Best Time to Visit Scottsdale: My Personal Guide
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Being born and raised in Phoenix, Scottsdale has always held a special place in my heart. With our countless hiking trails, to our incredible food/dining scene, and the incredible nightlife, I truly feel like this city never sleeps. Growing up here, I’ve explored Scottsdale in every season, and I have collated my list of recommendations on when to visit, things to do, and how you can make the most out of your trip. So, if you’re wondering when the best time to visit Scottsdale, let me share my personal experiences to guide you, coming from someone who has lived here their entire life.
Introduction: Best Time to Visit Scottsdale
If you are planning a trip to Scottsdale, you need to ask yourself “when is the best time to visit?” As shocking as it sounds, it very well could be the summer! Surprisingly enough, Phoenix/Scottsdale does offer something unique to so in every season (yes, even in the summer). In this guide, I will dive into all of the nuances and things to do in each of our seasons, highlighting the pros and cons to each season, in order to help you decide when the best to visit is.
Spring: March to May – A Blooming Paradise
Visiting Scottsdale in the spring is one of the prettiest and best times of year to visit in my opinion. During this time, our desert comes alive with vibrant wildflowers, and the weather is just perfect for outdoor activities. This is the perfect time of year to enjoy all of our hiking trails, golf courses, or take in one of the many spring training games.
This is best time of year to enjoy cooler mornings and evenings and then enjoy laying out by the pool during the day. During this time of the year, the temperatures are usually in the low 60s in the morning and evenings. Then in the afternoons they range to the to mid-80s, making it ideal for both adventure and relaxation. Between spring training games, events like the Scottsdale Culinary Festival, visiting Scottsdale in the spring is one of the best times of year to visit.
That being said, even though the spring is an amazing time to visit Scottsdale, it can also be one of the priciest. The reason for this is due to the amazing weather, spring training, and it is also bachelor/bachelorette season. If you are on a budget, spring may not be the best time of year for you to visit.
Fall: Late September to November – Tranquil and Pleasant
Fall has to be one of my most favorite time of year to be in Scottsdale. I think mainly because by the time fall rolls around, we are very much over summer, and we know the end is near! This is the time of year when the mornings begin to cool down, the evenings begin to cool and our snow birds (people who only live here in the winter) have yet to arrive.
If you visit Scottsdale during the fall, you will notice fewer crowds, and mildly warm temperatures. If you visit in the fall, we will have events like the Arizona State Fair and the Rainbows Festival going on, offering a mix of entertainment and culture. Since this time of year is generally before our peak season, you will notice hotel pricing is usually more affordable, making it a great time of year to visit if you are on a budget.
Winter: December to February – A Sunny Escape
My second favorite time of year in Scottsdale, has to be the winter. Even though the temperatures can be cooler, particularly at night and in the morning, Scottsdale is sunny, so even though it feels cold, the sunny makes all of the difference in the world. While it is for sure not pool weather, it is defiantly golfing and hiking weather. Scottsdale has some of the best golf courses and hiking trails that I have every experiences, and the best time to experience them, is in the winter.
Pricing in Scottsdale during the winter for hotels, resorts, golf courses, etc., are definitely higher in the winter (usually because our snow birds have arrived), but it is truly one of the best times of year to come and visit.
Because of the amazing weather in the winter in Scottsdale, we have TONS of events going on during this time. January starts us off with the Barrett-Jackson car auction and then we ease into February with the world renown Waste Management Phoenix Open (yes, that’s the one!).
If you are on a budget, visiting Scottsdale in the winter may not be the best option. But if you have a flexible budget, enjoy the outdoors, and all of the events that this time of year has to offer, then a winter visit is for you!
Summer: June to August – Hot Deals and High Temperatures
Summer in Scottsdale. Where do I even begin with this one. I feel like the best way to describe the summer in Scottsdale is that we hibernate in the summer like most states hibernate in the winter. We crank our AC as low as it will go and then when we do go outside, it’s to jump into our lukewarm pools.
I am not going to sugar coat this. It’s hot. Like really hot. And as someone who is born and raised here, you would think I would be used to it after 40+ years, right? WRONG! I am not! The temperatures here are continuously over 110 degrees June-August, and while we can see “it’s a dry heat” all we want, it’s still freaking hot!
The good news? It’s cheaper to visit in the summer, for obvious reasons. We still have people that do crazy things like hike and golf in the summer, but they are doing this at like 5am (I am not one of those crazy people). The good news? Our spas in Scottsdale are fantastic, and if you want a spa weekend at a very reasonable price, then absolutely come visit us in the summer.
The important thing to remember if you are visiting Scottsdale in the summer, or honestly, any season, is to stay well hydrated. Drink plenty of water before you come, while you are here, and when you leave. If you aren’t used to this heat, it can absolutely take a toll on you.
Conclusion: Best Time to Visit Scottsdale
In all honesty, Scottsdale is an amazing and beautiful place to live and visit year-round. Our abundance of fabulous restaurants, outstanding golf courses, and incredible scenic hikes make this a destination spot for everyone. When deciding your ideal time of year to visit, think about your budget, what you want to do, and plan accordingly. If you are thinking about planning a trip or need recommendations on things to do, feel free to reach out anytime!