Scottsdale Segway Tour – 2 Hours (Small Group Sizes)

Old Town Scottsdale is spread out enough that walking can eat up your day. On this two-hour Segway tour, you cover about five miles while moving from public art and canals to historic buildings, restaurants, galleries, and rooftop views. The machines look tricky, but the training starts slowly in the parking lot.

I like the small private group, capped at six people, and the way the guide can keep an eye on first-timers. I also like the mix of sights: Soleri’s giant sundial, the Little Red Schoolhouse, the old post office, Scottsdale Civic Center, and the Arizona Canal.

The main drawback is simple: you are standing on the Segway for much of the two hours, so comfortable shoes matter. The strict age range also rules out some people. You must be at least 12 and no older than 65, with no exceptions.

Key Points to Know Before You Ride

• About five miles in two hours: You see far more of Old Town than you would on foot.
• Careful beginner training: You watch a safety video, practice in the parking lot, and learn to stop, turn, move forward, reverse, and get on and off.
• Private groups of up to six: Your guide can give extra attention to nervous riders and keep the pace comfortable.
• A strong mix of Scottsdale sights: Expect public art, the Civic Center, historic buildings, canals, galleries, restaurants, and rooftop views.
• Included equipment: Your $79 fee covers the Segway, helmet, guide, earbud narration, and bottled water.
• Firm participation rules: Riders must be 12 to 65 years old and weigh at least 100 pounds.

Why a Segway Works Well in Old Town Scottsdale

Scottsdale’s central district rewards a little speed. Shops, restaurants, galleries, public art, historic buildings, the waterfront, and the Civic Center are spread across several blocks. Walking between them is possible, but you will spend more time crossing streets and retracing your steps.

A Segway gives you a useful middle ground. You are outside and close to the sights, unlike on a bus, but you can cover enough ground to understand how the district fits together. The route covers about five miles, which is a fair amount of sightseeing in two hours.

The ride is also part of the appeal. You lean slightly forward to move and shift your weight to slow or stop. After practice, most riders find the controls natural. The first few minutes can feel tense, especially when stepping on or off, so do not rush that part.

Your guide uses an earbud system for narration. That matters on a moving tour because you do not have to stay shoulder to shoulder to hear the commentary. One past problem reported was a shortage of headphones, which made the guide hard to hear for one rider, so it is worth checking that your earpiece works before setting out.

Training First, Touring Second

You meet at Segway of Scottsdale Tours on East Earll Drive. There is no hotel pickup, so arrange your own way to the starting point and allow time to arrive ready for the safety briefing.

The orientation is not a quick formality. You watch a safety video, put on a helmet, and practice in the parking lot. The instructor takes riders through the basic controls one at a time, including moving forward and backward, turning, stopping, and getting on and off.

This careful start is one of the best parts of the experience. Several first-timers began nervous and became comfortable after a few minutes. Guides have also kept uncertain riders close to them during the route, which is helpful if you are less coordinated or simply do not like new machines.

The tour is guided from start to finish. You are not handed a Segway and sent off to explore alone. Your guide leads the group, gives safety instructions through the earphones, and manages street crossings.

You will still need a reasonable sense of balance and the ability to follow directions. The age and weight rules are strict: you must be at least 12, no older than 65, and at least 100 pounds. Helmets are required for everyone.

Soleri Bridge and the Scottsdale Waterfront

The route heads toward Soleri Bridge, a pedestrian 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 strong visual presence.

The bridge opens toward a waterfront plaza used for community gatherings. From there, you glide along the Scottsdale Waterfront and pass public art installations. This is a good early stretch of the tour because you get moving in a fairly open area while seeing one of Scottsdale’s most recognizable modern landmarks.

The Arizona Canal adds a calmer change of pace. The canal system carries water through Arizona, and the route follows part of it as you explore the waterfront side of Old Town. It is not just a photo stop. Riding beside the water gives you a better sense of how the district’s public spaces connect.

The waterfront portion also helps break up the city streets. You get a mix of paved paths, plazas, crossings, and open areas rather than two straight hours on one type of road.

Art, Galleries, and the Old Town Character

From the waterfront, the tour moves into Scottsdale’s Arts District. Your guide points out galleries, outdoor sculptures, and contemporary Native American art. The public art is not limited to one museum, so you see pieces in the same streets where people shop, eat, and meet friends.

Several stops are set up for photographs. One piece represents the Spirit of the Horse, while another work forms a giant kaleidoscope near Scottsdale Road and Camelback Road, known as the Gateway of Scottsdale. Riding into that installation gives the tour a playful moment that you would likely miss if you were simply following a map between major attractions.

The route also includes a striking artwork near the public library. A large golden quill hangs in the air, with a sparrow-shaped opening above it. As the sun moves, the design creates the image of a sparrow flying upward.

Scottsdale’s art scene can feel scattered if you explore without a plan. The guide’s local commentary gives these pieces a bit of context and helps you spot places worth revisiting later. If you enjoy galleries or sculpture, make a note of the locations because the two-hour ride only gives you a first look.

Historic Scottsdale: Schoolhouse, Post Office, and Bank

The Scottsdale Historical Museum occupies the former Little Red Schoolhouse, built in 1909 to educate early Scottsdale residents. It is a modest building, but that is part of its appeal. You get a glimpse of the town before the modern shopping district and resort development took over the center.

The route also passes Scottsdale’s first United States post office, now home to Porter’s Western Store. That change of use says a lot about Old Town. Historic buildings remain part of daily commercial life instead of sitting apart as museum pieces.

Another landmark is Farmer’s State Bank, now the Rusty Spur Saloon. The Rusty Spur is also known as Scottsdale’s oldest cowboy bar, so your guide can point it out as a possible stop after the tour.

Near the original city center, you see statues of Winfield Scott, the city’s founder, and his wife Helen, seated on their mule, Maude. These details are easy to overlook from a car. On a Segway, you can pause, take a picture, and hear the story without walking a long distance from one sight to the next.

Main Street supplies the classic Western-style architecture and much of Old Town’s activity. The ride also passes a quieter tree-lined street where expensive cars are often parked. Spotting Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Bentleys, and Porsches may not be a history lesson, but it fits Scottsdale’s polished, high-end side.

Civic Center, City Hall, and Local Stops

Scottsdale Civic Center is one of the prettiest sections of the route. Palm trees, fountains, blue water, cactus, and thousands of flowers create a carefully designed public space. It is a good place to slow down and take photographs.

The tour also passes Scottsdale City Hall, where the mayor works and the city council meets. That stop helps connect the landscaped public areas with the people and institutions that manage them.

A roundabout features the Scottsdale logo, framed by palm trees. Another roundabout has multiple horse statues. Your guide uses the horse sculpture to explain Scottsdale’s long connection with Arabian horse breeding, adding local color to what could otherwise be just another traffic circle.

You also pass a popular patio where you might return later for a drink. The guide points out dining and shopping options throughout the route, which makes this tour useful early in a Scottsdale stay. You can mark places for dinner instead of wandering later without a plan.

The route includes the Scottsdale Museum of the West, a Smithsonian affiliate focused on the heritage of the American Southwest. You may not have time to visit it during the ride, but its location is worth noting if you want a museum stop on another day.

The Break at Jen’s Ice Cream

The planned stop at Jen’s ice cream gives you a chance to step off the Segway. The break is usually about 15 minutes, with benches and shady places to sit. You can buy an ice cream cone if you like, browse nearby shops, or simply rest your feet.

This pause matters more than it may sound. The Segway is easy to operate once you get used to it, but you remain standing while riding. A short break keeps the second half more enjoyable, especially in warm weather.

Do not count on this as a full lunch stop. The break is meant for rest, ice cream, and a quick look around. If you want a proper meal, use the guide’s restaurant suggestions and return after the tour.

Rooftop Views Across the Valley

One of the route’s strongest features is a rooftop stop. The group parks the Segways, enters an air-conditioned building, and takes an elevator to the roof. From there, your guide points out landmarks across the valley.

The view gives you a wider sense of Scottsdale than you get from street level. After moving through Old Town’s close-set buildings, canals, sculptures, and palm-lined plazas, it is useful to see the area spread out around you.

The rooftop stop also provides another break from the heat. Weather can shape this tour quite a bit, so a shaded or air-conditioned pause is welcome during a hot afternoon. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a rescheduled date or a full refund.

An evening departure may be more comfortable in hot months. One practical tradeoff is that darkness can make some art and buildings harder to see, so choose your time based on whether you want cooler temperatures or clearer views.

What $79 Includes

The price is $79 per person. That is not the cheapest way to get around Scottsdale, but the fee covers more than transportation. You receive roughly two hours of guided touring, a Segway, helmet, safety instruction, earbud narration, and bottled water.

The private format improves the value for couples, families, or friends who want to stay together. With a maximum of six people per booking, your guide can adjust the pace and keep nervous riders near the front. You are not joining a large group where one hesitant rider can feel lost.

The value is strongest if you want an introduction rather than a deep visit to one museum or historic site. You cover a wide area and collect ideas for later. If you already know Old Town well, the ride itself may be the main reason to book.

An e-bike option is also available for people who prefer that style of transportation. The supplied details do not specify whether the price or route differs, so confirm those points when booking.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a quick orientation to Old Town Scottsdale. You see enough restaurants, shops, museums, public art, canals, and historic places to plan the rest of your stay.

It also works well for families with children aged 12 and up, couples looking for an active outing, and local residents who want a fresh look at central Scottsdale. The training makes it friendly to beginners, and the private format gives the guide room to help anyone who feels unsure.

It is less suitable if you dislike standing, have difficulty balancing, or want a slow walking tour with long stops inside buildings. The route is primarily an outdoor overview, and the two-hour schedule keeps you moving.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Sunglasses are useful in the Arizona sun, and each Segway has a front handlebar bag for small personal belongings. Bring only what you need, since the bag is meant for light items.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and weather cancellations are handled with a new date or a full refund.

Should You Book the Scottsdale Segway Tour?

Book it if you want to see a lot of Old Town in two hours and like the idea of learning while you ride. The strongest reasons are the small private group, careful beginner practice, wide route, and mix of art, history, canals, civic spaces, and views.

I would choose a morning or late afternoon in warm weather, and an earlier time if seeing public art clearly matters most. If you are nervous, tell the instructor before leaving the parking lot and use the practice period fully.

Skip it if the age limit, minimum weight, or balance requirement creates a problem. For everyone else, $79 buys a lively introduction to Scottsdale, plus a fun way to decide where you want to spend more time afterward.

FAQ

Where does the Scottsdale Segway tour begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the tour?

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

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $79 per person.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, and each booking can include a maximum of six people.

Do I need previous Segway experience?

No. First-time riders are welcome. The experience includes a safety video, instruction, and practice in the parking lot before the group leaves.

What are the age and weight requirements?

Riders must be at least 12 years old and no older than 65. Participants must weigh at least 100 pounds.

What is included, and what should I bring?

The tour includes the Segway, helmet, bottled water, and guided narration through an earphone. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring sunglasses.