Scottsdale Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Scottsdale tours and things to do in the Sonoran Desert: ride a jeep or ATV through saguaro-studded desert, drift over the cactus at sunrise in a hot air balloon, explore the galleries and restaurants of Old Town, saddle up for a horseback ride, and day-trip to the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
rating
Explore Scottsdale by interest
Whatever brings you to Scottsdale — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Scottsdale
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Sonoran Desert
Saguaro country.
Old Town
Art & dining.
Balloon Ride
Sunrise flight.
Horseback Riding
Desert trails.
Desert ATV
Off-road fun.
Grand Canyon
Day trip wonder.
Sedona
Red rocks.
Saguaro Cactus
Desert icon.
Region awaySonoran Desert
Jeep tour.
Desert awayBalloon Ride
Sunrise flight.
Region awayDesert ATV
Off-road fun.
3.5 hrs awayGrand Canyon
Natural wonder.
2 hrs awaySedona
Red rocks.
City awayOld Town
Art & dining.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Scottsdale visitor asks before booking.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Warm and sunny — the peak season.
Spring (Mar–Apr)
Mild with desert wildflowers.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Extremely hot — for early-morning tours only.
Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Cooling and pleasant, fewer crowds.
For balloons
Cooler months for calm sunrise flights.
Best overall
November to April for comfortable weather.
One day
Old Town and a desert jeep tour.
Two days
Add a balloon ride or ATV tour.
Three days
Add a Grand Canyon or Sedona day trip.
For the desert
A jeep, ATV or horseback tour.
For day trips
The Grand Canyon and Sedona.
For culture
Old Town’s galleries and dining.
On foot
Old Town is compact and walkable.
By car
A car is handy for the wider area.
Tours & transfers
Tours reach the desert and day-trip sights.
Trolley
A free trolley loops around Old Town.
Where to stay
Stay in or near Old Town.
US dollar
The US uses the dollar; cards widely accepted.
Desert tours
Book sunrise or sunset for cooler air.
Balloon rides
Dress in layers for the early start.
ATV tours
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dusty.
Grand Canyon
It is a long day — start early.
Sun & water
Bring sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water.
Old Town
Join a food tour to find the best spots.
Balloon rides
Sunrise flights fill up — book ahead.
Desert jeep tours
Desert tours fill up — reserve early.
ATV tours
Off-road tours fill up — book ahead.
Grand Canyon trips
Day trips fill up — reserve early.
Sedona trips
Red-rock tours fill up — book ahead.
Winter peak
The cool season is busiest — book well ahead.
Desert jeep tour
Around $62–120 for a Sonoran jeep tour.
Balloon ride
About $175–250 for a hot air balloon ride.
ATV tour
Roughly $45–100 for a desert ATV tour.
Grand Canyon trip
Around $96–200 for a Grand Canyon day trip.
Sedona trip
About $89–160 for a Sedona day trip.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private ones.
Scottsdale through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Warm & sunny.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak.
- Best for
- Wildflowers.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Mild.
- Best for
- Early tours.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hot.
- Best for
- Cooling down.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Pleasant.