Things to do in

Scottsdale

Nestled on 125 acres within the beautiful Papago Park, the Phoenix Zoo is a wondrous place of curiosity, imagination, and discovery. The zoo is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the U.S., caring for over 3,000 animals with nearly 400 species represented, including many threatened and endangered species. It features over 3,000 animals, including Bornean Orangutans, Asian Elephants, Sumatran Tigers, Komodo Dragons, Masai Giraffes, and more. It's a great place to create memories that will last a lifetime. Other animals include the African Lion, Giraffe, Zebra, Mexican Gray Wolf, Ringtail, Golden Eagle, Sloth, Cotton-Top Tamarin, Dalmatian Pelican, Orangutan, Asian Elephant, Jaguar, Cheetah, Coyote, and Komodo Dragon. The Zoo features approximately 2.5 miles of walking paths and is divided into Arizona, Africa, Tropics, and Children’s trails. Usually, the Africa and Tropics Trails take about an hour each and the Arizona and Children’s Trails take about half an hour each. It is recommended that you take approximately three hours to see the entire Zoo, depending on the size and ages of your group in addition to how fast you walk.

Glide over the Arizona desert on a hot air balloon ride and admire the desert landscape and mountains from above. Toast to your experience with a glass of champagne once you land. The experience begins even before you rise into the sky. Help the crew inflate the balloon for a real "hands-on" adventure, or just relax and take a few pictures as the gentle giant comes alive. Once you gain altitude, enjoy vistas you have to see to believe as you float over the Arizona landscape. Phoenix lies beneath you while desert stretches to the distant mountains. The pilots are FAA-licensed and experienced in navigating with your safety and enjoyment in mind. Your pilot will also answer questions and identify points of interest during your flight. A chase crew will follow on the ground and meet you at the landing site. From there a van takes you back to the launch site. Upon your return, enjoy a celebratory toast of Champagne to cap your unique airborne adventure. You'll also be presented with a flight certificate.

Enjoy a 45-60-minute hot air balloon ride above Phoenix, Arizona. See the expansive mountain ranges and desert wildlife below as your hot air balloon reaches heights of 3000 feet. During the flight, your pilot will point out different landmarks and points of interest. See Downtown Phoenix, Camelback Mountain, Lake Pleasant, and State Farm Stadium from the air. Upon landing, enjoy a catered fare prepared by the award-winning Vincent’s on Camelback restaurant, right in the heart of the desert. A traditional balloonist’s ceremony follows with commemorative flight certificates to take home.

Experience the Grand Canyon National Park during this guided tour. Explore the canyon rim with its panoramic views and visit Route 66 with your guide. Start your tour at Route 66. Experience the historic highway in the town of Williams, the last town passed by I-40. As you explore this famous location, you have the opportunity to purchase lunch in Williams or Grand Canyon. Spend approximately 3 hours within the National Park marveling at the beauty that is the Grand Canyon. Don’t forget to visit the historic El Tovar Lodge and Hopi House in Grand Canyon Village. Visit the South Rim and take in the dramatic views — ideal for photographers. Stop into the shop or enjoy your lunch and relax with the best seat in the house.

Witness the stunning scenery of Arizona and see both Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Join this Sedona and Grand Canyon day tour from Phoenix and soak up the breathtaking views along the way. Start your tour in Sedona at Bell Rock Vista and head to the Chapel of the Holy Cross for truly spectacular views. After, have free time in the rustic, old-west district of Uptown to shop, enjoy local cuisine, or visit some of its numerous art galleries. After departing Sedona, relax and take in the scenery on one of Arizona's most scenic drives as you pass through Oak Creek Canyon. Arrive at the majestic Grand Canyon South Rim National Park and stand at two of the most rewarding viewpoints of the Canyon. Enjoy a guided tour at one of the overlooks and free time on your own at the other.

Take a trip to one of the 7 wonders of the natural world on this day tour of the Grand Canyon National Park. You will be collected from selected hotels or apartments in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, or Mesa Arizona. The journey north takes you through amazing views of the Saguaro Cactus in the Sonoran Desert. You will travel through the Ponderosa Pine Forests of Flagstaff where the Lowell Observatory is located. Stop among the Red Rocks of Sedona for time to take in the breathtaking scenery and lots of pictures. Travel through Oak Creek Canyon famous the world over for its spectacular scenery. In the afternoon be taken to the Grand Canyon National Park. Stop for pictures of the Red Rocks of Sedona. Make several stops along the South Rim for picture taking and enjoying the incredible views. See the El Tovar Lodge, a former Harvey hotel. Have the afternoon to explore the sublime park and see many of its ecological wonders and natural beauty. Your professional guide will be able to inform you of the history and stories behind this ancient wonder.

Cool off and explore the beautiful Sonoran Desert with a guided Salt River rafting trip on the Lower Salt River in the Tonto National Forest. Arrive at 7:30 AM at the local supplier's office in North Scottdale, then travel 35 minutes to the start point just outside the eastern metro area. Get kitted out with all necessary equipment then head out onto the water.  The Salt River is a scenic, Class I (the easiest rating on the international scale of river difficulty) waterway which provides some of the best wildlife and bird watching opportunities in the Southwest. The water flow on the river varies seasonally, based on this your guide will choose from a number of put‐in/take‐out locations in order to ensure guests have the best river rafting experience. Whilst light paddling is required, your experienced rafting guide will do most of the work, so you can sit back and enjoy the view. Water temperatures are in the 60s in the winter and rise to low 80s in the summer months. Swimming is possible year‐round, but the water may be chilly in January. Tours typically last about 4 hours and water and snacks will be provided for the duration of the tour.

Experience Arizona in this off-road Segway Tour in the Sonoran Desert; the most exciting adventure in the Scottsdale Area! Warm temperatures, blue skies, and breath-taking scenery create the most perfect oasis; you will be so glad you came out. Your tour operates by special permit on the Fort McDowell Native American Reservation and takes place off the beaten path on beautiful desert trails located near the Verde River at the base of Four Peaks Mountain. The Segway is perfect for the terrain and relaxed atmosphere of the Sonoran Desert. It allows you to experience the desert first-hand and offers the best wind-in-your-hair adventure to share with your friends and family. It is an experience that you will remember forever. Your guide will provide you with information about the Yavapai Nation, as well as the unique flora and fauna you are seeing; everything from the great saguaros to bald eagles and wild horses. Please dress in layers with closed-toe shoes. Includes Cone Zone safety training and the best Segway guides in The West.

With daily departures and convenient pick-up points from most Phoenix metro area hotels, this is the tour to take for a journey to Apache country. You will experience the true spirit of the Sonoran Desert on a full day’s outing. Once you’ve met your guide at your hotel, depart for a drive east in to the Superstition Mountains. You will wind through spectacular Sonoran Desert landscape on the way to Canyon Lake. Before you get there, rest at Goldfield Ghost Town, a fun and fascinating replica of an 1890s mining town. Admission is free, but there are some extras that you might want to enjoy, such as a ride on Arizona’s only narrow gauge train as it circuits the town perimeter. Pan for gold or watch an old West gun fight if you get the chance, or simply stroll and explore the historic buildings and stores. Next you will travel to Tortilla Flat, an authentic remnant of an old West town that is tucked in to the heart of the Tonto National Forest. Here you can grab some lunch and check out who is hanging out at the Ice Cream Parlor. Seat yourself on a bar stool made from real saddles in the Superstition Saloon. The tour continues to Canyon Lake for a 90-minute narrated steamboat cruise. Located at a convenient rest point on the Apache Trail, you will discover fascinating facts about the historic stagecoach route as you watch for the unique wildlife. As you pass through canyons and marvel at rock formations, look out for bald eagles, blue herons, big horn sheep and turkey vultures. Sit back and relax on this leisurely section of the tour. You will soon be heading back through the desert for the return drive to Phoenix.

Around 6 AM get picked up from your hotel in Phoenix or Scottsdale to start the 4-hour journey to Page, Arizona. Be driven in the comfort of a luxury van. Along the way, your guide will tell you about a number of interesting sites and the history of the state of Arizona. Upon arrival in Page, AZ we will head to Antelope Canyon. There you will gaze upon the wonder of the slot canyons and their amazing colors and formations. Here a navajo guide will be included and take your party in the canyon. (Tour ticket covered in price). Tour lasts for 1-1.25 hours. We will then eat a full lunch that is included in the admission price. Then we head to Horseshoe Bend. This view is bar none the best in AZ! Here this is a self guided hike that is 1.25 miles RT. Admission to this attraction is included in price and duration is 80 minutes. Note: temperatures can reach 90+ degrees in the summer time and 30+ degrees in the winter so dress accordingly. Also pickup time can fluctuate between 6am-9am depending on season and tour times given. Guests staying in certain regions of the valley can expect longer tour times because of pickup and dropoff location.