9 Unique Scottsdale Date Ideas

Are you looking for the perfect place to take that special someone for a romantic date night or Valentine’s Day? Look no further!  

These unique date ideas and romantic things to do in Scottsdale, AZ, will help you think outside the box to plan a fun date night activity—beyond a nice dinner!

1. McDowell Sonoran Preserve

If you and your partner are the adventurous types, a date in the Sonoran Preserve may be perfect for you. 

If you’re looking to keep it simple and spark a little friendly competition, you can hike, bike, or go rock climbing through the desert. Or, if you want to arrange an unforgettable desert adventure, you can book a sunrise hot air balloon ride for a panoramic view of the city or a romantic horseback ride to ride horses through the beautiful desert plants and scenery.

2. Marshall Way Arts District

The Marshall Way Arts District is known for galleries showcasing all art mediums, from painting, photography, sculptures, and more, making it a great spot to visit for artistic couples. 

However, the Marshall Way Arts District shines on the first Thursday of the month, when Main St. is teeming with live music, refreshments, and local artists during the Scottsdale ArtWalk. You can buy some local artwork or simply walk in and out of the galleries offering free admission for the entire evening.

3. Taliesin West

Located in McDowell Mountain Ranch, Taliesin West, the winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright, is a great place to enjoy a romantic date night.

Although public tours are offered during the day, consider booking a Night Lights Tour. These two-hour tours are offered on Friday nights from February to September. You’ll be able to watch the gorgeous sunset and sparkling lights illuminating the city, and during the tour, you can enjoy light refreshments, like lemonade and cookies.

4. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

If you and your partner are both artistic, the Scottsdale Museum of Art (SMoCA) is such a fun spot to visit. 

This museum is dedicated to contemporary art, architecture, and design, and you’ll be able to see beautiful art galleries, unique rotating exhibits, and more. Plus, admission is only $10 for adults and $7 for students, so you can enjoy a fun visit without breaking the bank!

5. Butterfly Wonderland

Butterfly Wonderland might not come to mind as one of the best romantic things to do in Scottsdale, AZ, but it’s a great place to spend the day before an evening out! 

At this indoor facility, you will be able to find an indoor rainforest environment with thousands of butterflies from around the world. You will also be able to explore the museum’s interactive exhibits, like the butterfly emergence gallery, conservatory, and more.

6. Old Town Scottsdale

If window shopping, people watching, and happy hour sounds like the perfect date night, you’ll love the atmosphere and energy of Old Town Scottsdale. 

Whether you’re in Downtown Scottsdale for a few hours or plan to spend a fun day in the neighborhood, you can pop into the restaurants, bars, and specialty shops along the streets or simply take a walking tour of the town. 

If you’d like to make reservations for a romantic dinner, consider La Locanda Ristorante for great Italian food and live music, The Mission Old Town for Latin American fare, or Maple and Ash for a modern steakhouse experience.

7. Papago Park

If you’re looking for a fun spot and a simple activity for a first date, consider spending the day at Papago Park, just south of Scottsdale, AZ. 

First, you can go to the Phoenix Zoo, where you can see over 1,200 animals, including many endangered species. You can even feed the giraffes together or go on a camel ride! 

After your visit to the zoo, you can hike the Hole-In-The-Rock trail at golden hour. This short 0.2-mile hike ends with scenic views of Tempe, and it’s the perfect spot to watch the desert sunset sink below the horizon.

8. Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden is a popular destination in the Valley—and for a good reason! This 140-acre botanical garden is home to thousands of desert plants. 

You can spend your day strolling around the garden, looking at the plants, and viewing the exhibits on-site, or you can attend one of the many events at the botanical garden, which you can view on their website. For example, one of their most popular events, Las Noches De Las Luminaries, occurs during the holiday season, and you can see the garden illuminated with hundreds of beautiful luminaries.

9. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

If you’re looking for a casual place in Scottsdale to go on a date, the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park may be the perfect place for you. 

During the summer, the park hosts the Summer Concert Series, a series of outdoor concerts featuring local bands from different genres, ranging from Classic Rock to Country. You can see which bands are playing on the park’s website. 

If you arrive early, you can make reservations across the street to enjoy food and a drink at Ruth’s Chris Steak House or Alma Scottsdale.

Enjoy These Romantic Things to Do in Scottsdale, AZ, for Your Next Date

We hope this list of fun things to do in Scottsdale can inspire your next romantic outing, whether you’re a local looking for something new to do or a visitor spending some time in Scottsdale from out of state!

If you’re searching for somewhere to stay during your Scottsdale vacation, look no further than our selection of spacious, luxury vacation rentals offering close access to the city’s romantic things to do.

Browse our rentals to find the perfect place in Scottsdale for you!