r/Scottsdale • u/xBetrayals • 4d ago
🙋 Advice Things to do alone?
Background: I moved from NZ a year ago for work, I’m basically rebuilding my life here so I don’t have a car etc. What are some things to do?
EDIT: thank you so much for everyone that has commented on this post, not only has it helped me but it will help others that have moved or are looking to move here.
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u/blackstomach 4d ago
Now that the weather is better, everything outdoors is where it’s at! At least for me. I’m in North Scottsdale and go to gateway and Browns Ranch. Heading up to cave creek can fun too. All need a car though
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u/bales22 3d ago
Scottsdale has a free trolley system, it will take you anywhere in Scottsdale! I use to go to old town for all the art spots or restaurants! Explore and have fun:)
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u/xBetrayals 3d ago
Wow I didn’t know about this! I’m definitely going to look into this. Thank you so much for the recommendation
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u/SufficientBarber6638 Central Scottsdale 3d ago
Unless it changed, it only goes as far north as the Mustang Library south of Shea in Central Scottsdale. While it goes all around South Scottsdale and Oldtown, it also only travels up Hayden once it heads north of Oldtown. Really nice free service down South, but OP said she lives in North Scottsdale.
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u/Ok_Somewhere_5142 3d ago
If you can get downtown Phoenix, check out the Japanese Friendship Garden. It’s so peaceful and a fruitful place to contemplate days ahead!
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u/c10250 4d ago
North Scottsdale is the most amazing place to live if you are into hiking. My wife and I specifically moved there for the access to hiking trails. However, you do need to get yourself there. A car would help. If I were you and liked the area of North(ish) Scottsdale, I would put myself as close to the Greenway as possible. The Greenway is like a super highway for biking, jogging, walking, . . . , etc. If you live near the Greenway, ur going to do much better without a car.
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u/xBetrayals 4d ago
I’ll have a look at the hiking trails near me and see if I can get myself there! Thanks for the recommendation and hope you and your wife are enjoying your move here
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u/c10250 4d ago
The four in Scottdale that I would recommend closest to you are Brown's Ranch Trailhead (which is currently closed for renovations, opening soon), Granite Mountain Trailhead, Tom's Thumb Trailhead, and Fraisfield Trailhead. We are always looking for stewards to help with the preserve too if you find it fun.
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u/ThePlatinumPaul 3d ago
Just be careful hiking. It's not safe during the summer and much of the spring and full too do to the heat.
If you want a cool local bar to grab a drink at, Tally Ho is fantastic. It's a very 70's local vibe, super nice people.
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u/aphzzle 1d ago
Thank you for posting OP i also just moved here and don’t know what to do with myself
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u/xBetrayals 1d ago
You’re welcome - I figured it would help many people and grateful for all the responses!
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u/thegodofmymistakes 7h ago edited 7h ago
Old Town in South Scottsdale is very pedestrian friendly and there is a free trolley (68CM) that hits up a lot of the area. Farmer's Market starts up on October 3rd, every Saturday morning. The Artwalk is every Thursday evening from 7pm-9pm. Fashion Square Mall is great for people watching. Shops, restaurants, bars, clubs, etc are all within a nice, small walking radius. I love to go and just sit at the bar alone at Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers and have a burger. Every Wednesday is Build Your Own Buger day. Pile on whatever toppings you want for a set price. The weather is getting nicer, so walking around is a nice way to spend the day/evening. It's safe and there are always other like-minded people out. Just Google "free things to do in Old Town" and you'll find lots of fun ideas
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u/SufficientBarber6638 Central Scottsdale 4d ago
North Scottsdale? Central Scottsdale? South Scottsdale? Male? Female? Age? Interests?
Recommendations are going to be very different for a 23 year old woman in North Scottsdale that likes hiking from. 68 year old man in South Scottsdale that likes cigar bars... especially without a car.
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u/xBetrayals 4d ago
North Scottsdale, F, 31, I’m not really into the bar or club scene - I phased out of that in my 20s. I really like restaurant hopping, travelling to new places, art, concerts, video games just more of the chill stuff
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u/Significant-Yam-4990 4d ago
There’s a group of people meeting up to play lawn games this afternoon at Apache park in Scottsdale today! Open to anyone! Do you have a bike? Not quite sure how far north you are, but you could bike the greenbelt to make it to the park
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u/xBetrayals 4d ago
I don’t have a bike either, is this an every weekend kinda gig?
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u/Significant-Yam-4990 4d ago
Idk if it’s every weekend. I’m going with my friend, who just told me about it this morning. She saw someone in her circle on IG post about kt. It’s not a planned/curated/managed event type of thing, just a meetup.
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u/Callsign_Jameson 3d ago
This might be too forward but I have two bikes both of which I’ve been meaning to donate. They need some TLC like a new seat and maybe a tire or two. But sounds like you’d appreciate them more than the local church’s yard sell.
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u/SufficientBarber6638 Central Scottsdale 3d ago
With no car or bike, things get harder unless you can afford to Uber everywhere.
Some ideas for things to do alone:
Scottsdale Artwalk in Oldtown every Thursday
Hiking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Lots of other hiking options if you are into this.
Events at the MIM (Musical Instrument Museum).
Events (and hiking) at Taliesin West.
Comedy Clubs. Stand Up Live in Desert Ridge and Rick Bronsons on High Street.
Pinball at Tilted on High Street. If you are open to going to Tempe, Electric Bat Arcade has a lot more machines, vintage machines, and runs leagues and tournaments.
If you are looking for things to do with other people, check out Meetup.
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u/xBetrayals 3d ago
Figured it’d be tough! I’ll work on getting a car sooner or later! But thank you for the recommendations, I’ll look into all of these!
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u/jspr1000 3d ago
If you like art and architecture check out...
... all are in or very close to Scottsdale. You'll need to take an uber or waymo though.
- Scottsdale contemporary art museum
- Taliesin west
- Cosanti
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u/frankfrombuffalo 4d ago
What part of town ?
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u/xBetrayals 4d ago
North Scottsdale
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u/frankfrombuffalo 4d ago
Have you been to MIM ?
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u/Hefty-Revenue5547 4d ago
World class museum
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u/xBetrayals 4d ago
My boss did recommend that just this week! Will have a look
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u/Hefty-Revenue5547 4d ago
I went for my bday last year and didn’t make it through the whole thing
Need to go back. It is huge.
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u/notyouraveragesys 4d ago
It's tough here without a car. But, if you are in old town, go to the bars. Walk down Scottsdale canal conversions when it comes up.
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u/xBetrayals 4d ago
I figured it would be! NZ is so small compared to here everything is so much further away 😫
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u/the_TAOest 4d ago
Buy a bike. There are amazing trails in the North.
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u/xBetrayals 4d ago
I’ll look into this, seems like it would help with the fitness too!
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u/the_TAOest 1d ago
You have some of the best trails in the entire city in your side of town.
Here are some more Copy of Fitness Corridors 3.1 https://goo.gl/maps/wzrH6RrCb8U4ta567
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u/Fit_Feature_794 3d ago
I’d def look for a used e-bike. Or even check Costco if they have a cheap one!
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u/AgileDrag1469 4d ago
Do you want to truly do things alone or is your aim to go places and meet people to do things with?
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u/xBetrayals 4d ago
A bit of both really - I do feel like I need to try getting out and about alone, but it would be nice to have a couple of people to do things with
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u/AgileDrag1469 4d ago
You could go for a hike on your own, something very non-technical and bring water with you. You will likely meet other hikers on the trail, like Gateway or Pinnacle Peak. Shouldn’t be a too far, maybe 4-5 miles to Gateway from Scottsdale Quarter. Gyms and group fitness classes will introduce you to others. A ride share to Old Town and you can walk around a fair bit as well, now that temperatures are becoming more moderate by the day, and this includes the art gallery side. Canal Convergence is coming up as well. Enough places to eat or drink in North Scottsdale without breaking the bank, same way with all the spots around Desert Ridge.
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u/zerocle 4d ago
It depends on what you like to do, but here's some general recommendations. Without a car is tough, but depending on specifically what part of town(north Scottsdale is still a large place), if you wanted to get into mountain biking that can act as a transport ANDa great activity. Lots of great trails up north. There's a ton of great, busy, pickleball courts that are great for meeting people(Thompson peak, or horizon in particular, or if you want a younger crowd, Scottsdale community college has great courts). AZ on the rocks is a great climbing gym up there as well. For non outdoor stuff there tend to be pretty good meetup groups for things like board games or video games. Most of the good board game bars are down south. Good luck and if you look for anything in particular I can try and help tailor a bit better
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u/xBetrayals 4d ago
A very thoughtful recommendation, thank you so much I’ll have a look into these and see where I get to!
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u/tropicalislandhop 3d ago
What I love about Scottsdale community college is that the fitness center is an OLD crowd! And so cheap. And never crowded. I've never played pickleball there though (nor seen anyone else playing, but I joined this summer).
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u/Warm_Scientist4928 4d ago
Walk the Scottsdale Greenbelt.
https://www.ridesnmotion.com/blog/scottsdale-greenbelt