Things to do in Scottsdale
Explore top experiences
Top 10 attractions in Scottsdale
Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden is a themed botanical garden focused on the display and conservation of desert plants, spanning approx. 140 acres, featuring over 50,000 plants from global desert habitats, covering more than 4,000 taxa, including hundreds of rare or endangered species. The garden's history dates back to the 1930s, established through the efforts of local plant conservation advocates, and officially opened at its current site in 1939, with the original intention of changing the prejudice that the Sonoran Desert was a barren wasteland. The Webster Auditorium, built in the same year, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tour route is structured around five themed trails: the Desert Discovery Trail focuses on iconic plants such as saguaro cacti and agave; the "Sonoran Desert People and Plants" trail connects indigenous culture with the history of desert plants; the Wildflower Loop Trail presents rare, vibrant colors in the desert during the spring blooming season; there are also the Center for Desert Living Trail, which focuses on more sustainable gardening, and the Nature Loop Trail, which offers views overlooking the Papago Buttes. Nearly 1,000 saguaro cacti are scattered throughout the garden, some reaching heights of over 10m, with upright forms, making them the most recognizable plant view in the Sonoran Desert and a long-term focus of the garden's conservation efforts.Phoenix · 4 km from Scottsdale
Papago Park
Papago Park is a famous municipal park in Phoenix. It features rugged red buttes, lagoons, and streams, where many lovely migratory water birds spend the winter. Hole in the Rock is an iconic attraction in the park. Visitors can walk through the rock formation, which the Hohokam people once used as a natural observatory to design their calendar system.Phoenix · 5 km from Scottsdale
Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo is one of the larger nonprofit zoos in the United States, founded by Robert Maytag in 1962. Covering an area of 0.51 km², the zoo houses over 3,000 animals representing nearly 400 species. It features multiple themed exhibits such as the African savanna, desert life, and tropical rainforest, allowing visitors to observe animals in different ecosystems up close. Here, visitors can participate in animal feeding experiences, hand-feeding giraffes, alpacas, and other animals, enjoying the joy of harmonious coexistence with nature. Additionally, the zoo has a children's discovery zone with interactive games and educational activities designed specifically for young kids, helping them learn more about animals while having fun.Phoenix · 5.3 km from Scottsdale
OdySea Aquarium
OdySea Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the southwestern United States. It combines education, interaction, and entertainment, making it a popular destination for visitors. The aquarium features multiple exhibits showcasing a rich variety of marine life, including sharks, sea turtles, penguins, sea otters, and stingrays. Visitors can observe these amazing marine creatures up close and learn about their behaviors. The Voyager rotating exhibit is one of the highlights of the aquarium. Visitors can sit in rotating theater seats, enjoy the marine views of four large exhibits, and experience a magical journey as if they were sailing. The aquarium also offers various interactive experiences, such as SeaTREK helmet diving, which allows visitors to wear a special helmet under professional guidance, step into the water, and get up close with colorful schools of fish.Maricopa County · 8.1 km from Scottsdale
Tempe Beach Park
Tempe · 7.1 km from Scottsdale
Sky Harbor Terminal 4
Phoenix · 9.4 km from Scottsdale
Chase Field
Chase Field is a major sports venue in Phoenix, Arizona, and is the home ballpark of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The stadium opened in 1998 and features a retractable roof that can be opened or closed according to operating conditions. Its design includes a large seating bowl, playing field, concourses, and public areas. The venue is primarily associated with professional baseball and is also used for selected concerts and other scheduled programs. Visitors can explore the stadium during baseball games or other activities held there. The specific program and access arrangements vary according to the venue calendar.Phoenix · 14.1 km from Scottsdale
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Maricopa County · 7.4 km from Scottsdale
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Scottsdale · 4.8 km from downtown
Hole in the Rock
Hole in the Rock is a unique geological wonder located in Papago Park inPhoenix, Arizona, United States. It is made of red sandstone and was formed by approx. 20 million years of wind and water erosion, creating its remarkable appearance today. This unique rock formation features a large cavity created by erosion, with one extremely spacious opening that extends through to the other side of the rock. From the parking lot, it is just an easy 10-minute hike along a trail only 0.3 miles long to reach this spot. Standing at the opening is like opening a window to a wondrous world, offering a panoramic view of the magnificent scenery of Papago Park. The sprawling desert landscape in the distance complements the surrounding city views, creating a unique charm. On clear days, the sunlight hits the red sandstone, making the colors exceptionally vibrant; at sunset, the soft light paints the sky in shades of orange and red, adding a touch of romance and mystery to the place.Phoenix · 4.6 km from Scottsdale
What travellers say about Scottsdale
Haque SahebSeptember 26, 2026
5.0
Desert Botanical Garden is a beautiful place where the unique charm of the desert comes alive. The incredible collection of cacti, colorful desert flowers, and native plants creates a peaceful and fascinating atmosphere. Walking along the scenic trails feels like discovering a completely different side of nature, with stunning mountain views adding to the experience. The garden is especially magical during golden hour when the warm sunlight highlights the plants and surrounding landscape. It is a wonderful destination for photography, nature lovers, and anyone looking for a relaxing escape. Would you love to explore this beautiful desert garden on your next trip?
Desert Botanical Garden
PINGPINGPING1013August 30, 2022
5.0
I went to unlock it with my family today. I was so immersed in it that I didn’t have time to take pictures. It was very fun.
Papago Park
non.of.yoursJuly 11, 2023
5.0
Phoenix Zoo is located in Tempe Arizona and it is by far one of the best zoos I have been to. There are many attractions to the zoo like the wildlife. Phoenix Zoo has places like sea life walk where you can go see the sea life. The have a trail called Desert trail where you can see all the desert animals. they also have an area where you can see all the flowers in Arizona. they have a kid's land for just the kids they have a water park for the kids the animals that you see are mainly ones that you would see in a safari because it is a desert. Arizona You Don't See Much of like polar bears. it's a great little Zoo it's not too big not too little and I highly suggest if you're going to go to the Phoenix Zoo do not go in the summer I would plan to come in the winter where is more nice not so hot and you'll see a lot more animals than if you were to come in the summer it is 120° here in Arizona during the summer and in the winter it gets up to about 70° during the day so be a perfect time to come in the Winter.
Phoenix Zoo
fun tripOctober 23, 2023
4.0
we all went as a family and enjoyed it my nephew had a blast and we also did the dinosaur event
OdySea Aquarium
小鱼儿2015February 22, 2020
4.0
Chase Field is a baseball club venue. Some of the facilities here are quite interesting. It is a good choice for baseball culture and sports. It is also a good choice to come to this stadium for fun. There are also many supporting facilities around it.
Chase Field
M30***41March 2, 2021
4.0
This place is amazing not what you would expect to find in the middle of phoenix . it felt like the outback of australia .
Hole in the Rock
