Golf
TPC Scottsdale — Stadium Course
Home of the WM Phoenix Open and the famous par-3 16th stadium hole.
17020 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Local move: Book 60+ days out for winter mornings; twilight rates are the value play.
Scottsdale, sorted
Explore Scottsdale from The Sunkiss
140 hand-checked places — 34 golf picks alone — each with an official booking link and door-to-door directions from the house.
Showing 140 of 140
Golf
TPC Scottsdale — Champions Course
The friendlier sibling: same conditioning, wider corridors, far kinder scores.
17020 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Local move: Great first round of a trip when half the group hasn’t swung in months.
Golf
Grayhawk Golf Club — Raptor
Tour-quality desert parkland course that hosts the NCAA Championships.
8620 E Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Local move: Quill Creek Café afterward — the patio is part of the round.
Golf
Grayhawk Golf Club — Talon
Dramatic desert target golf with boulder outcrops and the “Three Sisters” stretch.
8620 E Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Local move: Play it from one tee up — the forced carries add up fast.
Golf
Troon North — Monument
Boulder-strewn Pinnacle Peak desert golf, routinely ranked Arizona’s best public round.
10320 E Dynamite Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Local move: First tee times get the calm air and the best light for photos.
Golf
Troon North — Pinnacle
A touch tighter and more elevation-driven than Monument, with huge desert views.
10320 E Dynamite Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Local move: Ask about the replay rate if the group wants 36 in a day.
Golf
We-Ko-Pa — Saguaro
Coore & Crenshaw walkable desert course with zero homes in sight.
18200 E Toh Vee Cir, Fort McDowell, AZ 85264
Local move: Walk it — the routing was designed for it and caddies are available.
Golf
We-Ko-Pa — Cholla
Big, bold desert golf on tribal land with Four Peaks framing nearly every shot.
18200 E Toh Vee Cir, Fort McDowell, AZ 85264
Local move: Pair with lunch at the clubhouse before heading back down the 87.
Golf
Talking Stick — O’odham
Coore & Crenshaw links-style flatland with firm turf and clever angles.
9998 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Local move: One of the best walking rounds in the Valley and usually great value.
Golf
Talking Stick — Piipaash
Tree-lined, water-guarded and more forgiving off the tee than its sibling.
9998 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Local move: Great late-afternoon nine if you only have half a day.
Golf
Camelback Golf Club — Ambiente
Modern desert-links design with wide fairways and mountain backdrops.
7847 N Mockingbird Ln, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Local move: The most beginner-friendly “nice” course close to the house.
Golf
Camelback Golf Club — Padre
Classic tree-lined resort layout, shorter and very playable for mixed groups.
7847 N Mockingbird Ln, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Local move: Perfect arrival-day round — you can be back at the pool by mid-afternoon.
Golf
McCormick Ranch — Palm Course
Lakes, palms and old-school Scottsdale resort golf minutes from the house.
7505 E McCormick Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Local move: Closest full-length course to The Sunkiss.
Golf
McCormick Ranch — Pine Course
Longer, water-heavy companion course with Camelback Mountain views.
7505 E McCormick Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Local move: Twilight rounds here are the cheapest good golf nearby.
Golf
The Phoenician Golf Club
Reimagined 18 tucked into the base of Camelback Mountain.
6000 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Non-guests can play — book early and stay for a drink at the clubhouse.
Golf
Boulders Resort Golf — North
Jay Morrish desert golf weaving through 12-million-year-old granite boulders.
34631 N Tom Darlington Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85266
Local move: Cooler up in Carefree — a good pick when the Valley is baking.
Golf
Boulders Resort Golf — South
The more rolling of the two Boulders courses, with knockout closing holes.
34631 N Tom Darlington Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85266
Local move: Combine with lunch in Carefree’s town center.
Golf
SunRidge Canyon Golf Club
Canyon golf in Fountain Hills famous for its brutal, brilliant closing six.
13100 N SunRidge Dr, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Local move: Bring extra balls for “The Wicked Six.”
Golf
Eagle Mountain Golf Club
Elevated tees and huge valley views on a compact, fun Fountain Hills layout.
14915 E Eagle Mountain Pkwy, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Local move: The 18th green is one of the best photo finishes around.
Golf
Legend Trail Golf Club
Rees Jones desert course in north Scottsdale, quieter and very fairly priced.
9462 E Legendary Ln, Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Local move: Good choice if the group wants a real desert course without resort pricing.
Golf
Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club
Walkable par-70 in south Scottsdale — easy pace, easy price.
7605 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Local move: Best beginner round in town; nine holes fits an afternoon.
Golf
Starfire Golf Club
Three nines by Arnold Palmer right in central Scottsdale.
11500 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Local move: Mix-and-match nines make it easy to squeeze in a quick round.
Golf
Continental Golf Course
Short, flat executive 18 — perfect for kids, beginners and quick evenings.
7920 E Osborn Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Cheap, fast and a great way to test the group before a big course.
Golf
Orange Tree Golf Resort
Classic 1950s parkland layout, one of the closest courses to the house.
10601 N 56th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Local move: Easy walk-on tee times in the afternoon.
Golf
Papago Golf Club
Restored municipal gem beneath the red buttes of Papago Park.
5595 E Moreland St, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Local move: Arizona State’s home course — great conditions for a public rate.
Golf
ASU Karsten Golf Course
Pete Dye links-style course near Tempe with mounding, pot bunkers and fast greens.
1125 E Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ 85281
Local move: Pairs well with a Tempe dinner on Mill Avenue.
Golf
Wildfire Golf Club at Desert Ridge
Two courses — Faldo and Palmer — spread across wide north Phoenix desert.
5350 E Marriott Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85054
Local move: The Faldo course has more than 100 bunkers; take the extra sand wedge.
Golf
Longbow Golf Club
Mesa favorite with immaculate turf, generous fairways and great value.
5601 E Longbow Pkwy, Mesa, AZ 85215
Local move: Often the best conditioning-per-dollar round in the East Valley.
Golf
Whirlwind Golf Club
Two Gary Panks courses on Gila River land, wide open and wind-swept.
5692 W North Loop Rd, Chandler, AZ 85226
Local move: Worth the drive for a big group — tee sheets are rarely crowded.
Golf
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes
Big, bunkered, tour-tested layout south of the Valley for a serious golf day.
48456 W Highway 238, Maricopa, AZ 85139
Local move: Make it the group’s one road-trip round and book a shuttle.
Golf
Verrado Golf Club
Victory and Founders courses climbing the White Tank Mountains.
4242 N Golf Dr, Buckeye, AZ 85396
Local move: Cooler mornings and huge elevation change; go early.
Golf
Quintero Golf Club
Remote, mountainous and consistently ranked among Arizona’s top public courses.
16752 W State Route 74, Peoria, AZ 85383
Local move: A bucket-list round — allow a full day and pack food for the drive.
Golf
Aguila Golf Course
Under-the-radar Gary Panks municipal in south Phoenix with a fun executive nine.
8440 S 35th Ave, Laveen, AZ 85339
Local move: Cheapest legit 18 in the metro — bring the beginners.
Golf
Top Golf Scottsdale
Climate-controlled bays, targets and food — golf for people who don’t golf.
9500 E Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Local move: Reserve a bay for evenings; walk-ins wait an hour or more on weekends.
Outdoors
McDowell Sonoran Preserve
More than 200 miles of free desert trail across Scottsdale’s protected foothills.
18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Local move: Start early, double your water and skip dog walks above 90°F.
Outdoors
Pinnacle Peak Park
A 3.5-mile out-and-back with the best sunset light in north Scottsdale.
26802 N 102nd Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Local move: Small lot — arrive before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Outdoors
Camelback Mountain — Echo Canyon
The Valley’s signature summit hike: steep, scrambly and worth every step.
4925 E McDonald Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Local move: Not a casual walk — 1,200 feet of climbing with handrail sections.
Outdoors
Papago Park + Hole-in-the-Rock
Easy red-rock trails and a 10-minute climb to a natural window over Phoenix.
625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Local move: Best sunset payoff for the least effort in the whole Valley.
Outdoors
Desert Botanical Garden
Five desert trails, rotating art installations and after-dark experiences.
1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Local move: Reserve online; summer hours shift around the heat.
Outdoors
Tom’s Thumb Trailhead
Granite-studded climb to a landmark boulder with 360-degree views.
23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Local move: Shade is nonexistent — this is a cool-season or dawn hike.
Outdoors
Gateway Loop Trail
A 4.5-mile loop that’s the perfect “real hike” without the summit suffering.
18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Local move: The trailhead has restrooms, water and easy parking.
Outdoors
Scottsdale Greenbelt Bike Path
Eleven flat, shaded miles of paved path linking parks, lakes and golf.
Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Rent cruisers in Old Town and ride north with the breeze.
Outdoors
Saguaro Lake
Boat rentals, a paddle-wheel cruise and swim coves in the Tonto National Forest.
Saguaro Lake Marina, Mesa, AZ 85215
Local move: Buy the Tonto Pass online before you leave the house.
Outdoors
Salt River Tubing
Float the Lower Salt past wild horses — a Phoenix summer ritual.
9200 N Bush Hwy, Mesa, AZ 85215
Local move: Seasonal (roughly May–September). Cash for shuttle, water shoes required.
Outdoors
Fountain Hills Fountain + Park
One of the world’s tallest fountains, firing on the hour over a lakeside park.
12925 N Saguaro Blvd, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Local move: Shows run 15 minutes on the hour; combine with a Fountain Hills patio lunch.
Outdoors
Butterfly Wonderland
A rainforest atrium full of butterflies plus reptile and insect exhibits.
9500 E Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Local move: A great heat-of-the-day option; pair it with OdySea next door.
Culture
Old Town Scottsdale
Nine walkable districts of galleries, shops and 100+ restaurants.
E Main St & N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Thursday evening ArtWalk (7–9 p.m.) is free and the best intro to town.
Culture
Taliesin West
Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert laboratory and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259
Local move: Timed tours sell out in season — reserve well ahead.
Culture
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
SMoCA’s rotating contemporary exhibitions inside the Civic Center arts campus.
7374 E 2nd St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Small enough for an hour, air-conditioned enough for an afternoon.
Culture
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Concerts, comedy, dance and theater a block off Old Town’s main drag.
7380 E 2nd St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Check the calendar before you finalize dates — it fills fast.
Culture
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
Smithsonian-affiliated western art, history and Native craftsmanship.
3830 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: The best rainy-day (or 110°F) museum in town.
Culture
Heard Museum
World-class American Indian art and history, widely considered Arizona’s finest museum.
2301 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Local move: Allow two hours; the courtyard café is genuinely good.
Culture
Musical Instrument Museum
Instruments and performances from every country on earth, with wireless audio.
4725 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050
Local move: Closest world-class museum to the house — easily a three-hour stop.
Culture
Scottsdale Arts District Galleries
Dozens of galleries spanning western, contemporary and Native work.
Main St Arts District, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Most stay open late on ArtWalk Thursdays.
Culture
Cosanti Originals
Paolo Soleri’s studio compound where bronze windbells are still poured by hand.
6433 E Doubletree Ranch Rd, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Local move: Free to wander; bronze pours usually happen weekday mornings.
Culture
Wonderspaces Arizona
Large-scale immersive art installations you walk into rather than look at.
7014 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Timed entry; teens actually love this one.
Culture
Scottsdale Historic Old Adobe Mission
The 1933 hand-built adobe church at the quiet edge of Old Town.
3817 N Brown Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Free, five minutes, and a nice pause between shops.
Family
OdySea Aquarium
The Southwest’s largest aquarium: sharks, penguins, rays and a rotating theater.
9500 E Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Local move: Combo tickets bundle neighboring Boardwalk attractions.
Family
Arizona Boardwalk
One campus with the aquarium, butterflies, Dolphinaris-era exhibits and mini golf.
9500 E Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Local move: Buy the multi-attraction pass if you have kids under 12.
Family
Phoenix Zoo
Arizona’s largest zoo, with a stingray bay, safari train and splash areas.
455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Local move: Go at opening in warm months — animals nap by 11 a.m.
Family
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Train rides, a carousel, playgrounds and shade — a Scottsdale classic for little kids.
7301 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Local move: Free entry; rides are a few dollars each. Bring cash.
Family
Butterfly Wonderland
Walk through 3,000 free-flying butterflies in a warm rainforest dome.
9500 E Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Local move: Wear bright colors — butterflies land on you.
Family
Odysea Mirror Maze + Pangaea
Mirror maze, laser room and a land-animal walkthrough for a quick indoor win.
9500 E Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Local move: A good 45-minute add-on when the aquarium line is long.
Family
Octane Raceway
Indoor/outdoor electric karting at real speed, plus arcade and food.
9119 E Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Local move: Book race slots ahead on weekends; minimum height applies.
Family
Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
Enormous indoor water park in Scottsdale with day passes for non-guests.
7333 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Local move: Day passes are limited — book online days in advance.
Family
Medieval Times Scottsdale
Jousting, horses and a two-hour dinner show that kids talk about for years.
9051 E Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Local move: Arrive 60 minutes early for the pre-show and better seats.
Family
Sunset Trail Rides at MacDonald’s Ranch
Guided desert horseback rides for all ages, including breakfast and steak rides.
26540 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Local move: Book the sunset ride and eat afterward at the ranch cookout.
Family
Enchanted Island at Encanto Park
A vintage-style amusement park with a 1948 carousel and paddle boats.
1202 W Encanto Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Local move: Cheap, charming and perfect for kids under eight.
Food & Drink
FnB Restaurant
Arizona-focused seasonal cooking and an all-Arizona wine list in Old Town.
7125 E 5th Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Small room — reserve two to three weeks out in season.
Food & Drink
The Mission Old Town
Modern Latin plates, tableside guacamole and a salt-wall dining room.
3815 N Brown Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Sit on the patio across from the adobe mission at sunset.
Food & Drink
Citizen Public House
Gastropub staple famous for its original chopped salad and late kitchen.
7111 E 5th Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Bar seats are first come — a good post-9 p.m. dinner plan.
Food & Drink
Hash Kitchen
Brunch with a build-your-own bloody mary bar and a DJ — made for groups.
8777 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Local move: Put your name in from the car; weekend waits run long.
Food & Drink
Postino Kierland
Bruschetta boards and wine minutes from the house — the easy group dinner.
15147 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Local move: Weekdays before 5 p.m.: board plus a bottle for a bargain.
Food & Drink
Ocean 44
Polished seafood and steak from the Mastro family — the big-night-out pick.
4748 N Goldwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Ask for a booth and order the seafood tower for the table.
Food & Drink
Chula Seafood Uptown
Boat-to-counter fish from the family’s own San Diego boat.
8015 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Local move: Lunch only until it sells out — go before 1 p.m.
Food & Drink
Los Sombreros
Regional Mexican cooking and a deep mezcal list in a converted house.
2534 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Local move: Order the mole — it’s the reason locals keep coming back.
Food & Drink
The Sugar Bowl
Pink-vinyl ice cream parlor open since 1958 — a required family stop.
4005 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Cash-friendly, kid-proof and right in the middle of Old Town shopping.
Food & Drink
Old Town Farmers Market
Saturday-morning market with local produce, tamales, salsas and coffee.
3806 N Brown Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Seasonal (roughly October–May), 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Stock the house here.
Food & Drink
Arizona Wine + Brewery Trail
Tasting rooms, craft breweries and distilleries clustered around Old Town.
Old Town Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Book a guided walking or trolley tour so nobody drives.
Food & Drink
Cartel Coffee Lab
Arizona-roasted coffee and the morning fuel run before a hike or tee time.
7124 E 5th Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Order a bag to brew back at the house.
Nightlife
Old Town Bar District
Rooftops, dance clubs, dive bars and live music inside a few walkable blocks.
E Indian Plaza & N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Rideshare both ways; the whole district is compact enough to walk between stops.
Nightlife
Casa Amigos
Two-level tequila bar and patio that turns into a party after 10 p.m.
7301 E Butherus Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Local move: Reserve a table for groups of eight or more.
Nightlife
Maya Day + Nightclub
Day club pool parties and big-name DJ nights — Scottsdale’s Vegas moment.
7333 E Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Buy tickets or a cabana ahead; door lines are brutal.
Nightlife
The Mint Ultra Lounge
High-energy club nights with bottle service and a large dance floor.
7373 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Doors get strict after midnight — go early or reserve.
Nightlife
Whiskey Row Scottsdale
Dierks Bentley’s country bar with live bands, line dancing and a rooftop.
4245 N Craftsman Ct, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: The most fun option for a mixed group that isn’t a club crowd.
Nightlife
Bottled Blonde
Pizza, beer garden and a late-night crowd in a cavernous indoor-outdoor space.
7340 E Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Dress code enforced after 9 p.m.
Nightlife
Sip Coffee & Beer Garage
Low-key patio, ping-pong and craft beer for a night that stays mellow.
3617 N Goldwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: The best option if half your group wants a quiet table.
Nightlife
Talking Stick Resort Casino
Casino floor, poker room, Degree 270 rooftop lounge and concert venue.
9800 E Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Local move: Rooftop views at sunset are worth the trip even if you don’t gamble.
Nightlife
Rusty Spur Saloon
Tiny, loud, old-west saloon with live country music every afternoon and night.
7245 E Main St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Cash bar, standing room only, and completely worth it.
Nightlife
Comedy at Stand Up Live / Rick Bronson’s
National touring comedians most weekends, with dinner and drink service.
50 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Local move: Two-item minimum; buy seats early for headliner weekends.
Adventure
Hot Air Expeditions
Sunrise balloon flights over the Sonoran Desert with a catered landing.
2243 E Rose Garden Loop, Phoenix, AZ 85024
Local move: Plan 3–4½ hours door to door; closed-toe shoes required.
Adventure
Desert Wolf Tours — Tomcar ATV
Drive your own off-road Tomcar through the Sonoran backcountry.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Local move: They pick up at the house — the easiest big-group adventure to organize.
Adventure
Green Zebra Adventures Jeep Tours
Open-air Jeep runs into the desert with sunset and Apache Trail options.
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Local move: Sunset departures sell out first in cooler months.
Adventure
Stellar Adventures Hummer Tours
Hummer off-roading, night-vision desert runs and target-shooting add-ons.
7345 E Acoma Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Local move: The night tour is genuinely different from every other desert trip.
Adventure
Skydive Arizona
The world’s largest skydiving center, in Eloy, with tandem jumps daily.
4900 N Taylor Rd, Eloy, AZ 85131
Local move: Book a morning slot and make it the whole day’s plan.
Adventure
Arizona Outback Adventures
Guided hiking, biking and kayaking trips built for mixed-ability groups.
16447 N 91st St, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Local move: Their Salt River kayak trip is the best low-effort water day nearby.
Adventure
Ponderosa Stables Desert Rides
Horseback rides through South Mountain Park, including steak cookouts.
10215 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042
Local move: Sunset ride plus dinner is a perfect no-driving evening.
Adventure
Scottsdale Segway + E-Bike Tours
Guided rides through Old Town, the greenbelt and the arts district.
Old Town Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Morning tours dodge the heat and the traffic.
Adventure
Scottsdale Indoor Skydiving (iFLY)
Vertical wind tunnel flights for ages three and up — no airplane required.
9206 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Local move: Great backup plan on a windy or rainy day.
Adventure
Rock climbing at AZ on the Rocks
Big indoor climbing gym with day passes, rentals and intro lessons.
16447 N 91st St, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Local move: Closest rainy-day energy burn for teenagers.
Spa & Wellness
Luna Spa at The Scottsdale Resort
Steam, sauna, cold plunge and hot tub with an amenity day pass.
7700 E McCormick Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Local move: Day pass is 18+; treatments are booked separately.
Spa & Wellness
The Spa at Camelback Inn
A landmark desert spa with pools, treatments and mountain views.
5402 E Lincoln Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Local move: Treatment guests get the pool and fitness campus for the day.
Spa & Wellness
Alvadora Spa at Royal Palms
Mediterranean-inspired treatments in one of the prettiest courtyards in Phoenix.
5200 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Local move: Book back-to-back appointments so the group overlaps in the courtyard.
Spa & Wellness
VH Spa at Hotel Valley Ho
Midcentury-cool spa with an oxygen bar and a rooftop pool scene next door.
6850 E Main St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Pair a massage with lunch at ZuZu downstairs.
Spa & Wellness
Joya Spa at Omni Montelucia
Moroccan-styled spa under Camelback Mountain with a rooftop relaxation deck.
4949 E Lincoln Dr, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Local move: Arrive an hour early to use the hammam and pools.
Spa & Wellness
Aji Spa at Sheraton Grand Wild Horse Pass
Treatments rooted in Pima and Maricopa traditions on tribal land.
5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85226
Local move: The most distinctly Arizona spa experience in the Valley.
Spa & Wellness
Mobile massage at the house
Licensed therapists bring tables to the patio for back-to-back appointments.
6222 E Aster Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Local move: Book two therapists so a group of eight finishes in one afternoon.
Spa & Wellness
Sedona-style yoga + sound baths
Drop-in classes and private sessions across Old Town studios.
Old Town Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Many studios will send an instructor to a rental for a group class.
Spa & Wellness
IV therapy + recovery lounges
Hydration drips, cryotherapy and compression — Scottsdale’s morning-after industry.
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Local move: Most will do in-home visits for bachelor and bachelorette groups.
Spa & Wellness
Sanctuary Spa on Camelback
Asian-inspired treatments and quiet meditation gardens on the mountain’s north slope.
5700 E McDonald Dr, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Local move: Book a Watsu session if you want the signature experience.
Shopping
Kierland Commons
Walkable open-air shops and restaurants — the closest good night out to the house.
15205 N Kierland Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Local move: Park once and walk between Kierland and Quarter.
Shopping
Scottsdale Quarter
Upscale retail, a big cinema and patio dining right across from Kierland.
15059 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Local move: The fountain lawn is a nice pre-dinner spot with kids.
Shopping
Scottsdale Fashion Square
The Southwest’s flagship mall — luxury wing, Apple, and a huge food hall.
7014 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Best air-conditioned afternoon in the middle of a heat wave.
Shopping
Old Town Shops on Fifth Avenue
Independent boutiques, turquoise jewelry and souvenir shops in a walkable strip.
E 5th Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Best place for actual Arizona gifts rather than mall brands.
Shopping
The Shops at Gainey Village
Quiet, upscale plaza with cafés, home shops and a great grocery run.
8877 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Local move: Easy stop on the way back from a north Scottsdale hike.
Shopping
Scottsdale Marketplace + antique malls
Vintage furniture, western decor and turquoise across several big showrooms.
N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Allow an hour — these places are much larger than they look.
Shopping
Sprouts + AJ’s Fine Foods (house stock-up)
The two closest grocery runs for a big-group arrival day.
7141 E Lincoln Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Local move: AJ’s has the better prepared foods; Sprouts is the cheaper bulk run.
Shopping
Total Wine & More Scottsdale
The easiest single stop to stock the bar for the whole stay.
15570 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Local move: Order online for curbside pickup on arrival day.
Shopping
Outlets at Anthem
Open-air outlet shopping north of the Valley for a rainy or cool-day trip.
4250 W Anthem Way, Phoenix, AZ 85086
Local move: Combine with a drive up to Cave Creek for lunch.
Shopping
Cave Creek + Carefree shops
Western storefronts, art galleries and saloons in the desert foothills.
E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Local move: Sunday afternoon here is one of the best low-key group outings.
Sports
Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field
Air-conditioned MLB baseball with a retractable roof and a pool deck.
401 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Local move: Summer games are indoors and cold — bring a layer.
Sports
Phoenix Suns
NBA nights downtown, minutes from Phoenix restaurants and bars.
201 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Local move: Park once downtown and make a full evening of it.
Sports
Arizona Cardinals
NFL Sundays at State Farm Stadium with a roll-in field and full roof.
1 Cardinals Dr, Glendale, AZ 85305
Local move: Traffic is real — leave two hours before kickoff.
Sports
Arizona Coyotes / Mullett Arena events
College hockey, concerts and arena events on the ASU campus in Tempe.
411 S Packard Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281
Local move: Small venue — every seat is genuinely close.
Sports
Cactus League Spring Training
Fifteen MLB teams play across the Valley every February and March.
7408 E Osborn Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Local move: Scottsdale Stadium (Giants) is 12 minutes away and the best atmosphere.
Sports
WM Phoenix Open
February’s “Greatest Show on Grass” — 500,000+ fans at TPC Scottsdale.
17020 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Local move: Book the house a year out for this week; rideshare only.
Sports
Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction
January’s enormous collector-car auction at WestWorld of Scottsdale.
16601 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Local move: Even non-car people enjoy a half-day walk-through.
Sports
Arabian Horse Show at WestWorld
One of the world’s largest Arabian horse shows, every February.
16601 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Local move: Free general admission most days; the shopping row is huge.
Sports
Phoenix Raceway NASCAR weekends
Two big NASCAR weekends a year, including the championship race.
7602 S Avondale Blvd, Avondale, AZ 85323
Local move: Bring ear protection and buy the scanner rental.
Sports
Pickleball + tennis at Bell Road courts
Public courts minutes away when the group wants a morning game.
17015 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Local move: Go before 9 a.m. in summer; courts are first come, first served.
Day Trips
Sedona red rocks
Cathedral Rock, Oak Creek and a whole day of red-rock scenery.
Sedona, AZ 86336
Local move: Leave by 7 a.m. — parking at trailheads fills before 9.
Day Trips
Grand Canyon South Rim
Doable as a very long day; better as an overnight with a Sedona stop.
Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023
Local move: If you go and back in a day, plan 10+ hours door to door.
Day Trips
Apache Trail + Canyon Lake
Winding desert scenic drive to a steamboat cruise and lakeside lunch.
16802 AZ-88, Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Local move: Check road status before you go — sections close after storms.
Day Trips
Jerome ghost town
A former copper boomtown clinging to a mountainside, now art galleries and wine.
Jerome, AZ 86331
Local move: Combine with Verde Valley wine tasting on the way home.
Day Trips
Verde Valley Wine Trail
Arizona’s wine country around Cottonwood and Old Town Clarkdale.
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Local move: Hire a driver — tasting rooms are spread across several towns.
Day Trips
Verde Canyon Railroad
A four-hour vintage train ride through a canyon you can’t reach by car.
300 N Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324
Local move: First-class includes food; open-air cars are the point.
Day Trips
Tucson + Saguaro National Park
Cactus forests, the Desert Museum and Tucson’s food scene in one long day.
Saguaro National Park, Tucson, AZ 85743
Local move: The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is the highlight — go in the morning.
Day Trips
Prescott + Whiskey Row
Pine trees, 20 degrees cooler and a historic courthouse square.
Prescott, AZ 86301
Local move: The best summer escape that isn’t Flagstaff.
Day Trips
Flagstaff + Snowbowl
Alpine air, a walkable downtown and scenic gondola rides year-round.
9300 N Snowbowl Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Local move: Winter means snow — check chains and road conditions.
Day Trips
Superstition Mountains + Goldfield
A reconstructed 1890s mining town, mine tours and desert hikes at Lost Dutchman.
4650 N Mammoth Mine Rd, Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Local move: Easy half-day that still feels like a real road trip.
