Scottsdale Cheap Thrills

Moore Sun’s Out, Fun’s Out, Things to Do on The Cheap in Scottsdale

Need some time in the sun without burning through your budget? Trav has some tips on what not to miss.

Lasso Something Free

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Saddle up. It’s time to explore the Old Town Scottsdale Parada del Sol Rodeo Museum. Curated by a retired bull rider and housed in an original livery stable, the museum is packed with Scottsdale rodeo history. Original Parada del Sol Rodeo posters, artwork by the likes of Master Artist Kenneth M. Freeman (once called the Rembrandt of Rodeo), and vintage rodeo magazines, programs, and photographs dating back to the ’50s are on display alongside a lifetime of well-worn competitive chaps, bull ropes, spurs, and saddles—one over 100 years old. Right in the middle of it all is El Diablo, one of the winningest bulls ever, mid-buck. Kids can climb on for a photo or try their hand at lassoing—for free.

Got some nature lovers in the group? Plan a playdate along the Salt River. This oasis in the midst of the Sonoran Desert is alive with everything from tiny fish to wild horses, so it’s no surprise it’s become a magnet for river lovers. There’s no better spot for nature watching. From eagles to mud turtles, deer to bighorn sheep, the banks are alive and ready for their close-up. These days, it’s the wild horses that draw the biggest smiles (and snapshots). Don’t forget to bring your camera. Admission is free.

Kids need some air time? Grab the fam and head to Little Canyon Park for a day of fun and games. First up, the new Bank Shot Basketball Court. The first in Arizona, it’s mini golf but with a basketball twist. And wow, it’s crazy. You start with a course of 16 hoops in all kinds of shapes and sizes. To score, you've got to bank the shot off the boards and through the rim. At the end of the round, the player with the most banked shots wins. No matter your score, you'll feel like a winner when you see what else the park has to offer—a sand volleyball court, outdoor ping-pong tables, cornhole boards, and more. Best of all, everything’s free. Just bring your b-balls, paddles, and bean bags along to play.

Walk on the Wild Side

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The kids will be talking about the Desert Botanical Gardens Flashlight Nights all summer long. These self-guided Saturday adventures after dark allow kids to explore trails and discover desert blooms and animals that only come out at night. All you have to do is bring your own flashlight. Once the sleuthing is done, kids will find cool treats, hands-on activities, and creature features waiting. Admission is just $9.95 for kids.

Hit the scales. Slither off to the Phoenix Herpetological Society in Scottsdale for an experience the kids AND you will never forget. During your visit to the largest reptile sanctuary in the United States, you’ll see large tortoises, snakes (so, so many snakes), alligators and crocs (not the kind you slip on your feet), and lots of lizards. Your kids will get plenty of hands-on experience holding snakes, interacting with lizards, and getting to pet a turtle or two while asking questions only young minds could come up with. Public sanctuary tours are $20 for kids.

Looking for Fun? No Sweat.

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Here’s a clue that will do. Book a Scottsdale Scavenger Hunt and bring the kids along. In no time, you and the crew will have discovered some of the city’s finest works of art and more than a little of its legendary history thanks to some unexpected trivia questions and photo challenges that pop up along the way. It’s a great way to bond and an even better way to create memories. Tickets are $13 for the two-hour Old West Meets Modern interactive adventure.

Fire 'em up at Scottsdale’s Hall of Flame. With more than 130 fire trucks and emergency vehicles and thousands of smaller artifacts, this museum is the stuff of firefighter dreams. Everywhere you look, there’s fire apparatus, uniforms, equipment, and hands-on exhibits that let kids to get up close and personal with these life-saving heroes. Teachable moments abound with safety exhibits and reminders throughout. Admission is $10 for visitors aged 3-5 and $15 for visitors aged 6-17.

When the heat’s on here, the popsicles at the Pop 'N Tea Bar appear. These signature 3D-printed beauties (they call them Diamond Bars) are sculpted by hand and made with either gelato or sorbetto in more than a dozen to-die-for flavors including strawberry, sea-salt caramel, mint chocolate chip, Madagascar vanilla bean, and New York strawberry cheesecake. Enjoy them plain for $7 or luxe them up for a dollar more by dipping them in milk, dark, or white chocolate with a choice of two toppings (now we're talking).

Want even more fun? From waterslides to sand art, pinball to painting, bear building to board games, our Scottsdale Resort knows how to brighten any kid’s vacation.

There you have it. Proof big fun doesn’t have to come with a big price tag. But make no mistake—this is only a start. There are plenty more ways to create priceLESS vacation memories in Scottsdale.

^{Any information provided is solely as a courtesy and is not due to compensation or business partnerships with Holiday Inn Club Vacations. Prices subject to change.}