Visiting Scottsdale: A Family Vacation in the Desert
While Scottsdale, Arizona can be a gateway to the Grand Canyon and Sedona for many families, it is also a destination all its own. Just 20 minutes from Downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale combines the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, outdoor experiences, great restaurants and fun museums and attractions. Great deals can be found for families, especially in the fall, as temperatures are perfect for swimming and outdoor fun year-around. Here’s our guide to planning your desert vacation in Scottsdale.
What to Do
Old Town Scottsdale is much bigger than you think. Stroll through shops filled with art, Western wear, crystal shops, souvenirs, and toy stores. Plus, there are many restaurants and sweet shops like Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor and Luxe Bar for hand dipped ice cream pops.
Discover more than 8,000 musical instruments from around the globe in this world-class museum. Enjoy the audio tour as you stroll around the world hearing the sounds from every continent. In the Experience Gallery, try out a variety of instruments like a Javanese gamelan, a West African djembe, a Peruvian harp, a theremin and more. In addition to its huge collection of musical instruments, MIM pays tribute to iconic musicians and genres with exhibits on The Beatles, Taylor Swift, Elvis Presley, the Memphis Sound and Motown.
This is not your ordinary art museum, so don’t be turned off that this museum is located in the Scottsdale Mall. From light installations to thought-provoking multimedia presentations, you and your kids will have plenty to pique your interest. The interactive art installations and exhibits consistently change to provide opportunities for artists to connect with museum-goers.
Immerse your family in the beauty of the desert landscape at the Desert Botanical Garden. Highlights include the Desert Discovery Loop Trail, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding desert, and the Sonoran Desert Nature Loop Trail where you can learn about the unique plants and wildlife of the Sonoran Desert.
Take a Hike
Go where the locals go and explore the desert landscape at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. In the early 1990s, citizens of Scottsdale saved this enormous park from encroaching development. You will love walking around 200-year-old saguaro cacti and majestic agave plants. Look down and witness the small things too, like the most delicate wildflowers and other plants. You can even take a hike with a local guide through REI Co-Op.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
All aboard! Take a ride on the Scottsdale Railroad and explore the park’s playgrounds, train museum, and antique carousel. Kids can explore the train cars and imagine themselves as engineers of these big railcars. Parents may long for the bygone days of plentiful passenger rail travel across the United States.
Experience a unique cultural treasure at Taliesin West, a National Historic Landmark designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. A guided tour is a great experience for families with older kids. Highlights of the tour include the Garden Room, where you will feel like you just stepped into the “Mad Men” era for a cocktail, and the Cabaret Theatre, with its perfect acoustics and natural look.
Arizona Boardwalk is an entertainment complex of eight-plus kids attractions and shops, located about 20 minutes from Scottsdale. Observe butterflies up close and learn all about them at Butterfly Wonderland. Dive into the wonders of the underwater world at the OdySea Aquarium with interactive exhibits, a touch pool, and a giant aquarium.
Remember those dingy bowling alleys and arcades of your childhood? Mavrix is far from it, with its swanky look and cutting-edge arcade games. It’s a great place to hang loose and have fun after a day of sight-seeing. For a special occasion, rent a VIP lane, eat dinner while you bowl and then have a blast at the arcade.
Where to Stay
This family-friendly resort, with studios and two- or three-bedroom villas, is close to everything you’ll want to do in Scottsdale. The all villa-resort is at the base of Camelback Mountain and has a heated pool, tennis courts, included crafts and activities throughout the day for kids, putt-putt golf and a DVD and game library. There’s even a walking trail around the resort the kids can explore. Splash, the on site restaurant, is right next to the pool for easy meals and fun drinks. Studio rates start at $178 a night. All villas offer amenities such as flat screen TVs, stocked kitchens, washer and dryer, private patio or balcony, whirlpool tub and wood-burning fireplaces.
Where to Eat
This is a fun, modern, urban twist on the classic tiki restaurants and bars of the 50s and 60s. Enjoy delicious bowls. Kids and adults can enjoy fun tiki drinks.
Farm & Craft offers healthy and delicious food in a clean, trendy space where you can order at the counter. Organic and gluten-free flatbreads, salads, sandwiches, bowls, breakfast and more can be found here. The kids menu has items like a chicken hummus wrap and gluten-free pasta.
Check out this “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” favorite, featuring hardwood smoked BBQ. This restaurant may be in a gas station, but don’t let that deter you. It’s fancy inside with delicious food, drinks, gifts to shop and even aquariums.
Located in the heart of downtown Scottsdale, this casual, fun Mexican eatery has a wide variety of tacos, drinks and more. Find good-sized portions and great service here.
Craft 64 serves up delicious artisan wood-fired pizza made with locally sourced ingredients. They make their own mozzarella cheese and fresh dough in-house daily.
Visit Experience Scottsdale for additional information on planning a visit to Scottsdale.
