Scottsdale, Arizona
Downtown Scottsdale, in Scottsdale, blends Southwestern charm with a lively, modern vibe. The area is known for its walkable streets, vibrant arts scene, and stylish boutiques. Visitors can explore galleries in the Arts District, enjoy public art installations, and dine at a wide range of restaurants from casual cafés to upscale eateries. At night, the district transforms into a buzzing nightlife hub with bars and live music venues. Historic Old Town Scottsdale adds character with its Western-style architecture, souvenir shops, and cultural attractions, making it a must-visit destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. It is a great place to visit with or without children.
In 2026, we visited with our toddler and the things you do look a little different when you have a baby or toddler. Check out some of the top things we did with our two year old!
top things to do in and around Scottsdale
Explore Downtown Scottsdale
No trip to Scottsdale is complete without exploring the downtown area. Downtown Scottsdale, in Scottsdale, blends Southwestern charm with a lively, modern vibe. The area is known for its walkable streets, vibrant arts scene, and stylish boutiques. We were able to grab some coffee at Cartel Coffee and stroll the streets. We also walked over to the Soleri Bridge.
Playgrounds
Having a toddler means you will be visiting playgrounds! Travel now revolves around them. Here are some of the best ones we visited while in the area! El Dorado Playground. It has a shaded area and is in the sand- we saw other children with sand toys! There is also some water around to walk and see turtles, ducks and other birds! Indian Bend Park has a great little playground and is in Scottsdale. Also the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park has a fantastic playground.
Visit the McCormick-Stillman Railroad
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is a unique 30-acre family attraction in Scottsdale, Arizona, blending history, play, and hands-on experiences. Visitors can ride the miniature Paradise & Pacific Railroad, explore a vintage carousel, and discover exhibits inside the Scottsdale Railroad Museum. The park also features model train displays, themed playgrounds, and picnic areas perfect for relaxing. Admission to the park itself is free, with small fees for rides.
Hole in the Rock Hike in Papago Park
Papago Park is a short drive from Scottsdale and worth visiting. The Hole-in-the-Rock Formation and other hiking trails are here. The Hole-in-the-Rock is a short hike easy for most including our toddler! It gives a great view! Papago Park is also where the Phoenix Zoo is located. This is a great place to visit with children! Kids less than 3 get in for free! The Desert Botanical Garden is also located in this park and free for children under 2.
Kovach Family Nature Trail
While there is so much hiking, not all hiking is meant for toddlers so looking for easy hikes then look no further than the Kovach Family Nature Trail. The Kovach Family Nature Trail, located in Scottsdale, offers a peaceful escape into the Sonoran Desert landscape. This short, accessible trail is ideal for families and casual walkers. The trail includes rest areas and interpretive signs about local plants and wildlife. Visitors can spot native species like cacti, birds, and small desert animals while learning about the ecosystem. The trail is well-maintained and designed to be inclusive, making it suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
Other Top Hiking
There are so many incredible hikes around Phoenix area with amazing desert landscapes and views of the area. The most famous one is Camelback Mountain but there are so many more including Piestewa Peak, Hayden Butte, Freedom Trail, Dixie Mountain Trail Loop and so many trails in the South Mountain Preserve. When we visited in 2024 we strapped our baby on and climbed Piestewa Peak. When we came back in 2026, we hiked Camelback but had the grandparents watch Calvin and were very happy about that.
Other Top Things to do Nearby scottsdale, arizona
Dobbins Lookout
In the South Mountain Park which is located south of downtown there are hundreds of trails or if you want you can drive up to the Dobbins Lookout. This gives sweeping views of downtown Phoenix. It is a wonderful place to watch sunset as well. This is an ideal place to visit with a child because there is no walking or hiking.
Check out Tempe
Tempe is a vibrant city and home of the Arizona State University. It has a vibrant restaurant and bar scene as well as the Hayden Butte Hike which gives great views of downtown Phoenix and Tempe. We visited both in 2024 and 2026. There are plenty of places for a toddler to run around.
Visit the Arizona State Capitol Museum
The Arizona State Capitol Museum offers a look into the state’s political history and culture. While this is in Phoenix it is only a short drive away. There are exhibits and artifacts. There is also a very impressive model train. This is free to visit and is open daily except on Sundays.
Other top things to do
Scottsdale has several other incredible things to do and check out! Some of the top things to do include the Musical Instrument Museum which has over 6000 instruments from around the world, Taliesin West which is the former winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art packed with modern art for every art lover and the Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West.
For more kid friendly activities consider checking out the OdySea Aquarium or the Butterfly Wonderland.
Scottsdale is a perfect base and wonderful place to explore on your visit to Arizona with a toddler.
