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.
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.
Get Spooky
Are you ready for a frightfully fun evening under the desert sky? Then head over to the three-day Spooktacular Balloon Festival at Salt River Fields. Each night, more than two dozen tethered hot air balloons illuminate the festival grounds with a colorful glow. For even more thrills, make tracks to Spook-Track-Ula at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Journey through a haunted world filled with spooky surprises, then enjoy carousel rides, a charming story train, a haunted walkthrough and plenty of family-friendly fun.
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.”
PLAY A ROUND
Autumn is a hidden gem on Scottsdale’s golf calendar. The season’s crisp mornings and warm sunny days are perfect for a round on one of the area’s 200+ renowned courses, which include bucket-list options like Grayhawk, TPC Scottsdale, Troon North (shown above) and Boulders. Although many courses overseed in October to transition from Bermuda grass to winter rye grass, the temporary closures don’t happen all at once. Plus, larger clubs stagger the process across their different courses so that at least one 18-hole track is always open for play. By November, the fairways are lush and in peak condition.
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 Magnum E Bikes, which rents 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. The historic El Chorro Lodge boasts breathtaking mountain views, while Olive & Ivy offers access to the scenic Arizona Canal at The Scottsdale Waterfront. With inviting patios, picturesque desert surroundings, and Arizona’s famous sunshine, both offer a memorable setting to savor the season's flavors.
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.
Take a Hike
Make the most of fall's cool, crisp mornings with a hike in Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The Preserve is home to 230+ miles of well-maintained trails that range from fully accessible paths and easy interpretive trails to challenging mountain summits that reward hearty hikers with magnificent views of the valley below. Best of all, access to all McDowell Sonoran Preserve trails is free!
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.
