Scottsdale, AZ Dating Guide
Welcome to your 2024 guide for romantic outings in sun-soaked Scottsdale, Arizona. Scottsdale offers an array of date spots to suit every couple’s style, from the charming ambiance of local coffee shops like Sip Coffee & Beer Garage to the exotic wonders of the Phoenix Zoo. Stroll hand-in-hand through the serene Desert Botanical Garden, or explore unique finds together at Antique Trove. Whether you’re sipping lattes, admiring wildlife, hunting for vintage treasures, or wandering through cactus-filled gardens, Scottsdale provides the perfect backdrop for love to bloom.
If you are currently single and want to date, get started today!
Paris Baguette $
This is the cutest bakery serving the most delicious treats. The warm and inviting atmosphere at Paris Baguette is just the thing to break the ice. Grab a coffee and a croissant, and all that’s missing is the Eiffel Tower!
The menu includes sandwiches, salads, coffee and espresso drinks, and delicious cake slices. Most items are priced in the $6-$10 range, making this a great affordable first-date option.
Sip Coffee and Beer $$
At this cafe you get to choose your buzz; will it be coffee or beer? Just like the name says, Sip Coffee and Beer serves both lattes and lagers. Located near plenty of other bars, restaurants, and shops, this is a great place to kick off a night on the town!
With a food menu featuring mostly breakfast items, this is a great place to have a brunch date. Most menu items are in the $8-$12 range, so this is a great place to break the ice without breaking the bank.
Antique Trove $-$$$
Take your date and head over to this 23,000-square-foot mall featuring premier antiques. For nearly 40 years, Antique Trove has been the go-to location for antique shopping in Scottsdale. They have anything from the Victorian Era to the psychedelic 60s!
Vendors price their own merchandise here, so there’s no telling what you’ll discover. From tiny trinkets and postcards, all the way to a full living room set, you’ll find it all at Antiques Trove.
Phoenix Zoo $$
There are over 1200 animals in this expansive park, including many endangered species. The animals live in spacious enclosures, similar to the habitats they would have in the wild. Visitors can enjoy attractions like the tropical rainforest exhibit, train rides, and two fabulous art galleries. Get up close to a giraffe, ride a camel, and grab a ticket to Stingray Bay.
Adult tickets to the Phoenix Zoo are between $35 and $40, with special experiences available for an additional fee. Not a bad price for all-day fun in the animal kingdom.
Desert Botanical Gardens $$
The Desert Botanical Garden is a popular destination in the Valley—and for a good reason! This 140-acre botanical garden is home to thousands of desert plants. You can spend your day strolling around the garden and viewing the exhibits on-site, or keep an eye on their calendar to attend one of the many events at the botanical garden.
General admission is $25-$30 for the whole day. There are two dining options—Gertrude’s and the Patio Cafe—both with menu prices in the $10-$15 range.
Glow Putt Mini Golf $
Cool off this Summer by playing a round of glow-in-the-dark indoor miniature golf at Glow Putt Mini Golf. And don’t worry about letting your date win – just enjoy the friendly (more like flirty) competition!
Your first 18 holes at Glow Putt are $10.95, or just $8.95 with a senior discount. After that, you can replay the course as many times as you’d like for just $5.00 per round!
BATL Axe Throwing $$
You and your date will get the hang of it in just a few minutes! At BATL Axe Throwing, you can add some flavor to your game by ordering food and drinks right to your private throwing space. This is an awesome place for an energetic and exciting date!
A one-hour reservation at BATL will cost you between $30 and $35, depending on the day of the week. You can also order food and drinks from their menu; most items, including shareable apps and entrees, are in the $10-$15 range.
Museum of Illusions $$
With over 80 exhibits including optical illusions, holograms, and interactive illusion rooms, the Museum of Illusions offers a unique sensory experience for your date night. There’s something exciting at every turn in the Museum. For an experience that is sure to amaze your date, this is the place to go.
Tickets to the Museum of Illusions are about $24.95, with a $2 discount offered to seniors. For a date filled with mind-bending fun, that’s a steal!
Taliesin West $$$
Located in McDowell Mountain Ranch, Taliesin West, the winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright, is a great place to enjoy a romantic date night. Although public tours are offered during the day, consider getting tickets to a Sunset & Sip. You and your date can watch the sunset over the beautiful scenery and explore specially curated areas of Taliesin West.
Tickets range from $35-$40 and include one drink (wine, beer, or soda). Bar service is available to purchase additional drinks if you’d like, or you can just drink in the spectacular views
Mystery Mansion Dinner Theater $$$
Are you and your date murder mystery fans? Well at Mystery Mansion Dinner Theater featuring Maggiano’s Little Italy and Babbo Italian Eatery, you can enjoy an interactive theatrical experience that will have you solving murders between bites of pizza!
Tickets start at $89 each. Your ticket includes a 3-course meal, a character card and dossier, and a chance to win prizes throughout the show. What a night!
Butterfly Wonderland $$
This is the largest butterfly conservatory in the country, right here in Scottsdale! Spend a morning or afternoon here meandering around and looking at beautiful butterflies while feeling like you are inside a tropical rainforest.
Admission is around $30, and your tickets will include all-day access to all of Butterfly Wonderland’s exhibits, as well as free re-entry so you can enjoy the excitement of the Arizona Boardwalk. Just be sure to hold onto your ticket—you’ll need it to get back in!
Carlson Creek Vineyard $$
Carlson Creek Vineyard is an Arizona family-owned vineyard and winery with a lovely tasting room in Scottsdale. Located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, the space features a 20-foot custom-made bar, local artwork, and an education room for private wine tastings.
Tastings are $18 per person and come with your choice of 5 wines. For just $20 more, you can pair your vino with a delicious selection of artisan cheese, meats, marinated olives, nuts, and dried fruits.
Virtu Honest Craft $$$
At this place, the food is art. If you want to impress your date, then this is a great choice. You can expect excellence here, and your mind will bend when you taste the Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Here you will want to toast to prosperity and spend the evening talking about your dreams.
Virtu Honest Craft offers a prix fixe menu of 3-5 course dinner options starting at $95 per person. You can add Sommelier pairings for an additional $60 per person. For an incredible fine dining experience, it’s worth every penny.
The Mission Restaurant and Lounge $$
Located in the historic Old Town Scottsdale, this modern Latin American restaurant will blow you away with its fine dining cuisine. The atmosphere is mellow and the perfect ambiance for a romantic evening. The Mission is open for lunch and dinner service throughout the week, as well as brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
Each meal service has a unique menu. Items on the brunch and lunch menu range from $15-$20. Their elegant dinner menu features entrees in the $25-$40 range.
Cafe Monarch $$$
Arched entryways, white tablecloths, and chandeliers are all things that can be found at this chic restaurant. Serving four-course meals, the menu features delicate dishes that are so artfully placed on the plate you will want to take a picture before the first bite.
Cafe Monarch’s four-course prix fixe menus start at around $115 per person. They also offer a variety of a la carte options and add-ons. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, for $285 per person you can experience the Chef’s 8-course tasting menu.