Last updated: 2025-05-06
When desert temperatures climb, Scottsdale’s indoor attractions offer a perfect urban escape. From world-class museums to immersive entertainment experiences, the city provides diverse options for visitors and locals seeking climate-controlled adventures.
Whether you’re exploring cutting-edge art at the Phoenix Art Museum or experiencing medieval pageantry at Medieval Times, Scottsdale’s indoor venues deliver unique experiences that captivate and entertain across all ages and interests.
Discover Scottsdale’s coolest indoor adventures right here!
Featured Indoor Activities in Scottsdale
- Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) (Phoenix)
- OdySea Aquarium
- Scottsdale Fashion Square
- Butterfly Wonderland
- Phoenix Art Museum (Phoenix)
- i.d.e.a. Museum (Mesa)
- Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
- Main Event (Tempe)
- As You Wish Pottery Painting Place
- Desert Stages Theatre
As You Wish Pottery Painting Place
What to Expect
Comprehensive pottery painting experience with professional glazing
Description
As You Wish Pottery offers an interactive pottery painting studio where guests of all ages can create personalized ceramic art. Visitors select pottery pieces, paint with provided supplies, and have their artwork professionally glazed and fired. The studio provides guided experiences, summer classes, and special events like family workshops.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: As You Wish Pottery Painting Place
Butterfly Wonderland
What to Expect
Largest butterfly conservatory in the United States
Description
Immerse yourself in the world's largest indoor butterfly conservatory, featuring a stunning rainforest ecosystem. Visitors can observe live butterfly chrysalis, explore interactive exhibits with live butterflies, and learn about monarch migration through a captivating 3D movie experience. Unique reptile displays and insect education complement the conservatory's main attractions.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: Butterfly Wonderland
Desert Stages Theatre
What to Expect
Comprehensive performing arts training and local theater productions
Description
Desert Stages Theatre offers professional-quality live theater performances and robust performing arts education programs. Their comprehensive theater academy provides summer camps, year-round classes, and workshops for aspiring performers of all ages, focusing on developing theatrical skills and creative expression.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: Desert Stages Theatre
i.d.e.a. Museum (Mesa)
What to Expect
Art-focused interactive museum for children and families
Description
Interactive children's museum offering hands-on art and learning experiences for families. Features creative exhibitions like JoyRide: Art on Wheels, which explores transportation through artistic and imaginative displays. Designed to support early learning, nurture creative thinking, and engage families in collaborative, educational activities.
Where: Mesa | More Info: i.d.e.a. Museum
Main Event (Tempe)
What to Expect
Multi-story laser tag arena with comprehensive entertainment options
Description
Multi-activity entertainment center featuring a multi-story laser tag arena, extensive arcade with over 100 modern and retro games, and professional-level bowling lanes with dragon ramps for younger players. Offers a full-service restaurant with pizza, burgers, wings, and custom cocktails for a complete family entertainment experience.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Main Event
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
What to Expect
Live medieval tournament with authentic combat performances
Description
Medieval Times delivers an immersive dinner theater experience where audiences watch live medieval tournament performances featuring knights, jousting, and horsemanship. Guests enjoy a four-course meal while witnessing choreographed combat, falconry demonstrations, and authentic 11th-century Spanish castle-style entertainment with skilled performers and trained animals.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) (Phoenix)
What to Expect
World's only global musical instrument collection with comprehensive international representation
Description
The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) showcases over 4,200 musical instruments from around the world through immersive geographic galleries, an interactive experience gallery, and a stunning artist gallery featuring instruments played by iconic musicians. Visitors can explore global musical heritage through hands-on exhibits and multimedia displays.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)
OdySea Aquarium
What to Expect
Theme park-style aquatic wildlife presentation in desert location
Description
Arizona's largest aquarium featuring immersive marine exhibits spanning 2 million gallons of water. Visitors explore diverse aquatic environments through interactive displays including Penguin Point, Rivers of the World, and live shark experiences. The facility combines educational presentations with theme park-style engagement for all ages.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: OdySea Aquarium
Phoenix Art Museum (Phoenix)
What to Expect
Comprehensive art collection spanning multiple creative disciplines
Description
Phoenix Art Museum offers diverse art exhibitions featuring contemporary and classic collections. Visitors explore curated galleries showcasing fashion, photography, and design, including special exhibits like Anna Sui's rock-and-roll fashion archive and Richard Avedon's creative works. Interactive displays and rotating collections provide engaging visual experiences for art enthusiasts.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Phoenix Art Museum
Scottsdale Fashion Square
What to Expect
Southwest's premier luxury shopping and dining complex
Description
Scottsdale Fashion Square is a premier luxury shopping destination in Arizona, featuring high-end department stores like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Dillard's. The mall offers an extensive collection of prestigious retailers, including Apple, and boasts a diverse dining scene with upscale restaurants like Nobu and Ocean 44.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: Scottsdale Fashion Square
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