Th Of July Weekend At Lustre Rooftop Bar
LUSTRE Rooftop Bar will be celebrating Independence Day all weekend long with a specialty rooftop cookout. Chef will be grilling burgers, hotdogs and all the fixins while attendees enjoy nightly live music. Guests are invited to soak up the Phoenix sunshine in style. Open from 12 noon to 12 midnight every day, this fun, lively terrace pool bar and lounge combines the casual and the chic, with comfortable seating in an open-air setting. With a breathtaking view of downtown from the third floor of the Hotel Palomar, LUSTRE feels more like a rooftop pool than your typical pool bar. It has its own separate entrance, so its a little harder to findbut well worth it.
Browse Changing Hands Bookstore
You’re reading this, so you like to read. Why not spend some time browsing the stacks at this venerable independent bookstore this summer. The stores also provide a steady slate of author talks and signings for adults and teens. At the Phoenix location’s First Draft Book Bar, you can enjoy a cold beer or glass of wine while checking out the books.
Details: Tempe: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. 6428 S. McClintock Drive, 480-730-0205. Phoenix: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. 300 W. Camelback Road, 602-274-0067. Most talks are free signings usually require book purchase. changinghands.com.
Valley Of The Sun Museums
Museums offer all sorts of cool learning opportunities.
Explore the Native American cultures of the Southwest at the Heard Museum in Phoenix.
Or, wander through the world-renowned Musical Instrument Museum, which celebrates musical diversity with displays featuring songs, videos, musical instruments, and traditional costumes from around the world.
Depending on your familys interests, you may also want to visit the Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa, Arizona Science Center in Phoenix, or the Childrens Museum of Phoenix.
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Invest In A Car Sun Shade
The flimsy fold-up windshield shades don’t cut it we need heavy-duty heat shields here. The best ones are fairly thick, accordion-style and highly reflective on one side. Such brands as Covercraft, Dash Designs and Intro-Tech start at $35 to $60. While you’re at it, get a cover for the steering wheel and you’re ready to go.
Fireworks & More During Scottsdale July 4th
Independence Day wouldnt be complete without fireworks! Head over to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park for their annual free concert and fireworks. Go early and spend some time in the railroad museum, then ride the train and the antique carousel. This years free fireworks show will be held on June 30th after the free Garth Brooks concert.
As always, the Phoenix Zoo is the place to be for holiday fun, and Scottsdale 4th of July is no exception. Their 4th of Zooly celebration starts at 7pm with a catered BBQ dinner and fun events for the kids: free carousel rides, animal encounters and more. Go early so youll have to time to visit the newest addition to the zoo Rayma, a female Bornean orangutan and the other 3,000 animals! Watch the Tempe Town Lake Fireworks starting at 9pm from a special zoo location! Go online to get tickets.
WestWorlds Scottsdale 4th of July Celebration is held indoors, so you wont have to bear the hot July sun while enjoying a little patriotic celebrating. This family-friendly party starts at 4:30 and boasts bull riding, BMX stunt bike riders, pony rides, stunt dog show, a petting zoo and more all before the fireworks start at 9:00pm. You can get tickets for the entire day, or just for the Fireworks Show. Visit their website for ticket prices.
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Scottsdale 4th Of July Celebration
Celebrate Independence Day at the 9th annual Scottsdale Fourth of July Celebration. It will feature the largest fireworks display in Scottsdale history it will be displayed against the beautiful McDowell Mountains and will start at 9 pm. Purchase of a VIP Barbeque ticket will include exclusive live performances, a BBQ buffet-style menu, exclusive firework seats, a “Snow Day in July” for kids to keep cool, parking, and more. General Admission parking is $21. Additional ticket options for parking and VIP packages will be available for purchase online. Note that the WestWorld main entrance will be closed vehicle access points are at 94th Street off Bell Road and Bahia off the Frontage Road.
Spend Two Hours At An Independent Record Store
While away the hours while soaking up the air-conditioning in an independent record store. Just start at A and work your way toward Z, and you’ll be shocked at the number of records you forgot you meant to buy. And while you’re doing that, the store is playing music, which means you could stumble across a whole new favorite band just by being there.
Details: Stinkweeds, 12 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. www.stinkweeds.com. Zia Record Exchange at 1850 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. www.ziarecords.com.
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Crank The Ac And Watch A Winter Movie
Pop some corn, grab a blanket and feast your eyes on wintry landscapes and snow-capped mountains. Might we suggest Russell Crowe’s hockey comedy “Mystery, Alaska.” It’s about a small town in Alaska that lives and breathes hockey. You may get jealous: They can ice skate on their sidewalks instead of frying eggs on them.
Hang Out With The Cool Kids
An air-conditioned movie theater is a go-to choice for the summer, and so is a cold beer. So why not combine the two at the FilmBar, a hip hangout in downtown Phoenix. Offerings range from contemporary art films to nostalgic fare, such as “Carrie” and “A Boy Named Charlie Brown.”
Details: 815 N. Second St., Phoenix. 602-595-9187, /filmbar.eventive.org/about.
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Flashlight Nights At Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden is allowing nighttime explorers to seek out the deserts night-blooming plants and nocturnal animals every Saturday night this summer.
Guests should bring their own flashlights. There also will be a nighttime farmers market with live performances. Reservations are required, and masks must be worn indoors and when social distancing is not possible outside.
Details: 7-9 p.m. Saturdays, June 5-Sept. 4. 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. $14.95, $9.95 for children. 480-941-1225, dbg.org.
The 17 Best Things To Do In Scottsdale Arizona
TripSavvy / Jackson Vance
“The West’s Most Western Town,” Scottsdale, Arizona, has a population of over 200,000 and boasts more than 300 days of annual sunshine. Over seven million people visit Scottsdale each year, as it has a reputation for being a posh resort town where the rich and famous come to play and shop. But there is plenty to do in this city besides lounging at exquisite resorts and eating at fine restaurants, some with great views. In fact, Scottsdale is loaded with museums and attractions that are both easily accessible and free, suiting the budget traveler’s itinerary and wallet.
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Top Mid Range Hotel: Canopy By Hilton Scottsdale Old Town
Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale is an amazing Scottsdale hotel, and promises a lovely stay! This hotel is located super close to Old Town, providing easy access to amenities including the Scottsdale Historical Museum, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and tons of different wineries and private art galleries.
This hotel also features an outdoor rooftop pool, fitness center, valet parking, and other amenities for guests to enjoy.
Yes You Can Still Be Outdoors In The Summer But
I’m not going to sugarcoat this: Scottsdale in the summer is an inferno. Oppressively hot. Hotter than hot. But it’s a dry heat, and you can avoid the worst of it by doing all of your outdoor activities at dawn and dusk.
Our favorite hikes up Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak are still doable in the very early morning and late evening with plenty of water, but they can quickly turn into a dangerous adventure if you overstay your welcome and temperatures rise.
Required reading:How to stay safe while hiking in triple-digit weather in Phoenix
Our preferred walking spot in the afternoon is the Fashion Square, a 2-million-square-foot, air-conditioned retail space in the center of Scottsdale. . I realize that mall walks sound like a cop-out, but this is different. Think of this as an enclosed version of the Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, which is probably our favorite mall in the world. Well, there’s the Mall of America, which we also like a lot. Anyway, you can hike this enclosed space endlessly and without getting bored, and it has almost every store in the Western world.
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Take A Scottsdale Trolley Tour
Hop a two-hour free guided tour on the Scottsdale trolley, where you’ll learn about the city’s different districts, including Old Town Scottsdale, Craftsman Court, the Civic Center area, the Scottsdale Arts District. During the tour, the city’s history and architecture come alive, as well as the town’s important historical people. Ask questions of your tour guide who’s there to help you figure out where to eat, where to buy souvenirs, and maybe even where to take a nearby afternoon hike.
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows
For the remainder of my stay in Scottsdale, I was a guest at the Andaz. This millennial-focused luxury hotel is targeting young travelers and redefining whatever image of Phoenix-area resorts you might have in your mind. They even have an Instagram tour of the property !
I stayed in one of their bungalow rooms it was a throwback to mid-century style with plenty of modern amenities like a massive shower, ultra-comfy beds, and a little back patio where I enjoyed my coffee each morning. I didnt get a chance to check out the pool or try the spa but its high on my list to get back for another stay and enjoy all they have to offer.
Rooms at the Andaz start from $128 per night. Book on Booking.com or Hotels.com.
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Scottsdale 4th Of July Celebration At Westworld
This annual family-favorite event returns to WestWorld of Scottsdale for its 9th year. The patriotic celebration is full of cool, indoor family fun featuring a bull-riding mutton busting for children renowned dog show The Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show featured on Americas Got Talent performances by Disney characters from feature film Encanto lively games such as the Cha Cha Slide, chicken dance and more old-fashioned cake walks, and fabulous food. At sundown, large doors open and guests proceed outdoors to enjoy one of Arizonas largest fireworks shows.
WestWorld of Scottsdale
Hilton Phoenix Resort At The Peak
The Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak’s water park, which is open year-round, has expanded hours over the summer.
In addition to its North and South Pointe pools, the resort is home to the River Ranch Water Park, which has a lazy river and water slide. For day passes, go to ResortPass.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. 7677 N. 16th St., Phoenix. From $40 . 602-997-2626, hiltonphoenixresortatthepeak.com.
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Scottsdale House Of Broadcasting
The Scottsdale House of Broadcasting is a must-visit for anyone interested in broadcast journalism. Learn the ins and outs of the broadcast industry. After that, check out exhibits on the behind-the-scenes tools used to make a broadcast happen, as well as exhibits filled with television and radio memorabilia. The best part? This museum is free to visit.
Why You Should Go
After Scott Winfield, his wife, and his friends settled in what is now Scottsdale, they established a public school system and opened the first schoolhouse in 1896, then a general store with a post office, a blacksmith shop, and many other community buildings you can still see today.
The city preserved the buildings Wild West vintage aesthetic, making for wonderful photo ops and more ideas for stuff to do while in Old Town.
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Keep Your Cocktails Cooler
Regular ice cubes melt too quickly, diluting the best cocktails into a watery mess. Buy a tray that creates 2-inch-square cubes, which melt slower and keep your drink cooler for longer. Better yet, get an ice-ball maker. A giant sphere of ice just looks so much classier. They’re available at Amazon, mass retailers and specialty stores.
The Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden
The Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden is a Certified Wildlife Habitat of the National Wildlife Federation.
Located at Chaparral Park, its one of the citys most unique things to do.
With a 5.5-acre expanse to its name, it is home to more than 200 different species of flora, with more than 7,000 individual plants, all fed and kept healthy by an underwater reservoir.
The Xeriscape Garden was set up in order to serve as a preservation location for species of plants both local and near to the city.
The garden provides educational resources to visitors, with information about sustainable landscaping, plant species, reducing the use of water, desert landscape care, and the protection of local fauna.
Its fairly easy to find your way through the Xeriscape Garden.
Simply follow the interactive plant guide or the clear, direct signs situated throughout the grounds.
With desert trees, succulents, cacti, and more, its a true sight for sore eyes.
Shady spots allow you to take a break from the heat of the desert while kids get to run around and burn off some energy!
Address: 8111 E McDonald Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85250, United States
Although Sedona is about 121 miles from the Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden, you definitely wont regret checking it out! Here are some of the best things to do in Sedona!
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The Museum Of The West
In The Wests Most Western Town, youve gotta have a museum dedicated to the history and culture of the West, right? The Museum of the West is just that. It features not only artwork but also artifacts. The museum educates visitors on the various people who wouldve called the West their home over the centuries, from Native Americans to cowboys.
Free Things To Do In Scottsdale
Leave your purse in the hotel. It’s a cinch to have fun in Scottsdale without spending a cent.
Fiesta Bowl Museum – Approach the friendly staff and learn more about the interesting collections exhibited here.
Old Town – If you’re curious about history and heritage, this is one stop you can’t miss.
Arizona Canal – Just being beside the water will leave you feeling peaceful and calm.
Greenbaum Surgery Center – Pull out your guidebook and find out why this place deserves a spot on your must-see list.
Chaparral Dog Park – Find your green thumb and marvel at the wide range of plants on show.
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Go Tubing On The River Rapids
Tubing the Lower Salt River in Tonto National Forest is a popular way to stay cool while basking in the Arizona sunshine during your vacation to Scottsdale!
Lower Salt River Tubing is a 27-mile drive from Scottsdale, Arizona. Both locals and tourists will be content to spend a day floating along the river to beat the hot summer temps. You can choose a two, three, or five-hour trip, depending on the part of the river where you decide to exit.
During the summer, tube rentals and shuttle bus rides to and from the area where you enter the river are available seven days a week for $19 per person. We recommend reading the safety protocols on their website before enjoying a day of fun in the sun!
Montezuma Castle National Monument
If youve been to the Grand Canyon, you might want to check out another one of Arizonas nationally significant sites, like Montezuma Castle National Monument. Explore the magnificent indigenous dwellings that date back to 1100 A.D. All it takes is a short hike . Another option is a Montezuma Castle, Jerome, and Sedona Day Tour From Scottsdale.
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Marshall Way Arts District
Budget: Free+
Perfect for: Those with an appreciation for art.
Marshall Way Arts District is home to the Scottsdale art scene and activities. Here youll find an array of art created by American and international artists. Among all the galleries found in the Marshall Way Arts District, The Signature Gallery Scottsdale is the most renowned.
Now lets get into the dining portion of this list of things to do in Scottsdale! Youll see that there are a bunch of dining musts on this list- but with so many great food options, I just had to include all of these!
Th Avenue Shops + Boutiques
While you can find some great local boutiques and stores here, including Rolling Rack Boutique, this section is also known for the horse fountain, which is an epic water feature right in the middle of the desert. Parking here is free, which is a great plus. There are great places to visit including Buffalo Collection as well as Inspire+D, which focuses on highlighting local artists and brands in the area.
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Dinner And A Show At Talking Stick Resort
Budget: $80 -$250 for dinner and a show
Perfect For: Couples, friends, and anyone looking for a fun night out.
Talking Stick Resort is a luxury hotel and casino resort located close to Scottsdale, on the Salt-River Pima Maricopa Indian Reservation. There are six unique restaurants to choose from, featuring a wide variety of cuisines. When you visit, check out The Orange Sky restaurant located on the 15th floor, the views alone are worth the trip!
