From helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon to Old Town’s best eats — here’s the Scottsdale bucket list most visitors never see coming.
Scottsdale has no shortage of pools, golf courses, and spa days. But if you’re looking for something that’ll genuinely blow your mind — and give you stories to tell for years — keep reading.
#1 — See Arizona from a Helicopter
Nothing — and we mean nothing — compares to watching the Sonoran Desert unfold 1,500 feet below you. H5 Helicopters, based right at Scottsdale Airpark, offers luxury aerial tours that take you over the Grand Canyon, Sedona’s red rocks, Antelope Canyon, and more. Their pilots are veterans who know these skies cold, and their A-Star helicopter fits up to five passengers in total comfort.
Their Grand Canyon Experience tour is their most popular for a reason: you get views that would take days to reach by car, in under a full day of travel. Whether it’s a romantic splurge, a family adventure, or just the wildest thing you’ve ever done on vacation — this is it.
👉 Book a Tour at h5helicopters.com
#2 — Hike Camelback Mountain
It’s a Scottsdale rite of passage. The Echo Canyon and Cholla trails challenge even experienced hikers, and the 360° summit views are spectacular. Go early — the desert sun gets serious fast.
#3 — Explore Old Town Scottsdale
Equal parts art galleries, taco shops, rooftop bars, and boutique shopping, Old Town is the beating heart of the city. It’s walkable, lively, and a perfect way to spend an afternoon before or after a big adventure. Thursday nights bring local artists and live music to the streets.
#4 — Desert Botanical Garden
Over 50,000 desert plants from the world’s arid regions live here, spread across 140 acres of stunning Sonoran landscape. The after-dark “Las Noches de las Luminarias” in winter is particularly magical — the kind of beauty that sneaks up on you.
#5 — Catch a Sunset in the Desert
Arizona sunsets are world-famous for good reason. Head to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Pinnacle Peak, or any open desert vantage point around 6–7 PM. The sky turns colors you didn’t think were real. Want to take it to another level? Charter a sunset flight with H5 and watch it from above the clouds.
Scottsdale is packed with great experiences — but the ones people talk about longest are the ones that took them somewhere they’d never been before. H5 Helicopters has been making those moments happen since 2008.
📞 Ready to book? Call (480) 272-1100 or visit h5helicopters.com