Old Town Scottsdale
4.1(208)yelp
Historic Town
Overview
Blending historic Western charm with trendy modern sophistication, this vibrant district features historic 1920s buildings, wooden boardwalks, and a bustling concentration of fine art galleries, upscale boutiques, and gourmet restaurants. Visitors can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides by day, experience a buzzing nightlife scene, and explore diverse cultural markets celebrating authentic Native American and Mexican craftsmanship.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration3-5 hours
Best TimeThe cool season of October to May is most suitable. It's recommended to go in the late afternoon; after strolling through the specialty shops, choose one of America's top steakhouses in the old town for a luxurious dinner
Getting ThereLocated in the core heart of Scottsdale. Transportation is extremely convenient, with several huge multi-level free public parking garages around the old town (such as the 5th Avenue garage), plus a completely free vintage city Trolley service
Travel Tips
- This is Arizona's most famous and bustling upscale vintage district, perfectly blending rich 19th-century American cowboy Western charm with modern luxurious top-tier art galleries and upscale restaurants
- The old town is carefully divided into several distinctive sub-districts; the "Arts District" gathers the densest cluster of top art shops in the U.S., while the "Historic Old Town" preserves traditional carriage roads and Western log cabins
- The nightlife here is renowned throughout the Southwest; every Thursday night the old town holds the traditional "Scottsdale ArtWalk," where all the top galleries open to the public for free and offer free red wine
- Free Public Parking Benefit: Old Town Scottsdale offers thousands of 100% free public covered garage spaces and street parking stalls without meters. However, carefully avoid curbs marked in red or labeled 'Resident Only' to prevent heavy fines and immediate towing.
- Free Scottsdale Trolley Trick: Old Town covers a wide area; avoid walking long distances in the desert heat by using the free Scottsdale Trolley system. Running every 15-20 minutes, these vintage-style buses connect shopping districts and galleries at zero cost.
- Thursday ArtWalk Traffic Alert: Every Thursday from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, the traditional Scottsdale ArtWalk takes place, offering free gallery access and wine tastings. This causes severe gridlock; it is strategic to park in outer lots and walk into the core.
Reviews
Positive
- So much fun to stroll! The streets are extremely clean and tidy, with blooming flowers and huge palm trees everywhere. In the historic district you can buy handmade cowboy boots and Native silver jewelry, and around the corner is an extremely modern top-luxury gallery—very diverse
- The restaurants and open-air bars are of very high quality with an extremely chic atmosphere. Walking down the pedestrian street after the lights come on at night, with a cool desert breeze, is the best way to experience upscale urban living in the Phoenix area
- A neighborhood blending historic Wild West cowboy charm with upscale modern chic; the streets boast wooden boardwalks that look amazing in photos.
- A paradise for dining and shopping, packed with endless fine art galleries, luxury boutiques, rustic saloons, and top-tier Arizona ice cream parlors.
- The historic district is highly walkable, with well-maintained public restrooms scattered around, plus bustling weekend farmers markets and buskers.
- Transportation is incredibly convenient, with a high availability of free public parking structures, removing any downtown parking stress.
Heads up
- As a nationally famous wealthy area, prices here (whether dining, art, or souvenirs) are significantly higher than in ordinary nearby cities, and in peak season popular restaurants require booking far in advance
- Overly commercialized and touristy; many shops feel like tourist traps selling generic, marked-up souvenirs rather than authentic artisan crafts.
- The price point here sits firmly on the luxury side; restaurant menu items and gallery artwork are highly marked up, unfriendly for budget travelers.
- During the peak winter and spring tourism seasons, crowds explode, causing severe street traffic congestion and hours-long waits at trendy eateries.
- On weekend nights, certain nightlife strips turn rowdy and loud with intoxicated crowds, making it less suitable for quiet family evening strolls.