Scottsdale · Day trips
Day Trips from Scottsdale for Grown-Ups
Scottsdale sits in the middle of some extraordinary country. These are the outings worth an early start, from a full day in Sedona to a morning with Frank Lloyd Wright.
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A full day: Sedona
Sedona is about two hours north. The red rocks are the reason to go, and a Pink Jeep tour gets you up onto them; Broken Arrow is the thrilling one, Red Rock Range the gentle one. If you'd rather not drive, book a coach tour from Scottsdale.
Sedona red rocks (Pink Jeep Tours)
Sedona, about 2 hours north
A long day out to Sedona's red rock country. Pink Jeep Tours has run off-road trips since 1960, from the gentle Red Rock Range to the thrilling Broken Arrow route; tours leave from Uptown Sedona.
Tip: Pink Jeep's cancellation window is 48 hours. Coach tours from Scottsdale save you the drive.
Half-days close to town
Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West
12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd
Wright's winter home and studio in the McDowell foothills, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 60 to 75-minute tour covers indoor and outdoor spaces; tickets are limited.
Tip: Open days vary by season (Thursday to Monday in September 2026); book online.
Rainbow Ryders hot air balloon
Meets in Glendale; flies over the Sonoran Desert
About an hour aloft over the north Scottsdale desert, finished with a traditional champagne toast. Sunrise flights run year-round; sunset flights November to March.
Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Papago Park
More than 50,000 desert plants on 55 cultivated acres, with five themed trails through cactus, agave and wildflowers. Most people spend two to three hours; the evening light is lovely.
Heard Museum
2301 N Central Ave, Phoenix
One of the country's great museums of American Indian art and culture. Open 10 to 4 daily (closed Mondays in summer); admission is free on Wednesdays from 3 to 9 p.m.
Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)
4725 E Mayo Blvd, north Phoenix
A vast collection of instruments from around the world, with a headset that plays the music as you walk up to each display. Open daily 9 to 5; quietest on weekday afternoons.
Tips
- Balloon flights leave at sunrise and meet in Glendale, so it's an early alarm.
- Taliesin West's open days vary by season; book online before you plan around it.
- In summer, do outdoor things before 10 a.m. and museums in the afternoon.
Everything here was checked in September 2026. Opening days, seasons and heat closures change, so confirm before you go.
Questions people ask
Is Sedona worth a day trip from Scottsdale?
Yes. It's about two hours each way, so it's a long day, but the red rock scenery is spectacular. A jeep tour or a guided day trip from Scottsdale is the easiest way to see it.
How early do Scottsdale balloon rides leave?
Rainbow Ryders flies at sunrise year-round (and at sunset from November to March), meeting in Glendale before driving to the launch site. The flight is about an hour.