Scottsdale Segway Tour – 2 Hours (Small Group Sizes)

Old Town is made for rolling exploration. This two-hour Scottsdale Segway tour covers about five miles, linking the waterfront, Arts District, Civic Center, historic buildings, public art, and favorite local stops without asking you to walk the whole way. I especially like the small private groups and the careful practice session before you head into traffic.

The route also gives you useful ideas for the rest of your stay. You pass restaurants, shops, galleries, bars, museums, and photo stops, so you can mark places to return to later. The main drawback is that standing on a Segway for two hours can tire your feet, and the narration may be hard to hear if the audio equipment does not work properly.

The price is $79 per person, which is fair for a private, guided outing that includes the Segway, helmet, bottled water, and instruction. You do need to meet the tour at its Scottsdale office, and the firm age limits mean this is not an option for every member of a family.

Key points to know before you book

• Five miles in two hours: You cover far more of Old Town than you would on foot, with time for photos and a short break.
• Training is built in: First-time riders practice starting, stopping, turning, moving forward, and reversing before leaving the parking lot.
• A private group of up to six: Your party rides together, giving the guide room to adjust the pace and help nervous riders.
• A strong Old Town overview: The route includes Soleri Bridge, the Scottsdale Waterfront, Civic Center, historic buildings, public art, shops, and restaurants.
• Strict rider requirements: You must be at least 12 years old, no older than 65, and weigh at least 100 pounds.
• An e-bike alternative may be available: If you prefer two wheels without a Segway, ask about switching to an e-bike.

Why a Segway works well in Scottsdale

Old Town Scottsdale spreads across a broad area, with attractions separated by streets, canals, plazas, and shopping districts. Walking is pleasant, but covering the main sights in two hours would mean skipping plenty or spending much of your time on pavement.

A Segway gives you a practical middle ground. You move quickly, but not so quickly that you lose the feel of the streets. You can stop for photos, listen to your guide through an earpiece, and see the area from a standing position that gives you a good view over parked cars and crowds.

I like this format best as a first look at Scottsdale. You get enough context to decide where you want to spend more time later. It is not a substitute for entering every museum or browsing every gallery, but it is an efficient introduction to the area.

The private format matters, too. A maximum of six people per booking keeps the group manageable. It also lets the guide stay close to anyone still learning. One family described a nervous rider being placed beside the guide until confidence improved. That kind of personal attention is more useful here than a long speech about safety.

The parking-lot lesson makes beginners feel ready

The tour begins at Segway of Scottsdale Tours, at 7330 E Earll Drive, Suite R. You make your own way there, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Before riding, you watch a safety video and receive a detailed orientation. The guide then works with riders one by one in the parking lot. You practice mounting and dismounting, moving forward and backward, turning, and handling the controls.

Most riders seem to get comfortable within a few minutes, but you should not feel rushed. Several riders arrived worried about balance or coordination and found the machines easier than expected. The instruction is one of the tour’s strongest features, particularly if this is your first Segway outing.

A helmet is required for everyone. The Segways have small front handlebar bags for personal items, and bottled water is included. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and bring sunglasses. The desert sun can be bright even when the air feels pleasant.

Once you leave the office, the guide stays alert around crossings and keeps the group together. That safety focus is reassuring, though you still need to remain aware of pedestrians, curbs, traffic, and your own balance.

Soleri Bridge and the Scottsdale Waterfront

One of the first major sights is Soleri Bridge, designed by Italian architect Paolo Soleri, who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright. Its tall steel pylons rise 64 feet and work as a sundial, giving the bridge both a practical purpose and a bold visual shape.

The bridge is pedestrian-only, which makes this a comfortable early section of the ride. You cross into the waterfront area, where public art, open space, and the canal create a different mood from the commercial streets of Old Town.

The Scottsdale Waterfront is one of the tour’s most pleasant stretches. You ride along the canal and see how water has shaped this part of Arizona. The canal system connects with a large network that carries water through the state, a useful bit of local context as you pass beside it.

The tour does not treat the waterfront as a long walking visit. Instead, you glide through, pause at selected points, and keep moving. That is good for seeing a lot, but you may want to return later if you want time beside the water or a slower look at the public art.

Civic Center, public art, and the Arts District

The route continues through Civic Center, one of Old Town’s best-known public spaces. Palm trees, fountains, blue water, cacti, and large areas of flowers make it a natural photo stop.

You also pass Scottsdale’s city government buildings, where the mayor works and the city council meets. This section helps connect the polished public spaces with the practical workings of the city.

Public art is a major part of the ride. The route includes outdoor sculptures, contemporary Native American art, the Spirit of the Horse, a group of horses at a roundabout, and other pieces spread through the streets. Your guide points out places for photographs, so keep your phone handy.

A particularly playful stop is a large art installation that functions like a kaleidoscope near Scottsdale Road and Camelback Road, known as the Gateway of Scottsdale. The guide takes the group into the installation on the Segways, making this more than a quick look from the sidewalk.

The Arts District adds galleries and smaller creative spaces to the route. You may not have time to go inside many of them, but the ride gives you a sense of where to return if art is high on your list.

Little Red Schoolhouse and Old Town’s early buildings

The Scottsdale Historical Museum occupies the former Little Red Schoolhouse, built in 1909. It is a modest building, but it gives the tour a concrete connection to Scottsdale’s early days. You see where children in the young community were educated before the city grew into the resort destination it is today.

Another useful stop is Scottsdale’s first United States post office, now occupied by Porter’s Western Store. The building’s new use reflects the way Old Town mixes working history with shopping and entertainment.

You also pass Farmer’s State Bank, now home to the Rusty Spur Saloon. The building’s present-day role keeps it connected to Scottsdale’s Western image, while its earlier purpose shows how much the town has changed.

The original city center includes a statue of Winfield Scott, the city’s founder, with his wife Helen seated on their mule, Maude. This is the sort of small detail that is easy to miss on your own. The guide supplies the story while you take in the surrounding streets.

Main Street provides the classic Southwestern setting, with saloon-style architecture, shops, restaurants, and plenty of activity. The Rusty Spur is identified as Scottsdale’s oldest cowboy bar, so you can note it for a drink after the tour if that suits your evening.

Restaurants, shopping, and unusual Scottsdale details

One practical strength of this tour is the restaurant advice. You pass places such as P.F. Chang’s flagship location, an American-style restaurant known for fried chicken and pretzel bites with cheese dip, and other dining spots along the route.

You also ride near Scottsdale Fashion Square, described as the second-largest mall in the United States. The guide shares the local story about a Persian prince arriving with a suitcase of cash and spending it in one day each year. Treat that as colorful local lore, but it is still a fun detail as you pass the shopping district.

Fifth Avenue and the quieter tree-lined streets offer a different view of Old Town. You may spot expensive cars parked near shops and restaurants, including Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Bentleys, and Porsches. That mix of Southwestern buildings, public art, luxury shopping, and flashy cars is very Scottsdale.

The horse sculptures and Arabian horse references add another local angle. You ride around a roundabout while hearing about Scottsdale’s connection to Arabian horse breeding. It is a quick look at a part of the city that does not always appear in a standard sightseeing route.

The short ice cream break and rooftop views

The itinerary includes a stop near Jen’s ice cream, with benches and shady places to sit. The break is usually about 15 minutes, giving your feet a rest after standing on the Segway.

You can buy an ice cream cone if you wish, but the purchase is not included. You may also have time to look into nearby shops. I see this pause as important rather than decorative. Two hours of riding is not strenuous in the usual sense, but your feet and calves can feel it.

The final highlight is a rooftop viewpoint. The group parks the Segways and rides an elevator to the roof, where the guide points out landmarks across the valley. This gives you a broad view after spending most of the tour at street level.

The rooftop visit depends on the route and operating conditions described by the tour, so ask your guide about the timing when you arrive. If included as planned, it is a strong finish because it changes your sense of scale. You have just crossed canals, plazas, and Old Town streets, then suddenly see how the city fits together from above.

Is $79 a good value?

At $79 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to see Scottsdale. You could walk parts of Old Town for free, and many public spaces cost nothing to enter.

The value comes from the combination of equipment, instruction, local commentary, a private group, and the distance covered. You are not simply renting a Segway. You receive a guided route of about five miles, safety support, photo stops, a short break, and a useful introduction to restaurants, museums, galleries, and streets you might otherwise miss.

For a first visit, I think the price is reasonable if you want a broad overview in one morning or afternoon. It is also a good choice for a repeat visitor who wants a more playful way to see familiar streets.

The value drops if you dislike standing, prefer long museum visits, or want a slow food-and-shopping walk. You should also factor in the strict age and weight rules before paying. The tour requires riders to be at least 12 years old, no older than 65, and at least 100 pounds. The maximum age is stated as firm, with no exceptions.

Who should book this Scottsdale ride?

I would choose this tour for couples, families with eligible children, friends, and solo visitors who want an active introduction to Old Town. It works especially well for first-time Segway riders because the training is taken seriously and the guide can stay close to anyone who needs extra help.

It is also useful for local residents showing the area to visiting family. One rider who had lived in Arizona for many years still learned new facts and found places to revisit.

You should think twice if you have trouble balancing, cannot comfortably stand for extended periods, or want a quiet sightseeing experience. The ride is fun, but you remain on a moving device near streets and pedestrians. Evening tours can be cooler, though darkness may make some sights harder to see.

If you prefer a bicycle-style ride, ask about the e-bike option. The supplied tour details describe it as an alternative, but the exact availability may depend on the booking.

Practical details before you reserve

The experience lasts about two hours and ends where it begins. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is offered in English.

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

Book ahead if your dates are fixed. This experience is often reserved about 17 days in advance, which suggests that popular travel periods can fill early.

Should you book the Scottsdale Segway Tour?

Yes, if you want to cover Old Town efficiently and are open to learning a new ride. The careful parking-lot practice, small private groups, attentive guides such as Tommy, Noah, Cam, Perry, Chris, and Cameron, and the five-mile route make this more than a novelty ride.

I would book it near the start of a Scottsdale stay, then return to the museum, galleries, restaurants, canal, or bars that caught your attention. Skip it if the age rules exclude someone in your party, you dislike standing, or you want deep time at individual attractions. For most eligible riders, $79 buys a lively and useful first look at Scottsdale without wearing out your walking shoes.

FAQ

Where does the Scottsdale Segway tour start?

The tour starts at Segway of Scottsdale Tours, 7330 E Earll Drive, Suite R, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the starting point.

How long is the Segway tour?

The tour lasts approximately two hours and covers about five miles.

Is training provided for first-time Segway riders?

Yes. You receive safety instruction, watch a safety video, and practice in the parking lot before riding through Scottsdale.

What is included in the price?

The $79 price includes the two-hour guided Segway tour, use of a Segway and helmet, and free bottled water.

What are the age and weight requirements?

Riders must be at least 12 years old, no older than 65, and weigh at least 100 pounds. The maximum age rule has no exceptions.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather cancellations may result in a different date or a full refund.