Location: Scottsdale
Top Things to do in Scottsdale
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What to do and see in Scottsdale, Arizona (AZ): The Best Specialty Museums
Scottsdale has more spas per capita than any other city in the U.S.—so whether you’re looking for the latest medi-spa technology or a new-agey, bohemian vibe, there’s sure to be something for you. It's a good thing, too—after spending all day touring the beautiful desert, you'll be grateful for some pampering.
Restaurants in Scottsdale
1. Carstens
2. Scottsdale Model Railroad Historical Society
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Rebby2k - New Castle, United States
A large open building with massive amounts of functional model railroad displays. Free to visit and plenty to see. Multiple scale/sizes of tracks on display. It is a place where you can really be inspired to see the possibilities the hobby can bring. And, there is no charge to park or enter. Easily a top list family attraction.
3. Candytopia Scottsdale
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Welcome to Candytopia, where colossal candyfloss constructions meld with a tantalizing taffy twistedness! If you ever dreamed of nibbling your way through Candyland or scoring a Golden Ticket, you’ve come to the right place. Treat yourself to Candytopia, and let your tastebuds and your imagination soar!
4. Penske Racing Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 329 reviews
Reviewed By tvk111 - Phoenix, United States
Went with my oldest grandson cause he had been asking me to take him to see race cars. I have been to many Indy car races and som formula one also. Great collection by Roger Penske Jr. My grandson could keep Stop asking to sit in one. Wish they would put a car in the museum where young kids can sit in one. Great place to spend a little precious time with a youngster.
5. Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 619 reviews
Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West celebrates the art, history and unique stories of the 19 states comprising the American West. The rotating exhibitions feature hundreds of Western artworks and rare historic artifacts on loan from some of the world's foremost collectors and institutions. The contemporary, 43,000-square-foot building is an architectural gem that meets the highest standards for sustainability and conservation of natural resources. Visitors also will enjoy the informative video kiosks, beautiful outdoor sculpture courtyard,museum store, and inspirational film "Spirit Is." Located in downtown Scottsdale's arts district, Western Spirit is within easy walking distance of numerous art galleries and restaurants. Nearby attractions include Old Town Scottsdale,Scottsdale Fashion Square, Scottsdale Stadium (Cactus League Spring Training home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team), the Scottsdale Waterfront, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Scottsdale's Museum of the West is a Smithsonian Affiliate museum, and was selected 2016 Best Western Museum in the nation by True West magazine.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
This is an unusual and fascinating museum, Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West, a well thought-out conglomeration of exhibitions from everything from cowboy and Native American attire to spurs to saddles to paintings to sculpture, even a stuffed buffalo. Located at 3830 North Marshall, in Old Town Scottsdale, on the former site of the Loloma Transit Station at North Marshall Way and East 1st Street, it was the vision of former Scottsdale Mayor Herb Drinkwater and opened in 2015. The two-story, 43,000-square-foot museum features the art, culture and history of 19 states in the American West, including Arizona. As museum director Mike Fox has said: "We are not a museum of objects, but a museum of ideas." And so it is. With eight exhibit spaces, a 135-seat multimedia theater, a gift shop and a sculpture garden, it covers everything you want to know about the Wild West. Even photographs and biographies of influential Westerners such as Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Billy the Kid, the notorious gunfighter. Current exhibits of note include photographs by the late Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, paintings by western artists Maynard Dixon, Gilbert Waldman and Paul Calle, Hopi pottery, western movie posters, bronze sculpture by John Coleman, western artifacts and paintings and sculpture by Frederic Remington, Thomas Moran and Alfred Jacob Miller. It's a collection that you won't find anywhere else.
6. Huhugam Ki Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 8 reviews
Native American museum located on the Salt River Reservation.
Reviewed By AndyLoug - Moscow, Russia
A great opportunity to learn the history and traditions of Native Americans, along with different social issues, they are facing in the modern world. That is something what is necessary to know.
7. Fiesta Bowl Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By rduinc - Saint Louis, United States
This is a very nice, FREE museum located not far from Fashion Square so great place for football fans to hang out while others are shopping. It is not very large, but gives a great history of the beginnings of the Fiesta Bowl up to current time. I really enjoyed the wall filled with football helmets of all the college football teams as well as the memorabilia from the early days. The staff is super friendly, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. This is a hidden treasure and a must do while visiting Scottsdale.
8. Surprise Your Eyes
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4 reviews
A Pop-Up Art Experience Welcome to a NEW 3D optical-illusion pop-up art experience at OdySea in the Desert. From fighting with dinosaurs to walking on the moon, the artwork at Surprise Your Eyes comes to life when you step into the frame!
Reviewed By Irlandaheart - Chandler, United States
This exhibit has interactive, 3-D illustrations for participants to take some really fun photos. One thing we really appreciated was the exhibit posted photos near each illustration so we had an idea of how to "pose". After we went through all of them, then we went back to take more photos because we really got the hang of it! It's in the air conditioning and there wasn't a big crowd when we went in the early afternoon (on a weekday), so we got to really goof around and have fun! It's a great way to spend a hot afternoon in the Valley!
9. Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By JmR-Marin - Orlando, United States
We were visiting Phoenix and found this place on Tripadvisor it looked fun and was reasonably priced. We found a Groupon and went on a Friday afternoon. the place was very busy but it's a huge place with many obstacle courses and trampoline games. If your in town I definitely recommend visiting this indoor playground, kids from 3 and up will love it.
