5 Amazing Things To See Do In Scottsdale Arizona

Scottsdale keeps the spirit of the Old West alive, with dude ranches and Western-themed museums, but there are a few attractions that you’ll be surprised to find in Scottsdale. For instance, the largest butterfly conservatory in America is in this Arizona, as well as Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home. Read ahead for five great things to do while visiting Scottsdale.

A Creative Commons Image: Black Swallowtail and Monarch

Butterfly Wonderland

Butterfly Wonderland is America’s largest butterfly conservatory! Step out of the desert and into the rainforest as you explore the conservatory. There is a large 3D movie theater playing films explaining the life cycle of butterflies, so that when you enter the conservatory itself you know what’s going on! Butterfly Wonderland also features special exhibits including a Honey Bee Extravaganza, where you can watch the bees make their own honey.

Butterfly Wonderland, 9500 East Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256 (480) 800-3000

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is a hiking area with almost 150 miles of trail, so don’t expect to cover the whole park in one day. Regardless of which trail you choose, you’ll find beautiful desert flowers and perhaps stumble upon some of the many animals and insects that populate Arizona’s deserts.

McDowell Sonoran Preserve, 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 (480) 312-7013

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West

Western Spirit isn’t necessarily a museum dedicated to cowboys and their wild stories, but is rather, a history of the old and the new west. Exhibits feature the journey of Lewis and Clark, collections of classic western objects like spurs and badges, as well as exhibits that meditate on the history of white settlers’ interactions with Native Americans.

Western Spirit, 3830 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 686-9539

Taliesin West

Architecture and Art buffs will be thrilled to walk through Frank Lloyd Wright’s beautiful winter home. Taliesin is home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s School of Architecture, but it is also open for tours and visits. Take the Insights tour, where you will be led into Wright’s private quarters and the expertly designed gardens.

Taliesin West, 12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 (480) 627-5340

MacDonald’s Ranch

For those of you who do want to feel like a cowboy, head on down to MacDonald’s Ranch. You can take a ride on an old style horse-drawn coach, or join a group and ride a horse of your own. After the ride, the guides will setup a down-home cowboy cookout. The barbecued food will be the perfect end to a day in the life as a cowboy. Consider taking a moonlight ride with that special someone — nothing is more romantic than looking up at the clear desert sky while riding a horse with the one you love.

MacDonald’s Ranch, 26540 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 (480) 585-0239

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.