How to Make Friends in Scottsdale
Scottsdale has a reputation for being where people come to visit. Plenty of people also live here and are looking for their people, and the city gives you good excuses to find them, as long as you know where the regulars go.
Where the regulars are
The Thursday ArtWalk in Old Town
Every Thursday evening, about 7 to 9 PM, galleries along Main Street and Marshall Way open their doors for a free ArtWalk. It is a weekly, easy thing to bring a new friend to, and an easy place to start a conversation.
The Indian Bend Wash greenbelt
A paved, mostly lit path that runs for miles through parks, lakes and fields down the middle of the city. Morning runners and cyclists are on it at the same time every day, which is how you end up with people to run with.
Rec sports and the parks along the wash
Fields, courts and lakes line the greenbelt, and that is where rec leagues, pick-up games and dog people gather. A weekly game beats a one-off party for making real friends.
The preserve trails
Scottsdale's desert preserve trails have a strong weekend-morning crowd. Hiking with a group is safer, and a lot easier to keep doing than hiking alone.
Old Town is for after, not instead
Old Town is where groups end up, which makes it a great second stop and a hard first one. Start with something you do together, like a walk, a game or a class, and let dinner or drinks come after. People bond over doing, not over shouting across a crowded room.
The plan comes first, the people come with it
Everything above works better with a few people who are going too. On LetsGo you say what you want to do in Scottsdale and when, and your GoBuddy matches you with people who want the same thing. It is strictly platonic, not a dating app, and you go together.
Questions people ask
Where can you meet people in Scottsdale?
The Thursday ArtWalk in Old Town, the Indian Bend Wash greenbelt, rec sports in the parks along it, and the desert preserve trails on weekend mornings.
When is the Scottsdale ArtWalk?
Every Thursday evening, about 7 to 9 PM, in Old Town Scottsdale's arts district along Main Street and Marshall Way. It is free.
Is Scottsdale a good place to make friends if you are not into nightlife?
Yes. The greenbelt, rec sports, hiking and the ArtWalk are all daytime or early-evening, and they repeat every week.
Is LetsGo a dating app?
No. LetsGo is strictly platonic. You match on a plan and go together.
More local guides
Claim your spot
LetsGo is launching across the Phoenix metro: Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert. Join now and start with 10,000 Go Gold, added when you verify.
Join LetsGoRun a bar, cafe, gym or shop? List your venue free →