Are you looking for the best things to do during your summer vacation in bustling and vibrant Scottsdale, Arizona? Well, we have the best options for you, your friends, your kids, and your family! No matter who you come to Scottsdale with, we guarantee that you will have tons of things to enjoy during your stay here. Your kids will never be bored, and you will never run out of activities to participate in with your loved ones!
Let’s check out the top things to do during your stay in Scottsdale during the blistering heat of the summertime. Plus, with I Love Scottsdale, you can come back after a long day outside in the hot sunshine and high temperatures to an air-conditioned, modern, and spacious accommodation that is suitable for you and your guests. We make sure that your comfort and happiness is our #1 priority!
Browse Our Full Selection Vacation Home Rentals in Scottsdale AZ Below
Hop in the Water and Go Swimming
One of the main reasons why you will enjoy coming to Scottdale during the heat of mid-summer is because of the swimming opportunities! Scottsdale has no shortage of waterways, lakes, ponds, and pools that are perfect for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, boating, and other watersports for you and your family to enjoy.
We recommend heading to one of the numerous waterparks to cool off, teach your kids how to freestyle, and lounge by the pool while reading a book. What could be more relaxing? Plus, there are tons of rivers and lakes you can use for kayaking and other water sports to explore nature, get in some exercise, and teach your kids about how to do a new sport! We recommend going to the Salt River or the Verde River on a kayak or canoe with your kids, teaching your children how to use the paddle and soaking in the lush green pastures and thick, dense forests. Of course, many of our summer rentals in Scottsdale feature their own private pool!
Cool Off with Some Refreshing Drinks!
Scottsdale is no stranger to ice-cold drinks, strong glasses of red wine, cooling glasses of white wine, and refreshing IPAs that are perfect to sip on during a hot summer day. There are dozens of cool drinks at cocktail bars, ice-cold beers at dive bars, and chilled white wine at one of the many wineries in the surrounding countryside.
We recommend going to DJs of Scottsdale Bar and Grill if you want to enjoy drink specials, get some cheap beers, and watch a game on one of the many TVs. If you would rather have nostalgia about times past, head to The Beverly on Main to sip on perfect pints of draft beer and share some modern American plates with your guests. Or head to Rusty Spur Saloon to feel the Old Western vibe and try one of the many craft beers and drink specials every day of the week.
If you would rather go to one of the numerous wineries, we personally love the Merkin Vineyards in Old Town Scottsdale, producing local wine and seasonal snacks. You can also check out LDV Winery, a downtown wintery that is literally right across the street from Merkin, making a wine tour easy AND fun during the hot summer months!
Grab a Bite to Eat at One of the Many Restaurants & Cafes
Along with cooling off with some ice-cold drinks, we also love grabbing a bite to eat of seasonal and local fare that is representative of Scottsdale as a whole.
Head to Grassroots Kitchen and Tap in Scottsdale to get some farm-to-table foods in The Village at Hayden. We recommend getting the common ground Burrata with dressed arugula, spicy tomatoes, and sea salt with grilled focaccia to split with the table. Then, for the entree, try the blackened Redfish with spiced rub, dirty orzo, and nola remoulade! If you are more of a meat eater, you can’t go wrong with the Carolina Baby Back ribs with thin barbecue sauce and tangy coleslaw.
Another popular favorite is FnB Restaurant on 5th Avenue, featuring healthy and organic food that doesn’t come at a high price. We recommend splitting the delicata squash, turkey meatballs, and cilantro with the table. For a main dish, you can’t go wrong with the badger flame beet falafel and special sauce!
We also love Cafe Monarch for a fine dining experience during your summer getaway. We recommend splitting the caviar with the table, featuring chives, hard boiled eggs, shallot, creme fraiche, and lemon. You can also choose between vegetarian and vegan food for a main dish, such as the vegan tasting course menu. This expansive three-course menu features smoked beetroot “lox” with pickled onion and panna cotta, pomme and leek Vichyssoise with confit potato, and wild rice donabe with wild mushrooms and kimchi.
Go Hiking for the Day
Scottsdale is home to numerous hiking trails, biking paths, and outdoor areas that are great for full-day trips. We love going hiking in the summer around Scottsdale, even though it is hot — and we mean HOT! Despite the heat and the blasting sun, summertime features long days and blue skies that are perfect for an early hiking.
We recommend heading out early in the morning, before sunrise, to get to the trailhead as soon as the sun rises above the skyline. This way it is cooler, and less crowded, than if you go later in the day. Head to the Kartchner Caverns with your kids, go to McDowell Sonoran Preserve to hike at the Gateway Trailhead with your friends, or reach the top of Tom’s Thumb as a solo trip.
Time to Hit the Town!
Last but not least, Scottsdale is a fun and vibrant town for going out in the summer! Since people flock here from all over the country, and all over the world, the summer nightlife in Scottsdale is hard to beat. We recommend heading to one of the numerous dive bars in Old Town Scottsdale to take part in the beer specials, half-price cocktails, and dancing that goes on all night long.
One of our favorite spots to go to on a night out is Dakota, an eclectic and fun music bar featuring laid-back American dishes and cocktails in low lighting. You can also head to Rockbar Inc. for live music, loud tunes, good vibes, and pool games that are great for casual nights out and long evenings filled with intense dancing and singing along with your friends!
Accommodation in Scottsdale, AZ
Not sure where to stay during your upcoming trip to the vibrant and exciting town of Scottsdale? Well, look no further. I Love Scottsdale features dozens of accommodation options that are perfect for large groups, small groups, and everything in between. It doesn’t matter if you want a cool condo on the edge of the mountains or you would rather have a large mansion for all of your friends – we have whatever you need!
Browse our website today and choose the perfect house for your summer full of adventures. Our #1 goal is to make our guests happy – that is why our Scottsdale property management team offers consistent and clear customer communication so that you are always in the loop. We do our best to make sure you have the best vacation possible and you keep coming back year after year.