Scottsdale may be well known as a golfer’s paradise and mecca for raucous bachelorettes, but locals and regular visitors know that’s only a small part of its story.
I visit Scottsdale annually. It’s one of my favorite vacations to take, and that’s without ever setting foot on its golf courses or shouting “woo” from tricked-out pink party bikes.
Rather, I visit Scottsdale to inhale its crisp desert air, luxuriate by the pool, hike desert trails, and soothe my achy muscles at any one of its excellent spas. I’ve visited solo, with girlfriends, and with my husband and kids, and it reliably offers exactly what I need in each scenario.
After so many visits, I’ve curated quite the list of go-tos. But if you only have one weekend—usually how long I pop in for—this guide will take you through Old Town, out into nature, and leave plenty of downtime for the spa. Here’s how to plan the perfect weekend, no golf or party bus required.
In this article
Day 1: Explore Your Hotel and Atmospheric Old Town
One of my favorite things about Scottsdale is its hotel scene. Here, you can choose between sprawling resorts, boutique retreats, and family-friendly bungalows and condos. For the best combination of location, style, and budget, I head to The Scottsdale Resort and Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton.
Fresh off a $40 million renovation, the resort has 318 modern, updated guest rooms, though larger groups can spread out in the Stillman Villas, which may be reconfigured to accommodate multiple bedrooms.
Once you check in, take a moment to settle. The large pool is a nice place to order lunch and come up with a game plan, or if you’re looking to toast your trip, grab a cocktail (or mocktail, they happen to be excellent) at The Madam, a speakeasy bar hidden behind a secret door.
You should also consult the hotel’s programming. There’s very likely to be a class or perk you’ll want to work into your schedule, and most are free. Think wellness classes like barre, in-pool yoga, chakra walks, and sound baths, plus pickleball court rentals, golf simulators, movie nights, and more.
You could easily spend your entire first day on-site, and I wouldn’t fault you for it. But at some point, take a break to visit Old Town, where you’ll find hundreds of restaurants, galleries, and interesting shops.
The area has a distinct “Wild West” look, with Adobe structures and historic sites dating back to the late 1880s and early 1900s, such as the Cavalliere Blacksmith Shop, which was established in 1910 and is still a working blacksmith shop today, or the Rusty Spur Saloon, a former bank from the ‘20s that now houses liquor in the original vault.
Old Town is also a favorite for shopping, especially on 5th Avenue. Start here and pop in wherever catches your eye. My favorites include Leela Market, where I peruse fashion and unique souvenirs with a strong Arizona sense of place, or The Purple Saguaro next door, stocked with wares crafted by local artists. There’s also the Native Art Market, which is Native American-owned and operated, where artists and vendors sell their handmade work and raise awareness of Arizona’s rich Indigenous culture.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, it’s time to eat. Reserve dinner at The Mission.
A Scottsdale staple since 2008, this is where Chef Matt Carter prepares modern Latin cuisine with an Arizona twist. The tableside guacamole is a must, and if available, order the tender glazed pork belly starter wrapped in an iceberg lettuce shell, or the Peruvian clam stew that’s creamy and light, and served with grilled bread to sop up all the goodness. The Jidori chicken thighs are also excellent, especially when wrapped in warm tortillas that arrive on top of individual heated salt bricks sourced from the Himalayas.
Day 2: Hit the Trail and Admire Art
I like to begin my mornings in Scottsdale with a hike before the sun feels too strong. There are hundreds of trails, but you’ll find a good range of choices for all levels of hikers in The McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Here, you can explore over 230 miles of shared-use trails that are spread across 30,500 acres. It’s the largest urban preserve in the country. There are 11 trailheads with offerings for all levels, though I enjoyed the Gateway Trail, a 4.5-mile loop with a moderate elevation gain that offers good views without exhausting yourself for the day. If you visit in winter, you’ll be treated to a nice dusting of wildflowers.
Once you’ve gotten your steps in, it’s time for brunch. If you’re particularly ravenous, I suggest Hash Kitchen, known for whimsical, enormous pancakes, hearty benedicts, and of course, plates piled high with potato hash. If you’d rather keep to clean eating post-hike, try Farm & Craft, a counter service eatery serving smoothies, acai bowls, and veggie-studded toasts.
Post-brunch, it’s time to explore an entirely different trail: the ‘ol dusty one. One of my favorite Scottsdale activities of all time was visiting MacDonald’s Ranch in North Scottsdale. I opted for a stagecoach ride for a low-effort (hello tired hike legs) and highly experiential way to see large swaths of sweeping desert landscape (and to pretend I was back in the Wild West), but you can also sign up for guided horse rides. There’s also a free petting zoo, play area, and fun photo opps.
Finally, round out the afternoon with Scottsdale’s art scene.
Since its inception in 1985, the Scottsdale Public Art Program has created a diverse collection of permanent and temporary works around the city, with many in Old Town. Download this map to see 10 celebrated pieces on a self-guided tour that takes just one hour.
Or, for something quite contemporary, you might pop over to Wonderspaces, an interactive modern art museum. Here, you walk through rotating, immersive exhibits from global artists, whether it’s a dome of synchronized light and sound or a 3-D sculpture that’s truly mind-bending. Located inside Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, you’ll have a second chance to shop with scores of designer brands, should you wish.
If you’re famished after, head over to the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort for dinner at La Zozzona. Here, Italian-American cuisine is served in a sophisticated setting, led by celebrity Chef Richard Blais. The handmade pastas are simple but fantastic, and you’ll be left thinking about the charcoal-grilled steak into tomorrow.
Day 3: Self-Care Spa Day
After such a busy two days, it’s time to slow down. Way down.
The entire last day is reserved for spa treatments and/or lounging. You could stay on property and book one at the hotel’s newly redesigned Luna Spa. The outdoor patio with a barrel hot tub and cold plunge is a true highlight.
Or, if you’d like to venture out, I’m also a fan of the facilities at the Well & Being Spa at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Just budget enough time to spend the majority of your last day here; you’ll want it.
Booking a treatment comes with access to a slew of zen-inducing amenities, including a rooftop pool exclusive to spa-goers, a hydrotherapy circuit, a fitness center with wellness classes, and an aromatherapy inhalation room. There’s also a cafe for ordering food in between soaks and steams.
If that’s not enough, there’s also The Sisley-Paris Spa, a spa-within-a-spa at Well & Being, operated by the luxe French skincare line. Hidden away in its own nook of the spa, there are an additional seven treatment rooms and white-glove Eurostyle attaché services for the ultimate in pampering. Any treatment here comes with full access to Well & Being (not if you book the other way around, though—Sisley is ultra-exclusive!), and their offerings include massages, body rituals, and facials. I booked the latter and left glowing and radiant.
If there’s time for one last meal, cap the weekend with a celebratory meal at El Chorro in Paradise Valley. Known for nice cuts of meat and fish, the bougainvillea-strewn patio is the real draw and the exact type of place you’d want to dine al fresco on your final night in Scottsdale. And you don’t have to wait until the end of the meal for dessert. Here, starter bread baskets are swapped for fresh-baked gooey cinnamon rolls.
The Shortcut
Hike first, brunch second: Start on the trail before the desert sun gets strong, and you’ll get to brunch with a real appetite.
Check your hotel’s activity calendar when you arrive: Resort classes and perks are often free and can fill a morning without adding a cent to the bill.
Let a stagecoach handle the desert after a hike: You see a lot of landscape without asking anything more of tired legs.
Book the spa-within-a-spa if you want everything: At Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, a Sisley treatment includes the full Well & Being amenities, but it doesn’t work the other way around.
