Scottsdale was practically built for active seniors. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, a citywide network of flat paved paths, world-class golf, walkable arts districts, and some of the best-run senior centers in Arizona, there is always something to do here, whether you want a gentle morning stroll or a full afternoon at the ballpark.
The best part is that you do not have to travel far. Many of Scottsdale’s most rewarding activities sit within a few miles of the city’s central neighborhoods, so a great day out is rarely more than a short drive away. That combination of variety and convenience is exactly what makes staying active after 55 feel easy rather than effortful.
This guide rounds up 15 of the best things to do in Scottsdale for active seniors, organized roughly from the easiest, closest outings to the fuller-day adventures. For each one, you will find a quick note on effort and accessibility so you can match the activity to your energy on any given day. Use the table of contents below to jump straight to what interests you, or read start to finish for a full itinerary of ideas.
Table of Contents
Easygoing Outdoors and Nature
- Stroll the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt
- Take an Easy Desert Walk on the Bajada Nature Trail
- Walk the Arizona Canal Path to the Soleri Bridge
- Loop the Easy Horseshoe Trail at Gateway
Community and Senior Centers
Arts and Culture
- Explore the Old Town Scottsdale Art Walk
- Visit the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA)
- See Native American Art at the Heard Museum
- Tour the Cosanti Originals Studio and Gallery
Shopping and Dining
- Wander the Scottsdale Waterfront
- Shop Indoors at Scottsdale Fashion Square
- Browse The Shops at Gainey Village
Golf, Sports, and Entertainment
Easygoing Outdoors and Nature
1. Stroll the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt
The Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt is the crown jewel of easy outdoor recreation in Scottsdale, an 11-mile paved multi-use path that threads through parks, lakes, and golf courses in a green oasis right in the heart of the city. Grade-separated crossings keep you away from traffic, and you can join or exit at any of the parks along the route, most of which have restrooms and parking.
- Effort and accessibility: Low to moderate. Fully paved, flat, with amenities at parks along the way.
- Getting there: Runs through the heart of Scottsdale, one of the closest outings for residents in the central and south parts of the city.
Learn more: City of Scottsdale: Greenbelt
2. Take an Easy Desert Walk on the Bajada Nature Trail
If you want the beauty of the Sonoran Desert without the strain, the Bajada Nature Trail is the perfect introduction. This half-mile, flat, ADA-accessible loop features educational placards about desert plants and wildlife, plus scenic views you would normally have to hike for. The Gateway Trailhead has restrooms, parking, and shade.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Wide dirt path, ADA-accessible, with trailhead amenities.
- Getting there: Gateway Trailhead in North Scottsdale, about 8 miles from the city’s central communities.
Learn more: McDowell Sonoran Conservancy
3. Walk the Arizona Canal Path to the Soleri Bridge
The Arizona Canal Path offers miles of flat, paved walking with a scenic payoff: the striking Soleri Bridge, a public art landmark that connects you straight into Old Town. Benches and restrooms along the route make it easy to set your own pace and turn around whenever you like.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Paved, with benches and restrooms along the route.
- Getting there: Passes near central Scottsdale with convenient access points.
Learn more: City of Scottsdale: Paths and Trails
4. Loop the Easy Horseshoe Trail at Gateway
For those ready for a little more distance without steep climbs, the Horseshoe Loop Trail is a 1.7-mile easy loop with lovely cactus and mountain scenery. There are no steep sections, and the Gateway Trailhead offers the same restrooms and parking as the Bajada Trail, making it easy to combine the two on a single visit.
- Effort and accessibility: Low to moderate. Flat dirt surface, no steep sections, trailhead amenities.
- Getting there: North Scottsdale, about 8 miles from central communities.
Tip for desert outings: Go in the morning, bring water and sun protection, and wear supportive shoes. Arizona mornings are glorious; midday heat is not.
Learn more: City of Scottsdale: Preserve
Community and Senior Centers
5. Join a Class at the Via Linda Senior Center
Scottsdale’s senior centers are among the best resources for staying social, active, and engaged. The Via Linda Senior Center offers dedicated senior programming, including fitness classes, arts, games, shared meals, tech workshops, and social events, all under one accessible roof, complete with a fitness center featuring cardio and weights.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Indoor, accessible facilities with restrooms and parking.
- Getting there: Central Scottsdale, about 5 miles from central communities.
Learn more: City of Scottsdale: Senior Services
6. Try Forever Fit at Granite Reef Senior Center
The LEED-certified Granite Reef Senior Center is a hub for programs built specifically around healthy aging, including its Forever Fit fitness classes and the evidence-based “A Matter of Balance” fall-prevention program. You will also find social services, events, and multi-purpose rooms for art and fitness.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Accessible, LEED-certified building with dedicated fitness and art spaces.
- Getting there: South Scottsdale, about 4 miles from central communities.
Learn more: City of Scottsdale: Senior Services
Arts and Culture
7. Explore the Old Town Scottsdale Art Walk
A Scottsdale institution, the weekly Art Walk turns the Old Town arts district into a pedestrian-friendly evening of galleries, most of them free or low-cost to enjoy. Flat sidewalks, plenty of benches, and nearby shops and restrooms make it one of the most comfortable cultural outings in the city.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Flat sidewalks with benches, shops, and restrooms nearby.
- Getting there: About 3 miles from central communities.
Learn more: Experience Scottsdale
8. Visit the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA)
Set in a downtown park, SMoCA offers rotating contemporary art exhibitions, digital guides, and pay-what-you-wish days. A senior admission rate keeps it affordable, and the indoor galleries with seating make it a relaxed way to spend a warm afternoon.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Indoor galleries with benches; senior discount available.
- Getting there: Downtown Scottsdale, about 3 miles from central communities.
Learn more: SMoCA
9. See Native American Art at the Heard Museum
Just over the line in Phoenix, the world-class Heard Museum showcases Native American art and culture, and offers creative aging workshops designed for the 55+ community, some of them free. Guided tours, benches, and indoor comfort make it well worth the short trip.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Indoor, guided tours available, with benches and restrooms.
- Getting there: Phoenix, about 12 miles from central Scottsdale communities.
Learn more: Heard Museum
10. Tour the Cosanti Originals Studio and Gallery
For something one-of-a-kind, Cosanti Originals is an art studio and gallery famous for its handcrafted bronze windbells. Guided tours let you watch the craft up close, and you can bring home a piece as a keepsake.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Guided tours available in a gallery setting.
- Getting there: Paradise Valley, about 4 miles north of central communities.
Learn more: Cosanti Originals
Shopping and Dining
11. Wander the Scottsdale Waterfront
The Scottsdale Waterfront is a relaxed, walkable mixed-use district lined with shops, dining, seasonal flowers, and public sculptures. It is an easy place to combine a light stroll with lunch or a coffee break.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Flat, walkable promenade.
- Getting there: Central Scottsdale.
Learn more: Experience Scottsdale: Scottsdale Waterfront
12. Shop Indoors at Scottsdale Fashion Square
When the heat is on, Scottsdale Fashion Square offers climate-controlled comfort, a mix of high-end and mainstream brands, dining, and plenty of seating and ramps. It is the ideal fallback for an active-but-easy day indoors.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Indoors, with seating and ramps available.
- Getting there: About 4 miles from central communities.
Learn more: Experience Scottsdale: Scottsdale Fashion Square
13. Browse The Shops at Gainey Village
For an open-air alternative, The Shops at Gainey Village is a pleasant outdoor center with high-end retail and dining connected by flat, paved walkways, comfortable for a leisurely browse.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Outdoor, paved walkways.
- Getting there: North Scottsdale, about 4 miles north.
Golf, Sports, and Entertainment
14. Play a Round at a Beginner-Friendly Golf Course
Scottsdale is golf country, and several nearby courses welcome players of every skill level. McCormick Ranch Golf Club offers two courses with on-site dining a couple of miles northwest, while Gainey Ranch Golf Club’s 27 holes are friendly to all skill levels. Silverado Golf Club sits just about a mile west with its own 18-hole course and dining.
- Effort and accessibility: Low to moderate, and easily paced with a cart. Beginner-friendly options available.
- Getting there: Multiple options within 1 to 4 miles of central communities.
15. Catch Spring Training at Salt River Fields
There is nothing quite like a sunny afternoon of baseball. The 11,000-seat Salt River Fields at Talking Stick hosts Spring Training with shaded areas and handicap-accessible seating, just about a mile east. Nearby, Talking Stick Resort and The Pavilions at Talking Stick round out the area with dining, entertainment, and easy, accessible outings.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Outdoor stadium with shade and handicap seating available.
- Getting there: Scottsdale, about 1 mile east of central communities.
Making the Most of an Active Life in Scottsdale
The beauty of Scottsdale is that staying active does not have to mean a strenuous hike or a packed schedule. A gentle morning on the greenbelt, an afternoon among the galleries of Old Town, a class at the senior center, or nine easy holes of golf all count, and they are all close to home.
The best activity is the one that leaves you feeling confident, connected, and looking forward to the next outing. Mix and match from the list above based on your energy, the weather, and who you would like to bring along, and you will never run short of things to do.
See Life at Revel Scottsdale
Discover Your Next Chapter at Revel Scottsdale
Every activity on this list is even better when it is right outside your door. Revel Scottsdale is a vibrant independent senior living community in Scottsdale built for active adults who want to make the most of everything Scottsdale has to offer, from morning walks on the greenbelt to afternoons at the ballpark and evenings among the galleries of Old Town.
Here, staying engaged is effortless. Our residents enjoy a full calendar of social events, on-site fitness programming, chef-prepared dining, and curated outings to many of the destinations featured above, all backed by a maintenance-free lifestyle that frees you up to focus on what you love.
Ready to see how close the good life really is?
- View Revel Scottsdale and experience the community firsthand.
- Explore Floor Plans to picture your next chapter.
- View our Amenities to see life at Revel
- Contact the Revel Team with any questions about life in the community.
Come see why so many active seniors are choosing to call Revel Scottsdale home.
“If you’re considering independent living, Revel Scottsdale offers a unique approach that maximizes the benefits of this lifestyle. With resort-style amenities, restaurant-style dining, social events, and wellness programs, Revel allows seniors to live in comfort while enjoying the lifestyle of their choice.
Residents are free to form new friendships, pursue new interests, and create new memories in a vibrant, luxurious environment. “
What Our Members
Are Saying
Experience the Energy at Revel
At Revel, staying active feels natural, not scheduled. From movement and creativity to food, culture, and connection, the lifestyle supports active senior living in ways that feel personal and energizing. Whether you prefer quiet independence or lively group experiences, there is always something to look forward to.
