There are so many places to go and things to do in Arizona, and for our first Arizona road trip, we chose Scottsdale. With its gorgeous downtown, great dining and architecture, we knew we had an awesome trip ahead of us.
Scottsdale is one of the best places to go if you’re looking for things to do in Arizona. With so many great options for resting your head in Scottsdale, it can be difficult to choose. Basing your decision on your personal needs is definitely a helpful way to figure out how to have the most comfortable stay. By figuring out what to do in Scottsdale, you can easily find an amazing place to stay.
Embassy Suites by Hilton
For our first two nights in Scottsdale we had the pleasure of staying at The Embassy Suites Hotel by Hilton and it was truly memorable. The suites were very spacious and included a living room, dining table and bar area, a bathroom and a bedroom with a balcony. What I really loved was the options to reuse towels by keeping them hung up for water conservation.
I absolutely loved the desert themed decor in the room! Beautiful paintings of plants can be found both in the living area and the bathroom.
In case you have some work you need to get done, there is also a desk where you can concentrate while the rest of your party enjoys the bedroom or pool area.
I found the lobby area to be very inviting and the staff looked genuinely happy to greet each person walking in.
As much as I loved the interior of Embassy Suites, I enjoyed being outside even more. AJ and I got to spend a little time in the pool area during happy hour. The energy was great as other guests sipped on their complimentary wine, beer and cocktails. We even made some friends with a couple who happened to be watching the Golden Knights Hockey game!
Also, quick tip: Be sure to check out the free breakfast provided each morning. It’s delicious!
Hotel Adeline
The next two nights we had the pleasure of experiencing Hotel Adeline and all its modern glory.
While there were a few families staying here, you could tell the hotel really targets a younger crowd. So if you are looking for a bit more of a kids-free zone, you’ve found it!
I seriously couldn’t get over how well designed this hotel is; everything little detail is unique but also cohesive with the theme.
While there were many things to love about this property, AJ and I had so much fun at the end of our days playing ping pong! The outdoor area was very well lit, even at around 9PM.
Things to do in Arizona: Scottsdale
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
Now you need to trust me when I tell you that none of the photos you’ll find online do this place justice! The whole tour I was in complete awe of all the hard work and passion that had gone into this place. If you are looking to go on a tour that will leave you inspired, you have to check this out.
To learn more about Taliesin West, click here. I can’t recommend it enough, I even bought the membership for all their other properties!
Echo Canyon Trail at Camelback Mountain
I’m not going to lie, this trail isn’t for the faint of heart if you are looking for a hike that you can complete without stopping. There are plenty of relaxing rest stops though if you are willing to put in some work for big payoff.
Just when I thought I was reaching my (not so high) physical limits I found the most beautiful view that you can see in the first photo. Totally worth it! I decided to take a much needed break and enjoy the beautiful view and cool breeze.
Old Town
Another highlight of our trip was definitely Old Town. Every corner you can find unique shopping experiences and top notch restaurants. There are bikes you can rent all over the city that will help you go from place to place with ease and style for only $1.
Quick Tip: If it is your first ride, it’s free.
Even Juicier Tip: If you are staying at Hotel Adeline, you get 10 rides free!
Desert Botanical Garden
Who knew such beautiful flowers could exist in the desert? In spite of living nearby in Las Vegas, we had no idea the extent of the beauty desert flowers have!
If you’ve got several hours to spare, I HIGHLY recommend going to the Desert Botanical Garden. There is so much to see and it’s such a wonderful experience.
If you’re ready to learn more about this amazing garden, click here.
Odysea Aquarium
On a hot Arizona day, there are times when you are going to want to try an indoor activity. If you’re looking for things to do in Arizona while it’s scorching outside, look no further. I have to say this is probably the largest aquarium I had ever been to, which is funny since it’s in the middle of the Arizona desert.
What I loved about this place is the effort Odysea Aquarium puts into taking care of their animals. Many had been rescued from bad situations, such as the turtles, and been given a second and SAFE chance for a happy life. : )
You can learn more about Odysea Aquarium here.
I really can’t say enough good things about my experience in Scottsdale! There are so many fun and interesting things to do in Arizona, and if you plan to go, you should totally visit Scottsdale.
Thank you so much to Experience Scottsdale, Embassy Suites by Hilton and Hotel Adeline for hosting AJ and I. As always, all opinions are our own.
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