Guides, itineraries
& things to do.

Everything we've written about Scottsdale and the North Scottsdale area, gathered in one place: local guides, season-by-season advice, day-by-day itineraries, and planning by trip type.

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Scottsdale Guides

Things to Do Near Paradise ReserveThe full local guide North Scottsdale Neighborhood GuideWhere you are, getting around, essentials The Best Time to Visit ScottsdaleA season-by-season guide Hiking Near North ScottsdaleNewTrails for mixed-fitness groups Things to Do in North Scottsdale for a Group WeekendNewMorning trails, afternoon golf and pool, evening dinner out What to Pack for Scottsdale, Season by SeasonNewSun, summer heat, winter layers and gear for groups A Sedona Day Trip from ScottsdaleNewThe drive, the red rocks and timing for a group The Desert Botanical Garden: A Half-Day PlanNewMorning timing, what to see and lunch after Hot Air Balloon Rides in Scottsdale for a GroupNewSunrise timing, weather and booking for a group Cave Creek and Carefree: A Day Trip from ScottsdaleNewTwo small towns a short drive north Summer in Scottsdale: A Group Plan for the HeatNewLower prices, the heat and monsoon storms October in Scottsdale: The Shoulder SeasonNewGood value, with overseeding closures to plan around Old Town Scottsdale: A Walking Guide for GroupsNewGalleries, restaurants and an early evening walk Art Museums and Galleries in ScottsdaleNewA half-day plan for a mixed group Desert Photography at Sunrise in ScottsdaleNewThe first hour of light on the trails Scottsdale Weather by MonthNewAverage highs and lows, and what each month suits Where to Stay in ScottsdaleNewNorth Scottsdale, Old Town or Paradise Valley Sedona or Scottsdale: Which Suits Your Trip?NewCouples, kids, golf, hiking and nightlife compared Spring in Scottsdale: March to MayNewSpring training, pool season and when to book Scottsdale in JanuaryNewWeather, Barrett-Jackson week and booking a group house Is February a Good Time to Visit Scottsdale?NewPhoenix Open, the horse show and spring training in 2027 Scottsdale in MarchNewSpring training, Art Week and spring break crowds Scottsdale in NovemberNewWeather, Canal Convergence and Thanksgiving week Scottsdale in DecemberNewCool sunny days, holiday lights and family stays Scottsdale in AprilNewThe first real pool month of the year Scottsdale in MayNewLong pool days and the start of value season Scottsdale in JuneNewHeat, pool days and lower prices Scottsdale in SeptemberNewWarm days, Labor Day and good value Scottsdale in JulyNewHeat, monsoon storms and the lowest prices Scottsdale in AugustNewStorms, summer value and pool days Visiting Taliesin WestNewFrank Lloyd Wright’s desert home, by tour OdySea Aquarium and Butterfly WonderlandNewAn indoor half day with kids The Musical Instrument MuseumNewInstruments from nearly 200 countries Salt River Tubing From ScottsdaleNewSeason, age rules and what to bring The Pinnacle Peak TrailNew2 miles one way, about 1,300 feet of climbing The Gateway LoopNewA classic McDowell Sonoran Preserve hike Hiking Camelback MountainNewExtremely difficult, and what to know first A Fountain Hills Day TripNewThe fountain runs on the hour, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.Shopping in ScottsdaleNewFashion Square, Kierland and the Quarter McDowell Mountain Regional ParkNew21,000 acres and the 15-mile Pemberton loop The Tom’s Thumb TrailNewA steep climb to a granite tower Brown’s Ranch TrailheadNew2026 closure, alternatives and trails Lost Dutchman State ParkNewA Superstition Mountains day trip Saguaro LakeNewBoats, cruises and the Tonto Pass McCormick-Stillman Railroad ParkNewFree entry, $3 train rides Cosanti and the Soleri BellsNewBronze pours in Paradise Valley The Heard MuseumNewAmerican Indian art and culture in Phoenix A Jerome Day TripNewA hillside mining town about two hours north A Prescott Day TripNewWhiskey Row and cooler air at a mile high Montezuma Castle National MonumentNewCliff dwellings just off I-17 The Verde Canyon RailroadNewA four-hour canyon train ride Tonto Natural BridgeNewA giant travertine bridge near Payson ArcosantiNewPaolo Soleri’s desert experiment, by tour The Phoenix Zoo With KidsNewSeasonal hours and free parking Hole-in-the-Rock at Papago ParkNewA short, free sunset walk Free Things to Do in ScottsdaleNewArtWalk, the fountain, the railroad park and more Indoor Things to Do in ScottsdaleNewFor hot or rainy days Private Chef in ScottsdaleNewDinner for the group at the house Horseback Riding in ScottsdaleNewDesert trail rides near North Scottsdale Scottsdale Jeep ToursNewOff-road in the Sonoran Desert Goldfield Ghost TownNewMine tour, train and gunfights Bartlett LakeNewBoating and passes from North Scottsdale Canyon Lake and the Dolly SteamboatNewCruises back in early 2027 Is Scottsdale Good for Families?NewAn honest answer for parents Private Wellness Retreat in ScottsdaleNewHikes, spa days and slow mornings Scottsdale Vacation Rental RulesNewWhat the city rules mean for guests Is Scottsdale Worth Visiting?NewWho it suits and when to go Scottsdale Rental With a Putting GreenNewPractice at the house between rounds Scottsdale Vacation Rental With a Hot TubNewPool and spa for the whole group Five King Suites in ScottsdaleNewA real bedroom for every couple Cathedral Rock Trail, SedonaNewShort, steep and unforgettable Devil's Bridge Trail, SedonaNewWhich trailhead to use and when to go Slide Rock State ParkNewFees, hours and the natural slide Out of Africa Wildlife ParkNewA Camp Verde day with big cats Tortilla Flat on the Apache TrailNewA tiny town past Canyon Lake Antelope Canyon From ScottsdaleNewDay tour or overnight in Page?Children's Museum of PhoenixNewThree floors of play for under-10s

Golf & Events

The Best Time to Golf in ScottsdaleNewMonth by month, with overseeding dates Best Golf Courses Near Paradise ReserveWhere to play during your stay Waste Management Phoenix Open WeekTournament tips & the 16th hole Phoenix Open 2027 Packages & Where to StayNewTickets, hospitality and a group base Spring Training 2027 in ScottsdaleNewBallparks, tickets and where to stay Golf Simulator House Rental in ScottsdaleNewPlan a golf-focused group stay Pickleball at a Scottsdale House RentalNewRun a group tournament at home Golf for Beginners in a Scottsdale GroupNewPractice on the simulator, and formats that suit new players A Scottsdale Golf Trip House for 8 to 16NewKing suites, a simulator and putting green at home Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2027: Where to StayNewJan 23 to 31 at WestWorld, for a group of up to 16 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show 2027: Where to StayNewFeb 11 to 21 at WestWorld, the week of the Phoenix Open Scottsdale Events 2027: January to MarchNewEvery big event of early 2027, with dates and venues Playing TPC Scottsdale With a GroupNewStadium and Champions courses, group tee times Fiesta Bowl 2026: Where to StayNewDec 30 playoff quarterfinal and New Year week Troon North Golf for a GroupNewThe Monument and Pinnacle courses Grayhawk Golf Club for a GroupNewRaptor and Talon, plus lunch on the patio We-Ko-Pa Golf Club for a GroupNewSaguaro and Cholla, no homes on the fairways Legend Trail Golf ClubNewA player-friendly Rees Jones course

Food & Nights Out

Best Restaurants Near North ScottsdaleA local's dining guide North Scottsdale Lunch Spots & Restaurants with a ViewNewPatios, views and easy group lunches Things to Do in Scottsdale at NightNewOld Town, stargazing and late tee times Booking a Group Dinner in North ScottsdaleNewPrivate rooms, set menus and getting there for 8 to 16 Scottsdale Restaurants and Bars with a ViewNewCamelback rooftops, a 15th-floor view and desert patios Where to Watch the Sunset in North ScottsdaleNewTrails, patios with a view, or the pool at home Scottsdale ArtWalkNewFree gallery evenings every Thursday Las Noches de las LuminariasNewA December evening at the Desert Botanical Garden Old Town Scottsdale Wine TastingNewArizona wine within walking distance

Plan by Trip Type

Corporate Retreat GuideWhy North Scottsdale for your offsite Where to Stay for a Phoenix-Area Corporate RetreatNewHotel vs private estate for 8 to 16 people Planning a Scottsdale Family ReunionNewOne house, three generations, sixteen beds Bachelor & Bachelorette Party GuidePlan a weekend that holds up Scottsdale with KidsA family & multi-generational guide A Private Pool House for Groups in ScottsdaleNewWhat to check before you book Phoenix Airport to North ScottsdaleNewDrive times, rides and vans for groups Corporate Retreat Locations in Arizona, ComparedNewTravel, sleeping, meeting space and what to ask An Executive Retreat in a Private Scottsdale EstateNewA day-by-day agenda for leadership teams A Four-Day Scottsdale Family VacationNewEarly hikes, pool afternoons and Old Town evenings Thanksgiving in Scottsdale: A Family Group StayNewWeather, the holiday meal and what to ask before booking A Winter Getaway for a Group in ScottsdaleNewThe best weeks, golf, hiking and a relaxed plan Team Building in Scottsdale for 8 to 16NewGolf simulator, pickleball and a morning hike A Spa Day in Scottsdale for a GroupNewThe house spa, treatments in town and a slow afternoon Christmas and New Year in ScottsdaleNewA family group stay for the holidays Spring Break in Scottsdale with TeensNewActivities that suit mixed ages, and house rules Snowbird Stays in ScottsdaleNewPlanning a winter month, and what to ask the host How to Book a Large Group House in ScottsdaleNewA checklist for dates, sleeping, rules and terms A Scottsdale Vacation Rental That Sleeps 16NewSix bedrooms, five king suites and a casita bunk room Corporate Retreat Planning in ScottsdaleNewA 12-week timeline and an on-site checklist A Luxury Vacation Rental in North ScottsdaleNewSix bedrooms, heated pool and spa, golf simulator, book direct Booking Direct for a Scottsdale Vacation RentalNewLive availability and no platform guest fee Hotel or Vacation Rental for a Family Trip to Scottsdale?NewSpace, meals, bedtimes and cost compared How to Split the Cost of a Group Vacation HouseNewPer person, per room or per family Groceries for a Group Vacation RentalNewThe first-night shop and a shared list for 16 Easter in Scottsdale 2027NewMarch 28, with the whole family under one roof A Relaxed Scottsdale Girls TripNewSpa mornings, desert hikes and a private pool Scottsdale or Palm Springs?NewWeather, airports and events side by side A 6-Bedroom Vacation Rental in ScottsdaleNewFive king suites plus a casita bunk room A Scottsdale Vacation Rental for 12NewA real bed for everyone, and room to spare A Multigenerational Vacation in ScottsdaleNewRooms and days that work for every age A 3-Day Corporate Offsite AgendaNewSessions, team time and meals for 8 to 16 Scottsdale or Phoenix: Where to StayNewDowntown, Old Town and North Scottsdale compared Grand Canyon Day Trip From ScottsdaleNewThe drive, a day plan, or an overnight Scottsdale or Tucson?NewWeather, airports and outdoors side by side

Itineraries

All Scottsdale ItinerariesBrowse every itinerary The 3-Day Luxury WeekendA packed long weekend The 7-Day Group EscapeA full week for groups The Couples RetreatA slower, romantic trip

Your Home Base

Stay at Paradise Reserve.

Six bedrooms, a heated pool and spa, pickleball court, golf simulator, and putting green: the perfect retreat after a day exploring Scottsdale.

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Guides, itineraries& things to do.