Winter is perfect for outdoor activities in Scottsdale. The temperatures are cooler, and the crowds are thinner! Do all those things you love to do in Scottsdale in winter, only without the crowds and hot temps. Plus, rates on everything are lower now, so you have more money to spend on jewelry, artwork, and entertainment.
Enjoy the Scottsdale Winter Desert
Of course, you have to get outside into the desert. Scottsdale in winter is sunny and daytime temps hover in the low 70s, making it the ideal time of year to explore the beautiful Sonoran Desert. Hike, bike or ride ATVs over rugged trails, around prickly cacti, and up rocky peaks for amazing panoramic views. Along the way, keep an eye out for quail, roadrunners, and jackrabbits while birds of prey circle overhead. Explore any of the trails in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and now’s the time to hike the popular Pinnacle Peak.
Enjoy Golf
With over 200 courses in the area, you can enjoy the cool weather and beautiful scenery while you hit the links. Grayhawk, Troon North’s Pinnacle and Monument Courses, and the Champions Course and Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale (home to the craziness that’s the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February) are just a few courses to try.
Enjoy a Tour
While the crowds are thin, visit Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home. The buildings rise up and off the desert rocks and appear to be part of them at the same time. Wright designed many of his most famous works, like the Guggenheim, here.
Enjoy Old Town
Scottsdazzle is a month-long festival taking place in Old Town every December. This family-friendly event starts with the official lighting of the tree just after Thanksgiving and continues with sugar plum fairies, Santa and his elves, candy canes, wine tastings and more. Filled with world-class art galleries, funky boutiques, tacky souvenir spots, cowboy gear, and every kind of restaurant and bar you can imagine, it’s the ultimate Scottsdale spot, any time of year.
Enjoy Even More
Take a hot air balloon ride over the desert. Cooler weather means better flying conditions and more flying time! And you can ice skate at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess with its towering musical Christmas tree, ice skating rink surrounded by cacti, and of course –Santa.
Now that you’ve spent the entire day wandering through Old Town or hiked your boots off, there’ no better place to end the day than at your vacation rental. Enjoy that last cocktail of the day while you’re snuggled up around the fire pit. Really, there’s no better place to be.
Give our friendly staff a call if you need more winter activity suggestions. We’re here to make your Scottsdale winter journey the very best.