The 39 best free attractions in Scottsdale

This is a great park. The new splash pad is small and isn't shaded directly, but there is plenty of shade around it with seating. The outdoor playground is huge and recently got sun sails so it mostly shaded. There are a few things that you need to pay for to do, but they are small amounts. The indoor playground, the train ride, and the carousel. The train ride is a ten minute ride around the park field and is so fun for the kids. There is a gift shop, and an ice cream/ snack bar also which are indoor and really nice. Plenty of seating throughout. Love this park.

Such a neat place! Large retired train cars throughout the park. They have a small train ride that's about an 8-10 min ride, a large carousel that you can ride either for $3 per person. Ages 2 and under are free. Huge outdoor playground with many unique obstacles. Lots of space to run and play. Small restaurant, museum, gift shop and a large miniature train set with interactive buttons. You can pay $12 for a wrist band for unlimited train and carousel rides for the day. Highly recommend and such a great value!

Nice place to visit. They have several different buildings to explore. The one with the miniature train sets is free and quiet expansive. The grounds are well kept and they have several areas for kids to play along with a small locomotive to take a ride on. Overall a wonderful place to go with large trees, benches, and beautiful shade.

Great place to take the kids. The highlight for me was the model train building. It was a huge building with model train lay outs from N scale to O scale. Unbelievable, the detail in the layouts. The train ride is more for kids, and is a short ride around the facility. The serve ice cream and good lunch foods. I had their chili with corn bread. It was home made I thought. Lots of train history to explore. It's not very expensive to get in , and is worth the time to experience.

I had the best ditch day with my mini me!!! From the indoor playground to the outdoor playground to the train ride to my babygirls favorite the carousel was a blast.. but she also loved cooling at the splash pad. Thanks for an awesome day.

The rides are amazing and so reasonably priced. They just renovated the playground which is awesome. A new splash pad is there and an indoor playground as well. I went here as a kid and I'm still coming back!

Visited this park for the Halloween spooky train ride. The Halloween decorations and attractions are beyond expectations. It is a must to do for any toddler. Model train museum is impressive with a lot of attention to detail.

Absolutely recommend a morning hike in this beautiful Scottsdale preserve. I visited from Colorado and was impressed with the clean trailhead restrooms, volunteer staff helping you find the perfect trail for your time frame and skill level, and amount of free parking. Gateway Trail and nearby bridge are perfect for a morning walk/hike with not much incline although there are some little rocks so no strollers. The trailhead starts right after the restrooms. Easy to find parking lot. Our Lyft driver had never been there and we found it easily on map.

During my bachelorette celebrations in Scottsdale, the nine of us thoroughly enjoyed exploring the trails at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and pristine trails make it a must-visit for anyone seeking an unforgettable outdoor adventure in Scottsdale.

Absolutely stunning views. We hiked the Gateway Saddle; took 2 hours with brief moments to take photos.

Go early! This is a beautiful preserve and it’s very popular. The parking lot is big, but fills up by 9 or 10 a.m. in the cool months. There are lots of different hikes in the preserve, but the main trail is the Gateway Loop, about 4 miles. You’ll definitely work up a sweat, and the trail is rocky (wear hiking shoes), but it’s awesome. It takes me about 2 hours. I’m slow 😉. (p.s. There’s a nice park building with restrooms too)

Absolutely beautiful nature preserve with a lot of hiking trails and biking trails. Make sure to bring water as fill up stations are limited. Highly suggested for a short morning hike and afternoon bike adventure.

I highly recommend the Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Fraesfield Trailhead. This was my first visit to Arizona and what a great introduction to the desert! The walk was easy and very informative. I enjoyed meeting others in the group — from people in their 20’s to seniors. The weather was cool (I saw frost on the ground) but the sun was warm and enjoyable. Special shout-out to Madison, our tour guide. She knows so much about desert plants and animals and gave me resources to find out even more. She has a great sense of humour and her delivery is personable and natural. I’m looking forward to returning and exploring more of the area.

Hiking day ! This trail is an amazing view. Lots of big cactuses 🌵 🌵. The trail is flat and easy to walk. So you will have time to look up and see the cactus ❤️. Also, McDowell has some of the best mountain biking in arizona and is a must hit place if you’re in to mountain biking. The trails can be very technical so it's not exactly a great place to learn, try desert classic if your not experienced, but if your in to technical difficult climbing and intense descents then it is the place for you.

Absolutely beautiful. The Botanical Gardens were one of the highlights of our trip. We enjoyed every bit of our time there. From the amazing variety of cacti and plants, to the lovely butterfly exhibition, it was all well done. We could have stayed all day and not gotten bored.

This is one of our favorite "happy places"! Friendly staff, beautiful scenery, unique and fun events, educational support for our own plants, and so many more things are what keep us coming back. It has something for everyone. Some of our favorite things so far have been getting married here, enjoying the yearly Boo-tanical Garden with the kids, having regular date days/nights here, and attending their plant sales. The restaurant and cafe are delicious, and the gift shop always has something worth taking home. We absolutely love the Desert Botanical Garden and would recommend to anyone looking for a nice date night, family time, or even just some "me time".

I’d give this place 10 stars if I could! The Desert Botanical Garden is absolutely beautiful and so well maintained. Every trail and exhibit is thoughtfully designed, and you can really see the care that goes into keeping everything in top shape. The staff were attentive, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable; they were happy to answer questions and share insights about the plants and desert landscape. It’s such a peaceful and inspiring place to explore, whether you’re a local or just visiting. There’s also a restaurant on site that feels like fine dining without being stuffy. The food was excellent, the atmosphere was relaxing, and they cater to a wide range of dietary needs. Overall, it’s a must-visit spot in Phoenix.

Must experience. Absolutely beautiful. We were fortunate to arrive after the monsoonal rains. Everything was green and blooming. We arrived a little before sunset, so we're able to see the gardens during the day, at sunset with a beautiful Arizona sky, and the gardens lit at night. The Botanical garden is open till 9:00 pm. If you have a layover at Phoenix Airport, the gardens aren't very far away. I would encourage anyone younger old to take time to visit.

The park is lovely. I went later in the afternoon at the end of October and it was still very warm. You can bring your own water bottle to fill at multiple filtered water stations - water comes out cold. Bring sunglasses, water bottle, sunblock and a hat. Gift shop is very nice.

This garden is LIVING POETRY. It was one of the BEST Botanical Gardens I have ever visited. I had no idea cactus could form a desert forest. The design and layout helps you discover a lush, wonderous living landscape of flora and fauna that is ALIVE and far from barren. Additional points: excellent to have water stations through out the park to drink from and the art installations added an ethereal mix to the otherworldly, romantic atmosphere.

Lots to see, beautifully kept gardens, plenty of water stations and the shop’s very nice - Only criticism was the portion sizes at the cafe (the food was very nice but not very substantial). Started to get a bit busier towards sunset (lots of couples having photo shoots). Have fun seeking out the naughtily shaped cacti

It's a small venue with 4 or 5 exhibits going at the same time. Walked through will take about an 1 hr depending on how much time you spend at each peice. It is a nice indoor retreat from the summer heat. I suggest checking for their free times or if you are part of your local library. See if you can snag a culture pass for free entrance for the adults.

This review highlights one of workers who made visiting this museum more memorable. He is an older Hispanic gentleman, who speaks English and Spanish, by the name of Lou (I didn't get his name initially but the front desk was able to provide it to me). Lou was fantastic! He took the time to explain some of the art pieces to me and my mom. He also showed me how to view some of the art pieces from different angle to display something I wouldn't have notice on my own. However, my favorite exhibit was Infinite. I had no idea each sphere has a speaker and played by a string quartet. It plays for about 16 minutes, so watching the spheres illuminate and listening to the music during that time was magical. I told Lou how I enjoyed this museum more than the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego but he was part of the reason why I enjoyed it. Thank you, Lou for making this museum more wonderful 😊 Will definitely be making another visit.

Honestly my favourite museum to go to. The staff are so chill and welcoming. The fees are nonexistent, which is great if you’re a broke college student. The exhibits are always really creative in nature and at times interactive. Recently I may or may not have been trapped in the room full of lights (Life on Mars exhibit) for hours on end. Just staring at the shifting patterns and lights. Truly mesmerising. 10/10 would get hypnotised for free again. Honestly wish I had the money to donate to this place 😭

I had a wonderful time visiting the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. On the day that I went to visit with my family, they had limited exhibitions open because they were in the process of finalizing their full set of exhibits for the season. But the ones we were able to experience were extraordinarily and memorable. The “Squid Soup Infinite” room was fantastic and makes you want to stay there for hours. This is certainly a must visit for those visiting Arizona!

When we visited, two halls were being reinstalled, so we only saw a reduced exhibit. That was good enough, though the outdoor one was disappointing: it is to be seen during sunset or sunrise, not an obvious time to visit a museum.

Really cool! A short visit is all you need if you're pressed for time.. if you have time I could definitely have spent hours in the Squid space

The five gallery's were absolutely amazing. It's a must see

For anyone that loves butterflies and other insects, this is the place for you. An awesome video at the beginning that talks about stages of the butterfly, thought was very interesting. Once in the butterfly area, it was awesome, had a few land on me, that was cool. Go here early, when its cooler, but definitely a must see!

Butterfly Wonderland is awesome, let me start with that before getting into the few downsides. The whole concept is brilliant and beautiful. Not only are they helping preserve butterfly species and supporting conservation efforts, but they’re also giving the public a chance to experience these incredible creatures up close. That’s amazing! My only real complaint is the price. For two people, it’s about $75 for an experience that lasts roughly an hour or two at most. It’s a bit steep, but it feels better knowing the money goes toward something meaningful rather than just another theme park. Overall, I’d definitely recommend checking it out if you’re in the area. Be sure to spend enough time in the sanctuary, you’ll want to slow down, take it all in, and hopefully have a few butterflies land on you!

You cant go wrong walking through a tropical jungle with butterflies flying all around you! It was so soothing and calming! The staff were super helpful answering all our questions and giving us directions! Be warned, it's humid so dress accordingly! You won't regret stopping here in your visit to Phoenix!

Awesome attraction especially if you have kids, my 2 small toddlers really enjoyed themselves, and it was a fun mixture of entertainment and education. Staff are all very friendly, knowledgeable, and willing to share info on the butterflies. They have some small indoor exhibits with fish and reptiles as well. They also have inclusive options for children with processing difficulties or other challenges. Definitely a worthwhile place to visit when at the boardwalk

10/10 would recommend this place to anyone in the area! They had a short video on the monarch butterfly migration. They also have a near area where they show the life of a butterfly and the stages there before they release them with the others. There were so many and they were so gorgeous and perfect! Their snack area was clean and tidy. The staff was super friendly. There was so much to look at and I wanted to take pictures of everything. It’s def worth every penny!

Love bringing my daughter here! We have so much fun. Beautiful butterflies and fun experience. We go first thing when they open because they get pretty busy! Worth the money in my opinion.

We visit Butterfly Wonderland every time we come to Arizona, at least once a year. This time, Jonathan Levingston was playing his violin and took the experience up a notch! We sat and just listened, making us stay longer than our past visits. Also, it seems like everyone we come, we learn something new about the place, how the butterflies are transported, how they hatch, and so many cool facts!

Great hike for easy to moderate hike with 360⁰ views. While there is a fair amount of elevation change, the 2 mile trail is very well maintained with steps, benches, and signage. It's a 4 mile out and back or can be through-hiked. The park facility is very good. I'm not a super fast hiker but did the out and back in about 2 hours.

Great 3.2km (2 miles) one-way trail with beautiful views. Gets a bit challenging by the end but easy-moderate to hike

We had an amazing hiking experience here today. Along our way a volunteer, Gary, told us some impressive facts about the plants, trail, and tips to see the best views. He then proceeded to continue the hike as our guide. He made our whole experience better than we could have imagined. Lots of laughs and plenty of sweat was had haha

What a fantastic hike. Absolutely beautiful views. The visitor Center has a place to fill your water bottles as well as clean bathrooms. There is no fee for the parking or for the hike. Bring sunscreen and plenty of water. Like most of the desert There is almost no shade.

Open at 5:45 am Has lot of parking Has restroom Scenic points Shady Can go with family and friends 2 miles one way Moderate and easy Carry liter water

Beautiful views of homes I wish I could afford. Nice pleasant hike but there are some tough parts. Parking lot fills up early but spots start to open up around 9 am.

Fun hike, lots of good views of the surrounding neighborhoods and greater area. The parking is limited, but everything is super well maintained and the trail is well marked. I will say it was harder than I expected. A lot of significant inclines and declines. But a fun hike for sure.

Nice place to check out if you are in the area. Great to see a working studio tucked in the middle of a fully developed residential area. Friendly staff, interesting architecture/studio, if you time it right you can see them pouring into the castings, etc, which I did not see. You can also purchase from the huge selection displayed through the compound. Free parking, no pressure to buy anything.

Otherworldly place where you can take in the scenery and learn about art. This is a very unique place unlike any place you've ever been. It is hot and that adds to the ambience, bring some appropriate clothing. One of the more fascinating parts about our vacation, definitely a place to remember. Worth the drive. Not too far though.

Very cool studio to enjoy the outdoors and artwork. I've always wanted one of their patina wind chimes and picked one up today. Highly recommend visiting if you want a unique souvenir.

It's a cool experience if you're passing through the area. Spent maybe 25 minutes roaming around. It's quite small. The architecture was very intriguing. There are some good photo op areas. If you person appreciate either art or architecture, I'd give it a go!

Nice outdoor art gallery where they create wind chimes on site. They have some spectacular pieces, and all are for sale.

This was such an interesting place to visit. I enjoyed scoping out the architecture, and I adored the sound of the bells. I was so fortunate to see bell's being poured the day I visited. It was fascinating to watch. Molten metal was poured into the molds...so exciting. It was a grand adventure.

The signage is there, but not obvious. But once you walk down the entrance path, there is a beautiful showroom for their handcrafted bells & tiles. A little further on you can watch them pour liquid brass or aluminum into earthen molds. Small cafe on site. On certain days the offer hands on workshops. (Sadly my tile making workshop was canceled.) Plenty of parking though very little shade. The history of the place is interesting, and you have to admire those who carry on the legacy is fairly rustic facilities.

Amazing curated collection of Fiesta Bowl and college football history. It's so much more than just football, but the connection to the state of Arizona and our communities. Best of all, admission is free!

I had an absolute blast coming to this great little museum. Brought back a lot of great memories as I went to boise state during the time we beat University of Oklahoma with the statue of liberty play with Jared Zabranski at quarterback. I remember it well because I actually bet against us. Lol. This whole area of town was great, if you're around definitely so in and check it out!

There is some limited street parking in front, or you can park in either the Waterfront Parking Garage nearby or the South Bridge garage- all have accessible spots and a paved sidewalk that takes you to the museum. What's nice is this museum is free, and you get to learn about football and also the start of the Fiesta Bowl- great for those who are fans of football and sports. As you walk in, to your left, there's a huge glass shelf of football helmets and to your right- there's more floor-level glass displays of trophies, etc and to the far right- a ticket booth. As you walk into the next room, they have some mannequin football players right at the end. Around, there are some recessed sections with information on the Fiesta Bowl- quite a bit to read and they had some bits of pieces of knick knacks to look at. You can also exit to the back patio too which has a plaque on their founders. It took about 30-45 minutes to slowly walk through and read through most of the signs. Pretty clean, well-maintained small museum for the football lovers.

A very charming free museum which explains the history of the Fiesta Bowl very well! Want to see trophies? This place has them. Want to see your favorite D1 college teams relationship with the Fiesta Bowl? Come here. Whether your interested in the Fiesta Bowl, or want to be in an air conditioned room, this museum is for you!

A small, but well designed museum near Scottsdale Fashion Mall that features all the memorabilia of the Fiesta Bowl from time past to the present. Lots of history plus info about recent events presented by the Fiesta Bowl. Colorful displays of pictures and replicas of players, uniform jerseys, and trophies from the various NCAA teams that have played in the Fiesta Bowl. Very interesting facts also such as why the Fiesta Bowl volunteers wear yellow jackets. You'll have to visit to find out and enjoy all the cool items on display! Finally, there's a huge full-wall mural in the museum that's wonderfully colorful and very action packed, totally reflective of the Fiesta Bowl. Definitely go check out this small but jampacked museum in the heart of Scottsdale. Admission is free!

A small museum but packed with cool treasures and history of Fiesta Bowl. Parking garage near museum with 3hr free parking and mall is close if you want to walk from here.

Just a fun little trip down NCAA football memory lane. Has a lot in there for such a small place.

I've been visiting here for years (on tour & events). This event was learning about bats. Everyone here is very friendly & knowledgeable about the wildlife. I highly recommend this rehab facility for learning about native animals.

We visited on a field trip and everyone had a great time. The guide was very knowledgeable and encouraged the kids to participate. There were fox, bears,wolf's, cougars, and other smaller animals. I would recommend water, sunblock, and closed toe shoes.

This tour would be well worth the money, even if the money was not going to such a good cause. Tour guides were knowledgeable, entertaining and provided fascinating information about the local wildlife that were in the refuge. It's appropriate for children and adults and I would highly recommend it.

My husband and I went to the bat netting last night and it was a fantastic experience! What a treasure we have in this community. All the staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The speaker from Department of Fish and Wildlife was entertaining as well knowledgeable. We cannot thank you enough for a wonderful evening. We will definitely be back.

This was the best experience I've had in a long time. I took my 3 year old and he had an absolute blast. It's so refreshing to see animals look happy and loved like these ones are. The tour was 2 hours and so informative! Very engaging! We donated to the javelinas and Will definitely donate again!! Thank you southwest wildlife for giving these precious babies a chance at living!

This place was AMAZING!!! Went with my best friend and her family and we all had so much fun! All animals came out and it's a great and close up experience, 10/10 would go again on my next visit

We had a really great experience. We brought our two young children, and had a wonderful time seeing the different animals and learning their stories. I’ve never been so close to those animals before in my life! It was a very meaningful and educational experience.

Nice blend between high end store and your everyday regular brands. Lucid store is nice addition as well. Food court is average with ample seating capacity.

Scottsdale Fashion Square is more than just a mall, It is a full luxury experience located at the heart of Scottsdale. There are iconic boutiques like Gucci and Louis Vuitton. At every corner, it feels elegant and luxurious with its exclusive stores. Furthermore, it is the perfect spot whether you are shopping or having a day off. The food court is accessible to everyone and it is very cozy. Weekends can get very busy but even with the crowds this mall still remains as scottsdale's most sophisticated place to shop and enjoy!

Very nice big Mall with many designers boutiques and a movie theater. New stores are about to open. Trolley outside the Mall can give you a ride around the city. Great location in old Town Scottsdale.

Beautiful High end mall. One day I’ll know I made it when I can afford some of the crazy priced items here ha ha. I’m just not one who would ever spend thousands on a purse and such, but to each their own. Crazy seeing a Tesla spot inside. They also offer your basics like Bath and Body Works, Vans, Dillards and more here. If anything you’ll definitely get your exercise while walking this three story location.

A very nice shopping mall. The decor was pleasing to look at while walking around. The flow worked well, food court on bottom level and all shops above. The signage helped to find our way around as first time visitors.

We always love going to walk around this mall. We always stop and grab ourselves some lunch in the food court. Lots of great walking and exercise while doing some shopping.

Absolutely amazing and well-kept area. The parking garage is always 100% clean. Very easy to follow when walking in. Everything is so clean. Everyone is so kind and helpful whenever you need it. Stores are constantly open and never failing to show the best of their best. I would recommend this to anyone whether you have shopping spree money or not. It's just an amazing place to walk around. It's beautiful open and there's so much to do

👍 Great selection of vendors! 👍 Great location. 👎It's grown so much and gotten so busy they could use even more space. Maybe the City of Scottsdale will make this happen in the future.

So Happy to be back at Old Town Farmers Market! The Market Reopened ‼️OPEN EVERY SATURDAYS:‼️ Oct 4st - April 25th: 8am-1pm Looking for something fun to do on Saturday’s Outdoors ? In heart of Old Town Scottsdale has it all: ✅ Farm-Fresh Produce picked at peak ripeness ✅ Locally-Sourced Meats, Eggs & Dairy from trusted farmers ✅ Artisan Baked Goods & Preserves made with love ✅ Organic & Sustainable Options for a healthier you ✅ Support Small Farms & Local Economy 🥦Fresh produce 🥐 Breakfast 🍕Lunch ❤️‍🩹Immune support Keto✔️ GMO Free✔️ Dairy Free ✔️ Sugar Free ✔️ Gluten Free ✔️ Antibiotic Free ✔️ But definitely not taste Free! You’ll love it all! 🐶Pet Friendly 🎸Live Music 🗓️Saturday’s ⏰8am-1pm Free Entrance and Free Samples, no need for membership. You can find wide variety of organic and pesticide-free produce, seasonal specialties such as cider and apples, natural pork, beef from the hunters, fish from fisherman, free-range eggs, crops from Arizona growers. You’ll also find cheese, freshly baked artisan breads, jams, tamales-the breakfast burrito is to die for) and so much more. Have you tried the Yallatizer yogurt?! OMG what a nice treat. Check out the new vendor BITTERSWEET Fresh Strawberries dipped in melted chocolate let's not wait for Valentine's Day. Gluten Free product available as *GF Maryland Crab Cakes ( see Captain Jo) Make a perfect dinner for two they are generous in size, ask about BOOM BOOM sauce! Skip the grocery store and taste the difference at your local Farmers Market! Bring your friends and loved ones, come hungry. Accept: EBT/SNAP/WIC and AZFMNP Vouchers. Cash • Visa • MasterCard • American Express • Discover

I love a market and was happy to see that there was a farmers market in Old Town Scottsdale on the weekend. We took a walk there which in itself was lovely as it’s in a neighbourhood with lots of little shops. There was plenty to buy there and the food smelled amazing. If I lived here I would be there every weekend.

There's a good amount of actual produce to buy. It's nice quality but I can't say that everything is a better deal than the grocer but a very nice variety. Lots of food vendors, some share samples. I like that there's not a lot of advertisers or people selling new doors and windows. There's a little music off to the side. Parking can be a challenge but try the nearby garage. It's the tourist season so you need to have patience.

Awesome market! It goes thru JUNE, 7-10am Then opens again, with longer hours, October thu May.

We had a few hours on a Saturday and this was a fun place to explore. The surrounding shops and restaurants are good and the market is well stocked. The north side has the produce, dried fruit, nuts, etc. And the other areas have a great selection of businesses featuring local honey growers, sweets, lemonade, baklava, cinnamon rolls, pies, chicken skewers, steak sandwiches, pizza, breakfast burritos, and other tasties. It's not cheap but it's a fun browsing activity.

This farmers market is the biggest! Opens at 8am on Saturdays, goes till 1 pm. It's total fun to cruise the many aisles with pop-up tents providing shade most everywhere. Products for sale were massive produce, fruits, breads, exotic things, cosmetics, new age things, doggie things, tons of food to eat and much more. The produce looked A#1, finest, fresh from field and garden. The artisan breads were tantalizing and long lines formed around the most popular stands. The vendors were sweet and have lots of samples. Bring tons of fives, since that seems to be a good entry point in purchasing stuff. Dog friendly and quite entertaining with all those perfectly groomed and socialized pups on their best behavior.

I have been to several music events at this venue. The sound is outstanding! The venue has an intimate seating arrangement, allowing for excellent viewing from any seat. My one complaint is that the seating chart needs to identify a wall that blocks the outside seats, and you can not exit into the aisle. You must walk back across all the seats into the interior aisle to exit.

Located in a nice section of Old Town Scottsdale... plenty of nearby restaurants and lounges...ample free parking.... comfortable seating... friendly and helpful staff! Great show and terrific ticket price

We had a wonderful time. The sound system could use a bit of work but the show was amazing.

I saw the Fabulous Commadore's at this venue. Beautiful, small and just perfect! About 300 seats, every seat has a great view. Easy parking, restaurants nearby and wine served. I will continue to see performers here!

This post is way over due, but here it is. I attended the Randy Travis Tribute. I use a wheelchair part time and bought a regular seat. At the time of my purchase I was not using my chair. The week of the show I had a flare up but I was not about to miss seeing one of my favorite artists. So, I showed up early and spoke with staff. The show was sold out. However, they were so sweet and accommodating. Someone from staff sat me and took my chair to a safe spot. I was even given a cell number if I needed my chair at any point during the show. I was so impressed with the kindness and assistance I received. I will definitely come back for future events here. The staff is amazing and the facility is very nice. Thank you to everyone, including all of the patrons who assisted me to my seat. You were all angels.

A wonderful place to hang out and enjoy various performances.

Beautiful venue, acoustics are fantastic. Seats were quite comfy and you don’t feel like you are smooshed to the people next to you. Do be thoughtful of the fact that there are a number of stairs involved if you are sitting close to the stage. I would also add that if you want to park in the closest ramp, you will want to arrive at least an hour before the show starts to ensure a spot.

A very neat old town feel & cool shops + a very great classic cars restoration shop I use Acclaim auto there !!

First time. Very walkable old town. Lots to see. Window shopping and art galleries

Best event over been to in a long time.. Thank you organizers!!

Loved the art, atmosphere and friendly people! Meeting the artists was the best part!

About 40 different galleries available. Lots of different paintings, not boring to explore.

It's an experience of its own is the only way I can explain it. Absolutely wonderful.

This is a great way to see lot of great art in downtown Scottsdale!

Beautiful shopping center where you can find so many cool western things. I love the clothing stores, many funky clothes can be found here. Also there are lots of art galleries here. Wear comfortable shoes as you will have to walk quite a bit. Do not forget the hat. Beautiful flowers as well.

Quite busy make reservations, but the best food in town other than the Biltmore area. Lots of things to do there and see and the shopping is excellent.

Great except for lack of areas to park!

Good selection of shops. Great place to find jewelery

Love it, plenty of great shops and restaurants

Great place to go watch people having a good time.

I've got mixed feelings about this place. Some areas are quite scenic, in a quaint way. If you park on 2nd St (or was it Ave) at the Parking Corral and you walk around, you feel as if you are walking through a historical cowboy town for part of that street. It's nice to see some of the old museums and shops that are set up with an "old-fashioned" feel. However, in other areas, you see shop after shop after shop and you just wonder to yourself how do those small businesses manager to survive with so much competition around. It's just too overcrowded, and in the afternoons you can expect a bit of foot traffic. Expect more during the winter and early spring which is "snow bird season". At night, that's when it gets super packed especially on a Friday or Saturday. Everyone is out to eat and party. Parking will be hard to find and lots of people will be milling about- not my scene. :)

Super nice surprise finding this in Scottsdale AZ. To top it off, IT'S FREE. Looking at those beautiful cars that made raceing history from different years and drivers. Not a very big museum, but when you look, that it's all from the one team. That is impressive in so many ways.

An absolute gem for motorsport enthusiasts! The Penske Racing Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and achievements of one of the most successful teams in racing. Even better – admission is completely free, which makes this a must-visit for anyone interested in cars, racing, or engineering excellence. The museum features a stunning collection of race cars, trophies, and memorabilia from decades of competition, including highlights from IndyCar, NASCAR, and more. Each exhibit is thoughtfully displayed, and you can really feel the legacy and passion behind Team Penske. The space itself is clean, modern, and easy to explore. Whether you’re a lifelong racing fan or just curious, this museum offers something for everyone. Don’t miss the gift shop and the beautiful views from the upstairs gallery! Highly recommended – a hidden treasure in Scottsdale!

This place is AWESOME (and free)! I’ve wanted to go here so bad and I finally got the chance. There’s plenty of: - History - Legacy - Cool cars And last but not least, COOL CARS. My favorite was 1973 Donohue’s Porsche, I wish its engine was displayed tho. Still, amazing location, there’s plenty of dealerships that you can take a look around and the Ferrari dealer right beside it lets you go there and check some really interesting Spyders. There was a random Ferrari Dino and 512 Dino that were looking pristine.

Really neat thing to unexpectedly find outside of the Motorsports hubs of Charlotte and Indianapolis. Quick 10-15 minutes inside the ground floor will show you the cars, with a cafe and trophies upstairs. Afterwards, browse the adjacent dealerships for cars you can only dream of driving.

Neat museum of racecars sandwiched between high end car dealerships. It's free admission also and when you're done you can wander around the lot looking at Ferraris, Bentleys, and Lamborghinis. Pretty awesome.

Great for that car guy! Very nice, nice cafe upstairs. The best is FREE ADMISSION! CAFE VERY INEXPENSIVE!!

As a nascar fan came across this museum by accident. Glad we did. Not very big but great history for what it has.

Nice historical place where the first building built with red bricks in Arizona. Nice historical experience

This museum is closed in the summer and has limited hours in May and September. Closed June, July, August. May and Sept hours are Wed-Sat 10am-2pm, Sun noon-4pm.

My husband, son and I visited this museum and we were amazed at the amount of history it provided. We were glad we stopped in. The docents, Barry and Betty, were so welcoming and informative. Great little gem of a museum!

The Scottsdale Historical Museum is a small, but packed history of the founding family of Scottsdale. Admission is FREE! There is a ramp for those who need assistance and cannot use the stairs to enter. Volunteers available to answer questions and point you in the direction to start.

Small but FREE museum with some interesting local history displayed. Right in the heart of the Civic Center Development. Worth a quick stop.

Interesting and informative and free! The staff members were very very nice and helpful. I would recommend it if you're walking round in old Town scottsdale, there was some really cool before and after pics of scottsdale as well as the city's origin story. I had a fun visit ! The building used to be a schoolhouse and then it was a library!

I grew up in Scottsdale so when I was a kid, this building was a library. Scottsdale has done a nice job of turning it into a museum. It doesn't take to long to go through it and well worth the time to see the history of the area.

Scottsdale Waterfront is a great mixed-use area featuring a combination of upscale and casual shopping, and a choice of dining experiences. Free underground public parking with ample parking space added an extra convenience for us. We had dinner on the patio of Olive & Ivy and took a stroll down the Arizona Canal Trail.

Such an interesting spot to wander in Scottsdale, and there always seems to be a fun event that's being hosted on site. We went out to see the Canal Convergence light & sound art exhibits when they were set up along the Scottsdale Waterfront, and it was amazing.

Came for the italian festival and had a great time. Easy walking and great areas to check out. Definitely recommend.

Not so much a waterfront, but a canal maybe? Cool area with lots of shopping and places to eat. Attended Festa Italiano, nice event.

We walked around the waterfront during the Canal Convergence light festival. It was interactive and very interesting. We had such a good time looking at all the lights and playing around with the installations. You can grab libations and walk around, drinks in hand. There are lots of shops, restaurants, bars, etc, in the surrounding area, so there is plenty else to do and see as one walks around. Currently, there are places like Olive & Ivy, Urban Outfitters, Culinary Dropout, Primp and Blow, and others surrounding this waterfront area in the heart of downtown Scottsdale. There are other events along the waterfront other than the light show, and many are free to the public. This is a charming area for a breezy afternoon of shopping and lunch or a cool evening out for dinner and drinks. Parking can get a bit congested on the street, but there is plenty of parking in the Fashion Square garage. There is also a valet at Fashion Square. During events and on weekends, I highly recommend using the parking garage. The area has more people during the winter months as this is the tourist season in Arizona. There are also winter residents known locally as "snowbirds" that come down from Northern states and Canada for the winter months, and this creates additional traffic. Just something to keep in mind for planning purposes.

Beautiful spot to walk and shop and enjoy the atmosphere. Canal Convergence in November, Scottsdazzle in December are both lit up and magical for the holidays. The art markets are fun. Even just riding an electric scooter along the canals is a relaxing time.

Feels a lot like a Southern California shopping center. Very gorgeous architecture and colour scheme. The river has a splendid view that feels similar to the San Antonio river walk. Only compliant is it's way too hot in summer. 110° 😩

Such a fun place to visit! Perfect if you like rodeos. They have costumes and a bull riding place where you can pose for pics. The owner was super nice and helpful too! It’s free (donations appreciated) so it’s a great place to stop in and explore!

Interesting history and memorabilia on rodeos. Dave was very friendly and knowledgeable. Lots of saddles, belt buckles etc. Don’t forget to take a picture on El Diablo! Donations help keep the place going and help the youth foundation + rodeos.

The owners were super friendly and nice. They made their small museum a wonderful place to visit! If you’re in the area it’s definitely worth popping in for a couple minutes!

This place is a gem! Tucked away in Old Town Scottsdale and open on Saturday’s the museum has a lot of unique history on The Parada Del Sol parade.

Such a fun museum! The staff are so kind and knowledgeable. Definitely worth a trip to see them.

Very nice place. The owners were very friendly. I got to take a picture on the bull.

Incredible people with fun stories and super fun rodeo artifacts! Take a picture riding the bull!

Beautiful Set up and completely free! One of the best places to see all the local Flora. If you are in the Pheonix area and are looking for some prestine Saguaro Cacti, than this is a perfect stop!

If you are looking for a free afternoon. These gardens are a nice escape from busy streets and shopping malls. Part of a much larger complex that includes jogging paths, baseball diamonds, and a dog park.

Small park to hang around and see plants. It was such smaller than what I thought, right next to a dog park. The entrance is through the park, it has no entrance on it's own. Google sent is to a non-existent entrance and we had to drive all the way around.

A very neat place to stop in a walk around! There’s a large dog park, two restroom locations, soccer fields, and decent parking. They have so many plants, trees, bushes, and cacti. Many of them are labeled with little signs giving the name. There’s multiple locations with a map to share where you are. The Mesquite Bosque was very calm and tranquil. I really liked that. The Water Harvest Basin was super cool and visually appealing.

Beautiful park! Very relaxing. I stopped by here while waiting for my flight out of Phoenix. Saw many birds and a few rabbits. ❤️

A beautiful place to have randomly pulled over and checked out. Educational, calming, lovely.

I highly recommend Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden. To elaborate, this destination offers informative insight pertaining to beautiful plants, a harmonious trail walk, alongside beautiful nature for contemplation, enhancing quality of life.

They have nine different attractions. If you buy each ticket individually, it will get expensive. It is best to purchase multiple attractions at once. You can also purchase an annual pass for the OdySea Aquarium, which will pay for itself after a couple of visits. Plenty of photo opportunities throughout the boardwalk. There are a few food options to choose from as well.

Really cool place to visit the Odysea Aquarium and Butterfly experience were very cool especially the Aquarium lots of cool shops great place to take kids and grandkids, as well as adults too.

We absolutely love Foam Frenzy at AZ Boardwalk! 🌊🫧 It’s so much fun for the kids (and honestly the adults too!) tons of bubbles, music, and nonstop laughter. The whole atmosphere at AZ Boardwalk makes it even better with great food spots and other activities nearby. A perfect place for family fun and summer memories. We can’t wait to come back!

There’s a lot of different attractions here for all age groups. We mostly come here for the aquarium since we as seasonal pass holders. My kids love going there. But the dinosaur and butterfly attractions are also super fun and kid friendly. You can easily spend a few hours here.

We had a fantastic day doing the American Diabetes walk here. It was so beautifully designed. They have something for everyone. Food, activities, and a wonderful area in the middle of is circular design that was great to hang out and see the large dinosaurs on display, drink our coffees and take photos on the multiple displays

We visited the Butterfly Wonderland. It is one of my wife's favorite places to visit. The 3-D movie about the monarch annual migration is amazing as you are in the midst of them. They receive 1500 cocoons per week from all over the world. It can get busy as it is a destination for school groups, too

We love to come on Saturday here specially during summer holidays for kids attending the event here such good place to visit

This was such a beautiful hike, it is pretty difficult but so worth it. You hike most of your elevation in the beginning and so perfect. It’s super busy on the weekends, I recommend early in the morning on a weekday.

It was one of the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. Even though I’m an athlete, it was very difficult probably because I went at 12pm midday in the month of May. It was difficult but the view at the summit was worth it. Parking was free and access was also free. Stay safe, follow safety rules and stay hydrated.

The hike was hard but rewarding!! Anyone can do it if you put your mind to it! I did it 15 weeks pregnant and made it to the top and down! Take a water bottle back pack !!! Hydration and multiple stops helps make it bearable. Took us about 3 hours up and down

A hard hike. If you don't usually exercise, I recommend training before going. But it's nice; the trail is well marked, and handrails are installed in difficult areas to prevent falls.

Very crowded on the weekends with limited parking. I would go early, like 5am early! 😌Beautiful scenery. Bring your hiking boots, hiking gloves and plenty of water!! No dogs allowed and nice clean restrooms.

Was in PHX for a conference and could see this place from my hotel room. So got up a 4:30 am and took a scheduled Uber (15-20 minute ride from the Sheraton/downtown) to hike during sunrise. - I hike a lot, but this is pretty rugged. Took me an hour to get to the top at a moderate pace. - about halfway up, there are several spots that require all four limbs. A non-technical climb of sorts. No climbing gear needed though. It’s doable but you’ve got to be adventurous. - I took the Cholla trail, which I understand to be the easier of the two trails (but not “easy”) - look for blue hash marks mark the trail all the way up — especially around the climbing parts - coming down is slow too. Plan for time. Less physical effort but got to be careful about foot placement. Some rocks are slippery. I suggest keeping three points of contact at all time. - a dozen or so people on the trail too when I went; so very public; everyone was friendly and polite. - I was worried about sticking my hand in a rock and getting a snake bite, but it’s so highly used, I’d bet they stay away. Wasn’t an issue. - it was cool and windy mid-May. Maybe 60 degrees; but the day before a colleague of mine did it at the same time of day and it was hot. So plan for both. Best to have a sweatshirt in a back pack. - bring ample water; I drank 60 ounces of fluid on this trek; bananas are a good idea too. My colleague said someone put a box of them out for hikers when she went; none when I was there. - the moon was out too on my hike (see photo) Gorgeous. I’m so glad I didn’t this. Great way to start the day — before sitting in a conference room all day!

⸻ Take a Hike – Do It Right! This is your go-to startup hike when you land in Phoenix. Start at the Echo Canyon Trailhead, where parking is free. Be prepared for a very steep climb to the summit of Camelback Mountain. From the summit, descend via the Cholla Trail on the opposite side of the mountain. The total hike is approximately 3 miles, but keep in mind: once you finish the trail, you’ll need to walk back to your car along McDonald Drive, adding another 2 miles, for a total of about 5 miles.

My sister/best friend of 34 years set out on the journey today. It was definitely majestic even with all the chatter that was going. Word to the wise if you go for meditation be sure to find a spot away from folks. That was definitely the only downfall of the day.

This park is definitely always wonderful in nature and peace! It’s an easier park to travel through since your agility level may be beginner yet it’s fun and always memorable. It’s a clean park and a safe one as well. The sunset is my favorite, definitely have been here for 15+ times, and recommend this place to lots of people!

This was much needed stop and reflect location. Being out with nature when it was not too hot or cold. Such beautiful views and area. I loved that there were bikers and walkers on the same trails.

Super chill with easy trails to walk around and get some nice desert views right next to the city. The Hole in the rock is a fun quick 2 min climb and perfect to catch a sunset or some photos. Stop by if you’re in Phoenix.

This is a beautiful, picturesque park with a lot of different amenities! The walking trails on the mountain are easy to do and breathtaking, but even the more common features are in excellent shape! We have utilized the archery range many times, and it’s a neat addition to the area. You won’t be disappointed if you visit!

This was magical, coming from Florida. Did a few of the small loop trails and climb to hole in the rock. First time coming out west can only imagine what larger parks would feel like.

Great place to hike! Huge variety of easy to moderate to difficult trails with some paved parts and ramadas and other more steep, mountainous parts. The rock formations are especially cool with lots of fun holes which can be entered and decent shade. It gives scenic views of the desert and cacti and on one of the trails was a pull-up bar and trail heads not only with trail markers but with interesting images and walking stick tricks on them. The desert wild-life including birds and snakes are also visible and existent.

Kierland Commons is one of my favorite spots to stroll, shop, and grab a bite. The open-air layout makes it feel more like a charming promenade than a typical shopping center, and the mix of stores, from national brands to upscale boutiques, offers something for everyone. There’s a great selection of restaurants too, perfect for everything from casual brunch to date night. Parking’s usually easy, and the whole area has a relaxed, upscale vibe that makes you want to linger. Whether you're window shopping, meeting friends, or just soaking up the Scottsdale sunshine, Kierland Commons delivers a polished experience without feeling too formal.

Lovely chilled out place, definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. The cool water vapour spray as you walk the sidewalk is a nice touch.

Kierland Commons is a beautiful outdoor shopping destination with a charming, tree-lined street and a great mix of stores, from boutiques to well-known brands. The atmosphere is always inviting, and they often host fun events like the Art & Wine Festival, which makes visiting even more special. Whether you’re shopping, dining, or just enjoying a stroll, it’s the perfect place to spend the day!

I recently visited Kierland Commons with my grandma she took me on a shopping spree And I was blown away by the variety and quality of stores. There were so many options, and each store was so well-curated and upscale. It made for a fantastic shopping experience, and I can't wait to go back!

Beautiful outdoor shopping center with a great selection of restaurants like North, Tommy Bahamma and Zinc Bistro. The only Crate and Barrel in Phoenix is here along with Sur La Table and a new Rivian showroom. Even on hot days the shade trees and misters make it pleasant. My only ding is that parking can be challenging depending on when you come.

Very fun and lively outdoor mall. Lots of niche shops and great walkways. When you pull in it seems like parking is tough but there is ample space on the edge lots. We went to visit a couple of stores but ended up walking into more and even stayed for lunch at Postinos. Great atmosphere throughout it all.

Beautiful area and nice restaurant. Went to Tommy Bahamas for dinner. Our appetizers and dinner showed up before the drinks! Not sure what was up with the bar. Our server was sweet and brought a desert for our anniversary and the drink fiasco.

It’s a shopping complex that offers everything from restaurants and shopping arcades to kids’ play and entertainment areas. It is well designed and a pleasant place to sit and relax. You’re sure to be captivated by the tranquility of the place once you visit.

Nice place to walk around in the evening, everything is lit up and they even have glow in the dark corn hole. Lots of shops and eateries.

Nice outdoor Plaza with variety of shopping, dining, hangouts, snd entertainment outlets. The place is so appealing to stroll by.

Love,love,love this mall! Great places to eat! Great stores to shop in! I go during the day, most people are not there, k8ds are in school, so its not crazy, and I have a great shopping experience.

Great shaded areas. Nice picnic area to enjoy the splash pad and the outdoors.

Great shopping options, cool areas to sit, and water fun for the kids.

Nice mall and lots of stores to shop. The parking lot is big, which is a good thing. We went to TJ Maxx and found some good deals but alot of items are pricey.

I enjoyed a walk through Chaparral Park this morning. There weren’t too many people out when I first started, but people started coming halfway through. The walk is nice and clean and there were ducks around the pond areas. It is adjacent to a fairly busy road, but it didn’t disturb the walk too much.

5 star attraction in Scottsdale. Such an oasis in the city with fun for everyone. The little ones have the playground. The dogs have two facilities to choose from - active dog park or passive dog park. And the rest of us have a mixed shady path to walk / run, picnic, play baseball or soccer or basketball or even fish in the relaxing pond. Need I say more ......

Lovely park with a paved walking path around a pond, a dog park, a playground, fishing, and bathrooms. There are lots of species of birds that visit this park to include cormorants, blue heron, killdeer, and even a bald eagle stalking ducklings. There are lots of tables and benches for seating or picnics and trees for shade. There are also a few large fields for sports or training.

I counted 7 pieces of Calisthenics equipment around the loop of the lake. It’s pretty unique to have this equipment in a public Scottsdale park, views, and wildlife at the lake add so much too. Great place to chill or exercise!

Came here for the trail around the lake. It’s about a mile around the lake and 1.5 if you go around the fields. Roomy path to walk/run and people were courteous with their space and letting you know if they were passing. Came around 8am. Nice breeze and plenty of people fishing. Great little spot to hang out or get a good work out in.

This park is enchanting. The lake is beautiful in the middle is an island filled with ducks, the kids can fish off the bank. Additionally the park has a basketball court, and a giant children’s playground. Plenty of seating and BBQ pits. A really family fun time.

This place isn’t just a park, it’s like someone took the concept of “public space” and went full bodybuilder with it. It’s huge, loaded with trails, fields, courts, and random areas where you could probably start a flash mob or a medieval joust and no one would bat an eye. Perfect for biking, running, walking, or just letting your kids burn through their sugar rush while you “supervise” from a shady bench. I barely made it through a fraction of it before realizing I’d need a snack stash and possibly a search party to explore the rest. There’s enough space here to accidentally wander into a new zip code. Definitely going back, but next time I’m bringing a cooler, and maybe a GPS tracker so I don’t end up in another city.

Parking can be tight at times but with the heat on the rise, we're finding ourselves alone atop the summit on weekday sunset nights. Be in shape, bring plenty of water, and take your time on your descent.

Very fun and challenging hike. Incredible views at the top. The trail is steep and rocky in parts, so be ready for a good workout, but it’s worth the effort. Go early if you can—it gets hot and busy later in the day. Make sure to bring plenty of water since there’s little shade along the way. Great hike if you’re looking for something active in Scottsdale.

It’s free. It’s beautiful. It’s super exercise. And you can hike as much or as little as you want. Go early - sunrise or late - just before sunset. The trail is open from sunrise to sunset. You won’t get on after sunset. And they’ll probably chase you off if you’re up there in elevation. It’s a double black diamond trail from trailhead to Summit. But if you only do the first 5 mile posts, it’s moderate. If you do just the first couple three to get a view it’s easy.

I attempted to hike Camelback Mountain in July, starting before sunrise. Unfortunately, the heat quickly overwhelmed me, and I was unable to complete the hike. I made it past the challenging "staircase" section with its steep incline. There are designated rest spots along the trail, which I utilized. The trail wasn't overly crowded during my early morning start. Overall: Camelback Mountain is a challenging hike, especially in the summer heat. I recommend starting very early in the morning and bringing plenty of water.

Beautiful hiking trail, quite strenuous, in the middle of the city. Worth recommending for 1-3 hour hikes.

Absolutely amazing hike. Possibly the coolest one I’ve ever been on, and I hike a lot. Imagine having the view of the world from above in a plane but being able to enjoy it for as long as you’d like. It is very challenging to make it to the top but totally worth it. We chatted with a friendly park ranger after the hike and he told us that a big part of their job is convicting people NOT to do this hike if they give off any sign of unpreparedness or inability to do it. Know your limitations and trust your instincts. Have plenty of water. It gets HOT and there is no shade. There is great signage sharing about the importance of not overdoing it.

Amazing hike! It’s super fun and the view is spectacular. We saw people of all ages doing the hike , though before the top it’s a bit tricky. Very fun hike 🏜️

Nov'24: a bit crowded the last weekend, but still great. Drone show at 8p was nice to see and of course the traditional fire shows on the water. Nov'23: love this year's interactive dice and jellyfish tank ...wow! Nov '22 10 year anniversary wasn't as good as prior years but gave 5 stars because if you never experienced this, it is a must-do attraction in downtown Scottsdale. Love coming here every year, such a great time to be outside and enjoy the art.

2023 was a pretty solid year. We attended on a Monday night, so the crowds were chill. We had Tapas Papa Frita afterward on the patio with live music. Great date night. It's free, interactive, artistically playful, and festive. Looking forward to next year!

I went when they had the light shows! Very fun and family friendly 😃.

Very good (and free) Christmas lights display in old Town Scottsdale.

Largest crowd we have ever seen for Convergence. Superb

I loved the displays, the innovation, the scavenger hunt and the amazing fire 🔥 light show

Pretty uneventful. There was a fire show but it’s only once an hour we were told and only lasted a couple mins. Nothing else to do but walk down a side walk cross a bridge and walk down the other side and cross another bridge. Thousands of people wanting todo stuff with nothing to do. Seems like a waste of opportunity. Ideas- get some DJs, bring in more food trucks, how about some artists selling stuff? The only thing to buy was light up balloons for 15$ from people who don’t speak English. There was a roped off area where maybe you could get drinks, but no music and no one in there. Just empty tables. Needs a totally new group of people to organize next year.

Southern part of Ethiopia in south omo zone

Love it

Beautiful

Beautiful today.

This place is fantastic. The preserve staff is so helpful and knowledgeable about the trails. This mountain preserve provides so many beautiful trails for all skill levels. Multiple trails with varying elevation gain and distances. It’s a magical place. It is fairly busy but never too busy to where I don’t enjoy it.

Love doing the Gateway Loop Trail every year. I went early because of the heat. Helpful person at trailhead that recommended to not hike past 10am, plus sign. Nice bathrooms and trail well maintained.

Very nice trailhead, hadn't hike out of this one in a while. Good shade, water, and restrooms. Parking lot has plenty of spaces .

Did 3.6 mile Gateway loop. 78 and sunny. Took me 2 hours. Went clockwise. Bathrooms at trailhead. Very rocky (it’s Arizona!) but well maintained trails, beautiful views. The official grade of moderate/hard is definitely not true. This is an easy loop with a few small sections that qualify as moderate. I’m 70.

Great views! Well marked trails and lots of options for hiking distances and starting points.

Arrived after 5 am or so and there were about 50 cars doing the same. I had an interesting rock I was observing and what u know a Oljie with ski poles had to give me the 411 on the rules of the park! He said “you know you can’t take the rocks out of here.” I mean im 41 y o. For him being like a czarinas I def pocketed, and probably won’t be back. So I probably wouldn’t touch any of the magnificent shrubbery or else ski pole security will be coming for you

Easy to get to and plenty of parking. A variety of trails and a nice trailhead facility. Volunteers working there were really friendly and helpful. Large quail family was running around.

This is a lovely area with lots of things to do. There is a small playground for kids, and chairs and tables are available. It's a great place to spend some hours outdoors. The place is very clean and well-maintained.

So many things to do and see around here. Its also fun for walks, picnics and photoshoots. The library and Old town scottsdale (tourist trap) are all in walking distance and all parking is free. You can certainly spend the whole day here

Like other reviews state, it’s basically become a place solely for Homeless. Bathrooms are full of graffiti, blood, and drug paraphernalia. Homeless take up all the seating with their bikes, luggage, and shopping carts. I feel bad for the mothers and children that used to primarily use it. Always homeless people fighting and smoking when I walk up there

I've always loved walking here since Scottsdale built this area. The grass is always green, the fountains are usually working and the flowers are fun to look at. There is something always going on and it's a quick walk to get to Old Town Scottsdale.

We were there for the Scottsdale Culinary Festival and the flow was really nice. This location is pretty spacious and great for events like this for its openess and staggered flow. Parking was fairly easy and it's in the heart of old town Scottsdale so you can always leave and barhop or go to other restaurants.

I absolutely love coming here to relax or take a walk around. There are shops and restaurants near by, the fountains are beautiful, and there are cool sculptures and art to check out.

Beautiful must-see! Sprawling park, restaurants, bars stores, sculptures, water fountains, library, etc., good walking.

Brown's Mountain Trail is so cool! You can climb to the tippy top! The trail is flat and rolling at first, then there is a steady incline. There are some switchbacks and then an area that is pretty steep right before the scenic overloook. From there, you can go up a narrow, rocky path to the tippy top...it is worth the extra effort! Highly recommend! If you don't want to do the elevation, there are several other flat trails to hike. The staff there are very helpful, and the restrooms are wonderfully clean and accommodating! Free parking, too!

After shopping, dining, and poolside lounging in the resort district of Scottsdale, my wife and I decided to venture 25 minutes north for a hike on a beautiful December Arizona morning. Brown's Ranch trailhead has hikes in the scenic Sonoran Desert ranging from very easy to extremely difficult and everything in between. At the trailhead visitor's center, we were met by helpful volunteer stewards who familiarized us with the network of trails. There are nice restrooms and a water bottle fill station for people, as well as a water bowl fill station for dogs. The hikes we took were splendid, with stately saguaro cacti and funky rock formations everywhere we looked. Songbirds were in abundance. There is no entrance fee, but a donation box is on site, and donations are appreciated.

Wow. Wow. Wow. What a fantastic resource for the Scottsdale, Arizona, and tourist community. The Brown's Ranch Trail is a fantastic network of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. It's well maintained, conveniently situated, and very easy to access. I've ridden these trails many times, and I will keep coming back for more. Unlike other trails, I've never seen a single piece of garbage. Not one. The people are friendly, even if the plants and wildlife are not. Remember, everything hurts in the desert. Bring water and sunscreen! Enjoy, and be careful!

Great hike, a few people on the trails. Trails are pretty easy, with a few difficult parts. Most of the time, there is an easy trail around the difficult parts. Winter and early spring are my favorite times to hike here. Remember to bring water and please clean up after yourself and your pet if you bring one. If you listen to music when you hike, remember no one else wants to hear it.

Nicely marked trail system with plenty of options for distance. Just far enough out of the city to get some peace and quiet, but you still see neighborhoods in the vistas and there are massive power lines running through the south end of the park. A fair amount of airplane traffic creates some noise. With a few exceptions the hiking is mostly easy and flat with some small rolling hills. It is very much a shared trail - predominantly mountain bikers, with hikers and some horseback riders. Not as busy as I expected though, for a cool, sunny January Sunday late afternoon.

My second time for this easy trail. Started at 7;45am and at this time of the year, we felt we had the trail all for ourselves. It's a relaxing and fun little trail with a couple of friends, desert scenery was awesome. The last quarter of a mile could be steep and rocky but it is doable and once you get to the Brown's Summit, the 360degree panorama is worth it.

Very easy to walk and beautiful to enjoy. Dog friendly 🐶 We started our walk around the main trail following first upper trail and then turned towards browns mountain summit. Our hike to summit was a little over 2 miles. The only scramble you may have is closer to the top, otherwise the trail is pretty flat (with graduate ups and downs). Our 3 dogs were easily able to make it to the top. I believe this month closing time of the trail is 5:50 pm (we went for a sunset) but the gate is automatic on the way out so you won’t get stuck. Please leave no trace ❤️

Cute little park ..cons are no swings, no splash pad, and from the sand to the playground it’s a huge steep ramp to get up..both my 1.5 year old and 3.5 year old tripped a few times. But they lived the tiny hiking trail with cute benches for them to rest and I got some cute photos. And it’s just beautiful at this park and there’s a large turf area for the kids to run and have a picnic

An ideal place to visit on hot summer days with sunroof-covered areas. Perfect for kids under 10. Enjoy mountain views and short (bike) hikes nearby.

This is my favorite park with my kids! It's beautiful, quiet, shaded, and surrounded by nature. Good place for kids, dogs, hiking, and basketball. My kids love riding their Scooters and bikes on the big basketball court area. The bathrooms are my favorite... made from nature. We've had each of our kids' birthdays here for the last 4 years, and everyone agrees that it's worth the drive! It's even more magical at sunset! Great spot for a photography session at Golden Hour.

update 11/16/17: Beware of rattlesnakes spotted in the area! This is a great park! It has a very well shaded playground. A large artificial grass area for picnics or water play, as it has self operating sprinklers.There are two well kept basketball courts. There is plenty of shaded area, lots of seating and picnic tables. The bathrooms are clean. There is an easy hiking trail that starts at the park, it has awesome views. There is a large real grass area. There is plenty of parking. There are drinking fountains for dogs as well.

Really awesome park for all ages. This park has very nice trails for families. You can get some really good photos of the dessert on the small hike. My kids loved the playground and large artificial grass area that includes water sprinklers to cool off in the summer. One of the most unique parks in Scottsdale. Definitely a place to visit if you are new to Scottsdale. And if you get into the hiking spirit while you are here there's Pinnacle peak and Tom's thumb trail 5 minutes away.

Neat little park in Scottsdale. Really enjoyed the views and some of the architectural elements that were brought into play. Had a very refreshing feel to the location. We happened to be there on what was otherwise a quiet day, but it's clear that there are birthday parties in the pavilion as well as basketball games (see photos). All in all, I'd recommend going and I look forward to going back.

This is a great park tucked away in the desert near Troon. Very clean, great bathrooms, and lots of shade. There’s a large grass area as well for the kids to run around on and plenty of parking. The kids play apparatus has everything from slides, climbing walls, monkey bar type structures, pole to slide down and a climbing structure. There’s something for every kids play style.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Beautiful Trail with Great Wildlife and Volunteers The Lost Dog Wash Trail is a fantastic hike with stunning desert scenery, diverse cacti, and plenty of wildlife. The volunteers are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the area, making the experience even better. The trail is well-marked, but be sure to wear good hiking shoes – the dirt on the rocks can get slippery. Also, bring at least a gallon of water, as it gets hot quickly. Highly recommend for nature lovers!

Best location to hike from in Scottsdale. Usually not too busy compared to other spots. Lots of hiking options. In and out, loops and long connections deeper into the McDowell mountains. Easy and moderate options at a variety of lengths.

A great easy/moderate hike. The dogs loved it. We did a loop starting on lost dog, going up ringtail, and then back down lost dog. Got some great advice from the volunteers at the trailhead about going up ringtail instead of down due to the loose rock. Make sure to stop and turn around for the views!

Super rocky for the vast majority, proper footwear required. Came across a couple of cyclists on the narrow parts of the trail. Nice views throughout.

Great parking lots with plenty of parking, and another trailhead/parking lot as well. Google shows the trailhead as not by the restrooms area, which was confusing when trying to figure out where to start. The trail junctions have great signs, as long as you know where you want to go and there are great online maps available. There are lots of trails that branch off from the area. The rocks are plentiful, so I would only walk/hike here if you are okay with walking on loose rocks. There's a nicely groomed short dirt trail that meanders near the restrooms/parking lot with signs describing the area that some would definitely enjoy.

Great trail, very easy and gradual gradient. Pretty walk! We did Taliesman Trail Lookout (LD7) which is 4 miles in and out. Large parking lot and bathroom facilities with running water.

My family decided to do the moderate trail that takes you to Lost Dog Wash Overlook. It is 2.3 miles in total to do the loop. We started a little late, so the heat was getting to be a little much. Would highly recommend this trail for people that are able to maneuver easily through rocks and can handle the loose terrain. Take at least a couple bottles of water per person and a snack if needed. It was great that we only passed a couple people on the trail. This allowed us to enjoy the scenario and take it all in. Memories were made by all.

This is the largest and best dog park in Scottsdale with sections for Active and Passive dogs, restooms. and free parking. It is located adjacent to the ball park and a 2-mile trail around the lake. The dog park and entire park grounds are well-managed, and the bathrooms are clean! I go here every day with my dog, and he loves it!

This park is huge and very active. Dogs are separated not by size but activeness. There is a passive and active dog side .The owners are courteous and cleanup after their pups to help keep the park clean. Maintenance is impeccable ,keeping poo bags stocked and the grass well maintained. Plenty of parking

Chaparral Dog Park is a standout place to let your dog run, play, and socialize in a safe, well-maintained environment. The grassy, fenced areas are generous and split into sections for active and passive play, which helps dogs of different energy levels feel comfortable. Shade, water stations, benches, and agility features make it easy for both dogs and humans to enjoy time there. The ambiance is casual, friendly, and welcoming, one of the best local dog parks for weekend outings or evening visits. Maintenance closures on Tuesdays and Fridays help keep the space fresh and healthy for use.

The city of Scottsdale has this wonderful and sizeable dog park. This park has 3 areas of which 2 are used at a time. Small and big dogs. My wife and I take our small dog almost everyday. Dog owners for the most part are friendly and educated on the rules. Unfortunately there will be people with large pets bringing their dog to the small section. I understand when they have older dogs but not when they have a very active large dog trampling on the smaller ones. Some people also don't pick up after their dog. The parking space is large enough but it can get busy when there is softball games. No only the dog will exercise but oneself as well. During the winter, grass is kept dormant, but is brought back in the summer.

Of all the dog parks in the area, this one seems to be the cleanest/best maintained, and frequented by people who have invested at least some basic training time with their dogs. We’re typically here once or twice a week, and I can’t think of a time we’ve had to deal with aggressive dogs or questionable owners. If you have a very young, small, passive or timid dog, this would be a great place to begin socializing as they have an area specifically for those purposes - and the active dog areas are large enough so that your pup can get some space if need be. We also like the fact that this place is so well-lit at night, so that our dog can still safely enjoy off-leash time in the summer when the sun goes down; there are also water fountains in and outside the park areas to keep things cool, which as you know is key for any active dog in AZ.

Wonderful dog park that is close to our house! Water for dogs during the summer - a bunch of shaded areas and obstacles for dogs to explore. MASSIVE areas to run. During the summer lots of people right around when the sunsets! Always a lot of dogs at this park so my pups love it! The people are usually pretty great too :) everyone being very friendly!

This is my favorite dog park in town! They have 3 big off leash area and they are separated into active and passive rather than size which is great! So much space for the dogs to run and play! They have maintenance there to take care of it 3 times a week so it’s always up kept. My corgi Bruce LOVES going here and has made so many cute puppy friends that we see regularly.

Great hike! Moderate difficulty with excellent views. Spur of the moment hike and it was perfect. Nice shade along the way. Wear good shoes as there are a few spot to mildly climb some rocks. On to the next! Happy hiking!

Fun trail that's easy to follow. Good balance of distance and elevation gain. I consider it moderate, but ranked it hard because I'm not sure what fitness level you may be at with regard to distance and elevation hikes. The view makes the effort worth it. I would definitely do this hike again.

Rocky and a bit challenging, but we'll worth the effort for the views.

beautiful hope from sunrise peak trailhead off via linda. a bit over 4 miles. took us roughly 2.5 hours with our dog on leash. wide enough trail to bring our dog and not too steep for her either. definitely a moderate to hard level of difficulty

Nice and challenging hike. Not ideal for a beginner. But if you are comfortable with Pinnacle Peak or Pestana peak this was a good combo of height and length. About 4 miles to the top and back. Water is at the base, no restrooms. Some extra parking about 100 yards down the hill.

The trail from Lost Dog Trail to Sunrise Peak is a definite challenge. Lots of lose rocks, along the trail. Make sure that you wear a great pair of shoes. Preferably hiking shoes. Be prepared. Take water, snacks. Make sure your phone is fully charged. First aid kit should be also packed along with your other equipment you take. If you go at night to see the city lights. Make absolute sure that you have a strong headlamp. Take your time while hiking. Be cautious of the lose rocks and when you're climbing around on the rocks.

Stunning hike. Trailhead has restrooms. Around 4.3 miles roundtrip. About 1100ft elevation gain. It is a steep hike so come prepared accordingly. I recommend bringing more water than you think you'll need + starting early to beat the sun.

We were staying next door at the Great Wolf Lodge and had to come check it out. We were curious what all the lights were at night. Such a neat place, and my kids were very intrigued, reading all the information they had displayed. Very nice memorial.

Early Sunday morning coming down as I left the lodge and followed a hummingbird who brought me to this place. I stood in line for over 3 hours to visit Pearl Harbor on Pearl Harbor Day several years ago. This memorial brings an integral element of history to millions. The birds know a good feeling place as they serenade me to the building. Elvis is appropriately honored. My great uncle was a Pearl Harbor survivor so family connection for me. Be sure to take your kids before a game or lodge experience to feel this sacred space.

Very nice memorial. A lot of information about pearl harbor. My son was very fascinated with the whole place. The lighting at night makes it look very nice. Nice place to take a stroll, and and learn about the past. It being next to The Great Wolf Lodge, made it easily accessible.

Beautiful and touching, serene memorial hidden away a bit from the public. That keeps it quiet, and ultimately a better experience. We went on a beautiful Saturday and walked around the memorial during the day. The flags are at half mast, which we assumed is all the time since they were not at half mast anywhere else that day. There is an enclosed space where a portion of the original ship is, but it was closed. The south side of the memorial has water and the north side has a peaceful garden with plants native to Arizona. The whole tribute is very moving.

Beautiful memorial for Pearl Harbor. Lots of good information to read and look at. Love how the memorial with lights are in the shape of the ship. Will have to go back at night to see it lit up. Definitely recommend visiting. It's free and very nice to visit.

You can never be too thankful to and for those who came before us. I have been to the memorial in Hawaii years ago, walked the building, touched the wall, and looked over the ship in her final resting place. This is also a beautiful memorial and was well worth the visit. I would strongly suggest it to anyone.

Walking up to this historical place is a very humbling experience. It was quite among other things. There's a short video inside the memorial. It tells you about the process of bringing this relic to this space. Now since we went through during the day. My suggestion is going at night to really take in the lights and ambience of this special location. A huge thank you to all those people who served and are still serving in our military. No matter what position or rank.

I'm not sure of the history of this park or anything. I just know it was easy to find on the phone, and chill to use as we ate our lunch, and walked around in. Relatively clean, lots of parking available. A good break from the everyday.

Super nice, clean, quiet park 💚 love the playground. Lots of shaded areas and benches too

We come here often to walk our three dogs. In the evenings it’s usually much more crowded than the early mornings. I’ve seen a ton of wildlife when I walk in the mornings. I like how there are trails that can go on for miles but they also loop back around if you don’t want to walk as far. Watch out for when it rains because it does flood pretty easily. Otherwise it’s a beautiful park and very well maintained.

My girl Amy (my dog) loves this park. She has a squirrel friend who taunts her daily.

Great park even comes with a bait car R.V. and open and clean bathrooms with no bums or used needles

Always busy not really a relaxing place but I always enjoy the wildlife .

Our favorite place to hang out! From skateboarding to biking, water features to play in and an overpass to sing under, El Dorado Park has something for everyone and offers a number of photo shoot options from the lake and nature or the more industrial, man made backdrops of the art/sculptures or skate park. Everywhere you turn is another memory waiting for you and your loved ones (even he 4 legged furry kind) to make. Beautiful setting with playgrounds, baseball fields, community pool, a boys and girls club, Frisbee golf course, skateboard park, bike/skate paths, easy and plentiful parking, all located in the heart of the city! One of our all time favorite places to be!

Very flat, accessible trail. Beautiful view of mountains.

Beautiful trail.