Planning for your family reunion in scottsdale Arizona? Here are the top places and destinations to include in your things to do in scottsdale Arizona
Already chosen Arizona? Read the Arizona Planning Guide.
Old Town Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale offers Western-themed shopping, dining, and entertainment in a charming historic district. Free to explore with numerous galleries, restaurants, and shops featuring Southwestern art and culture. Perfect for family reunions seeking authentic Arizona experiences, shopping, and group dining in a walkable area.
SCOUT LOGISTICS
Street parking is free for the first 2 hours and the public garage on Civic Center Boulevard offers 3 hours free with validation from any participating gallery or restaurant. The district is ADA accessible with curb cuts at all intersections and flat sidewalks throughout the main shopping blocks along Main Street and Marshall Way. From May through September afternoon temperatures exceed 110F so plan gallery walks for the morning hours before 11 AM or visit during the cooler Thursday night Art Walks starting at 7 PM.
Website: experiencescottsdale.com
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art features rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, architecture, and design. Open Tuesday through Sunday with admission fees, offering guided tours and educational programs. Perfect for family reunions with art enthusiasts seeking cultural experiences and contemporary artistic inspiration.
SCOUT LOGISTICS
Adult admission is $12 and groups of 10 or more receive a $3 discount per person when booked at least 1 week in advance through the education department. The museum is fully ADA accessible on a single level with wide doorways and accessible restrooms and offers free admission every Thursday evening from 5 to 8 PM. Free parking is available in the adjacent Civic Center lot with over 200 spaces and 8 designated ADA spots within 50 feet of the entrance.
Website: smoca.org
McDowell Sonoran Preserve
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve protects over 30,000 acres of pristine Sonoran Desert with more than 225 miles of trails ranging from easy walks to challenging summit climbs. Multiple trailheads with large parking lots make it simple for reunion groups of 15-50 to arrive together and choose routes that match varied fitness levels. The Gateway Trailhead features an interpretive center where your group can gather, learn about desert ecology, and plan the day's adventure. Wide, well-maintained trails allow family members to walk side by side and enjoy conversation while surrounded by saguaros and wildflowers. Early morning group hikes reward your reunion with cooler temperatures, active wildlife, and golden desert light perfect for photos.
SCOUT LOGISTICS
Entry is free and the Gateway Trailhead parking lot holds 150 vehicles with overflow parking available at the WestWorld lot on weekends from October through April. The Gateway Loop trail is partially ADA accessible for the first half mile on a packed decomposed granite surface suitable for wheelchairs with assistance. From May through September the preserve posts extreme heat advisories when temperatures exceed 105F and recommends completing all hikes before 9 AM with 1 liter of water per person per mile.
Website: scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve
Taliesin West
Taliesin West was Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and architecture school, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing his organic design philosophy in harmony with the desert landscape. Guided tours accommodate groups and can be booked in advance for parties of 15-50, with docents explaining Wright's innovative techniques and desert-inspired vision. The campus features indoor and outdoor spaces that flow together, giving large groups room to spread out while staying engaged with the tour. The gift shop and on-site cafe provide comfortable gathering spots before or after your tour. This is a world-class cultural experience that sparks creative conversation across generations.
SCOUT LOGISTICS
Tour tickets start at $40 for adults and groups of 12 or more receive a 15 percent discount when booked at least 3 weeks in advance through the group reservations office. The grounds are partially ADA accessible with ramps at the main buildings though some original desert walkways have uneven stone surfaces that require assistance for wheelchair users. Tours run between 9 AM and 4 PM with the 90-minute Insights Tour being the most popular for groups and includes both indoor galleries and outdoor desert terraces.
Website: franklloydwright.org
Butterfly Wonderland
Butterfly Wonderland is the largest indoor butterfly pavilion in America, housing thousands of tropical butterflies in a lush rainforest habitat under a glass atrium. The self-guided experience lets groups of 15-50 move through exhibits at their own pace, with children and adults equally captivated by butterflies landing on them. Interactive displays about metamorphosis and pollination provide educational value for all ages without requiring a guide. The facility includes a gift shop and adjacent restaurants in the OdySea complex for easy group dining afterward. It is a gentle, awe-inspiring experience that creates shared wonder and delightful photo moments for every family member.
SCOUT LOGISTICS
Adult admission is $28 and groups of 15 or more pay $22 per person when booked at least 10 days in advance through the group sales page online. The facility is fully ADA accessible with flat surfaces throughout the butterfly pavilion and accessible restrooms near the gift shop. The indoor climate-controlled environment stays at 80F year-round making this an excellent escape from summer heat when outdoor temperatures exceed 110F from May through September.
Website: butterflywonderland.com
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park features a rideable scale railroad, vintage carousel, two playgrounds, and a railroad museum spread across 30 acres of shaded grounds. The park's open layout and multiple attractions allow groups of 15-50 to split up by interest and reconvene easily at the large picnic ramadas. Group train ride packages can be arranged for reunions, giving everyone a shared experience aboard the Paradise and Pacific Railroad. Free admission to the park grounds with low-cost rides makes this an affordable option for large reunion groups with varied budgets. The combination of active play areas for kids and shaded seating for adults means every generation stays comfortable and entertained.
SCOUT LOGISTICS
Free 2-hour parking is available in 6 city lots throughout Old Town and the Goldwater Boulevard garage offers 3 hours free for groups visiting galleries and shops. The district is fully ADA accessible with smooth sidewalks and curb cuts at every intersection and most galleries have level entries. From May through September midday temperatures exceed 110F so plan gallery walks for early morning or after 5 PM when desert shade structures cover outdoor dining areas.
Website: therailroadpark.com
OdySea Aquarium
OdySea Aquarium is Arizona's largest aquarium, featuring over 65,000 sea creatures across 200,000 square feet of immersive ocean exhibits including a voyager boat ride through underwater tunnels. Groups of 15-50 can purchase group tickets at discounted rates and explore the aquarium's multiple levels together, with wide walkways preventing bottlenecks even during busy periods. Interactive touch pools, feeding experiences, and behind-the-scenes tours give your reunion hands-on encounters that create shared excitement across all ages. The facility's food court and adjacent entertainment complex provide convenient dining and additional activities for extended group outings. This is a climate-controlled, all-weather attraction that guarantees your reunion a spectacular day regardless of Arizona's outdoor temperatures.
SCOUT LOGISTICS
Adult admission is $10 with free entry on Thursdays and groups of 10 or more pay $7 per person when reserved at least 1 week in advance. The museum is fully ADA accessible on one level with automatic doors and accessible restrooms and tactile guides for visitors with visual impairments. Parking is free in the adjacent Civic Center lot with 200 spaces and the air-conditioned galleries provide welcome relief during summer months when Scottsdale temperatures exceed 110F.
Website: odyseaaquarium.com
Ken O.
Founder of AmazingReunion and veteran reunion organizer who has coordinated 50+ family gatherings across the US.