Exploring Scottsdale on a Budget: My Guide to Free Fun
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Scottsdale, one of the ritziest suburbs (it’s actually a standalone city but often referred to as a suburb) in the Phoenix metropolis, has long been associated with high end resorts, golf courses, gorgeous landscaping, upscale dining and lifestyle amenities, and luxurious multi-million dollar homes. Despite its’ reputation as the place where “the streets are paved with gold,” I have had no problem finding plenty of free things to do here just like everywhere else in the Phoenix metro. To be honest, despite its’ reputation, I haven’t noticed much of a difference between this city and all others in the East Valley like Gilbert and Chandler.
I recently moved back to this region after being away for more than 8 years and noticed much more development although the core activities and overall vibe remain the same. Regardless of the surging congestion and traffic, this is still a nice city with a number of great attractions for all budgets. You will find some of the best hiking trails in the metro, a beautiful waterfront recreation path, and dozens of impressive art galleries.
If you are new to the region, you will want to check out my guide to budget friendly fun in this desert oasis. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to enjoy the breathtaking Sonoran desert surrounding the city. Even though many tourists stick to the resorts, spas, and golf courses, to me, the prime benefit of vacationing here is the easy access to one of the most exotic landscapes in the US.
Hike at Scottsdale McDowell Preserve
This is my favorite place to hike in the metro, despite Camelback Mountain (this hike is super hard!) and South Mountain Park being much more popular with tourists. I feel like I can get back to nature more here and the scenery really is incredible. The mountain views are stunning and there are so many cacti in every direction. If you want to see a lot of cacti, this is the place to hike for sure!
This is a massive place with so many trails (over 200 miles) for the beginner, the intermediate, and the most advanced hikers. There are even a few ADA accessible paths for those with wheelchairs and strollers. It’s the biggest urban recreation area and it is the city’s true gem. It’s impossible to tire of this place with so many trails to choose amongst.
I would start with the Gateway trailhead which is probably the most popular pick but a nice quiet and convenient choice if you get here early (definitely hike early in the spring & summer to beat the heat although I recommend avoiding the summer altogether). This is a 4 mile trek which offers great views of the mountains and diverse desert cacti. It’s located in the southern section of the park which isn’t too far from Old Town. Lost Dog Wash is another easy-moderate trek of just 4 miles with a moderate elevation gain around 400 feet.
If you are up for a big workout, Tom’s Thumb is a very challenging rugged desert hike that rewards with big views. If you are looking for more peace, trails in the more remote northern section (like Tom’s Thumb) are more rugged and located much further out from the city.
Tips: Eat a hearty breakfast (I recommend Butters or Scramble), avoid hiking in the summer, bring lots of water, and keep your distance from wildlife and snakes. Here are some tips on what to do if you see a rattlesnake on the trail. While it’s a scary thought to encounter a snake, it’s quite rare and they almost never attack unless provoked. Surprisingly, I never saw one snake in my 4 years of hiking throughout Phoenix and Tucson.
Bike, walk, or run along the scenic Indian Bend Wash trail
I’ll admit that I prefer the paved biking trails in Tucson (the Loop is so wonderful!). That being said, the place to go in the Phoenix metro for paved biking is the Indian Bend Wash path. This is a really motivating path to get in a workout. My first time biking here I was shocked by how much greenery lines the path. Honestly, it’s hard to believe that you are still in the desert!
Whether you prefer a 1 mile stroll or a hard 11 mile workout, it’s the most scenic place to bike, jog, skate, etc. It’s clean, well-maintained, and most important, very scenic. This path connects many parks and features views of lakes and golf courses along the way. Some sections even offer a hint of shade which is always a bonus in this area.
When I head out to this greenbelt, I typically start my morning with a coffee at Press (a great local roasters with a location right on the waterfront) and then take a stroll or bike ride. Note that parking is limited and you will get towed if you park in the wrong place (watch the signs!).
Tip: Chapparal park is another great place to start your ride. You will find lots of free parking here and you can head either north or south depending on your preference.
Take a look at the interactive map on the city website.
Challenge yourself on the Pinnacle Peak climb
The Pinnacle Peak trail easily makes my list of best things to do around the metro. Because this hike is quite hard, I recommend checking it out during the cooler fall or winter season. While the trail is just 2 miles each way, it is very difficult with an elevation gain of over 1300 feet.
It’s a really difficult workout (I would say about equal to being on a stairmaster for hours on end) but the scenery truly is spectacular. If you want to enjoy the best-of-the-best, I definitely recommend putting this one on your bucket list. I love the overlooks of the multi million dollar houses surrounding the mountains.
Note: Bikes and dogs are not allowed. There are restrooms and drinking fountains on site although I recommend wearing a camelbak for easy access. Definitely avoid this one during the summer – it’s too hot and too steep to even consider this time of year!
Explore quirky shops & beautiful art in Old Town
This historic downtown, established in the 1880’s, still retains some Wild West cowboy charm. It’s super popular with tourists thanks to the easy walkability and many touristy shops and museums all located in one place. In this metro, this is one of the few walkable, dense neighborhoods. There are a number of local businesses to support. I find it to be a refreshing change of pace from the suburban chain strip mall congestion.
While there are some pricey restaurants and the gift shops are overpriced, I still like browsing the shops and galleries. If this is your first time in the area, you should have a great time browsing all the quirky Arizona, Southwestern, and native American trinkets. I have a great time just looking at all the oddball stuff. You’ll see everything from handmade rugs, to Native American jewelry, to prickly pear cactus flavored treats.
Besides shops and restaurants, there are a lot of nice galleries you can visit. Also, there are tons of fun photo opps. On our most recent visit, we came across this cool exhibit called “Scottsdale through the Decades” at the Civic Center. This special exhibit commemorates the city’s 75th anniversary in 2026!
A few free things I recommend doing on your first visit:
Take a self-guided tour of the public art installations. Here is a handy map on the visitor’s website. Two cool sculptures I really liked include the famous Love sculpture by Robert Indiana and the Bronze Horse Statue by Bob Parks.
See fabulous art during the Thursday night Artwalk, taking place from 7-9pm. It’s a free event open to the public.
Browse the gift shops and art galleries. I like Southwestern Reflections, Mexican Imports, and Scottsdale Southwest.
Tour the old Adobe Mission, a beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival building from 1933 (it’s the oldest church in the city). Visit the website for more info on tours.
Historical Museum – You can read through exhibits detailing the city’s growth and also tour a historical schoolhouse from 1909. This is a nice budget friendly choice for history buffs. Also, if you are a Bank of America cardholder, you can get in The Western Spirit Museum for free the first full weekend of the month. I use this promotion all the time in cities across the country. Admission is typically $28, so this is a fantastic deal. Learn more about the Museums on Us deal.
Budget dining: If you are looking for a budget friendly lunch option, I highly recommend Cien Agave. The pricing here is super affordable, they offer bottomless chips and salsa for just 4 bucks, and the portions are huge! I love the colorful quirky decor and the service is always great too! It’s popular with tourists but not a tourist trap in my experience.
As an alternative to a full pricey meal, I recommend stopping by the retro Sugar Bowl ice cream shop (it opened in the 50’s) for a cool treat. It’s a little bit pricey, but much cheaper than paying for a full meal. The pink building is so cute and colorful.
Stepping inside, I feel like I am going back in time (that is until I see the price menu ;). They offer all sorts of shakes, sundaes, floats, or you can keep it cheap and still to a single scoop. Flavors include everything from butter pecan, to cookie dough, to dutch chocolate.
Other freebies around the city:
Stroll around Kierland Commons. This is one of the nicest outdoor shopping centers. If you feel like shelling out a few bucks, definitely splurge on a scoop or 2 of gelato from Frost. I first tried this gem while living in Tucson years ago – it’s the best!). Also, this mall offers a number of free vents including a nice Christmas display.
Visit the Fiesta Bowl Museum – This is a small, free museum dedicated to college football.
Explore Fashion Square – As the biggest mall in the state, it’s easy to spend a few hours browsing around. It’s also a nice escape in the AC when it’s too hot to do much else.
Chapparal Park – Nice local park with a lot of amenities including a lake, access to the Indian Bend bike path, a large dog park, fishing pier, fitness stations, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, and an aquatic center.
