Scottsdale Segway Tour – 2 Hours (Small Group Sizes)

Old Town Scottsdale is spread out enough to make walking tiring, especially when the Arizona sun is doing its job. This two-hour Segway tour covers about five miles, linking public art, historic buildings, canals, shopping streets, and rooftop views without wearing out your feet.

I like the careful training and the small private group. You practice in the parking lot before setting off, then ride with an earpiece so you can hear the guide while moving. The main caution is simple: Segways take a little nerve at first, and the age, weight, and weather rules are firm.

I also like how useful the tour is for a first look at Scottsdale. Guides such as Tommy, Noah, Cam, Perry, and Kyle have been praised for clear instruction, local detail, and steady attention at street crossings. The tour is less suited to anyone who wants a slow museum visit or has difficulty standing and balancing for two hours.

Key points to know before you book

• About five miles of Old Town: Cover far more ground than you would on foot, from the Civic Center to the waterfront.
• Training comes first: You watch a safety video, put on a helmet, and practice starting, stopping, turning, and getting off.
• Private groups of up to six: Your party rides together, allowing the guide to adjust the pace and offer extra help.
• A useful first-day orientation: You’ll spot restaurants, bars, galleries, shops, public art, and historic corners to revisit later.
• The rooftop view is a highlight: Segways are parked while you ride an elevator to a roof with broad views across the valley.
• Know the limits: Riders must be at least 12, no older than 65, and weigh at least 100 pounds.

Why a Segway works well in Scottsdale

Scottsdale’s Old Town is compact in places, but its sights are scattered across several districts. A walking tour can take you through one pocket of the city, while a Segway lets you move between the waterfront, Main Street, the Civic Center, the Arts District, and nearby public spaces.

The machine is quiet, electric, and surprisingly easy to steer once you stop fighting it. You lean slightly to move forward or back, and the handlebars help you turn. Most people in the supplied feedback needed only a few minutes of practice before feeling comfortable.

That said, this is not a ride where you simply sit and watch the scenery. You stand on the Segway for most of the outing. Your feet may feel tired, and you need to stay alert around curbs, crossings, pedestrians, and other street users.

The guide leads from the front and uses an earpiece system for narration. This is a useful touch because you do not have to bunch up around the guide to hear the story. One past participant did report trouble hearing because headphones were not available, so it is worth confirming the audio equipment at the start.

The parking-lot lesson makes beginners feel at ease

Your visit begins at Segway of Scottsdale Tours, at 7330 E Earll Dr, Suite R. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point.

Before the sightseeing starts, you watch a safety video and receive a helmet. The instructor then takes you outside and works through the controls one person at a time. You practice moving forward and backward, turning, stopping, and handling the machine.

Getting off deserves special attention. One nervous rider felt the instruction on dismounting could have been clearer, which is a useful warning for anyone who worries about balance. Ask the guide to repeat the step if you are unsure. Guides have also been praised for keeping a nervous rider beside them during the route and checking on less confident members of a group.

This early coaching is one of the tour’s best features. The staff do not assume you already know how to ride. First-timers, including older adults and people who arrive anxious, can get a proper introduction before reaching the street.

Soleri Bridge and the Scottsdale Waterfront

Once the group is ready, you head toward Soleri Bridge. Designed by Italian architect Paolo Soleri, who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright, the pedestrian bridge has tall steel pylons that function as a sundial. The plaza beside the bridge gives the guide room to explain the design and point out the waterfront setting.

You then ride through the waterfront area, where public art and open paths make for easy photo stops. This is a good early section because you are still getting used to the Segway, yet the route has plenty to look at.

The Arizona canal system is another memorable part of this stretch. The canal paths show how water is moved through a dry state, and the ride beside the water offers a change from the paved streets and commercial blocks. You do not need a separate canal visit if this section catches your interest, though the tour only gives you an overview rather than a full engineering lesson.

Public art, the library, and Scottsdale’s civic center

Scottsdale puts public art in many everyday places, and the tour uses that art as a way to understand the city. You may stop for pictures at pieces such as the Spirit of the Horse and the sculpture of several horses near a roundabout.

At the public library, look for the large golden quill. A sparrow-shaped opening above it creates a changing image as sunlight moves across the work. It is a small detail, but it rewards you for looking up instead of simply following the street.

The Scottsdale Civic Center is one of the prettiest stops. Palm trees, fountains, blue water, cacti, and flowering plants fill the grounds. You can expect a photo break here, with the guide explaining how the space fits into the city.

The route also passes the building where the mayor works and the city council meets. This is not a formal government visit, but it helps connect the polished public spaces with the practical work of running Scottsdale.

Depending on the exact route and timing, the tour also points out a venue used for orchestral concerts, where wine service is available. These quick orientation stops are useful if you plan to spend another evening in Old Town.

The Little Red Schoolhouse and early Scottsdale

The Scottsdale Historical Museum occupies the former Little Red Schoolhouse, built in 1909. The building once served early Scottsdale residents and now gives the route one of its clearest links to the town’s past.

The tour does not turn into a museum admission visit, so you should not expect time to study exhibits indoors. Instead, the guide uses the building as a roadside history lesson. That format suits the tour: you see the structure, hear why it matters, and keep moving.

Another historic stop is Scottsdale’s first United States post office, now home to Porter’s Western Store. Farmer’s State Bank, now the Rusty Spur Saloon, adds another layer to the old commercial center.

The original city center is marked by a statue of founder Winfield Scott with his wife Helen seated on their mule, Maude. These details give Old Town a stronger sense of place than a simple ride past shops and restaurants.

Main Street, cowboy bars, and the shopping streets

Main Street is where you get the classic Southwestern look, with saloon-style buildings and much of Old Town’s action. The guide points out places to eat, drink, shop, and return to later.

The Rusty Spur Saloon is particularly notable as the oldest cowboy bar in Scottsdale. You do not stop for a drink during the moving tour, but knowing where it is can help you plan an evening afterward.

The route also includes a street lined with trees and businesses where expensive cars are often parked. Spotting Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Bentleys, and Porsches is part of the local scene here. It is an amusing contrast to the historic buildings and Western storefronts.

You’ll hear restaurant suggestions along the way, including the flagship P.F. Chang’s location and an American-style restaurant known for fried chicken and pretzel bites with cheese dip. The tour is not a food outing, but this practical advice can save you from choosing dinner at random.

Scottsdale Fashion Square is also pointed out. It is described as the second-largest mall in the United States, and the guide shares the local story about a Persian prince arriving with a suitcase of cash and spending it all in one day each year. Treat that as colorful local lore, not a fact you need to plan around.

A planned break at Jen’s Ice Cream

About partway through the ride, the group stops near Jen’s Ice Cream. The planned pause is around 15 minutes, with benches and shade where you can rest your feet.

This is a smart part of the schedule. Even when the Segway feels easy, standing for a long time can tire your legs. You may buy an ice cream cone, browse a few nearby shops, or simply sit and cool down.

The break is not a full lunch stop. One person wished for a longer pause to eat or shop, so plan a proper meal before or after the tour rather than counting on this stop to cover it.

Spring training and Scottsdale’s Arabian horse link

The tour also helps you get your bearings around the area used by the San Francisco Giants during spring training. Baseball fans will appreciate the connection, while everyone else can treat it as a useful landmark for understanding Scottsdale’s seasonal rhythm.

At another roundabout, several horse statues point to the city’s Arabian horse breeding tradition. The guide shares background as you ride around the circle, combining a quick bit of local culture with the simple fun of steering the Segway through the space.

These stops show the range of the route. You are not seeing only old buildings or only shopping streets. You move through sports, public art, horse culture, civic spaces, and modern retail districts in one outing.

The rooftop view gives the tour a strong finish

Near the end, you park the Segways and take an elevator to a rooftop. From there, the guide points out landmarks across the valley.

This is one of the tour’s most useful pauses because it gives you a sense of how Scottsdale fits into the larger area. After riding through individual streets and plazas, you can finally see the broad shape of the city from above.

The rooftop stop also breaks up the physical rhythm of the ride. You are off the Segway, indoors for part of the transfer, and then standing in a fixed place rather than steering. Bring sunglasses for the ride and the bright outdoor stops, but the exact quality of the rooftop view will depend on weather and visibility.

Afterward, you return to the original meeting point. The tour takes about two hours, though the exact pace can vary with the group, traffic, photo stops, and comfort level.

What $79 buys you

At $79 per person, the price is reasonable if you want transportation, local orientation, instruction, and sightseeing in one package. The fee includes the Segway, helmet, bottled water, safety training, guide narration, and the two-hour route.

The private format improves the value for a family or group of friends. With no more than six people per booking, the guide can keep an eye on nervous riders and answer questions without managing a large crowd.

You are paying for access to a wide area rather than for indoor admissions or a meal. The historical museum, shops, restaurants, and bars are viewed from outside unless you return on your own. If your goal is to enter museums and spend time reading displays, the value is weaker.

For a short stay, I think the tour earns its price by showing you where to return. You can mark down the Civic Center, canals, galleries, restaurants, bars, and shopping areas, then explore the places that caught your attention later.

Who should book this Scottsdale ride?

I would choose this for first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Old Town without committing to a long walking tour. It also suits families with older children, couples, solo riders, and local residents looking for a fresh way to see familiar streets.

The minimum age is 12. The maximum age is 65, with no exceptions, and riders must weigh at least 100 pounds. Helmets are required for everyone.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring sunglasses. Each Segway has a small front handlebar bag for personal items. Comfortable footwear matters because you remain standing for much of the outing.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

An e-bike option is also available if you prefer that style of transport, but confirm the choice when booking so you know exactly what vehicle your group will use.

Should you book the Scottsdale Segway Tour?

Book it if you want a fun, efficient introduction to Old Town, especially if you are new to Segways. The training is thorough, the route covers a lot, and the private group makes it easier for the guide to help you.

Skip it if standing for two hours is uncomfortable, if you want long indoor visits, or if you fall outside the age and weight requirements. For everyone else, the combination of Soleri Bridge, public art, the Little Red Schoolhouse, historic storefronts, canals, and rooftop views makes this a practical way to get oriented before exploring Scottsdale on your own.

FAQ

How long is the Scottsdale Segway Tour?

The tour lasts approximately two hours and covers about five miles through Old Town Scottsdale and nearby areas.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Segway of Scottsdale Tours, 7330 E Earll Dr, Suite R, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You make your own way to the designated meeting point.

Do I need prior Segway experience?

No. The tour includes a safety video, equipment instruction, and practice time in the parking lot before you ride into Scottsdale.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the two-hour guided Segway tour, use of a helmet and Segway, and free bottled water.

What is the minimum age for riders?

Riders must be at least 12 years old. The maximum age is 65, with no exceptions.

Are there weight requirements?

Yes. Riders must weigh at least 100 pounds, or 45 kilograms, to use a Segway.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a full refund or select another date.