Scottsdale is a tranquil area of Greater Phoenix renowned for its rugged landscapes and stunning sunsets. Offering a delightful blend of pampering comforts and outdoor adventures, it's the perfect weekend getaway for families, couples and friends this spring. Perpetual outdoor sunshine is ideal for lazy poolside days, while glittering lakes provide great picnic spots. Scottsdale is perfect for a wide range of weekend activities that are relaxing, thrilling or both!
From breathtaking landscapes to chic shopping centres, here are the top things to do in Scottsdale this weekend. We've chosen five fun things to do in Scottsdale's dazzling outdoors, plus 5 outstanding city-based activities moments from your Millennium hotel.
Escape into Scottsdale’s magnificent Arizona outdoors
Scottsdale is perched on the scenic Salt River in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains. With a wide range of scenic spots and trails nearby, here are our top things to do in Scottsdale outdoors.
You'll have direct access to numerous hiking trails in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and beyond. These are among America's top hiking spots, making them perfect for active families and friends. Go for an adventure and climb Camelback Mountain, one of the most popular local attractions and offering 360-degree vistas of the city from the 1420 feet summit.
Other highlights include hiking the 4.5-mile Gateway Loop Trail, the 3.5-mile Pinnacle Summit and the 6-mile John Trail in Cave Creek Park. Don’t feel like hiking? Go for a hot air balloon ride for an unforgettable landscape view!
Thanks to Scottsdale's tranquil lakes and rivers, guests can experience a beachside lifestyle even in this land-locked state. The McCormick Resort’s spectacular lakeside location will keep you cool during your stay in Scottsdale! The hotel’s dining space, the Pinon Grill, has an amazing lakeside terrace, offering guests stunning views and great sunsets. Guests can use the hotel’s own canoes and kayaks to enjoy a fun day out on the water.
With over 200 golf courses set on pristine grounds, Scottsdale is also home to the Phoenix Open. The McCormick Scottsdale Hotel is located next to the McCormick Ranch Golf Course so that you can head out of your hotel and walk on over to the course in minutes. Are you getting ready for a big wedding? A bachelor golf weekend to Scottsdale is the perfect solution for memory-making.
There are more ways to explore Scottsdale than on foot. Horse-riding trips operate from beautiful ranches flanked by desert and mountains. Trade four legs for four wheels and go off-roading on ATVs in the desert for something more exhilarating. From romantic sunset Jeep tours to family-friendly dune buggy rides, there’s no better way to explore the Sonoran Desert.
This tranquil 140-acre botanical garden is located in Papago Park. It's a magnificent and mesmerizingly colourful preserve that's home to thousands of unique plants, including rare cacti. Perfect for a romantic weekend stroll, it also boasts outdoor dining with live music and first-rate food.
There are plenty of fun things to do in Scottsdale on weekends spent downtown. Scottsdale is extensively pedestrianised, with a walkable centre and a prized food scene. If you're looking for what to do in Scottsdale, AZ, look no further than these top 5 spots.
From public art to treasured institutions, there are plenty of fine museums to visit on the weekend. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is the city's cultural epicentre, with public art displays spreading out into the surrounding streets. You can visit sculptures and installations on bicycle tours. Aside from cosy historical visits, like Old Town Scottsdale and the Museum of the West, Scottsdale is notable for its connection with architect Frank Lloyd Wright. His desert home at Taliesin West is well worth visiting.
Other notable mentions include Wonderspaces AZ and Heard Museum.
Scottsdale's shopping centres ensure an excellent weekend treat. For a girls' weekend in Scottsdale, head to the Kierland Commons or Scottsdale Fashion Square, a glittering centre of high-end brands from Prada to Cartier. Equally alluring and a little more purse-friendly, Scottsdale Quarter is home to fashion and beauty brands from lululemon to L'Occitane. Fancy something a bit more local? The River Trading Post is like stepping back in time, offering both antique and contemporary arts and crafts in a friendly setting.
Scottsdale's varied nightlife offers an attractive blend of craft beer taprooms, sophisticated lounges and swanky nightclubs. Most of these fantastic establishments burst to life in and around Old Town. So, if you're on a bachelor's or bachelorette's weekend break, or romancing with a loved one, head out for a cocktail or catch some live music. Top joints include Handlebar J, Kaz, Marcellino and Rusty Spur Saloon. Maya Day & Nightclub is nearby the hotel and is a great spot to party both day and night, and you can even take a refreshing dip in their pool.
What better way to celebrate a chilled weekend than enjoying Arizona's fabulous wine? This self-guided trail meanders through Old Town and comes with a passport for recording notes at the six exceptional tasting rooms. Start at Merkin Vineyards or ADV Winery before tasting your way through the rest of Arizona’s best vintages.
You needn't even leave your sun-kissed hotel's surroundings for your first-rate weekend break. The McCormick’s scenic outdoor pool is flanked by Scottsdale’s beautiful mountain scenery. As the only lakeside resort in town, guests also get access to a private beach – so the choice of tanning location is all yours!
There's something special about Scottsdale's skyline. Spectacular sunrises and amazing sunsets end each day in this tantalising weekend destination. Whether you're looking for adventure in the spell-binding Sonoran Desert or pampering spa getaways surrounded by dusty mountains, you'll quickly see why Scottsdale is considered the best spring escape. Desert wildflowers are in bloom, and the weather provides endless adventures, whether by kayak, dune buggy or on foot.
Discover or rediscover Arizona with Millennium Hotels’ Summer Offer. Book now to save up to 20% off on your summer vacation in Scottsdale. Make memories with families or celebrate with friends with an extra 10% off by becoming a My Millennium member. After landing, you've got a wealth of exciting day trips and exciting downtown attractions to fill your weekend in Scottsdale, AZ.
From breathtaking landscapes to chic shopping centres, here are the top things to do in Scottsdale this weekend. We've chosen five fun things to do in Scottsdale's dazzling outdoors, plus 5 outstanding city-based activities moments from your Millennium hotel.
Escape into Scottsdale’s magnificent Arizona outdoors
Scottsdale is perched on the scenic Salt River in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains. With a wide range of scenic spots and trails nearby, here are our top things to do in Scottsdale outdoors.
1. Hike the landscape
You'll have direct access to numerous hiking trails in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and beyond. These are among America's top hiking spots, making them perfect for active families and friends. Go for an adventure and climb Camelback Mountain, one of the most popular local attractions and offering 360-degree vistas of the city from the 1420 feet summit.
Other highlights include hiking the 4.5-mile Gateway Loop Trail, the 3.5-mile Pinnacle Summit and the 6-mile John Trail in Cave Creek Park. Don’t feel like hiking? Go for a hot air balloon ride for an unforgettable landscape view!
2. Lakeside adventures
Thanks to Scottsdale's tranquil lakes and rivers, guests can experience a beachside lifestyle even in this land-locked state. The McCormick Resort’s spectacular lakeside location will keep you cool during your stay in Scottsdale! The hotel’s dining space, the Pinon Grill, has an amazing lakeside terrace, offering guests stunning views and great sunsets. Guests can use the hotel’s own canoes and kayaks to enjoy a fun day out on the water.
3. Golf with your buddies
With over 200 golf courses set on pristine grounds, Scottsdale is also home to the Phoenix Open. The McCormick Scottsdale Hotel is located next to the McCormick Ranch Golf Course so that you can head out of your hotel and walk on over to the course in minutes. Are you getting ready for a big wedding? A bachelor golf weekend to Scottsdale is the perfect solution for memory-making.
4. Desert trails on four legs or wheels
There are more ways to explore Scottsdale than on foot. Horse-riding trips operate from beautiful ranches flanked by desert and mountains. Trade four legs for four wheels and go off-roading on ATVs in the desert for something more exhilarating. From romantic sunset Jeep tours to family-friendly dune buggy rides, there’s no better way to explore the Sonoran Desert.
5. Explore the Desert Botanical Garden
This tranquil 140-acre botanical garden is located in Papago Park. It's a magnificent and mesmerizingly colourful preserve that's home to thousands of unique plants, including rare cacti. Perfect for a romantic weekend stroll, it also boasts outdoor dining with live music and first-rate food.
Get inspired by Scottsdale’s local attractions
There are plenty of fun things to do in Scottsdale on weekends spent downtown. Scottsdale is extensively pedestrianised, with a walkable centre and a prized food scene. If you're looking for what to do in Scottsdale, AZ, look no further than these top 5 spots.
1. Hit Scottsdale's prized galleries and museums
From public art to treasured institutions, there are plenty of fine museums to visit on the weekend. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is the city's cultural epicentre, with public art displays spreading out into the surrounding streets. You can visit sculptures and installations on bicycle tours. Aside from cosy historical visits, like Old Town Scottsdale and the Museum of the West, Scottsdale is notable for its connection with architect Frank Lloyd Wright. His desert home at Taliesin West is well worth visiting.
Other notable mentions include Wonderspaces AZ and Heard Museum.
2. Fill your shopping bags
Scottsdale's shopping centres ensure an excellent weekend treat. For a girls' weekend in Scottsdale, head to the Kierland Commons or Scottsdale Fashion Square, a glittering centre of high-end brands from Prada to Cartier. Equally alluring and a little more purse-friendly, Scottsdale Quarter is home to fashion and beauty brands from lululemon to L'Occitane. Fancy something a bit more local? The River Trading Post is like stepping back in time, offering both antique and contemporary arts and crafts in a friendly setting.
3. Get dolled up for the evening
Scottsdale's varied nightlife offers an attractive blend of craft beer taprooms, sophisticated lounges and swanky nightclubs. Most of these fantastic establishments burst to life in and around Old Town. So, if you're on a bachelor's or bachelorette's weekend break, or romancing with a loved one, head out for a cocktail or catch some live music. Top joints include Handlebar J, Kaz, Marcellino and Rusty Spur Saloon. Maya Day & Nightclub is nearby the hotel and is a great spot to party both day and night, and you can even take a refreshing dip in their pool.
4. Scottsdale Wine Trail
What better way to celebrate a chilled weekend than enjoying Arizona's fabulous wine? This self-guided trail meanders through Old Town and comes with a passport for recording notes at the six exceptional tasting rooms. Start at Merkin Vineyards or ADV Winery before tasting your way through the rest of Arizona’s best vintages.
5. Poolside relaxation
You needn't even leave your sun-kissed hotel's surroundings for your first-rate weekend break. The McCormick’s scenic outdoor pool is flanked by Scottsdale’s beautiful mountain scenery. As the only lakeside resort in town, guests also get access to a private beach – so the choice of tanning location is all yours!
Book your Special Weekend Getaway in Scottsdale
There's something special about Scottsdale's skyline. Spectacular sunrises and amazing sunsets end each day in this tantalising weekend destination. Whether you're looking for adventure in the spell-binding Sonoran Desert or pampering spa getaways surrounded by dusty mountains, you'll quickly see why Scottsdale is considered the best spring escape. Desert wildflowers are in bloom, and the weather provides endless adventures, whether by kayak, dune buggy or on foot.
Discover or rediscover Arizona with Millennium Hotels’ Summer Offer. Book now to save up to 20% off on your summer vacation in Scottsdale. Make memories with families or celebrate with friends with an extra 10% off by becoming a My Millennium member. After landing, you've got a wealth of exciting day trips and exciting downtown attractions to fill your weekend in Scottsdale, AZ.
