48 Hours in Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale offers year-round sunshine, warm temperatures and is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States. Discover the best spots to visit during your next trip to this city in Arizona.

DAY 1

08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel

You have an adventurous two days ahead of you! Start your day in Scottsdale with a delicious breakfast at Best Western Hotels & Resorts.

08:30 – Hike Lost Dog Wash Trail

Enjoy 360º views of the Valley of the Sun when you take an early morning hike on Lost Dog Wash trail, located in the McDowell Mountains. Throughout the hike, you’ll take in great views of landmarks like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West. Tip: Out-of-state travelers may not be accustomed to Scottsdale’s dry heat and low altitude. Be sure to pack enough water and check the weather ahead of time.

12:00 – Grab a bite to eat in the Arcadia neighborhood

After that hike, you’ve probably worked up an appetite. Head just east of Scottsdale and visit Arcadia, a charming neighborhood in Phoenix that offers great dining options like Chestnut Fine Foods & Provisions, La Grande Orange and Postino. If you plan on conquering Arcadia on foot or by bike, the Arizona Canal is the perfect pathway for you.

13:00 – Changing Hands Bookstore

When it comes to Phoenix staples, Changing Hands takes the cake. Opened on April Fool’s Day in 1974, this bookstore offers much more than great literary tales. Check out their event schedule to see when the next gardening workshop will be or hang out at First Draft Book Bar, located inside their Phoenix location, to sip on tasty, local brews while diving into a new book.

15:00 – Shop in Old Town Scottsdale

Old Town Scottsdale is a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood known for its upscale shopping and entertainment. Not only can you find name-brand luxury stores, but you can also walk through Old Town’s art district, home to a variety of Southwestern artists.

19:00 – Watch Sunset While Dining on the Scottsdale Waterfront

During your adventure in Old Town, you probably walked past tantalizing restaurants right on the Scottsdale waterfront like Olive & Ivy, Culinary Dropout or Barrio Queen. No matter which you pick, you’re in for a treat.

21:00 – Enjoy a Drink at The Duce

You can’t visit Arizona without experiencing downtown Phoenix, the capital city of Arizona, located about 25 minutes from Old Town Scottsdale. Head to the city’s warehouse district and you’ll find a retro-chic art deco bar, The Duce, that serves American comfort food and mason jar concoctions all out of a vintage camper.

DAY 2

32:00 – Wake up with a golden waffle

Begin your second day the Best Western way by fueling up with a delicious breakfast.

33:00 – Relax on a stroll through the Desert Botanical Garden

You need to check out the Desert Botanical Garden during your trip to Scottsdale. This everchanging Arizonan icon offers a variety of pathways to explore and workshops to learn about the unique plants that call desert home. Don’t forget to visit the gift shop to pick up your very own cactus to bring home!

35:00 – Take a quick hike to Papago Park’s ‘Hole-in-the-Rock’

Right beside the Desert Botanical Garden lies a historical landmark that is also a natural geological formation. Its name – Hole-in-the-Rock – is pretty straightforward and the hike is suitable for all ages. Enjoy great views of the Arizonan desert in Papago Park afterwards!

36:00 – Grab a treat at Sweet Dee’s

You may be in Arizona, but you’ll feel like a Parisian at Sweet Dee’s Bakeshop in Old Town Scottsdale. Sweet Dee’s offers an extensive list of gourmet pastries, all in accordance to whichever theme has been chosen for that particular period of time. In the past, they’ve created sorting hat macarons straight out of the wizarding world of Harry Potter and Pooh Bear cream puffs anyone within a hundred acres would love!

39:00 – Head to a Diamondbacks Game

Chase Field is located in the center of the downtown Phoenix sports scene and is the first stadium in America to have a retractable roof. Cheer on the D-backs during your next trip to the Valley and munch down on treats offered by local vendors at the stadium. Traveling with Fido? Not a problem! The stadium offers a “Bark at the Park” day where you can bring your dog to the ballpark. Click here to discover the pet-friendly Best Western locations in Arizona.

42:00 – Enjoy gnocchi at Giuseppe’s on 28^th!

This tucked away Italian restaurant is nestled in the Northwestern corner of 28^th and Indian School, near Phoenix’s Biltmore neighborhood. Taste award-winning dishes and cocktails by chef Richard Bock – as featured on the Food Network!

44:00 – Rest and relax

The last 48 hours have been a whirlwind! Rest your feet and relax while you enjoy the great amenities Today’s Best Western has to offer, like free high-speed internet to watch your favorite show.

Scottsdale is waiting for you! Book your trip to Arizona at bestwestern.com to earn points for every night you stay at one of the “Grand Canyon State’s” 48 Best Western locations.