Scottsdale Travel Guide
My husband and I recently road-tripped from Colorado to explore all around Arizona. It was our first time in Arizona, and we were amazed, to say the least. Our final road trip destination was exploring Scottsdale for the weekend. This quaint western town has so much charm with plenty of things to do. We experienced the best hotel, food, and warm weather you could ask for. Scottsdale reminded us of a mini (but much cuter) LA. The possibilities are endless here, so I've compiled a list of some of the best things to do in Scottsdale.
Where to Stay:
If you are looking for a charming, tropical, western escape, Hotel Adeline is your go-to. Zach and I were very impressed by the fun community and beautiful architecture this hotel encompassed. Our room had a poolside view and it was so cozy and felt like we were a part of the hotel experience. Highly recommend booking a poolside room!
If there's anything that sets Hotel Adeline apart from the other hotels and resorts in Scottsdale is the unique touches the hotel presents. The Wanderers Welcome and WTF sign was adorable and perfect for photos. Definitely the cutest hotel I've stayed at!
Our favorite amenity was the pool area. The pool has its own bar with delicious summery cocktails. We enjoyed one afternoon just relaxing by the pool, it was so needed and felt like summer!
Where to Eat:
The Beach House AZ
"Friendly, funky, fresh & home of the best fish taco in the west" about sums up this delicious taco restaurant. It is a family-owned business and located in central Phoenix. We met the owners and they were so welcoming, and you could tell they take pride in their business. I got the fish tacos, while Zach got the chicken burrito, and they definitely were top notch. Highly recommend getting the fish tacos, as well as the chips and salsa!
Diego Pops
A highlight of our trip was definitely Diego Pops. This lively Mexican restaurant located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale is a must stop! The fun, bright atmosphere of this place made the experience more elevated and the unique coastal touches added a western vibe I hadn't experienced before. Now, let's talk about the food and drinks...I absolutely loved the margaritas at Diego Pops. I tried the Prickly Pear and Watermelon Mint margaritas and they were so unique and refreshing. For an appetizer, we got the infamous brussel sprout nachos with pink salsa (yes, PINK salsa) made from beets. Absolutely delicious and a must-try! The crunchy tacos were a hit for me. We got a variety of tacos from the menu and dipped them in the six different salsas they provided. The green chili chicken and the grilled shrimp tacos were our favorites!
Things to Do:
Watch the sunset at South Mountain
This mountain was absolutely beautiful. The entire mountain was scattered with Saguaro Cactus and was definitely magical at sunset. It was very crowded on a Saturday, so I would suggest going on a weeknight or even sunset.
Visit McDowell Sonoran Preserve
This beautiful park is open every day from sunrise to sunset. We didn't get to go, but it was on our list. This is a popular place for people to hike and explore, as well as take sunset photos.
Scoot around Old Town Scottsdale
During our visit, we saw dozens of people riding electric scooters around town. We thought this was a great idea. If you fly in and don't have a car and plan on staying in Scottsdale, taking a scooter is such a convenient way to explore the area. Since Scottsdale is pretty tight-knit, you can easily scoot around. Scooter companies in Scottsdale include Bird, Spin, Lime, Lyft, and more. I've had great experiences with Bird and Spin, so I'd download the apps before your trip.
Go to Desert Botanical Garden
If you want to see an abundance of Saguaro Cactus, I'd book tickets to visit the Desert Botanical Gardens. The gardens have been open since 1939, with 140 acres and 50,000+ plant displays displayed in outdoor exhibits. If you just look up photos on Google, it looks like a dream! Definitely would love to go next time I'm in town. You can purchase tickets here.
This guide provides you with plenty of things to do while in Scottsdale. Everything we did was amazing, but the top three highlights for us included staying at Hotel Adeline, eating at Diego Pops, and watching the sunset at South Mountain. If you're looking for a fun, warm, and lively western vacation spot, Scottsdale will not disappoint. We loved this charming town, and will definitely be back!
