What’s there to do in Scottsdale this summer season? Lots! Scottsdale sizzles with enjoyable in June, July, and August. Lovely year-round, this sprawling suburb of Phoenix affords vacationers and locals of all ages plenty of nice summer season actions and refreshing methods to chill off. Plus, Scottsdale’s wonderful resorts present deep reductions for a Scottsdale trip or staycation. Whether or not you reside within the Valley of the Solar otherwise you’re planning a trip to my hometown, this 2025 information to Scottsdale in summer season highlights the very best issues to do–from morning to midday to nighttime!
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Outside Scottsdale Summer time Actions
As a longtime resident, I do know it’s greatest to stand up early to take pleasure in outside Scottsdale actions throughout cooler mornings earlier than the warmth peaks in summer season. With the dearth of solar at evening and little water within the air to carry the heat, temperatures within the desert can drop 20 to 30 levels Fahrenheit between the most well liked time of the day and the best temps proper earlier than dawn.
One of the best climate for outside play is from daybreak (between 5 and 6 am) till issues begin to get very toasty (round 9 or 10 am). Irrespective of which outside exercise you select, it’s vital to use sunblock and keep hydrated with water or electrolyte drinks. Be sure you gown for warm climate and put on a brimmed hat for solar safety.
Climbing within the Sonoran Desert
Even throughout summer season, a hike is worth it to absorb a few of Scottsdale’s desert magnificence. Be sure you set your alarm to hit the paths near dawn.
McDowell Sonoran Protect Gateway Trailhead
With dozens of mountaineering paths to select from, you’re positive to seek out one which meets your loved ones’s mountaineering ranges and wishes. The McDowell Sonoran Protect Gateway Trailhead is a well-liked start line.
Pinnacle Peak Path
One other fairly choice is Pinnacle Peak Path. It’s good for hikers searching for a average hike with views of the granite summit for which it was named.
Quartz Trailhead
For a much less crowded expertise, try Quartz Trailhead close to Desert Canyon Elementary Faculty as a substitute. Preserve your eyes peeled for the path marker right here. It’s throughout the road from the parking zone, simply to the fitting of the place the sidewalk begins.
ATV or Hummer Tour
Get your coronary heart pumping by exploring the Sonoran Desert on 4 wheels. Stellar Adventures leads guided ATV excursions, or you possibly can romp via the desert as a passenger in a Hummer or Blazer. In Phoenix and Scottsdale in summer season, these excursions embark vibrant and early at 8 am. Or you possibly can ebook a sundown tour as a substitute.
Discover Scottsdale by Segway
Why stroll when you could possibly discover Scottsdale by Segway?
Segway of Scottsdale
Segway of Scottsdale leads 2-hour morning excursions via historic Previous City Scottsdale. Mics and earpieces in vibrant orange helmets assist preserve riders secure and knowledgeable. Throughout your 6-mile tour, you’ll zoom previous artwork galleries, the Civic Middle Mall, Scottsdale Waterfront, and extra. Excursions begin at 7:30 am throughout summertime. (Contributors should be aged 12 to 75.)
Scottsdale Segway Excursions
Along with 9 am excursions of Previous City Scottsdale, Scottsdale Segway Excursions affords a Sunsets, Segways and Metropolis Lights choice departing at 6:45 pm. It’s good for exploring the town with out the warmth of the solar.
Phoenix Zoo
The biggest non-profit, privately owned zoo within the U.S. is dwelling to standard residents like giraffes, orangutans, and elephants. Additionally, search for indigenous animals like coyotes, mountain lions, and Mexican grey wolves.
Summer time Hours
Throughout hotter months, morning is the very best time to go to the animals on the Phoenix Zoo. Summer time hours begin and finish early to benefit from comparatively cool mornings. From June 1 via August 31 in 2025, go to the zoo from 7 am to 1 pm. Phoenix Zoo members can get a head begin and enter as early as 6 am.
Household Zoo Actions
In the event you’re visiting Scottsdale with children, then you definitely’ll recognize the household actions on the Phoenix Zoo. Kids love the Concord Farm petting zoo and playground, Enchanted Forest play space, and the zoo’s Endangered Species Carousel. Be sure you convey alongside swimsuits to chill off on the Leapin’ Lagoon and Yakulla Caverns splash pads, too. The Phoenix Zoo even affords a summer season camp program for teenagers.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Households with younger youngsters will certainly need to go to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. It’s an incredible place to spend the morning in Scottsdale in summer season. True prepare lovers take pleasure in exploring indoor mannequin railroad shows and outside full-sized prepare vehicles. Summer time hours are 8 am to 1 pm in 2025.
Paradise Pacific Railroad
The spotlight at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is the Paradise Pacific Railroad. This ride-on miniature prepare chugs via an expansive grassy park.
Scottsdale Charros Carousel
The Scottsdale Charros Carousel at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is plenty of enjoyable, too, with its vintage horses and two wheelchair-accessible chariots.
Playgrounds
A large playground and a smaller Previous West-themed play space please children of all ages.
Picnics
Purchase sizzling canines, hamburgers, and ice cream on the Snackstop. Or pack a picnic to take pleasure in an early lunch at shaded picnic areas.
Golf in Scottsdale in Summer time
Golfers ought to plan to hit the hyperlinks very first thing within the morning in Scottsdale in summer season. The Scottsdale space boasts over 200 programs which might be positive to please any golfer.
Summer time Golf Pricing
What’s extra, {golfing} costs plummet when the warmth rises in Scottsdale. At two luxurious programs, Troon North Golf Membership and The Boulders, costs drop as a lot as 75 p.c throughout summer season months, permitting golfers on a funds to benefit from these wonderful golf programs.
Scorching Air Ballooning
Rise up very early in summer season to take pleasure in a sizzling air balloon journey over the Valley of the Solar. With 300 days of sunshine per 12 months in Scottsdale, the realm affords extra flyable days than anyplace else within the nation.
Floating above the desert in a sizzling air balloon is an expertise you’ll lengthy bear in mind. Select from shared or personal flights with Scorching Air Expeditions and Rainbow Ryders.
Scottsdale Summer time Afternoon Points of interest
After a morning of taking part in outdoor, your total household shall be prepared to chill down. In the event you’re up for extra exploring (or you possibly can’t rouse the troops earlier than midday), then sit back with air-conditioned indoor Scottsdale summer season actions. Alternatively, the afternoon is the right time to splash in a swimming pool or water park. And you may at all times beat the dry warmth with an ice cream deal with!
Arizona Boardwalk
The entire household may spend a complete day at Arizona Boardwalk and by no means get bored. It’s dwelling to tasty eating places, a handful of retail shops, and 9 main points of interest.
OdySea Aquarium
The first attraction at Arizona Boardwalk is the most important aquarium within the Southwest. The 200,000-square-foot OdySea Aquarium homes intriguing sea creatures like sharks, stingrays, otters, penguins, and a spectacular showcase of fish from oceans and rivers throughout the globe. Search for contact swimming pools to stand up shut with rays and extra.
Butterfly Wonderland
Additionally positioned throughout the Arizona Boardwalk campus, Butterfly Wonderland impresses vacationers at America’s largest butterfly conservatory. View dwelling fluttering bugs in a reasonably indoor botanical backyard. Tip: Put on fragrance or cologne and vibrant colours when you’d just like the butterflies to land on you!
Ripley’s Consider It or Not!
View a megalodon shark jaw, crawl via a life-sized duplicate of an infinite prehistoric snake, and pose subsequent to an animatronic model of the tallest man who ever lived at Ripley’s Consider It or Not at Arizona Boardwalk.
Museum of Illusions
Trick your eyes with an array of interactive shows on the Museum of Illusions Scottsdale. All ages will take pleasure in taking part in and studying about imaginative and prescient, notion, and the human mind at this attraction. This museum would make an incredible spot for a primary date or outing with new buddies as a result of the shows of optical illusions naturally encourage dialog and laughter!
Laser + Mirror Mazes
Youngsters love Laser + Mirror Mazes, that includes a difficult laser-filled, walk-through puzzle and colourful reflective labyrinth.
Cyber Quest
Deal with your crew to video video games galore at Cyber Quest. Mother and father will recognize that this arcade options solely non-violent video games. Save up your tickets to win prizes like plush toys or perhaps a Snoopy Snow Cone Machine, like my household did!
Pangea Land of the Dinosaurs
Dinosaur lovers will roar with delight at Pangea Land of the Dinosaurs. That is an academic attraction that’s plenty of enjoyable for all ages.
UFO Expertise
The UFO Expertise at Arizona Boardwalk is out of this world. Embark on an entertaining journey of all issues alien, from UFO sightings to alien “artifacts.”
Shock your Eyes
Step into Shock Your Eyes, a whimsical walk-through of hand-painted illusions that flip guests into a part of the artwork. From dangling off skyscrapers to taming dragons, this Scottsdale summer season attraction is large on picture ops and enjoyable.
Indoor Miniature Golf
With two indoor choices, miniature golf is at all times in season, regardless of the time of 12 months in Scottsdale.
Glow Putt
Youngsters love the glowing, playful shows at Glow Putt. This has lengthy been considered one of my household’s favourite issues to do for summer season enjoyable in Scottsdale. Sink a hole-in-one on the final gap to win one other spherical of play on the home!
Puttshack
At Kierland Commons purchasing middle, Puttshack is an upscale mini golf expertise with thrilling tech-infused options. Buy flatbreads, poutine, or sandwiches for noshing, plus cocktails and different drinks to take pleasure in earlier than or after a spherical or two.
Scottsdale Museums
Among the finest methods to chill off throughout summer season is at a neighborhood museum within the Phoenix space. Along with year-round instructional experiences, search for particular summer season packages at these Scottsdale museums.
Musical Instrument Museum
Wander via the world-renowned Musical Instrument Museum with shows that includes songs, movies, musical devices, and conventional costumes from all over the world. Within the evenings, benefit from the Summer time 2025 Live performance Sequence on the MIM (as locals name it).
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
Have fun cowboy tradition and think about Amerindian shows at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. Youngsters take pleasure in hands-on options like an outsized, Wild West-inspired board recreation à la Chutes and Ladders, an optical phantasm portray good for posing for photographs, puzzles of southwestern animals, and artwork rubbings.
Scottsdale Museum of Modern Artwork
Respect trendy artwork on the Scottsdale Museum of Modern Artwork in Previous City Scottsdale. Begin right here after which head to Artwork Stroll on a Thursday night.
Further Museums within the Phoenix Space
Relying on your loved ones’s pursuits, you might also need to go to museums past Scottsdale. Fascinating choices embody the tutorial Arizona Museum of Pure Historical past in Mesa, the interactive Arizona Science Middle in Phoenix, the Phoenix Artwork Museum with artwork from all over the world, shows of Native American cultures of the Southwest on the Heard Museum in Phoenix, or the playful Kids’s Museum of Phoenix.
Taliesin West
Followers of architectural design will recognize a go to to Taliesin West. As soon as the winter dwelling of the well-known architect Frank Lloyd Wright, at this time it’s the headquarters of his basis. It’s open seven days every week for self-guided audio excursions and 90-minute guided strolling excursions.
Outside Swimming pools & Water Parks in Scottsdale
In the event you’re in search of a splashy scene, then you may have swimming pool and water park choices. Some provide lazy rivers and waterslides within the Valley of the Solar.
McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Middle
McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Middle encompasses a winding water slide, a pleasing lazy river, excessive and low diving boards, and a zero-entry splash play space.
Eldorado Aquatic Middle
The Eldorado Aquatic Middle is dwelling to a water playground with a slide for younger youngsters, a zero-entry pool, plus two full-sized water slides for greater children.
Water Parks within the Phoenix Space
Moreover, water parks in neighboring areas embody Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Phoenix and Golfland Sunsplash in Mesa.
Ice Cream
All of us scream for ice cream, significantly in summer season in Scottsdale!
Candy Republic
For the very best ice cream in Scottsdale, my suggestion is Candy Republic. Their artisanal ice lotions and sorbets will tempt anybody who visits this ice cream store, positioned in the identical strip mall as Glow Putt.
Seasonal flavors rotate all year long. Search for summery flavors like Peaches & Cream ice cream or Watermelon Sorbet. In the meantime, year-round choices like Brownie Fudge Swirl and Actual Mint Chip are at all times pleasant. You possibly can even get your sundae topped with a roasted handmade marshmallow!
I give 12 out of 10 stars to Candy Republic’s Pecan Turtle Sundae. It comes with two scoops of Salted Caramel Swirl ice cream, candy and salty Arizona pecans, sizzling fudge, salted caramel sauce, and whipped cream. YUM!
Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor
In Previous City Scottsdale, you’ll discover the candy pink Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor. It’s the right place for fogeys to relaxation weary ft whereas children play within the onsite classic arcade.
This old style restaurant has been serving up sandwiches, soups, and, most significantly, ice cream since 1958. Get requirements like a sizzling fudge sundae or banana break up. Or, order considered one of their Tremendous Fancy Sundaes. Mint lovers (like me!) will adore the Blarney Dream Sundae, made with mint syrup, vanilla ice cream, sizzling fudge, a scoop of butter pecan, whipped cream, and a cherry.
Scottsdale Summer time Evenings
Because the solar units within the desert, temperatures drop. That’s when to hit the city. Right here’s what to do in Scottsdale in summer season throughout the evenings.
Glad Hour
Kick off your summer season night with comfortable hour. Since my husband and I’m going to comfortable hour practically each Friday evening, I like to think about myself a Scottsdale comfortable hour aficionado. Under are a few my favourite spots.
Wine Lady Scottsdale
For a Scottsdale girlfriend getaway or any evening out along with your gal buddies, nothing beats Wine Lady Scottsdale in Previous City. Anticipate wine flights, enjoyable merch, female pink and white décor, and swings from which to sip. Glad hour takes place all day Monday via Wednesday with half-off choose bottles of wine and different specials.
For one thing fancy, order a Rosé Petals Winetail made with rosé, rose extract syrup, and glowing water sprinkled with mini rosebuds. Search for summer season drinks like Melon Mint Fizz or Frozen Paloma, too.
Picazzo’s Wholesome Italian Kitchen
This Arizona restaurant caters to gluten-sensitive eaters (like me) and ensures these with meals allergy symptoms or different restrictions (like vegan) really feel comfy eating out.
Picazzo’s “Wholesome Hour” runs from 3 to six pm every day. Get pleasure from such scrumptious discounted choices as Mama’s Meat-Za Balls made with floor turkey, marinara, and basil or Baked Brie with roasted garlic, Gala apple, fig jam, and house-made gluten-free focaccia.
Glad hour drink specials embody $5 native drafts, $6 home wine by the glass, and $7 house-made sangria. Additionally get $8 signature cocktails like Rick’s Smoked Previous Normal, Aperol Spritz, Cucumber Ginger Mule, or Limoncello Margarita. Search for enjoyable mocktails, too!
Fish & Sips at Odysea Aquarium
For a singular technique to beat the warmth throughout summer season in Scottsdale, go underneath the ocean for Fish & Sips at Odysea Aquarium at Arizona Boardwalk. Get pleasure from dwell music, meals for buy, and a full bar at this 21+ seasonal occasion on particular Friday nights. In fact, you will notice plenty of sea life throughout this particular comfortable hour, too. Fish & Sips takes place on June 27, July 25, August 8, and August 27 from 5 to 9 pm in 2025.
Scottsdale ArtWalk
Previous City Scottsdale is dwelling to greater than 100 artwork galleries, a lot of which focus on items by native Arizona artists and Southwestern American artwork. For 50 years, this space of city has been welcoming guests to the Scottsdale ArtWalk on Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 pm. Many galleries provide refreshments, dwell music, and particular reveals throughout this time.
Purchasing in Scottsdale
Along with the paintings and Arizona-themed presents present in Previous City, Scottsdale affords a plethora of purchasing alternatives.
Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter
Neighboring Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter outside purchasing districts characteristic misters within the summertime that lower the warmth. Bonus: The Quarter affords a fountain the place youngsters splash and play to chill off.
Scottsdale Style Sq.
In the meantime, the indoor Scottsdale Style Sq. affords greater than 200 air-conditioned retail shops which might be positive to please severe customers. Style Sq. focuses on high-end choices like Neiman Marcus, Burberry, and Gucci. In the meantime, cut price customers shall be happy to seek out favorites like H&M, Claire’s, and Windsor. Sit back and watch a movie on considered one of 14 screens on the mall’s Harkins movie show when you’re there.
Prime Scottsdale Accommodations with Swimming pools & Water Parks
Because the temperatures soar in Scottsdale, room charges on the metropolis’s swanky inns drop drastically. Search for the very best offers of the 12 months on companies at Scottsdale’s greatest spa resorts, too.
Many inns additionally provide issues to do outdoor, like tennis, golf, and guided hikes. With unimaginable resort swimming pools in Scottsdale and summer season choices like dive-in motion pictures, chances are you’ll by no means need to go away your resort!
4 Seasons Resort Scottsdale
Friends of all ages searching for pampering, scrumptious eating places, outside actions, and lovely desert surroundings will adore 4 Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North. This resort options three swimming pools — a shallow youngsters’s pool, a household pool, and a pool only for grown-ups.
Tucked away in North Scottsdale subsequent to Pinnacle Peak Park, 4 Seasons is the place to go to flee all of it. Learn my complete assessment of 4 Seasons Scottsdale.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Wish to go to the seashore in Scottsdale? Head to the Fairmont! You’ll discover a white sand seashore, six swimming swimming pools, and two twisting waterslides. On the weekends, children will go gaga for Let’s Glo Pool Events and Dive-In Films. In the meantime, mother and father will recognize their swish world-class spa and championship golf course.
Throughout the winter vacation season in Scottsdale, the Fairmont has change into identified for its Christmas on the Princess festivities, and for the previous few years, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has thrown an enormous summer season bash. In 2025, the theme is Wild West Summer time on the Princess. From twilight dive-in motion pictures and campfire tales to rodeo video games, axe throwing, mini golf, gem panning, and dazzling Saturday evening fireworks, take pleasure in 5 swimming pools’ value of household enjoyable underneath one starry Arizona sky.
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Pool lovers flock to the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa for his or her Journey Water Park. This resort affords the long-lasting Kierland FlowRider flow-board simulator for browsing within the desert, a lazy river, a 110-foot-long water slide, and an adult-only pool with a sizzling tub.
If you wish to avoid crowds, then hire a family-friendly poolside cabana to calm down in shaded luxurious. Higher but, take pleasure in your very personal Tommy Bahama Rest Reef personal “island.”
Nice Wolf Lodge Arizona
The Nice Wolf Lodge Arizona is dwelling to the state’s first indoor water park. Anticipate a number of water slides, a splash-loaded treehouse with an enormous tipping bucket, play swimming pools, and a lazy river. In summer season, households additionally benefit from the outside Raccoon Lagoon’s water play space with fountains galore.
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch
Quiet down at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale’s 2.5-acre water playground full with a sand seashore, 10 swimming swimming pools, 20 fountains, and 45 waterfalls. Daredevils will particularly like their three-story, high-speed water slide.
Even when you’re not staying on the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, you possibly can nonetheless cruise via the resort’s 7-acre lake aboard a handcrafted Italian Gondola boat whereas being serenaded by knowledgeable gondolier!
Discover Extra of Arizona
Check out my complete checklist of issues to do in Scottsdale with children for much more enjoyable within the Valley of the Solar.
Headed to Northern Arizona? You’ll undoubtedly need to learn my Grand Canyon suggestions!
Go to a quaint school city and gateway to the Grand Canyon with this checklist of the greatest issues to do in Flagstaff, AZ.
To expertise America’s greatest ghost city, try my suggestions for visiting Jerome, Arizona.
Uncover the charms of Arizona’s territorial capital in my information to Prescott.
Save these Scottsdale Summer time Actions
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