Plan a summer trip to Phoenix & Scottsdale. Explore neighborhoods, restaurants, places to stay and practical local advice from AVARA's full editorial guid…
Phoenix & Scottsdale — TL;DR
Phoenix and Scottsdale offer wonderful restaurants, bars, coffee shops, art galleries and shops across 299 sunny days a year with mild winters, anchored by Old Town Scottsdale's canal-side dining and downtown Phoenix's historic Heritage Square.
Phoenix & Scottsdale at a glance
What are the best things to do in Phoenix & Scottsdale? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Phoenix & Scottsdale trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Phoenix & Scottsdale? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Phoenix & Scottsdale — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for…
When is the best time to visit Phoenix & Scottsdale? November to April offers mild, sunny desert weather, avoiding the intense summer heat.
Where should I stay in Phoenix & Scottsdale for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Phoenix & Scottsdale? Old Town Scottsdale and downtown Phoenix\
Phoenix & Scottsdale overview
November to April offers mild, sunny desert weather, avoiding the intense summer heat.
Old Town Scottsdale and downtown Phoenix's Heritage Square are each walkable; a car or rideshare connects the two areas, roughly 20 minutes apart.
US Dollar (USD)
English. Spanish is widely spoken.
MST (UTC-7, no daylight saving)
Scottsdale's dining and nightlife scene continues centring on Old Town, with Outrider Rooftop and AZ88, the best martini bar in Old Town, reflecting the area's growing reputation for craft cocktails and canal-side dining at spots like Olive and Ivy.
Where to eat, drink & do in Phoenix & Scottsdale
Phoenix & Scottsdale neighborhoods
Old Town Scottsdale Home to Citizen Public House, AZ88, and canal-side dining at Olive and Ivy.
Heritage Square, downtown Phoenix A historic downtown Phoenix district home to Latha Restaurant and Bar and the Soko marketplace.
North Scottsdale Home to Hotel Valley Ho, the restored mid-century modern icon.
Practical info for Phoenix & Scottsdale
Getting around in Phoenix & Scottsdale? Old Town Scottsdale and downtown Phoenix's Heritage Square are each walkable; a car or rideshare connects the two areas, roughly 20 minutes apart.
When to go in Phoenix & Scottsdale? November to April offers mild, sunny desert weather, avoiding the intense summer heat.
What's changing now in Phoenix & Scottsdale? Scottsdale's dining and nightlife scene continues centring on Old Town, with Outrider Rooftop and AZ88, the best martini bar in Old Town, reflecting the area's growing reputation for craft cocktails and canal-side dining at spots like Olive
Seek out Soko marketplace in Phoenix & Scottsdale? An adjacent marketplace to Latha Restaurant selling handmade goods from African artisans, a lesser-known cultural stop.
Base yourself in Old Town Scottsdale in Phoenix & Scottsdale? Home to Citizen Public House, AZ88, and canal-side dining at Olive and Ivy. Known for upscale dining, canal views.
Frequently asked questions about Phoenix & Scottsdale
What are the best things to do in Phoenix & Scottsdale? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Phoenix & Scottsdale trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Phoenix & Scottsdale tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Phoenix & Scottsdale? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Phoenix & Scottsdale — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Phoenix & Scottsdale? November to April offers mild, sunny desert weather, avoiding the intense summer heat.
Where should I stay in Phoenix & Scottsdale for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Phoenix & Scottsdale? Old Town Scottsdale and downtown Phoenix\