The Perfect Desert Weekend Escape in Scottsdale, Arizona
Located just 15 minutes away from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Scottsdale is a desert vacationland full of world class resorts, blissful pools & spas, incredible restaurants, art and shopping. As if that wasn’t enough, there are outdoor escapes and adventures awaiting in the surrounding Sonoran Desert, park lands, and high country.
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Confession: I don’t get super excited about domestic travel anymore. Once I got a taste of international travel, the destinations closer to home just don’t seem as exciting. But, I had a business trip planned to Arizona and thought it would be nice to piggyback on those plans for some personal re-charging. As the trip drew closer, I was actually more excited to visit Scottsdale than any other trip this year. It turned out to be a perfect get-away!
While this was not my first visit to Scottsdale, it had been a while and I wanted to see and do all of the best things the area has to offer. In this post, I will share the details on how I filled a long weekend — with plenty of time reserved for proper R&R.
Where to stay in Scottsdale
Scottsdale is known for its many high end resorts, wellness retreats, and destination events. The stay is part of the Scottsdale experience. So, don’t just randomly settle on a place without a taking a good look at the amenities, on-site dining, and pool area. If you choose well, you may not even want to leave your resort. But, of course, you will want to venture out at some point!
If your main focus will be Old Town Scottsdale, shopping, and nightlife, I would suggest staying in that area. The Scott Resort & Spa and Hotel Adeline are boutique properties in the uber cute suburban neighborhood of Scottsdale near Fashion Square and cultural highlights. All the amenities are there including serene pools, full-service spas, bicycles, and fitness programming.
If you are looking for a resort experience a little more removed, I can personally recommend:
With its secluded location tucked in at the base of Camelback Mountain, Sanctuary has an intimate feel and loads of personalized amenities. If large mega-resorts tend to overwhelm you, Sanctuary is a boutique alternative with all fluff and luxury to help you settle into a full-on staycation. I stayed in one of their mountainside casitas with a private terrace that had amazing views of Scottsdale. Don’t leave without booking yourself a treatment at the Sanctuary Spa. It was the highlight of my stay!
Above photos: Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa
I’ve stayed at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa a few times over the years. I was especially excited for my most recent stay here because the casita guest rooms have undergone complete renovation. My husband and I stayed in a spacious resort casita and loved the changes that had been made since our previous visit. The pools and restaurants are all centrally located and easy walks from anywhere in the resort.
Above photo: Jackrabbit Pool at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
What to do in Scottsdale
Explore Old Town
The historic district of Old Town Scottsdale is one of the most charming areas to roam with your favorite person. Its streets are lined with chic boutiques, Instagram-able restaurants, and historic gems. Speaking of history, did you know Scottsdale was originally named Orangedale after its citrus groves? It was renamed Scottsdale in 1894 after its founder, Winfield Scott. You can download a map of a self-guided walking tour from the City of Scottsdale here.
My list of must-sees in Old Town were:
- The Old Adobe Mission: a Catholic church built by the residents of the Mexican settlement in 1933.
- The Rusty Spur Saloon: originally a bank, then the Chamber of Commerce, and now a bar.
- The Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor: a major 1950s throwback still owned by the family of cartoonist Bill Keane.
- The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Outlander author Diana Gabaldon’s home bookstore.
- Scottsdale Wine Trail: grab a map and visit the tasting rooms of Arizona’s wines.
Above photos: Cultural highlights in Old Town Scottsdale
Go Horseback Riding in the Sonoran Desert
There is something about seeing the “Old West” the way it was seen by cowboys back in the day. A number of ranches with riding stables offer group and private trail rides through the saguaro-studded landscape. I researched a few options and decided I really wanted to get out of the city and into the true beauty of the Sonoran Desert.
Cave Creek Outfitters is located approximately 40 minutes north of Scottsdale near the Rio Verde River and surrounded by the McDowell Mountain and Mazatzal Mountian ranges. Our early 8 am ride took us through the “bowl” between the ranges. The rugged beauty of the area was unforgettable and the horses were so well-mannered. We were able to really enjoy the scenery and not worry about our actual riding ability.
Above photos: Horseback riding in the Sonoran Desert with Cave Creek Outfitters
Visit Desert Botanical Gardens
If you are visiting Scottsdale during the summer months when hiking the local trails isn’t an enticing option, the 140-acres of gardens and trails at the Desert Botanical Gardens provides an opportunity to see diverse plant life and native species in a short amount of time and in a stunning setting. The gardens open as early as 6 am during the hot weather season so you can get your visit in before things really start to warm up.
Of course, if your visit is during the cooler months, the gardens are still a very worth while visit. Plus, you can comfortably visit in the middle of the afternoon and lallygag around the trails longer.
Above photos: Desert Botanical Gardens
I absolutely loved the Desert Botanical Gardens! The desert plants are so different from any other climate, which makes the whole experience so interesting. We also spotted a slew of critters, including lizards, birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits!
My favorite trails were the main Desert Discovery Trail (1/3 mile) and the Sonoran Desert Nature Trail (1/4 mile). Even just an hour here is sufficient to explore the trails, learn something new, and see the sweeping mountain views.
Advance ticket reservations are required and can be purchased online.
Get Immersed in Art at Wonderspaces
Wonderspaces is an immersive and interactive art installation with locations in just a handful of cities, one of which is Scottsdale. Our visit ended up being an ideal way to spend an afternoon doing something fun out of the smoldering heat.
If you are not the art museum or gallery type, not to worry. Wonderspaces is akin to a science museum where you engage with the exhibit — while enjoying a cocktail from their full bar. It is surprisingly cool. When we had finished making our way around the 14 exhibits, I found myself asking if there was a second floor because I could have kept going!
Above photos: Wonderspaces
Since Wonderspaces is located inside Scottsdale Fashion Square mall, we extended our time afterwards by walking around the shops. Fashion Square is a really nice complex with all the usual retailers, plus an entire wing of high end designer boutiques. Definitely put this on your list if you’re a shopper and/or are looking for a fun way to escape the sun for a couple hours.
Kayak the Lower Salt River
The recreational area inside Tonto National Park is a local hot spot where folks come out in droves on weekends to enjoy the chilly water of the Lower Salt River. You can float down the river on kayak, stand up paddleboard, or inner tube. Or, you can even pitch a tailgate set-up (canopy, folding chairs, beverage cooler, etc.) along the shore and spend the day chillaxing with the family.
That entire scene was not what we envisioned when we decided to rent kayaks for a two-hour unguided tour down the river. In my mind it was going to be a very peaceful and serene experience through nature, perhaps with some occasional river rapids. While that is likely the case during the week, weekends are a very different story. Don’t get me wrong, I still recommend it! Just be prepared for company.
We made our arrangements through Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch. They provided kayaks, life vests, a quick orientation/instructions, help launching our boats, and a ride back to our car at the end of our tour.
Above photos: Saguaro Lake Ranch Kayaking Tour
The first section of our tour was, in my opinion, the best. We had the river to ourselves (meaning just us and other kayakers) and the scenery was breathtaking.
Above photos: Kayaking the Lower Salt River
Little by little our waterway got busier as shuttle busses transporting tubers started dropping loads of people off at various launch points. It was a really fun, party-like atmosphere, which is great if that’s your scene. If it’s not your scene, I would recommend booking for a weekday and getting an early morning start.
Even with crowds, we were graced with the presence of a group of mustangs who were wading in the water. There are somewhere around 500 wild horses roaming the shores of the Lower Salt River in the Tonto National Forest, and they commonly show up for kayakers and other river-goers who share the same goal of escaping the desert heat. It made it all worth while!
Above photo: Wild horses along the Lower Salt River in Tonto National Park
Take a Hot Air Balloon Tour
Arizona is a dreamy location for a hot air balloon ride with mind-blowing sunrises over the saguaro-dotted Sonoran Desert. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, your chances of getting rained out are pretty low.
I have always wanted to try ballooning and I finally took my chance on this trip with a morning flight on a perfectly clear Monday morning. It is an early wake-up call since Arizona sunrises are somewhere around 5:15 am during the summer. But, once you are airborne and watch the sun appear over the mountains, it is all worth it!
Above photos: Pre-flight preparations
I booked my experience through Hot Air Expeditions. They are a small, family-owned operation with outstanding reviews for both safety and overall experience. There are other ballooning operators in the area, but this one felt like the best fit for me as a solo female traveler.
Above photos: Pre-flight preparations
We reached an elevation of approximately 3,000 feet. I never felt unsafe or uneasy at any time. The balloon rise and descent was slow and smooth. The views were unparalleled!
Above photos: Hot air ballooning over the Sonoran Desert with Hot Air Expeditions
Above photos: Ground crews at the ready to meet our balloon when landing
After landing, the ground crew met us to help retrieve and pack up the balloon. While they were busy working, the rest of us enjoyed a catered breakfast complete with champagne and a cute little ceremony before our ride back to our starting location and parked cars.
What an incredible adventure!
Where to eat in Scottsdale
As much as I enjoy all types of cuisine, dining, and food-related experiences, I’ve never considered myself a “foodie.” I’m usually content finding a few places that do a good job representing the traditional dishes and regional flavors without too much of a sting when the bill arrives. That’s an easy assignment when visiting Scottsdale. With over 800 restaurants, there is a mass of top-notch eateries to kick off your evening plans.
Below are a handful of recommendations based on the places we visited ourselves on this most recent visit. Please don’t limit yourself to these though! The dining guide on Open Table is one of my go-to’s for discovering amazing restaurants.
Elements: Located at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa, this restaurant has a diverse menu with creative, farm-fresh dishes. While super convenient for resort guests, it is also worth visiting even if you aren’t staying at Sanctuary. The views of Camelback Mountain are awe-inspiring and the service is impeccable.
Chelsea’s Kitchen: An industrial-chic restaurant featuring Southwest cuisine that shows off the regions own farms and pastures. It gets busy (and noisy), but I loved vibe. The taco platters are pretty incredible (I had the ahi tuna) and are served de-constructed so you can load up your tortilla however you choose!
The Mission: A Scottsdale institution, this moody, loungy dining room is decidedly not Mexican, despite having the best chips and guac in town. I had their signature Chorizo Porchetta and I’m still thinking about it.
Above photo: The Mission Old Town
Rita’s Cantina: Located at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn, this is the main restaurant at the resort with seating on their large outdoor courtyard under a maze of twinkling string lights. The ambiance is everything! Dining here is a no-brainer if you are staying at the property. Just stroll over in the evening (stopping to see the bunny rabbits hopping around the lawn) to enjoy live music and Mexican dishes in a fun, casual atmosphere.
Above photo: Rita’s Cantina at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort and Spa
Lon’s at The Hermosa Inn: My favorite dining experience while in Scottsdale was at Lon’s. Their romantic outdoor seating is open until the triple digit temperatures hit, but the indoor dining room is pretty special, too! The menu has so many tempting choices (we had the NY Strip) and the wine pairings are impressive.
Above photos: Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn
Diego Pops: Located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. Go for the Insta photo but stay for the brussel sprout nachos. I know it sounds weird, but trust me on this one. I could not even tell you what all was piled on this shareable tray, but it was delicious! We went for lunch before a self-guided walking tour around Old Town. ** Street parking was scarce so we ended up having to valet. But, once you are parked, you can leave your car there while you walk around for the afternoon.
Above photos: Diego Pops
Sugar Bowl: Another little iconic gem in Old Town Scottsdale is Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor. This place is straight out of the 1950s and doesn’t look like it has changed a bit. It is still owned by the family of cartoonist Bill Keane, whose Family Circle illustrations are incorporated into the menus and restaurant decor. I got a traditional hot fudge sundae:)
Above photos: Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor
Hash Kitchen: Consider no other options for brunch other than one of Hash Kitchen’s six locations scattered around Scottsdale. It is the home of the build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, which could be a meal all on its own. We had a hard time deciding what do order because there are so many great choices. Portion sizes are huge and take-away left-overs are almost certain.
Above photos: Hash Kitchen
Platform 18 at Century Grand: While not really a restaurant, I had to include Platform 18 on this list because it is such a fun thing to do on either the front-end or back-end of your dinner plans. We booked our reservations for after our dinner at Lon’s. Platform 18 is an immersive bar experience inside a glamorous, 36 seat Presidential Pullman-inspired train car. The drink menu is based on vintage 1930’s era craft cocktails that you sip on during a 90-minute “journey”. Reservations are a must.
Above photos: Platform 18 at Century Grand
Other tips & advice for visiting Scottsdale
When is the best time to visit Scottsdale? The high season between October through April is probably the best time to visit Scottsdale, especially if you would like to enjoy outdoor activities, such as hiking the beautiful trails and exploring the national parks. However, high season comes with a price tag. If you don’t mind the heat, the shoulder months of May/June and September are still bearable. The key to visiting during the hot summer months is planning activities early in the morning and in the evening, reserving the mid-afternoon for time at the pool or in air conditioning.
Do you need a car? It helps! If you would like to get out of the ‘burbs and into the true beauty of the surrounding park lands, it is best to have your own set of wheels. If your plans are confined to the town of Scottsdale and/or you plan on staying at your resort for most of your stay, you can certainly get away without a car. Uber and car services are readily available and most attractions are within reasonable distance of the city center.
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