Things To Do in North Scottsdale
North Scottsdale stretches from roughly Loop 101 north through the McDowell Mountains and Sonoran foothills to the Carefree Highway, taking in master-planned communities like DC Ranch, Grayhawk, Troon, Troon North, Kierland, and The Boulders. Framed by Pinnacle Peak and the vast McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the area is best known for luxury desert estates, championship golf communities, resort spas, and direct access to some of Arizona's most scenic hiking trails.
Shopping in North Scottsdale
- Kierland Commons – 15205 N Kierland Blvd. An open-air luxury shopping district anchoring North Scottsdale's south end, with high-end boutiques, restaurants, and a weekly farmers market.
- Scottsdale Quarter – 15279 N Scottsdale Rd. A modern lifestyle center packed with designer names, buzzy restaurants, and a lively patio scene.
- The Promenade – 16243 N Scottsdale Rd. An outdoor lifestyle center with luxury retail, spa services, and even an indoor golf simulator.
- DC Ranch Market Street – 20645 N Pima Rd. A charming village square of boutiques, galleries, and cafes at the heart of DC Ranch.
- Pinnacle Peak General Store – 8711 E Pinnacle Peak Rd. A rustic Old West outpost for cowboy hats, pottery, and handmade jewelry.
Top Dining in North Scottsdale by Occasion
Casual Everyday
Business Dining / Professional
Date Night / Special Occasions
Upscale & Destination Dining
Bars in North Scottsdale
Bar Name | Vibe | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
Bar NoRTH | Sleek, upscale lounge | Craft cocktails, patio seating, DJ nights (Kierland Commons) |
Culinary Dropout | Playful gastropub | Cornhole, shuffleboard, rooftop bar (Scottsdale Quarter) |
Kona Grill | Lively, social | Sushi bar, patio, happy hour specials |
Zipps Sports Grill | Classic sports bar | Wall-to-wall TVs, wings, game-day crowds |
The Vig – McDowell Mountain | Neighborhood hangout | Craft cocktails, patio, weekend brunch |
Onyx Bar & Lounge | Refined resort lounge | Live jazz, fire pits, mountain views (Four Seasons Troon North) |
Dynamite Grille | Laid-back clubhouse bar | Patio dining, desert vistas (Troon North Golf Club) |
Discovery Lounge | Cozy resort lounge | Fireplace seating, boulder-view patio (The Boulders Resort) |
Buffalo Chip Saloon | Rowdy Western honky-tonk | Live bull riding, country bands, dance floor |
Harold's Cave Creek Corral | Historic Old West saloon | Live music, BBQ, biker-friendly patio |
Isabella's Kitchen Bar | Casual clubhouse patio | Indoor/outdoor bar, golf-course views (Grayhawk) |
Hiking in North Scottsdale
North Scottsdale sits at the doorstep of the 30,500-acre McDowell Sonoran Preserve — the largest urban nature reserve in the country — with more than 180 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
1. Pinnacle Peak Trail
2. Tom's Thumb Trail
Parks in North Scottsdale
North Scottsdale's outdoor identity centers on its protected desert preserve system and equestrian heritage:
McDowell Sonoran Preserve
30,500 contiguous acres of protected Sonoran Desert, free and open sunrise to sunset, with 180+ miles of multi-use trails.
Brown's Ranch Trailhead
30301 N Alma School Rd. The Preserve's major northern access point, with rolling granite terrain, historic ranch artifacts, and an accessible interpretive nature trail.
Pinnacle Peak Park
26802 N 102nd Way. A 150-acre desert park built around the iconic peak, with ramadas, rock climbing areas, and interpretive programs.
WestWorld of Scottsdale
16601 N Pima Rd. The city's premier equestrian and event venue, hosting Arabian horse shows, car auctions, and festivals year-round.
Golf Courses in & Around North Scottsdale
- Monument Course – 7,039 yards, par 72
- Pinnacle Course – 7,009 yards, par 71
- Raptor Course – 7,221 yards, par 72
- Talon Course – 6,973 yards, par 72
- Stadium Course – 7,261 yards, par 71 — home of the WM Phoenix Open
- Champions Course – 7,115 yards, par 71
- North Course – 6,959 yards, par 72
- South Course – 6,917 yards, par 71
- 6,845 yards, par 72 — ranked among Golf Magazine's Top 100
- Cholla Course – 7,225 yards, par 72
- 7,108 yards, par 72 — nestled between Pinnacle Peak and the valley below
Top Attractions in North Scottsdale
Best Kid-Friendly Activities Near North Scottsdale
Zoos, Gardens & Nature
- OdySea Aquarium – Arizona's largest aquarium, just south of North Scottsdale.
- Butterfly Wonderland – The country's largest indoor butterfly pavilion, next door to OdySea.
- Jane Rau Interpretive Nature Trail – Family-friendly trail at Brown's Ranch.
Amusement & Play Parks
- Arizona Boardwalk – Mini-golf, mirror maze, and boardwalk games alongside OdySea.
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park – Trampoline courts and foam pits near Kierland.
- Great Wolf Lodge – Indoor water park resort just south of North Scottsdale.
Museums & Learning
- Musical Instrument Museum – Interactive global instrument exhibits near Desert Ridge/DC Ranch.
- Taliesin West Family Tours – Kid-friendly architecture tours of Frank Lloyd Wright's desert studio.
- Cave Creek Museum – Hands-on regional history exhibits for young explorers.
Games & Entertainment
- Dave & Buster's – Arcade games and dining near North Scottsdale's border, at Desert Ridge Marketplace.
- Topgolf Scottsdale – Climate-controlled golf bays and games for all ages.
- WestWorld Family Events – Seasonal horse shows, car shows, and festivals.
Outdoor Adventures
- MacDonald's Ranch – Horseback riding, pony rides, and hayrides for kids.
- Pinnacle Peak Trail – An easy, well-marked family hike with a big desert payoff.
- Brown's Ranch Trailhead – Gentle, rolling trails ideal for beginner family hikes and bike rides.
Interested in the area? Tour 7692 E Black Mountain Rd, Scottsdale.
The Jewel of the Boulders — an architectural masterpiece on a rare double 18th-hole lot within The Reserve at The Boulders. Call us!
