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 provides 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 perfect issues to do–from morning to midday to nighttime!
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Outside Scottsdale Summer season Actions
As a longtime resident, I do know it’s greatest to rise up early to get pleasure from out of doors Scottsdale actions throughout cooler mornings earlier than the warmth peaks in summer season. With the dearth of solar at night time 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 out of doors play is from daybreak (between 5 and 6 am) till issues begin to get very toasty (round 9 or 10 am). Regardless of which out of doors exercise you select, it’s vital to use sunblock and keep hydrated with water or electrolyte drinks. Remember to gown for warm climate and put on a brimmed hat for solar safety.
Mountain climbing within the Sonoran Desert
Even throughout summer season, a hike is worth it to take in a few of Scottsdale’s desert magnificence. Remember to set your alarm to hit the paths near dawn.
McDowell Sonoran Protect Gateway Trailhead
With dozens of mountain climbing paths to select from, you’re certain to search out one which meets your loved ones’s mountain climbing ranges and wishes. The McDowell Sonoran Protect Gateway Trailhead is a well-liked place to begin.
Pinnacle Peak Path
One other fairly possibility is Pinnacle Peak Path. It’s excellent for hikers in search of 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 an alternative. Maintain your eyes peeled for the path marker right here. It’s throughout the road from the car parking zone, simply to the precise 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’ll be able to romp by the desert as a passenger in a Hummer or Blazer. In Phoenix and Scottsdale in summer season, these excursions embark shiny and early at 8 am. Or you’ll be able to guide a sundown tour as an alternative.
Discover Scottsdale by Segway
Why stroll when you might discover Scottsdale by Segway?
Segway of Scottsdale
Segway of Scottsdale leads 2-hour morning excursions by historic Outdated City Scottsdale. Mics and earpieces in shiny 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. (Members should be aged 12 to 75.)
Scottsdale Segway Excursions
Along with 9 am excursions of Outdated City Scottsdale, Scottsdale Segway Excursions provides a Sunsets, Segways and Metropolis Lights possibility departing at 6:45 pm. It’s excellent for exploring town with out the warmth of the solar.
Phoenix Zoo
The most important non-profit, privately owned zoo within the U.S. is residence to common residents like giraffes, orangutans, and elephants. Additionally, search for indigenous animals like coyotes, mountain lions, and Mexican grey wolves.
Summer season Hours
Throughout hotter months, morning is the perfect time to go to the animals on the Phoenix Zoo. Summer season hours begin and finish early to reap the benefits of comparatively cool mornings. From June 1 by 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
If you happen to’re visiting Scottsdale with children, then you definitely’ll respect 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. Remember to convey alongside swimsuits to chill off on the Leapin’ Lagoon and Yakulla Caverns splash pads, too. The Phoenix Zoo even provides a summer season camp program for teenagers.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Households with younger youngsters will certainly wish to go to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. It’s an important place to spend the morning in Scottsdale in summer season. True prepare lovers get pleasure from exploring indoor mannequin railroad shows and out of doors full-sized prepare automobiles. Summer season 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 by 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 Outdated West-themed play space please children of all ages.
Picnics
Purchase scorching canines, hamburgers, and ice cream on the Snackstop. Or pack a picnic to get pleasure from an early lunch at shaded picnic areas.
Golf in Scottsdale in Summer season
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 certain to please any golfer.
Summer season 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 price range to reap the benefits of these glorious golf programs.
Scorching Air Ballooning
Rise up very early in summer season to get pleasure from a scorching air balloon journey over the Valley of the Solar. With 300 days of sunshine per 12 months in Scottsdale, the realm provides extra flyable days than anyplace else within the nation.
Floating above the desert in a scorching air balloon is an expertise you’ll lengthy keep in mind. Select from shared or personal flights with Scorching Air Expeditions and Rainbow Ryders.
Scottsdale Summer season Afternoon Sights
After a morning of taking part in open air, your total household might be prepared to chill down. If you happen to’re up for extra exploring (or you’ll be able to’t rouse the troops earlier than midday), then relax 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 whole day at Arizona Boardwalk and by no means get bored. It’s residence 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 biggest 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 rise up shut with rays and extra.
Butterfly Wonderland
Additionally positioned inside the Arizona Boardwalk campus, Butterfly Wonderland impresses vacationers at America’s largest butterfly conservatory. View residing fluttering bugs in a fairly indoor botanical backyard. Tip: Put on fragrance or cologne and shiny colours when you’d just like the butterflies to land on you!
Ripley’s Consider It or Not!
View a megalodon shark jaw, crawl by a life-sized duplicate of an unlimited 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 get pleasure from taking part in and studying about imaginative and prescient, notion, and the human mind at this attraction. This museum would make an important spot for a primary date or outing with new pals as a result of the shows of optical illusions naturally encourage dialog and laughter!
Laser + Mirror Mazes
Children 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. Dad and mom will respect 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, irrespective of the time of 12 months in Scottsdale.
Glow Putt
Children 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 buying heart, 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 get pleasure from earlier than or after a spherical or two.
Scottsdale Museums
Probably the greatest methods to chill off throughout summer season is at a neighborhood museum within the Phoenix space. Along with year-round academic experiences, search for particular summer season applications at these Scottsdale museums.
Musical Instrument Museum
Wander by 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 season 2025 Live performance Collection on the MIM (as locals name it).
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
Have a good time cowboy tradition and think about Amerindian shows at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. Children get pleasure from hands-on options like an outsized, Wild West-inspired board sport à la Chutes and Ladders, an optical phantasm portray excellent for posing for images, puzzles of southwestern animals, and artwork rubbings.
Scottsdale Museum of Up to date Artwork
Respect fashionable artwork on the Scottsdale Museum of Up to date Artwork in Outdated 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 wish to go to museums past Scottsdale. Attention-grabbing choices embrace 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 respect a go to to Taliesin West. As soon as the winter residence of the well-known architect Frank Lloyd Wright, at this time it’s the headquarters of his basis. It’s open seven days per week for self-guided audio excursions and 90-minute guided strolling excursions.
Outside Swimming pools & Water Parks in Scottsdale
If you happen to’re searching for a splashy scene, then you could have swimming pool and water park choices. Some supply lazy rivers and waterslides within the Valley of the Solar.
McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Middle
McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Middle contains a winding water slide, a nice lazy river, excessive and low diving boards, and a zero-entry splash play space.
Eldorado Aquatic Middle
The Eldorado Aquatic Middle is residence 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 embrace Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Phoenix and Golfland Sunsplash in Mesa.
Ice Cream
All of us scream for ice cream, notably in summer season in Scottsdale!
Candy Republic
For the perfect ice cream in Scottsdale, my advice 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’ll be able to 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, scorching fudge, salted caramel sauce, and whipped cream. YUM!
Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor
In Outdated City Scottsdale, you’ll discover the candy pink Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor. It’s the right place for folks to relaxation weary toes 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 scorching 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, scorching fudge, a scoop of butter pecan, whipped cream, and a cherry.
Scottsdale Summer season 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.
Completely happy Hour
Kick off your summer season night with joyful hour. Since my husband and I am going to joyful hour practically each Friday night time, I like to think about myself a Scottsdale joyful hour aficionado. Beneath are a few my favourite spots.
Wine Lady Scottsdale
For a Scottsdale girlfriend getaway or any night time out together with your gal friends, nothing beats Wine Lady Scottsdale in Outdated City. Count on wine flights, enjoyable merch, female pink and white décor, and swings from which to sip. Completely happy hour takes place all day Monday by 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 day by 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.
Completely happy hour drink specials embrace $5 native drafts, $6 home wine by the glass, and $7 house-made sangria. Additionally get $8 signature cocktails like Rick’s Smoked Outdated Long-established, Aperol Spritz, Cucumber Ginger Mule, or Limoncello Margarita. Search for enjoyable mocktails, too!
Fish & Sips at Odysea Aquarium
For a novel strategy 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 reside music, meals for buy, and a full bar at this 21+ seasonal occasion on particular Friday nights. In fact, you will note plenty of sea life throughout this particular joyful 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
Outdated City Scottsdale is residence to greater than 100 artwork galleries, a lot of which specialise in 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 supply refreshments, reside music, and particular reveals throughout this time.
Buying in Scottsdale
Along with the paintings and Arizona-themed presents present in Outdated City, Scottsdale provides a plethora of buying alternatives.
Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter
Neighboring Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter out of doors buying districts characteristic misters within the summertime that lower the warmth. Bonus: The Quarter provides a fountain the place youngsters splash and play to chill off.
Scottsdale Vogue Sq.
In the meantime, the indoor Scottsdale Vogue Sq. provides greater than 200 air-conditioned retail shops which might be certain to please severe buyers. Vogue Sq. focuses on high-end choices like Neiman Marcus, Burberry, and Gucci. In the meantime, cut price buyers might be happy to search out favorites like H&M, Claire’s, and Windsor. Relax and watch a movie on considered one of 14 screens on the mall’s Harkins movie show when you’re there.
High Scottsdale Inns with Swimming pools & Water Parks
Because the temperatures soar in Scottsdale, room charges on the metropolis’s swanky inns drop drastically. Search for the perfect offers of the 12 months on providers at Scottsdale’s greatest spa resorts, too.
Many inns additionally supply issues to do open air, like tennis, golf, and guided hikes. With unimaginable lodge swimming pools in Scottsdale and summer season choices like dive-in films, you might by no means wish to depart your resort!
4 Seasons Resort Scottsdale
Company of all ages in search of pampering, scrumptious eating places, out of doors 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 evaluate of 4 Seasons Scottsdale.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Need 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, dad and mom will respect their swish world-class spa and championship golf course.
In the course of the winter vacation season in Scottsdale, the Fairmont has turn 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 season on the Princess. From twilight dive-in films and campfire tales to rodeo video games, axe throwing, mini golf, gem panning, and dazzling Saturday night time fireworks, get pleasure from 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 lodge provides the enduring 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 scorching tub.
If you wish to keep away from crowds, then lease a family-friendly poolside cabana to loosen up in shaded luxurious. Higher but, get pleasure from your very personal Tommy Bahama Leisure Reef personal “island.”
Nice Wolf Lodge Arizona
The Nice Wolf Lodge Arizona is residence to the state’s first indoor water park. Count on 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 out of doors 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’ll be able to nonetheless cruise by the resort’s 7-acre lake aboard a handcrafted Italian Gondola boat whereas being serenaded by an expert gondolier!
Discover Extra of Arizona
Check out my complete record 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 wish to learn my Grand Canyon ideas!
Go to a quaint faculty city and gateway to the Grand Canyon with this record of the greatest issues to do in Flagstaff, AZ.
To expertise America’s largest ghost city, try my ideas for visiting Jerome, Arizona.
Uncover the charms of Arizona’s territorial capital in my information to Prescott.
Save these Scottsdale Summer season Actions
Remember to save this record of enjoyable issues to do in Scottsdale in summer season. Merely pin the picture above to Pinterest. I hope you’ll observe Colleen Travels Between on Pinterest when you’re at it!
Would you prefer to expertise a Scottsdale summer season trip? Tell us within the feedback under!
