Sight-Doing is the 2026 travel trend that has replaced typical tourist sightseeing with hands-on activities aimed to connect travelers with a destination’s authentic culture. According to American Express, 79% of surveyed Millennials and Gen Z’s are seeking these locally-based activities and workshops, with 76% looking to gain new skills in the meantime.
Visitors to Scottsdale, Arizona are in luck, as the destination boasts a variety of authentic workshops and activities, providing a true taste of the city’s rich heritage and culture. Whether it’s learning how to become a real cowboy/girl, experiencing Scottsdale’s indigenous culture through art and music, tasting Arizona wine and more, the destination has a Sight-doing activity for every discerning traveler.
For the Wannabe Cowboy / Cowgirl - Scottsdale is well-known for its western history (the destination is often known as the “west’s most western town’!), where the roads were once filled with swinging Saloon doors, cowboys on horseback and frontier flair. Cowboy College is a real, no-frills working cattle ranch, allowing travelers to see what it really takes to become a cowboy/cowgirl. Visitors will work, sleep and eat under the stars, while learning about roping skills, cattle breeds, ranch operation, chute work, and more.
For the Culture Enthusiast - Scottsdale has an incredibly rich Indigenous culture that is still very much alive today, and The Native Art Market is one of the best ways for visitors to experience it. Here, travelers can learn about Arizona’s Native American tribes and customs through Native dance demonstrations, art and more, with over 200 Native artisans showcasing their work. Visitors can also partake in the fun with a hands-on craft, whether it be making a dream catcher or beaded bracelet to bring home.
For the Outdoor Adventurer or the Foodie - Scottsdale’s vast, picturesque desert landscapes are a top reason why visitors continue to come back to the destination year-after-year. A brand-new offering and way to experience the desert is the Sonoran Desert Plant Hike and Tasting Experience at Taliesin West. The 1.5-hour guided hike is led by desert expert Jeffrey Lazos Ferns who will take you through saguaro, creosote, mesquite and more, which shaped renowned architect and designer Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision for his Scottsdale home, Taliesin West. Throughout the hike, Jeffrey will discuss how Indigenous and regional communities have relied on these plants for daily life before offering a Sonoran Desert Tasting Experience, serving small bites crafted with desert ingredients.
For the Oenophile - One of Arizona’s most underrated aspects is that the state produces its own wine, and Scottsdale has over five tasting rooms in close proximity to each other, known as the Wine Trail, for visitors to taste. LDV Winery specifically, offers a wine sensory experience for oenophiles, where guests are challenged to use all of their senses to identify the nuances of wine aromas. The goal is to make wine more approachable and enhance visitors' wine knowledge and expertise.
For the Zen-Seeker - Scottsdale’s wellness scene runs deep, with the destination boasting over 50 resort and day spas. Second Nature Clinic is a natural medicine hub in Old Town Scottsdale offering Naturopathic and Ayurvedic medical therapies. Dr. Meghana Thanki invites Zen-seekers to achieve the balance of mind, body and spirit through an Ayurvedic sampling called The Royal Treatment. This treatment includes a mix of meditation, learning to balance your dosha, nutrition and the six “tastes”, including how to prepare a hot pot meal. Guests will receive a massage, followed by a shared meal.
