Scottsdale, Arizona, is consistently one of the most visited spots in the entire United States all year round. Especially during the summer months, tourism in Scottsdale rises tenfold due to its proximity to the nearby desert, hiking trails, cultural events, foodie scene, and eccentric vibe! Plus, the year-round sunny weather and hot temperatures have a lot to do with the people who flock here during the rainy and snowy season in their hometown.
But what if you want to escape the crowds? If you are trying to avoid the lines of people on the hiking trails and the never-ending queues to try and get into a restaurant at night, then consider heading to Scottsdale and the surrounding areas during the fall season. You can still expect great weather, long days, and sunny spells during your time here — just with half of the people!
If you head here during September or October, you can even have BETTER weather than you do in the summer! In the summer, the temperatures get into the triple digits — in the fall, you can expect sunny skies and 80 degrees every single day. Sounds great, doesn’t it?
Plus, there are tons of things to do in Scottsdale at the communities here during the fall season. You can enjoy outdoor events, indoor attractions, cultural sights, and mouth-watering restaurants and bars that are great for tourists.
Arizona State Fair
The Arizona State Fair is an annual event held every year during October at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. This yearly event has been a huge hit for over 10 years, bringing people in from all over the world. You can bring your kids here to enjoy rides on the carnival, games, rides, and animal petting that will really make your vacation one that they will never forget. And who can forget the greasy, yummy, and filling carnival food? We recommend filing up on cake, ice cream, and hot dogs while walking around the expansive carnival during a brisk Fall evening!
Phoenix Pride Festival
If you are coming to Scottsdale during the fall season, the nearby Phoenix Pride Festival on October 15th-16th is one of the best events that you can attend. Located at Steele Indian School Park, this fun-loving and vibrant festival is great for those who want to meet other people, dance, sing, and just have a great time. Enjoy watching one, or all, of the 150 performances located over 6 stages, dance areas, art expeditions, and food trucks to keep you full during an entire day of celebrations.
Scottsdale Zombie Crawl
This Halloween-themed event is a must-go for those who come to Scottsdale and the Phoenix area during the end of October. Located at Social Tap Scottsdale, this Halloween pub crawl is a great excuse to celebrate the holiday, dress up in a funky outfit, and check out all of the nearby pubs and bars. I mean, you can do this on your own during a non-themed night — but isn’t going around and drinking pints and pints of beer dressed up as your favorite cartoon just SO much more fun? We think so too!
Scottsdale Whiskey Festival
To continue the drinking festivities, we recommend doing the Scottsdale Whiskey Festival if you come to this sunny and outdoor-centric town during the month of October. The whiskey festival is a fun way for you and your partner or adult friends to sip on some carefully crafted cocktails, explore the local whiskey selection from nearby distilleries, and try something different on a potentially rainy or cold day during the fall season in Scottsdale.
Things to do in Scottsdale at the Annual Farm Festival and Market
Last but not least, we have the annual farm festival and market that is held in nearby Phoenix. You can check out the local vendors, browse nearby products, and taste some local produce and organic food from the nearby farms. There is no better way to meet the locals, get some of the freshest food in the area, and find some herbal medicines and soaps for your toiletry collection!
Accommodation in Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale and the surrounding areas are always popular hotbeds for tourists during the summer months. You have popular hiking trails, great weather, sunny skies, and cool culture. But sometimes, the summer months can become overrun with other like-minded tourists who want to see all that his outdoor-centric town has to offer. What is the solution?
Heading here during the fall months not only can help save you money in terms of travel and accommodation, but it can help prevent you from fighting for space with the thousands of tourists. Instead of crowded hiking trails, overbooked restaurants, and festivals with people packed in like sardines, you can really kick back, relax, and chill out in the beautiful weather.
We recommend using I Love Scottsdale to find the best accommodation for your needs. Whether you’re coming here with your best friends, extended family, partner, or kids, you can find a luxurious house, apartment, or condominium that will suit your preferences.
