2 Hour Segway Tour – Scottsdazzle Holiday Lights & Sunset

See Scottsdale at strolling speed, with wheels.

This two-hour shared Segway tour gives you a lively way to explore Old Town Scottsdale, the Waterfront, Civic Center, and nearby historic sights. I especially like the private practice session for beginners and the way the route mixes public art, local stories, and practical restaurant tips. The sunset and Scottsdazzle holiday lights versions add a pleasant evening glow.

The main drawback is simple: riding a Segway can be tiring on your feet, and a busy weekend night may make the route feel less relaxed. One guest also found the ride uncomfortable after a while and felt the tour was less informative than expected. Still, with a maximum of 12 people, patient guides, and a 4.9 rating from 100 reviews, this is a strong choice for first-time riders who want a broad look at Scottsdale.

Key points to know before you book

• Private practice comes first: You learn to start, stop, turn, and balance before the group heads into Old Town.
• The sunset timing matters: Evening light softens Scottsdale’s streets, while the Scottsdazzle version adds holiday decorations around the canal area.
• You cover a lot in two hours: The route includes Old Town, Civic Center, the Waterfront, Soleri Bridge, public art, and several historic buildings.
• The group stays fairly small: The maximum is 12 people, which helps guides keep an eye on new riders.
• Guides add local flavor: Brian, Austin, Garrett, Hannah, Luke, and others have been praised for patient instruction, humor, area stories, and food suggestions.
• Foot comfort is worth considering: The machine is easy for many beginners to operate, but standing and steering for two hours may not suit everyone.

Starting in Old Town Scottsdale

The tour begins at 6803 East Main Street, Suite 1120, in Scottsdale. You return to this same meeting point at the end, so you do not need to arrange a one-way pickup.

The first important part is not sightseeing. It is learning the Segway. The guides give beginners a private practice session before the group leaves, rather than asking you to learn while dodging pedestrians and cars. That is one of the strongest features of this experience.

Several guides have been praised for taking time with first-time riders. Brian, Austin, Luke, Garrett, and Hannah are each singled out for calm instruction or good humor. If you feel awkward at first, that is normal. The machine responds to your balance and body movement, so a few minutes of practice can make a big difference.

The company uses the Segway i2 Personal Transporter. It is designed for standing rather than sitting, and you control its movement by leaning gently. The training is meant to get you comfortable with the basic motions before you join the public streets and paths.

I would pay close attention during this opening lesson. The better you understand braking and turning here, the more you can enjoy the sights later. You should also be honest with the guide if you need another minute before setting off. The strongest part of the instruction, based on the supplied comments, is the staff’s patience with people who have never ridden before.

Old Town’s western character and public art

Once underway, the tour rolls through Old Town Scottsdale, the city’s best-known central district. This is where the ride gives you a useful first look at Scottsdale’s mix of preserved western touches, restaurants, shops, galleries, and public art.

You pass outdoor sculptures and historic buildings rather than sitting in a vehicle and watching the town slide by. A Segway also lets you cover more ground than walking while still moving slowly enough to notice details. That makes this a useful first activity if you are new to Scottsdale and want ideas for the rest of your stay.

The Old Adobe Mission is one of the more meaningful stops. Built in 1933, according to the tour’s focus on local historic sights, it offers a reminder that Scottsdale is more than restaurants, resorts, and shopping streets. You do not pay a separate admission fee on this tour, since the stops are viewed from the outside or included as part of the ride.

The Rusty Spur Saloon brings a different side of Old Town into view. It is known as a famous saloon and fits the area’s western identity. The tour does not include a saloon visit or meal, so think of this stop as a quick orientation point rather than a full attraction visit.

The route also passes Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. Here, the emphasis is on the exterior and on introducing you to the museum’s role in presenting western art. If that subject interests you, you can add a separate visit another day. The Segway tour gives you enough context to decide if it belongs on your list.

Civic Center, SMoCA, and the city’s art side

Scottsdale Civic Center is popular for its gardens, artwork, and local festivals. It gives the ride a break from the commercial feel of Old Town and shows how much open public space sits close to the downtown core.

The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, often shortened to SMoCA, adds a modern note. The stop is about local art and the building’s architecture, not an extended museum visit. That distinction matters. If you want gallery time, you will need to come back separately, but the outside view works well during a fast-moving city tour.

Public art is one of the route’s best themes. You see sculptures in the Civic Center and later reach Robert Indiana’s Love, a familiar piece of large-scale art. These stops help explain why Scottsdale is more than a western-themed shopping district. The city has made art part of its public spaces, and you can see that without buying a ticket.

The tour’s art focus also gives guides plenty to talk about. Brian has been praised for mixing local facts with humor, while other guides have been noted for giving useful explanations of the area. The quality of the storytelling will depend on who leads your group, but the repeated praise for the staff’s energy is a good sign.

Hotel Valley Ho: a useful ten-minute pause

About two hours on a standing vehicle can feel longer than two hours on foot. That is why the short stop at Hotel Valley Ho matters.

You have about 10 minutes to stretch your legs and use the restroom if needed. The hotel is presented as one of Scottsdale’s original resorts, with a historic but still hip feel. It is a quick look rather than a hotel tour, but the break helps reset your feet and gives you a pause between the historic core and the Waterfront section.

Heat makes this stop even more useful. Scottsdale can be extremely hot in summer, and one guest specifically praised Brian for giving extra breaks during a July tour. Bottled water is included, but you should still take the heat seriously and use the pause wisely.

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You do not need to be athletic, but you should be comfortable standing, balancing, and steering for much of two hours. The ride may be easy to learn and still tiring to maintain.

Soleri Bridge and the Scottsdale Waterfront

The route continues to Soleri Bridge, an important local design landmark. This is the only bridge designed by Paolo Soleri that was actually built, and the guide explains what else he was known for. That detail gives the stop more weight than a quick photo break.

You then reach the Scottsdale Waterfront, where the route offers a short five-minute reprieve near the Southbridge. Here, you get water and mountain views, a welcome change from the streets and buildings of Old Town.

The Waterfront is particularly appealing around sunset. The changing light gives the area a calmer mood, and the route can feel more scenic as evening arrives. If you choose the holiday lights version, the canal area becomes part of the show, with seasonal decorations adding another layer to the ride.

One practical point: sunset and holiday tours can also be popular evening outings. A Friday or Saturday night may bring more people and more street activity. One guest found a Saturday night route uncomfortable from a safety perspective, although the guide worked hard to keep the group together. If you prefer a quieter ride, a weeknight may be the better choice.

The sunset and Scottsdazzle versions

The title combines sunset with Scottsdazzle holiday lights, so timing is central to the experience. You are not simply riding through Old Town in daylight. The appeal is the transition from late-day views to illuminated streets and canal decorations.

The holiday version is seasonal, so the lights will not be the same attraction outside the holiday period. During the decorated season, the canal area becomes one of the tour’s most memorable sections. The lights give you something to look at while also making the route feel distinct from a standard daytime sightseeing ride.

Sunset also changes the practical side of the tour. Summer evenings can be more comfortable than midday, though the heat may still linger. In cooler months, you may want an extra layer. The supplied information does not give a set departure time, so check the exact start time when booking.

The guides add value here by pointing out places to eat and things to do after the ride. Garrett and Brian have received particular praise for restaurant suggestions. This is why I would schedule the tour early in your stay if possible. You can use the advice for the rest of your visit rather than hearing it on your final night.

What the guide quality means for your experience

The guide can shape this tour more than any single landmark. The route is strong, but the experience depends on how well the guide handles training, traffic, pacing, and local stories.

The best comments focus on four traits:

• Patient teaching: Austin, Luke, Garrett, and Bryan are praised for clear instruction and helping new riders feel safe.
• Safety awareness: Guides keep watch while the group rides on roads and through public areas.
• Good storytelling: Brian is repeatedly described as entertaining, with local facts and humor.
• Useful advice: Food, attractions, and activities come up naturally during the ride.

The tour is offered in English, and it is shared rather than private. With up to 12 people, you should expect to move as a group. That size is still manageable, but you will not have the same freedom or personal attention as on a private booking.

The pacing may also vary. The route covers many stops, so most are short viewing points. You get a broad introduction, not a long visit inside each attraction. That is a good trade if you want orientation, but less useful if your main goal is museum time or detailed historic study.

Comfort, safety, and the honest drawbacks

Most of the supplied comments describe the Segways as easy to operate after training. Several first-time riders felt comfortable once the practice session ended, and the small groups helped guides keep everyone together.

Still, do not confuse easy operation with zero effort. One guest reported foot pain across the group and found the ride uncomfortable. Standing on the platform, shifting your weight, and staying alert in busy areas can wear on you. A moderate fitness level is required, and the tour is not a good fit if you expect to sit or move at a very relaxed pace.

Traffic and crowds are another factor. Old Town can be busy on weekend nights. The guide may repeat streets or adjust the route to maintain safety, which can make the ride feel less direct. That is a sensible choice, but it can reduce the amount of sightseeing you get.

Weather also matters. The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

Is the tour good value?

No price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact dollar value. I can judge what you receive: two hours of equipment use, instruction, bottled water, a local guide, and an efficient route through several of Scottsdale’s main areas.

The value is strongest if you are new to the city, curious about local art, or unsure how to organize your first evening. You get a quick geographic sense of Old Town, the Civic Center, the Waterfront, and nearby landmarks. The restaurant tips can also save you from wasting a night on a poor choice.

The value is weaker if you already know Scottsdale well or want long visits at museums and historic sites. This is a moving overview. You see many places, but you do not tour the interiors of the Old Adobe Mission, SMoCA, Western Spirit, or the Rusty Spur Saloon.

Families with teenagers, couples, and groups of friends appear to be the best match. Beginners are welcome, and the practice session removes much of the fear factor. People who dislike standing for long periods, feel uneasy around traffic, or want a quiet walking tour should think twice.

Should you book the Scottsdale Segway tour?

I would book it if you want a fun orientation to Scottsdale and like the idea of learning something new while seeing the city. The private practice session, small maximum group, and repeated praise for guides such as Brian, Austin, Garrett, Luke, and Hannah make it especially suitable for first-time riders.

Choose a weeknight if you want less crowd pressure, and schedule it early in your visit so you can use the food and activity suggestions afterward. For the holiday season, the Scottsdazzle version adds a clear bonus through the decorated canal area.

Skip it if foot discomfort, heat, or balance work will spoil two hours for you. Otherwise, this is an energetic, practical introduction to Old Town Scottsdale, with enough art, history, sunset scenery, and local advice to make the ride more than a novelty.

FAQ

Where does the Scottsdale Segway tour begin?

It begins at 6803 E Main St #1120, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours. It also includes a 10-minute break at Hotel Valley Ho and a short five-minute pause at the Scottsdale Waterfront.

Are beginners allowed to join?

Yes. Beginners are welcome, and the tour begins with a private Segway practice session before the group heads into Scottsdale.

What landmarks are included?

The route includes Old Town Scottsdale, Scottsdale Civic Center, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Old Adobe Mission, Rusty Spur Saloon, Hotel Valley Ho, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, Soleri Bridge, Scottsdale Waterfront, and Robert Indiana’s Love sculpture.

How many people can join the shared tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.