Top Scottsdale Guided & DIY Tours: Explore Like a Local or Go at Your Own Pace
Best Guided & Self-Guided Tours in Scottsdale | 2025 Tour Guide
Credits: in4adventure.com
Scottsdale offers a wealth of ways to explore its beauty, history, and culture—whether you prefer a guided experience or want to wander at your own pace. From architectural marvels like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West to immersive food tours, public art trails, and even excursions to the Grand Canyon, there’s a perfect adventure waiting. In this guide, we highlight the top guided and self-guided tours across the region.
Credits: franklloydwright.org
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West
Taliesin West, nestled in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, was architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert winter home and the summer design school in the late 1930s. Guided tours—led by knowledgeable docents—reveal Wright’s revolutionary approach to blending indoor and outdoor spaces, using native rocks and desert sand in construction. For DIY enthusiasts, the facility also offers audio tours that allow a self-paced exploration of its distinctive architecture and stunning desert grounds.
Credits McDowell Sonoran Conservancy
McDowell Sonoran Preserve Guided Nature Experiences
The Preserve offers an array of guided hikes, mountain bike rides, nature walks, and lectures led by naturalists. Popular topics include Wildflower Season, Desert Time Machine geology sessions, rattlesnake awareness, and butterfly coloration explanations. These programs cater to all fitness levels and provide insight into the Sonoran Desert’s ecosystem.
VIP Tour at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)
The VIP experience at MIM includes a backstage look at the museum’s theater, exclusive access to curator areas, and an introduction to the intricate processes behind exhibit design and artifact preservation. It’s a one-hour, guided journey that brings the museum’s vast collection—and its back-of-house story—to life.
Walk N About Scottsdale with Sam Campana
Led by former Scottsdale Mayor Sam Campana, this two-hour walking tour through Old Town offers a richly detailed narrative of the city’s Native American roots, early settlement, and evolution as an arts destination. Highlights include visits to the Old Adobe Mission, local galleries, and historic landmarks, with ample opportunities to shop and savor Scottsdale’s creative culture.
Flavors of Scottsdale with Arizona Food Tours
This popular culinary walking tour invites participants to indulge in small bites and drinks at five to six top-rated restaurants in Old Town Arizona. The three-hour “Taste of Old Town” experience spans lunches, happy hour tastings, or progressive dinners—delighting food lovers with the city’s best local flavors.
Self-Guided Public Art Walking Tour
Scottsdale offers a downloadable map featuring ten iconic public art installations, including the Soleri Bridge & Plaza by Paolo Soleri, Donald Lipski's kaleidoscopic “The Doors,” and James Turrell's “Knight Rise” skyspace. This one-hour walk is ideal for a contemplative, art-focused outing enhanced by spontaneous stops at nearby shops and eateries.
Scottsdale Wine & Ale Trails
Perfect for beverage enthusiasts, these self-guided trails explore tasting rooms and craft breweries across Old Town. Simply download the Scottsdale Wine Trail or Ale Trail maps and spend an afternoon savoring local wines and craft beers at your own pace.
Historic Old Town Walking Tour
Explore Old Town’s heritage with a self-guided tour that visits sites like Cavalliere’s Blacksmith Shop, the Rusty Spur Saloon, the Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor, and the Little Red Schoolhouse (now the Scottsdale Historical Museum). Plan on roughly 60 minutes, with extra time for browsing and dining along the way.
JoyRidesAZ Golf Cart Tours
These entertaining guided tours offer a variety of themed experiences, including Taco & Margarita, Native Culture & Art, Mural & Instagram, and Gelato-focused outings. Ride comfortably through Old Town in a golf cart, discover hidden gems, and sample local cuisine as you go.
Segway of Scottsdale Tours
For a fun, modern experience, jump on a Segway and glide through Old Town under the guidance of seasoned instructors. After a brief training session, you'll be zooming effortlessly—it's a fast-paced, memorable way to see the city.
Off-Road Sonoran Desert Tours
Experience rugged beauty on Jeep, Hummer, or Tomcar excursions into the Sonoran Desert. These guided off-road adventures traverse desert washes and rocky trails, offering wildlife viewing opportunities—expect sightings of javelina, quail, wild horses, and raptors.
Grand Canyon South Rim Tour with Detours
This full-day guided tour starts with a photo stop in Sedona before heading north to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. You'll spend three hours soaking in panoramic views, walk along the rim, visit El Tovar Hotel, and explore the Canyon’s museums and shops. DETOURS also offers guided tours to Antelope Canyon and Tombstone.
