Great Things to do in Scottsdale

1. See the Hole in the Rock at Papago Park

For an especially great place to take the kids, check out the Hole in the Rock at Papago Park. 

Hole in the Rock at Papago Park | Scottsdale Best Things to do

To get to the Hole in the Rock, you just climb up a short, relatively easy trail on the back side of the mountain.  

The Hole in the Rock is fun to climb through, view the city of Phoenix through, and to photograph.  

The views through the Hole in the Rock are really unique.  You can then climb through the hole and walk along the rock bowl in the front (facing the parking area).

In the front of Hole in the Rock in Papago Park

2. Stroll Through the Desert Botanical Gardens

Located next to Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Gardens feature a treasure trove of desert flora (and even some fauna)!  While here we saw roadrunner, rabbits, and Round-Tailed Ground Squirrels.

The botanical gardens are beautiful and take visitors through many different desert ecosystems.  As you make your way through the gardens, there are signs identifying the different species of cactus and other varieties of flora that inhabit the surrounding deserts.

There is also a cultural area explaining how the indigenous people of the area use the native plants in a variety of ways including food and shelter.

An art installation called “Toward 2025” features environmentally themed “prayer flags” created by people around the world in the name of environmental awareness.  

We really enjoyed our visit here and recommend that the Desert Botanical Gardens not be missed.

Beautiful flowers in bloom

PRO TRAVEL TIP:  To see the cactus blooming, come in the spring.  Our visit was in late March and many cactus varieties were blooming.  

3. Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo is also located in the same area as Papago Park and the Desert Botanical Garden, so you can easily spend a day in this area.  It is actually the largest non-profit zoo in the United States on over 125 acres of land.

4. Visit Old Town Scottsdale

Old Town Scottsdale is the heart of Scottsdale in the area around 5th Avenue.  Shops here feature western wear, souvenirs, furniture, and so much more.  We really enjoyed shopping in this area.  

Lots of treasures to be found in Old Town Scottsdale

There are also several fantastic outdoor art displays in Old Town.

The above art installation is known as Hidden Histories and is a compilation of items that make up the history of Scottsdale as told to the sculptor by residents.  The cowboy boot represents Scottsdale as being “the West’s Most Western Town”.  

5. Hike Camelback Mountain

Hiking Camelback Mountain is one of the most popular things to do in Scottsdale.  We hiked up to the summit via the Echo Canyon Trail found it to be an incredible hike.

We wrote a whole article on our experience hiking Camelback Mountain.  It is an extremely difficult hike with switchbacks, quick elevation, and rock scrambling all part of the hike.  While we found it tough, we also found it really rewarding, not only to get to take in the vast views of Scottsdale, Phoenix, and beyond, but with having completing this tough hike!