Cool Indoor Activities in Scottsdale, AZ, to Stay Busy on a Rainy Day

Looking for indoor activities in Scottsdale? Whether you’re trying to find something fun to do on a (rare) rainy day in Scottsdale or looking for a respite from the scorching hot summer temperatures — you’ll be happy to learn that there is no shortage of indoor activities in Scottsdale for all interests and ages.

From art galleries and museums, like the Wonderspaces Arizona and the Heard Museum, to malls and award-winning restaurants, like Scottsdale Fashion Square and Citizen Public House, keep reading to discover where indoor fun abounds in Scottsdale!

Tour Scottsdale’s Top Museums

Scottsdale and Phoenix are home to dozens of spectacular museums showcasing fascinating history and culture from the American West, classic and contemporary art, and world-renowned architecture.

Immerse yourself in spectacular art displays at the Phoenix Art Museum, engage with interactive, kid-friendly exhibits at the Arizona Science Center, delve into the region’s Native American art and history at the Heard Museum, or embark on a musical journey at the one-of-a-kind Musical Instrument Museum (MIM). Explore our comprehensive list of the best museums in Scottsdale for more unique experiences!

Shop ‘Til You Drop

Though Scottsdale is well-known for its spectacular outdoor shopping centers, like Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons, there are plenty of indoor places to shop in Scottsdale, too — most notably, Scottsdale Fashion Square, Arizona’s largest shopping mall!

Scottsdale Fashion Square is a luxury shopping mall with 200+ retailers, including high-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Nordstrom. In addition to shopping, Scottsdale Fashion Square offers plenty of other fun indoor activities, like Wonderspaces Arizona and Desert Stages Theatre. If you’re getting hungry, sit down for a bite to eat at Toca Madera, Yard House, Francine, or Nobu.

Clink Glasses at Happy Hour

Did someone say happy hour? Beat the heat (or dodge the rain!) while sipping on a drink (or two!) at one of the best places to order a cocktail in Old Town Scottsdale.

Hula’s Modern Tiki offers a happy hour seven days a week and is a great place to grab a tropical drink (for only $7!). AZ88 serves up incredible martinis, including the classics, like an Espresso Martini, and unique concoctions, like a Key Lime Martini. Citizen Public House, one of the best restaurants in Old Town Scottsdale, serves up spirit-forward barrel-aged cocktails for whiskey and bourbon drinkers.

Entertain the Whole Family

Scottsdale is filled with many family-friendly activities for rainy days. Even your kids (who claim they’re always bored) will have nonstop fun (even inside!) while visiting Scottsdale.

OdySea Aquarium and Butterfly Wonderland, both located at the Arizona Boardwalk, are entertaining for children of all ages. At the aquarium, kids can come face-to-face with sharks, rays, penguins, and otters. At the butterfly pavilion, they can observe 70+ species of butterflies from around the world.

Competitive kids and teens will love teeing off against their seasoned golfer parents at TopGolf (one of the best places to play indoor golf in Scottsdale!), and families with kids of all ages will love catching an epic dinner show with knights and horses at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament.

Try a Thrilling Adventure

Are you looking for an exciting adventure? Even though Scottsdale offers tons of fun outdoor adventures when the weather is cooler, like four-wheeling, mountain biking, and rock climbing, there are still plenty of fun indoor activities to try for a thrill, like go-kart racing and indoor skydiving.

At Octane Raceway, visitors can zoom up to 45 miles per hour in a high-speed go-kart on a challenging indoor-outdoor race track that spans a third of a mile. Octane Raceway also offers other fun indoor activities, like Velocity VR, axe throwing, and a full arcade for a full day of fun. Or, head to iFLY Phoenix, where you can experience the sensation of skydiving without hopping out of a plane (or without ever leaving the building!).

Pamper Yourself with a Spa Day

Adults looking for a rejuvenating day of relaxation will love getting a massage, facial, or body treatment at one of the top day spas in Scottsdale.

Some of the most luxurious spas in Scottsdale include The Sanctuary Spa at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, which offers Asian-inspired treatments and salon services, Spa Avania at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa, which offers spectacular amenities, like a French-Celtic mineral pool, Himalayan salt room, and relaxing lotus pond, and The Phoenician Spa at The Phoenician, offers hot and cold plunges, a sauna, steam room, and a vitality hot tub.

Stay Busy with the Best Indoor Activities in Scottsdale — Then Relax at Your Stylish Vacation Rental

At first glance, it might seem like Scottsdale, Arizona, has just places to hang out outside—outdoor shopping and dining establishments, world-class golf courses, epic hiking trails, and spectacular swimming pools—but if you take a closer look, you’ll realize there are tons of fun indoor places for visitors to play and explore while escaping the heat and (occasional) rain in the Valley of the Sun.

Need more suggestions? We’re here to help! Read through our blog for more ideas of things to do in Scottsdale and Phoenix, and browse our property listings to find a stylish, comfortable place to stay (and stay cool!) during a summer visit to Scottsdale, AZ.