Scottsdale

City in eastern Maricopa County, Arizona, adjoining Phoenix to the northeast; population 241,361 at the 2020 census; incorporated June 25, 1951; official slogan 'The West's Most Western Town'; elevation about 2,165 feet; home to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, one of the largest urban preserves in the U.S.; served by a free downtown trolley system.

Scottsdale is a desert city bordering Phoenix that has built its identity around luxury resorts, golf, and a well-preserved Old West-themed downtown core. What began as a small farming and ranching settlement in the late 1800s has grown into one of the Phoenix valley's most visited destinations, known for its spa culture, art galleries, and access to Sonoran Desert scenery via the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Old Town Scottsdale anchors most first-time visits, combining boutique shopping, an arts district with weekly gallery walks, and a dense restaurant and nightlife scene within an easily walkable area. Outside downtown, the city's identity shifts toward resort living and outdoor recreation, with tens of thousands of acres of protected desert offering hiking and mountain biking just minutes from hotel pools. Scottsdale is often visited alongside Phoenix rather than as a completely separate trip, but its distinct Western branding, upscale dining scene, and preserve trail network give it a different feel from the capital next door.

Scottsdale lies in eastern Maricopa County, directly adjoining Phoenix, roughly 13 miles from downtown Phoenix by road. The city stretches about 31 miles from north to south across 184 square miles, sitting in the Salt River Valley within the Sonoran Desert. Old Town Scottsdale, the historic and tourist core, spans roughly one square mile near the city's southern end, with most major attractions within a 10-15 minute walk of each other. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve occupies a large swath of the city's northern and eastern edges.

Scottsdale shares Phoenix's hot desert climate, with sweltering, dry summers and mild winters. July is typically the hottest month, with average highs around 102°F and lows near 78°F, while December is the coolest month, with highs averaging around 64°F and lows near 42°F. Annual rainfall is light, around 11 inches, concentrated mainly in winter storms and a late-summer monsoon period. The city enjoys more than 330 sunny days a year, which supports its year-round outdoor and golf tourism, though summer heat limits comfortable daytime activity between roughly May and September.

February through April and mid-October through November are generally cited as the most comfortable months, combining mild temperatures with the city's near-constant sunshine. This period also coincides with Scottsdale's high season for resorts, golf, and events, so rates rise and advance booking is recommended. Summer (roughly May-September) is hot enough that daytime sightseeing is best limited to early morning or evening, though many resorts offer discounted summer rates as an incentive. Confirm current event calendars and any resort promotions on the official visitor site before booking.

Scottsdale's roots trace to 1888, when retired U.S. Army chaplain Winfield Scott purchased 640 acres of desert land along the Arizona Canal; the surrounding settlement that grew up around his homestead took his name and was established as a community by 1894. It remained a small agricultural and ranching outpost through the early 20th century before incorporating as a city on June 25, 1951, with about 2,000 residents. Civic leaders adopted 'The West's Most Western Town' as the city's slogan at incorporation, and long-running traditions like the Parada del Sol parade (since 1954) and the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show (since 1955) helped cement that Western identity. From the mid-20th century onward, Scottsdale developed rapidly into a resort and golf destination, drawing snowbirds and tourists with its desert climate, and its population grew from roughly 2,000 at incorporation to well over 200,000 today, making it Arizona's seventh-largest city. In recent decades, the city has balanced continued resort and residential growth with large-scale desert conservation, notably through the McDowell Sonoran Preserve project protecting tens of thousands of acres of surrounding desert.

Old Town Scottsdale is the natural starting point, with boutique shopping along Fifth Avenue, the Scottsdale Arts District's galleries (many open late for the long-running Thursday evening ArtWalk), and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. The Old Town Farmers Market runs on Saturday mornings with local produce and artisan goods. Outdoor recreation centers on the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which offers well over a hundred miles of shared-use trails ranging from an accessible nature trail to steeper summit hikes, plus mountain biking and rock climbing terrain; free guided interpretive hikes run seasonally through the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. Golf is another signature Scottsdale activity, supported by numerous championship courses throughout the city. Spa and wellness tourism is also prominent, reflecting Scottsdale's reputation for having one of the highest concentrations of spas per capita in the country.

Highlights include Old Town Scottsdale's Arts District and Fifth Avenue shopping strip; Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West, focused on Western art, history, and culture; the McDowell Sonoran Preserve's trailheads for hiking and desert scenery; and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. The Civic Center Mall area and Scottsdale Stadium (spring training venue) are also common stops. Many visitors combine an Old Town day with a preserve hike or a golf outing at one of the city's numerous courses.

Scottsdale has no major commercial airport of its own; most visitors fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, about 14 miles away with a drive time of roughly 15-25 minutes. Scottsdale Airport handles general aviation only. By car, the city connects to the wider valley via the Loop 101 freeway. Once in Scottsdale, the free downtown trolley system links Old Town, the Arts District, Fashion Square, and other core attractions, with connections to Valley Metro's regional bus network for trips into greater Phoenix.

As a city, Scottsdale has no single opening hours; individual attractions set their own schedules. The free downtown trolley has historically run roughly midday into early evening on set routes, with no service on major holidays. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is generally open sunrise to sunset daily. Confirm current hours for specific museums, trails, and the trolley schedule on official sites before visiting.

There is no fee to enter Scottsdale itself or to use the downtown trolley, which is free to ride. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is also free to enter. Museums such as Western Spirit and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art charge their own admission; check each venue's website for current pricing.

A single day covers the core of Old Town Scottsdale, but two to three days allow time to add a preserve hike, a golf outing, or a spa visit, and many travelers combine a Scottsdale stay with day trips into Phoenix.

Scottsdale is known for its concentration of luxury resorts, many clustered along the northern part of the city near the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and offering golf, spa, and pool access as part of the stay. Old Town itself has a mix of boutique hotels and larger properties within walking distance of restaurants and galleries, convenient for visitors who want to avoid renting a car. Resort rates vary sharply by season, with summer often bringing steep discounts (some downtown-adjacent resorts have advertised summer nightly rates starting around $109) compared with the busy winter and spring months. Book well ahead for stays during the November-April peak season.

Old Town Scottsdale has a dense, walkable dining scene featuring chef-driven restaurants; the Mission (modern Latin cuisine), Citizen Public House, Virtù Honest Craft, and FnB (helmed by a James Beard Award-winning chef) are frequently mentioned as destination spots. The Arts District and Fifth Avenue areas mix upscale dinner options with more casual choices, including burger spots and Thai food. Rooftop and patio bars such as AZ88 add to the nightlife scene, and the Saturday Old Town Farmers Market is a good stop for casual, local food. Because most of Old Town's restaurants sit within the compact core, walking between several in one evening is easy.

Phoenix borders Scottsdale directly and is typically visited on the same trip for its own museums, hiking, and downtown sports venues. Tempe, home to Arizona State University, and Paradise Valley are also close by. Farther out, Sedona's red rock country is a popular day trip north, and the Grand Canyon's South Rim can be reached as a longer day trip or overnight excursion from the valley.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, roughly 14 miles away, is the nearest major air gateway; Scottsdale Airport handles general aviation only. Within the city, the free Scottsdale trolley connects Old Town and other core districts, with links to Valley Metro's regional bus system for travel into Phoenix and Tempe. A car or rideshare is recommended for reaching the McDowell Sonoran Preserve's outer trailheads and golf courses.

As with the rest of the Phoenix valley, extreme summer heat is the top safety concern for outdoor activity; limit strenuous exercise above 90°F and move indoors above 105°F, hiking earlier in the day and carrying substantially more water than you expect to need. On preserve trails, stay on marked paths, watch for rattlesnakes and other desert wildlife, and let someone know your route if hiking solo. Standard urban precautions apply in Old Town's nightlife areas at night, as in any city entertainment district.

Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), plenty of water, and lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime; a light jacket for cooler winter evenings. Comfortable walking shoes suit Old Town's pedestrian layout, while sturdier footwear is better for preserve trails. A refillable water bottle is useful given the free trolley and walkable core.

Visit Old Town on foot and use the free trolley to avoid parking hassles in the busy historic district. Plan preserve hikes for early morning, especially outside winter, and check the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy's seasonal guided-hike schedule if you'd like a ranger-led option. Thursday evenings bring the long-running ArtWalk in the Arts District, worth timing a visit around if you're interested in galleries. Because Scottsdale and Phoenix run into each other, consider basing yourself in one and treating the other as a day trip rather than switching hotels mid-visit. Booking resorts well in advance is important during the busy winter-spring season, while summer can offer some of the best resort value of the year if you can handle the heat.

For any emergency, dial 911, the nationwide emergency number in the United States. For non-emergency police or general city contact, Scottsdale Police can be reached at 480-312-5000 and general city services at 480-312-3111 (source: scottsdaleaz.gov).

Experience Scottsdale — https://www.experiencescottsdale.com/ (official destination marketing organization for the City of Scottsdale)

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.