19 Indoor Activities In Scottsdale To Try Next Time It’s Too Hot (2024)
- Date: July 5, 2024
- Topic: Events
- Contributors: Written by Peerspace Staff
Source: Peerspace
While we love how much sunshine Arizona gets, sometimes the summer days are simply unbearable! Heading indoors to soak up some air conditioning and have some fun is a must during the summer. Fortunately, the list of indoor activities in Scottsdale is never-ending.
From indoor rock climbing to new dining experiences, there’s something to entertain anyone in the Valley of the Sun. We at Peerspace are all about helping people make lasting memories together. So please take a moment to explore our favorite things to do indoors in Scottsdale!
1. Discover a new restaurant
A scorching summer day is the best time to find a new restaurant to enjoy with friends and family. Luckily, the city has some of the best dining opportunities in Phoenix to explore! If you like authentic Italian cuisine, check out Fat Ox in Northern Scottsdale for some of the best chef-driven recipes in Arizona. Lovers of Latin American cuisine should try The Mission AZ instead, located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale!
2. Throw an ice cream party
Nothing says “summer is here” like an ice cream party. Buy your favorite flavors or make your own, if you have a few hours to spare! An ice cream party needs not just sweets but a venue with games, a pool, a big-screen TV, ping pong table, and other amenities.
Did you know that Peerspace has venues you can rent for a few hours of ice cream-themed fun? This Glendale home would be our first choice for an ice cream party! You’ll have a pool, multiple indoor and outdoor games, dining utensils, and other amenities for a fun time indoors.
3. Go shopping at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall
You can head indoors and do some shopping at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall if the temperature is too much! Located in the heart of downtown Scottsdale, the Fashion Square Mall is home to many high-end fashion name brands, including Armani Exchange, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Ferragamo.
4. Tour the Scottsdale wine trail
Did you know that less than two hours north of Scottsdale exist the perfect conditions for winemaking? The rocky soil, elevation, and warmth of the Verde Valley are home to wine country that’s been producing since before the US was a country. The Verde Valley Wine Trail is a tour of the 19 wineries along the 25-mile stretch of wine country. You can enjoy tastings, see how grapes are grown, and experience some of Arizona’s finest wines.
Check out our guide on how to host a wine party if you want to take the reins with this idea!
5. Race go-karts indoors at Octane Raceway
Looking for an indoor activity in Scottsdale that is on the competitive side? How about go kart racing? Many courses are outdoors but we want to beat the heat! So head on over to Octane Raceway’s 1/3rd mile indoor track instead. You can race electric go karts outfitted with safety gear on a track that automatically tracks times and scores. Afterwards you can enjoy drinks in comfortable seating at Octane’s Velocity Lounge!
6. Enjoy happy hour drink specials
A searing hot afternoon is the perfect time to try Happy Hour at a local bar, restaurant, or gastropub. You can even create your own Happy Hour party by reserving a venue through Peerspace! Scottsdale is also home to Hula’s Modern Tiki. You can enjoy tropical-themed drinks and meals, plus Happy Hour drink specials seven days per week!
7. Visit the Scottsdale Museum of the West
Western elements are some of the most iconic aspects of American culture! Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is the best place to learn about cowboys, the history of railways in the West, and view Navajo art. The Museum explores all of the Western states; not just Arizona. You can see exhibits from California to Alaska here!
8. See Butterfly Wonderland
Did you know that Scottsdale has the world’s largest butterfly conservatory? Butterfly Wonderland is a lush tropical paradise where over 60 species of butterflies fly freely. You can watch them sip nectar and flutter about, along with fish, chickens, and tropical finches. After your experience in the Conservatory, watch new butterflies being born in the Emergence Gallery and see educational films on the importance of butterfly conservation.
9. Enjoy a spa day
Spa resorts are a wonderful place to beat the heat at. You can relax in a climate controlled space with a full body massage, facial scrub, and quiet music. Afterwards, you have your choice of fitness classes, wellness drinks, saunas, swimming pools, and other amenities. Have you been to the Joya Spa at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia yet? The spa features Moroccan-inspired decor with a traditional Hammam-style bathing experience!
10. Go indoor rock climbing
Rock climbing can get intense during the summer; not only is the sun fierce but even the rocks get hard to handle. Head indoors for your next climbing outing instead! Scottsdale’s very own AZ On The Rocks is our choice. You’ll have 14,000 sq. ft. of space to explore, with 31 ft. tall climbing walls and 16 ft. tall bouldering ones.
11. Host a dinner party
A dinner party can be part of a special occasion like a wedding reception or bachelor party. Or you can throw one just to bring all of your friends together for some fun!
Once you have the guest list and menu sorted, you’ll need to choose a venue spacious enough for everyone to sit comfortably. Peerspace is the best place to begin your search; we have venues by the hundreds in the PHX metro area just a few clicks away. How about this home retreat space in Tempe, AZ? You’ll have not only a dining area but amenities like a games room and a pool, spa, and patio in case folks do wander outdoors.
12. Play video games at Level Up Gaming
If you prefer virtual games over physical ones then head to Level Up Gaming for some air-conditioned fun! Unlike a classic arcade with stand up machines, Level Up has powerful desktop computers loaded with the latest multiplayer games and a blazing-fast internet connection. It’s a fun way to bring all of your friends together under one roof for a few hours of competitive gaming together.
13. Try indoor golfing at Topgolf
Golf lovers don’t have to give up the game when the heat is too much; not when Topgolf is an option! Topgolf is more technologically advanced than your standard golf game. You can hit golf balls with microchips inside of them, tracking their progress as they streak towards a target for points based on accuracy. The hitting bays are climate controlled so that fierce Arizona sun is kept at bay. Visitors can also enjoy pool, drinks at the bar, shuffleboard, and other amenities!
14. Explore the Musical Instrument Museum
Everyone living in the Phoenix area has already been to the art museum and many other major institutions. But how about a more niche museum? A searing hot day is a nice chance to visit the Musical Instrument Museum, one of the more unique institutions in the USA. The MIM explores music at its most physical: the instruments that make it possible. The Geographic Galleries are an exploration of traditional instruments from each region of the world. From there, you can branch out into other musical topics of interest!
Check out these gorgeous indoor photoshoot locations in Scottsdale when you want to create killer content while staying cool.
15. Blast each other at laser tag
Laser tag is a competitive game where teams race through an obstacle course and attempt to tag each other with light blasts. Many laser tag venues are lit with blacklights or neon for a futuristic vibe. You can join a game almost any time of the day and some arenas even have packages that include full access to video game arcades, skeeball, and other activities. Check out Jake’s Unlimited in nearby Mesa for an awesome game of laser tag!
16. Learn at the Arizona Science Center
If you’re looking for family-friendly indoor activities in Scottsdale we think you’ll love the Arizona Science Center! The institution caters to lovers of knowledge of all ages through immersive displays, interactive exhibits, and programs designed to engage visitors. You’ll learn about the latest discoveries in STEM fields, the history of Arizona through a scientific lens, and explore the collection of permanent and rotating exhibits displayed year-round!
17. Visit a cat cafe
Coffee shops are a wonderful place to enjoy a book with a drink indoors. How about visiting the Phoenix Cat Cafe? You can enjoy a cup of joe while interacting with one of their many rescue cats! The PHX Cat Cafe also hosts regular events like cat yoga, painting nights, drag bingo, and more to enjoy when it’s too hot outside.
18. Join a paint and sip event
Art and wine are a timeless pairing. Whether you prefer to paint alone or want the company of your besties for a girls’ night out, paint and sip classes are a great way to flex your creativity! Many are BYOB and you’ll even have a talented master painter to assist you if you’re new to the artform. Old Town Scottsdale is home to The Brush Bar, where you can enjoy relaxing music, drinks, and painting. Since The Brush Bar provides everything, all you need to do is show up!
19. Take an art class
From painting to pottery, art classes let beginners explore new artforms and experts hone their talents. The Scottsdale Art School makes it easy to dip your toe into an art style under the guidance of an expert instructor. You’ll find classes that explore every avenue of most art styles, including figure drawing, landscape painting, clay pottery making, and other styles.
Indoor activities in Scottsdale: conclusion
Scottsdale has fun that ranges from family friendly to thrilling! You can explore museums, cat cafes, butterfly gardens, and race go karts, all indoors. If you’d rather make your own custom Scottsdale adventure, let us help with one of our party venues in Scottsdale. Peerspace has just the right venue for you a few clicks away!
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