City in Arizona, United States
Scottsdale for solo travelers
Is Scottsdale good for solo travel?
Resort, golf and spa city with desert hikes and a lively Old Town nightlife. Hot summers and car dependence are the trade-offs; best Oct–Apr, with winter sun for remote workers.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women. Use rideshare late at night, watch drinks in bars and avoid isolated trails after dark. |
How to meet people in Scottsdale
Old Town bars and rooftop nights, hiking groups on Camelback and McDowell Sonoran Preserve, golf outings, fitness classes and Meetups.
Good things to do alone
- Hike Camelback Mountain at sunrise
- Walk the Scottsdale Waterfront at sunset
- Visit Taliesin West
- Take a hot-air balloon flight over the desert
- Browse Old Town galleries on Thursday Art Walk
Where to stay in Scottsdale
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Old Town Scottsdale | Walkable bars, restaurants and galleries; best for first-timers |
| Scottsdale Waterfront and Arts District | Canal paths, art galleries and boutique hotels |
| North Scottsdale and Desert Ridge | Resorts, hiking and quiet stays; need a car |
| McCormick Ranch | Residential, lake paths and golf-friendly long stays |
Solo travel across United States
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Nashville | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Austin | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Los Angeles | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Miami | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Francisco | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Honolulu | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Washington, D.C. | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Chicago | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Boston | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| New Orleans | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Diego | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Seattle | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Key West | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Denver | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Philadelphia | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Portland | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Atlanta | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Charleston | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Savannah | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Kauai | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Big Island | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Sedona | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Orlando | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Maui | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Antonio | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Scottsdale | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Scottsdale good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Resort, golf and spa city with desert hikes and a lively Old Town nightlife.
How do you meet people in Scottsdale?
Old Town bars and rooftop nights, hiking groups on Camelback and McDowell Sonoran Preserve, golf outings, fitness classes and Meetups. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Scottsdale?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Scottsdale safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women. Use rideshare late at night, watch drinks in bars and avoid isolated trails after dark.
More about Scottsdale
Going to Scottsdale solo?
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Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.