When summer’s heat breaks and the mornings turn crisp, you know it’s fall in Scottsdale. This means enjoying a meal on a restaurant patio, taking in outdoor festivals or strolling Old Town on an art tour. In short: relishing cool-weather fun from September through November. Here’s our list of things to do in Scottsdale in the fall.
Get Spooky
At the three-day Spooktacular Balloon Festival, more than two dozen tethered hot air balloons light up Salt River Fields each evening while festival attendees compete in Halloween costume contests, trick or treat for candy and watch nightly fireworks shows.
Join a Culinary Tour
Fall foodies tempt their tastebuds with Arizona Food Tours. The company has been leading Scottsdale food tours since 2009, racking up national accolades along the way. Choose from “Sip and Sample,” which covers bars and saloons, “A Taste of Old Town” for visits to Scottsdale’s signature restaurants, and the popular — and belly-filling — “Progressive Dinner.”
Explore Scottsdale on Two Wheels
Fall temperatures in Scottsdale beg for outdoor exploration. And what better way to do that than on two wheels? Check out Pedego Scottsdale and Magnum E Bikes, which rent electric bikes for self-guided tours along Scottsdale’s scenic bike paths throughout Old Town, along the Arizona Canal and the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt.
Dine Al Fresco
The perfect pairing for Scottsdale’s esteemed culinary offerings? The city’s stellar outdoor dining. Both the historic El Chorro Lodge and contemporary Cielo at the ADERO Scottsdale boast breathtaking mountain views, while Old Town Tortilla Factory’s string-lit patio oozes charm – the perfect complement to their inspired Southwestern cuisine. Be sure to check the calendar for one of Cloth & Flame’s ticketed events, a dining experience that transports guests to pristine desert locations for a gourmet meal under the stars.
Horse Around
Tis the season for all things pumpkin, including pumpkin-picking and navigating a hay bale maze at MacDonald’s Ranch. The 1,280-acre ranch is also a top horseback riding destination staffed by experienced wranglers should you choose to channel your inner cowboy or cowgirl. For a private horseback adventure, Windwalker Expeditions offers customized guided rides for all skill levels.
Jumpstart Your Holiday Shopping
It’s never too early to gift-browse for friends and family. Who knows? You might even find something for yourself. First stop: Native Art Market, an Indigenous-owned and -operated store selling the wares of Native American makers and artists. Then hit up Mavericks of Scottsdale for western wear, Sphinx Date Co. for Arizona-grown dates and sweet treats, and Queen Creek Olive Mill Marketplace for locally made olive oils.
Browse Scottsdale Art Galleries
Should you find yourself in Old Town Scottsdale on a Thursday evening, don’t miss the long-running Scottsdale ArtWalk. From 7–9 p.m., soak up artist receptions and exhibition openings at more than 100 galleries. Catch live entertainment and enjoy great wines as you appreciate fine artworks from local, regional and international artists.
Sip Arizona Beers and Wines
There are more than 30 breweries in and around Scottsdale, and on the Scottsdale Ale Trail, you have the chance to sip and sample at one (or three) of them. Highlights include Craft 64 for the citrusy Wheat the People, a German-style wheat ale, and the fall favorite Sweet Pumpkin Lovin,’ a coffee-cocoa porter. Prefer wine over beer? Hit the Scottsdale Wine Trail for tastes of award-winning vintages from half a dozen Arizona wineries.
Attend an Outdoor Music Festival
Scottsdale’s sunny days of fall combined with its sweater-weather evenings make it an ideal locale for the Dreamy Draw Music Festival. Held on the lawns of the Scottsdale Civic Center, the easygoing indie-rock festival features big-name headliners like Lord Huron and Mt. Joy on the main stage and local — and locally loved — bands on the smaller stages.
Immerse Yourself in Art
For 10 days, the Scottsdale Waterfront transforms into a world of art. Canal Convergence, an internationally renowned art event, showcases a series of large-scale public artworks, mostly light-based, that derive inspiration from a theme that changes year to year. Rounding out the free, multi-day experience are art tours, educational workshops and live performances.
