Planning a Scottsdale girls trip? First of all, I’m jealous!
Second, let’s get you everything you need to know on where to stay, what to do, and (some might say most importantly) where to eat!
Scottsdale is such a great destination for a girls weekend getaway. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is just a 15-minute drive from Old Town (their downtown), so whether you’re road tripping from a nearby city or flying from out of state, it’s easy for people traveling into town from different cities.
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The Best Hotels in Scottsdale
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And of course, it has everything you’d want in a location for a girls’ getaway—the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, shopping, and delicious food.
So whether you’re planning an epic bachelorette party or a chill reunion with your girlfriends, Scottsdale has everything you need to make it an amazing trip!
Heading to Scottsdale, Arizona? Book the best Scottsdale activities through GetYourGuide.
The Perfect Scottsdale Girls’ Trip
Best Places to Stay for a Scottsdale Girls Trip
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows
The Andaz offers chic and minimalist vibes, private suites and bungalows, a relaxing and intimate spa, and two outdoor pools to choose from.
Plus the restaurant Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen is soo delicious for breakfast or dinner, with a side of Camelback Mountain views.
They also have a special Scottsdale Before the Veil package that includes daily breakfast for four, a full-day cabana rental (plus aperol spritz bar!), and a $100 resort credit to put toward poolside provisions or their spa!
The Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia
Super luxe and gorgeous, The Omni Montelucia feels like you’ve been whisked off to the Mediterranean.
Their awesome Moroccan-inspired spa Joya is an incredible place to unwind and their rooftop pool views of Camelback Mountain can’t be beat.
Mountain Shadows Resort
For the chilled-out bride looking for a little more R&R and a little less party-all-the-time vibes, Mountain Shadows Resort is a stunner!
Nestled in between Camelback and Mummy Mountains, this resort has gorgeous desert modern vibes and beautiful desert backdrops. I loved relaxing at the pool and hot tub here, and their restaurant, Hearth ‘61 is a must for an all-dolled-up dinner!
Hotel Valley Ho
With authentic mid-century modern design and fun, Hotel Valley Ho is a popular spot to post up for a bachelorette weekend!
Their weekend pool parties in the summer, walking-distance location to Old Town, and VH Spa make it ideal for a girls’ weekend.
Vacation Rentals
If you’re a larger group looking for one house to all stay in, there are some great options in Scottsdale. Here are a few recs:
Bella Palazzo Collection – Bella Palazzo curates incredible private home venues for vacation rental, and they have some beautiful options in Scottsdale. I’m loving this luxe home that would feel like your very own, private mid-century modern resort!
Airbnb – Airbnb of course has plenty of houses to choose from for your Scottsdale girls’ trip. Here are a few that are catching my eye:
Luxe indoor/outdoor living home – That wallpaper tho!
Oldtown Oasis – Centrally located near Oldtown, and the vibes are 100.
Casa Zinnia – Fun vibes, sleeps 10, and is reasonably priced if you’re splitting amongst a group of that size.
You could also stay at a pink vacation rental that has fun Barbie details throughout!
Things to Do on a Scottsdale Girls Trip
Scottsdale has so many fun options for things to do on a girl’s weekend! Here are some of my favorites…
Spa Day
There are so many luxurious spas in Scottsdale, and having a massage and spa day here is one of my favorite things to do, especially with girlfriends.
A few of my favorites are the spas at The Phoenician and The Omni Montelucia. The one at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain also looks amazing.
You can book a massage at any resort, even if you’re not a guest there. And a massage usually includes day access to the hotel’s pool. So if you’re staying at an Airbnb (or you just want to go resort pool hopping), this is a great way to get access to a resort’s pool and spend the day enjoying massages, the spa’s amenities, and relaxing poolside!
Hiking
Whether you’re looking for a breezy nature walk or more of a challenging hike to get your sweat on, Scottsdale has plenty of hiking trails in the Sonoran desert.
Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve
There are several different hikes to choose from here (225 miles of trails!), ranging from easy to challenging.
Granite Mountain Loop is a relatively easy one, while Gateway Loop Trail is a more moderate hike.
Pinnacle Peak
Pinnacle Peak Park features a moderate out-and-back trail through the Sonoran Desert, up to the top of Pinnacle Peak.
If you and your group happen to be into rock climbing, this is also a great location for it!
Echo Canyon Trail, Camelback Mountain
This hike is more intense and steep. Even though it’s only 1.23 miles one way, it’s going up to the summit, ascending approximately 1,280 feet. The views are worth it though—just be sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water!
Kayaking
During my last trip to Scottsdale, we went kayaking down the Salt River and it was so beautiful! 10/10, would recommend.
It was really relaxing to be out in nature, and you don’t have to paddle too hard as there’s a nice current that helps push you along. I recommend a guided tour with REI Co-op Experiences or a self-led float through Saguaro Lake Ranch.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Going on a sunrise hot air balloon ride in Scottsdale is such a fun and unique thing to do! You’ll fly high over the desert, watch the sky turn from beautiful colors into golden hour, and then enjoy breakfast back down on the ground.
For balloon companies to book with, check out Hot Air Expeditions and Rainbow Ryders.
Just make sure to put the time in your itinerary for a poolside nap afterward, because there’s an early morning wakeup call for this one. 😉
Arizona Wine Tasting
What’s better than wine tasting with your girlfriends? Try LDV Winery’s or Aridus’ tasting rooms for a leisurely afternoon sipping some locally made vino.
Fun fact: there are over 100 wineries in Arizona and downtown Scottsdale is home to a total of seven tasting rooms serving Arizona wine!
Shopping
Can’t have a proper girls’ trip without some shopping! Hit up Scottsdale Fashion Square for some of your favorite brands. While you’re there, visit Wonderspaces to see what cool, interactive art exhibits they have going on.
A couple of other shopping options include Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons, and Old Town Scottsdale is always fun to walk around and explore some local boutiques.
Pool Day
At some point, you’ll probably want to just kick back with a drink and soak up some rays by the pool. Some favorite pools that you might want to keep in mind when you’re booking your hotel or spa day are…
Hotel Valley Ho – The OHasis Pool at Hotel Valley Ho is such a fun place to spend an afternoon! Especially if you’re renting a cabana for the group.
Don’t forget to order a (boozy) milkshake!
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain – For serene vibes, Camelback Mountain views, and an infinity pool.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess – If you want to stick your toes in white sand, this is the spot for you! The resort has six pools to enjoy, including a secluded rooftop pool just for spa guests.
The Phoenician – The Phoenician has not one, not two, but four pools, and a waterslide for you to enjoy (because those aren’t just for kids!).
Cabana Boys
If you’re looking to make your pool day extra special, Cabana Boys are the perfect addition to any bachelorette, birthday, or girl’s weekend in Scottsdale.
They’ll pamper and entertain you by serving up delicious drinks, helping with party/drinking games, taking pictures, being Spotify DJs, keeping the party/pool area clean, and taking your day in the sun to a day of fun!
Cabana Boys will arrive in a crisp, white polo and colorful swim trunks. And they’re all licensed, insured, and background checked.
Take a Ride with JoyRidesAZ
JoyRidesAZ is run by a husband and wife team, and it’s such a fun concept. They pick you up in a golf cart and bring you around town, stopping at different places depending on which type of tour you pick.
They offer several different tours, but here are the ones I think would be best for a girls’ trip:
Margaritas and Tacos, Wine Tasting, Brew Sampling, Sips and Shopping, and Instagrammable Spots + Murals. They’ll even take group photos for you and AirDrop them to you at the end of the tour!
Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden is an Arizona icon that’s been in the valley for 80 years. Take a leisurely stroll through their 140 acres and take in their 50,000 desert plants from all over the world.
Be sure to check their events calendar to see if anything special is going on, like the annual Las Noches de las Luminarias in the fall/winter!
Where to Eat During Your Scottsdale Girls Trip
You and your girls will be in foodie heaven in Scottsdale! Here are a few of my can’t-miss restaurants in the area:
The Mission
The Mission serves modern Latin cuisine in a dimly lit, chic setting. Everything on their menu is delicious, so you really can’t go wrong.
Be sure to try their prickly pear margarita!
Hash Kitchen
Hash Kitchen is a must for brunch! Especially if you’re looking for a boozy brunch.
Their menu has all of the indulgent comfort brunch foods you can imagine, and then some, with some fun surprises.
With a build-your-own bloody mary bar, mimosa flight, and cereal shooters (highly recommend these!), you’ll feel like a kid in a candy shop.
Fat Ox
For a nice night out, head to Fat Ox for dinner. The restaurant is sleek and their housemade pasta and roasted meats are incredible.
Postino
Postino is perfect for lunch or happy hour. Get a bruschetta board, pick a bunch of different bruschettas to share, and order a bottle of wine. Promise, you’ll love.
Where to Go for a Night Out
Outrider Rooftop Lounge
This rooftop bar is located at the top of Canopy by Hilton. You’ll find small bites, craft cocktails, local brews, and amazing views of Camelback Mountain here.
Release After Dark at Talking Stick Resort
Mix a pool party with an EDM club scene and you get Release After Dark. Sounds like such a fun way to spend a night with your girls!
It’s a party every Saturday starting at 5 pm through September 4th.
Check their events page to get tickets and see who’s performing there next.
Arizona Party Bike
Ok, these are silly but every time I see a bachelorette party on one, I can’t help but wave and smile (and maybe let my inner woo girl out a little). They just look so fun!
Let them know what kind of night you’re looking for—a rowdy night in Old Town, hitting up the best bars, dancing, or a relaxed brewery tour—then book online and hop on one of their pedal pub crawls!
Dierks Bentley Whiskey Row
If you’re looking for something more chill, cozy up by a fire pit to enjoy some live music, toss around some cornhole, or play giant Jenga at Dierks Bentley Whiskey Row.
As it gets later into the night, it takes on more of a fun dance club vibe, so if you and your girls are like “Screw guys tonight, I just wanna dance!” (sidenote, using this quote just caused me to go down a 30-minute scroll sesh Googling “What happened to Dane Cook?” 😂) then this might be the right vibe for you!
Maya Day & Night Club
Don’t let the name Maya Day club fool you, while they do have daytime pool parties, it’s also a nightclub! It’s a popular spot for some Vegas-style dancing and fun.
Expect a scene with dance floor shows and dancers hanging from the rafters at this indoor and outdoor club!
Hope you loved this Scottsdale girls’ trip travel guide! Writing this up made me want to plan a trip back with my girlfriends, ASAP!
Huge thank you to Experience Scottsdale for sponsoring this post!
Planning a trip to Scottsdale? Don’t miss all of my other Scottsdale guides:
Fun Outdoor Scottsdale Activities
What to do in Scottsdale Post-Panny
Best Restaurants in Scottsdale
Mountain Shadows Resort, Scottsdale
Best Bars in Old Town Scottsdale
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
