botanical Garden Spring Bloom
NATURE SEASONAL
March and April bring the finest wildflower season to the Sonoran Desert — the Botanical Garden curates the most spectacular seasonal displays with guided bloom walks.
💡 Call the garden (480-941-1225) for current bloom conditions. Some years are extraordinary — depends on winter rainfall.
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🏌️ Golf at Camelback Inn — Classic Round
GOLF HISTORY
Golf at the resort that's been hosting visitors since 1936 — two courses with Camelback Mountain views and a classic Arizona resort atmosphere that newer properties can't replicate.
💡 5402 E Lincoln Dr, Scottsdale. (480) 948-1700. camelbackinn.com. The Club Course plays harder — book the Padre if you want more fun.
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🎭 Ballet Arizona — Orpheum Theatre
CULTURE ARTS
Ballet Arizona presents classical and contemporary dance in Phoenix's gorgeous 1929 Orpheum Theatre — a genuine cultural gem in downtown Phoenix.
💡 203 W Adams St, Phoenix AZ 85003. (602) 381-1096. balletaz.org. The Nutcracker in December is the most popular production.
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🌅 Mummy Mountain — Sunrise Drive
SUNRISE NATURE
Paradise Valley's Mummy Mountain area at sunrise — drive up Lincoln Drive before dawn to photograph Camelback Mountain from the north with spectacular morning light.
💡 Take Lincoln Drive north from McDonald Drive. Pull off on any side road facing Camelback at dawn — extraordinary light.
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🏠 Explore Scottsdale or Paradise Valley Real Estate
REAL ESTATE INVEST
Fell in love with Scottsdale? Scottsdale median $850K, Paradise Valley median $3.4M, Chandler tech corridor +8.2% YoY. Barré & Company Realty LLC — AZ Lic # LC722056000, CA DRE # 01786835.
💡 Visit thebarreco.com/scottsdale.html or thebarreco.com/paradise-valley.html. CA→AZ relocation specialists licensed in both states.
Barré & Company Realty LLC · AZ + CA

Love Scottsdale? Make it yours.

Scottsdale median $850K · Paradise Valley median $3.4M · Chandler tech corridor +8.2% YoY. We specialize in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, and CA→AZ relocation.

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