14 Fun Things To Do In Phoenix And Scottsdale

Phoenix and Scottsdale offer amazing adventures for everyone who visits. From desert hikes to art galleries, these twin cities blend outdoor excitement with cultural experiences.

Whether you love nature, sports, shopping, or history, you’ll find activities that make your trip unforgettable.

1. Explore the Desert Botanical Garden

Thousands of desert plants create a living museum right in the heart of Phoenix. Walking through themed trails, you’ll discover cacti species you never knew existed.

Spring brings wildflower blooms that transform the garden into a colorful paradise. Evening visits during summer feature special illuminated displays that make the desert glow magically.

2. Visit Old Town Scottsdale

Step back into the Wild West while enjoying modern shopping and dining. Old Town Scottsdale preserves its frontier charm with wooden walkways and historic buildings.

Art galleries line the streets alongside Western boutiques and restaurants. I love browsing the unique jewelry stores and watching street performers entertain crowds on weekend afternoons.

3. Cool Off at Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix

Beat the Arizona heat with thrilling water slides and lazy river floats. Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix features over 30 different attractions for all ages and bravery levels.

The wave pool creates beach-like conditions right in the desert. Kids adore the splash zones while teens chase adrenaline on the extreme slides that twist and turn dramatically.

4. Hike Camelback Mountain

Your legs will feel the burn, but the views make every step worth it. Camelback Mountain stands as one of Phoenix’s most famous natural landmarks.

I recommend starting early in the morning to avoid the intense desert heat. The Echo Canyon Trail offers a challenging climb with spectacular panoramic views of the entire valley below.

5. Tour the Musical Instrument Museum

Music from every corner of the globe fills this incredible museum with sound and culture. You’ll wear wireless headphones that automatically play music as you approach different exhibits.

Over 15,000 instruments tell stories about human creativity and connection. The Experience Gallery lets you actually play drums, guitars, and keyboards from various traditions yourself.

6. Watch a Spring Training Game

Major League Baseball teams practice here each spring, creating an intimate sports atmosphere. Tickets cost less than regular season games, and you sit much closer to the action.

I enjoy the relaxed vibe where you can catch foul balls and get autographs easily. Ten different teams train in the Phoenix area, giving you multiple game options daily.

7. Discover Taliesin West

Frank Lloyd Wright built his winter home and architecture school in the Scottsdale desert. The building blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape using natural stone and dramatic angles.

Guided tours reveal Wright’s genius and his philosophy of organic architecture. You’ll see his living spaces, drafting studio, and theater while learning about his revolutionary design ideas.

8. Ride the Desert Belle Cruise

Glide across Saguaro Lake while canyon walls rise dramatically around you. The Desert Belle paddleboat offers a unique perspective of the Sonoran Desert from the water.

Narrated cruises teach you about local wildlife, geology, and history during the 90-minute journey. I always spot bighorn sheep on the cliffs and various birds fishing along the shoreline.

9. Explore Heard Museum

Native American art and culture come alive through stunning exhibits and authentic storytelling. The Heard Museum houses one of the world’s finest collections of indigenous art from the Southwest.

Kachina dolls, intricate jewelry, and contemporary paintings fill the galleries with color and meaning. Weekend demonstrations by Native artists let you watch traditional crafts being created firsthand.

10. Go Tubing on the Salt River

Float lazily down a desert river while wild horses graze along the banks. Salt River tubing combines relaxation with natural beauty during hot Arizona summers.

The cool water provides perfect relief from triple-digit temperatures outside. Trips last several hours, and you can bring coolers to make it an all-day adventure with friends and family.

11. Visit the Phoenix Zoo

More than 3,000 animals call this expansive zoo home year-round. The Phoenix Zoo specializes in saving endangered species while educating visitors about wildlife conservation.

Stingray Bay lets you touch these graceful creatures in a shallow pool. The Africa Trail brings you face-to-face with giraffes, elephants, and lions in naturalistic habitats designed for their comfort.

12. Shop at Scottsdale Fashion Square

Arizona’s largest shopping destination features over 200 stores under one roof. Scottsdale Fashion Square combines luxury brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton with popular retailers everyone loves.

The outdoor dining area offers amazing restaurants for breaks between shopping sprees. I appreciate the comfortable seating areas and beautiful fountain displays that make browsing feel less exhausting.

13. Experience McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Over 30,000 acres of protected desert wilderness await your exploration. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers more than 200 miles of trails ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs.

Saguaro cacti stand like sentinels along the paths while lizards scurry across sun-warmed rocks. Sunset hikes paint the mountains in shades of orange and purple that photographers dream about capturing.

14. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride

Sunrise balloon flights offer the most peaceful way to see the desert from above. You’ll float silently over cacti, mountains, and valleys as the sun paints everything golden.

Most companies include champagne celebrations after landing, following ballooning tradition. The experience lasts about three hours total, with roughly one hour actually airborne, creating memories that last forever.