Downtown Scottsdale
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Downtown has long been a favorite tourist destination and a popular shopping area for the locals.
Now that the city has pored over $3.3 billion in new development into the area, this once sedate downtown with Old West style has evolved.
Now, Scottsdale downtown is also an urbane destination complete with cool new hotels, hip nightclubs and trendy restaurants and boutiques.
Fans of Old Town Scottsdale needn’t worry though – you'll still find its mix of funky Western shops, Southwestern curios and a small town USA feel.
It’s just that the two new developments have added a glamorous touch that draws those seeking an upscale, urban experience – a feature that was lacking in the old Scottsdale.
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| George-Ann Tognoni’s bronze sculpture, The Yearlings, graces the Scottsdale Mall – a tree-lined plaza in Old Town Scottsdale |
Technically, there are now seven districts in the downtown Scottsdale area, including the new Southbridge and Scottsdale Waterfront.
Because each district is within walking distance of each other, downtown Scottsdale makes for easy exploration on foot.
Within just over two square miles, you have over 400 shops, galleries and one-of-a-kind boutiques to explore.
The spiffed-up downtown Scottsdale now has:
- over 20 hotels including the hipster Mondrian and the retro Valley Ho
- more than 100 art galleries: Scottsdale is one of the top 25 art cities in the U.S.
- over 90 restaurants including the critically acclaimed Sea Saw and Cowboy Ciao
- the Scottsdale Waterfront, which transformed a dull concrete water channel into an upscale outdoor destination.
Plus, there is plenty of free parking.
And, if that isn’t enough of a draw, there are over 50 pieces of public art in the Scottsdale downtown area.
Before you start your exploration, pick up a free Scottsdale Downtown Map and Directory.
You’ll find them in kiosks on most every street or at the Downtown Visitor’s Center on Craftsman Court in the 5th Avenue district.
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| Catch a free ride on the Downtown Scottsdale Trolley |
What if you don’t want to walk all over downtown Scottsdale?
You can hitch a ride on the Scottsdale Downtown Trolley.
This free bus service is run by the city and operates every day of the week, every month of the year.
Their 22-passenger seat vehicles are air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible.
The trolley stops at various locations in the Downtown Scottsdale Arts and Shopping Districts and at Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall.
Old Town Scottsdale Arizona
Although it may have the feel of a Western movie set, Old Town Scottsdale is part of the original Scottsdale townsite. |
| Covered sidewalks and street lights that resemble wooden lanterns give Old Town Scottsdale shops their Wild West atmosphere |
This is the place to see historic Old Town Scottsdale.
Original buildings here include:
- The circa 1909 Little Red Schoolhouse, which today houses the Scottsdale Historical Museum.
- Cavalliere’s Blacksmith Shop, which is still owned by the Cavalliere family and is still a working blacksmith’s shop.
- Scottsdale’s first post office - built in 1928 and currently home to Porter’s Western Wear store.
Old Town Scottsdale also has over 150 shops, most of which offer Old West and Southwestern souvenirs and gifts.
Need to pick up an Arizona memento? Old Town Scottsdale has got you covered.
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| Cavalliere’s Blacksmith Shop, in downtown Scottsdale is an old adobe building dating to 1920 |
If you’re looking for Western wear like Stetson hats, cowboy boots, and bola ties, check out 80-year old Saba’s Western Wear, Arizona’s original Western store or Porter’s Western Wear.
Collectors of authentic Hopi Kachina dolls, Navajo turquoise and silver jewelry, Pima baskets and other Native American arts and crafts can find several shops in the area including the Gilbert Ortega Gallery.
For all things cactus including cactus gardens, cactus salsa and prickly pear cactus jelly, stop by the Cactus Hut, Cactus Carlos and Coyo T’s.
If you’re parched after all that shopping, step up to the bar at the Rusty Spur Saloon for a drink.
This establishment bills itself as the last real cowboy saloon in Scottsdale.
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| The Rusty Spur Saloon is downtown Scottsdale’s last cowboy bar |
Its rustic Old West atmosphere and friendly staff make the Rusty Spur a favorite with locals and tourists.
They serve lunch daily and have live music every night.
If you’re a fan of the scenic photography and interesting travel tips of Arizona Highways magazine, don’t miss the Arizona Highways store.
Here, you’ll find a great selection of Arizona Highways calendars, books, cards, and Arizona gifts.
Cat lovers will enjoy Cactus Cats.
This shop carries all types of feline-related gifts including figurines, home and garden accessories, cards, books, apparel and more.
Atkinson’s Indian Trading Post offers a large selection of Native American and Southwestern gifts and jewelry.
Their friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you choose Native American-made baskets, pottery, jewelry or Hopi Kachina dolls.
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| Downtown Scottsdale's Gilbert Ortega Gallery has Native American jewelery and art |
While you’re in Old Town Scottsdale, it’s worth a visit to SMoCA – the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, located on the eastern edge of the district.
This is Arizona’s only museum completely devoted to modern art, architecture and design.
The museum’s minimalist building was once a movie theater and underwent a complete transformation thanks to the design by award-winning architect Will Bruder.
SMoCA’s eclectic, global collection is housed in five exhibit galleries showcasing traveling exhibitions and the museum’s ever-growing permanent collection.
There’s also an outdoor sculpture garden, which includes the elliptical skyspace Knight Rise by James Turrell.
This is one of the renowned artist’s few public spaces.
Nearby is SMoCA’s free young@art gallery where kids can learn to explore their inner artist.
The ultra-cool Mondrian Scottsdale Hotel and Mondrian Bar is just east of Old Town Scottsdale, right off the Scottsdale Mall, in the space occupied by the former hipster hotspot, The James Hotel.
This current hipster hangout has attracted quite a following and it’s a good spot for celebrity spotting.
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| The Mondrian Scottsdale is on the eastern edge of downtown Scottsdale |
Mondrian celebrity sightings include George Clooney, Halle Berry, Elijah Wood and Eve Mendez.
The 194-room Mondrian Scottsdale bills itself as an “urban resort” with a Garden of Eden concept and motif.
Part of the Morgans Hotel Group, it has the Morgans signature amenities of the Agua Bathhouse spa, the exclusive open-air Sky Bar and Asia de Cuba restaurant.
The interior design by Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz, known for his design shows on HGTV and E! Television, is meant to be ultra-cool and modern with a red carpet entry way made of stenciled leaves, cascading white drapes and a long serpent-like bench supported by a faux baobab tree.
Guest rooms feature black furniture, white bedding, gray carpets and large flat-screen TVs.
For Arizona Spring training baseball fans, the Scottsdale Stadium is just south of Old Town Scottsdale. This is the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants.
Scottsdale Arts Districts
This Downtown Scottsdale shopping area is the heart of the Scottsdale art scene. |
| Artist Ed Mell’s bronze sculpture, Jack Knife, is one of many public art works in downtown Scottsdale |
As a matter of fact, most of Scottsdale’s galleries, studios and museums are found in downtown Scottsdale.
The Scottsdale Art District comprises two areas: the Main Street Arts District and the Marshall Way Arts District.
The Main Street Arts District is clustered in four blocks across Scottsdale Road from Old Town Scottsdale and has one of the largest concentrations of galleries of any street in the country.
Art lovers will find an eclectic mix of fine art galleries, from Native American art and Western realism to cutting-edge contemporary and Russian impressionism.
Many of the galleries present the work of famous artists such as pop artists Andy Warhol and Peter Max, Western artist Roy Andersen and contemporary artist Bill Wegman, well-known for his photos of dressed-up Weimaraner dogs.
Main Street is also one of the best spots in Scottsdale to shop for antiques.
Most stores offer a broad mix of antiques and collectibles including Oriental rugs, porcelains and china, estate jewelry, 18th- and 19th-century European furnishings and religious statues from Mexico and South America.
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| Tributary Wall, by artist Kevin Berry, is in downtown Scottsdale on Goldwater Boulevard |
Gallery highlights include:
- Rain Bird of Scottsdale is a Native American-owned gallery offering both Native American jewelry and Southwestern art. They represent over 40 Native American jewelers.
- Legacy Gallery bills itself as the "Gallery of the Western Lifestyle" and features museum-quality antiques for history buffs and art collectors interested in Indian artifacts, saddles, saloon items, photographic tin types, spurs and furniture.
- Gallery Russia carries original Russian and Soviet art from the 1930s to the present.
- Expressions in Bronze Gallery is the home of local and award-winning artist Dave McGary. He specializes in Native American realism and his huge, detailed bronze sculptures often include delicate beadwork.
- The Old Territorial Shop is the oldest Native American arts gallery in Scottsdale. This family-owned business features classic American Indian antiques and collectibles including traditional Hopi Indian kachinas, Navajo blankets and rugs, antique baskets and antique Reservation beadwork.
The Main Street Arts District - along with the Marshall Way Arts District - is also the home of the weekly Thursday night ArtWalks, a 30-year Scottsdale tradition.
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| The downtown Scottsdale Marshall Way Arts District |
Essentially an "open house" for galleries, ArtWalk creates an easy-going atmosphere, encouraging everyone to come in and browse through the galleries, view artist’s demonstrations and enjoy live entertainment.
If you’re in the market for contemporary art, the Marshall Way Arts District is the Scottsdale shopping district for you.
Many of the art galleries here provide excellent service for serious collectors of fine art and jewelry.
Even if you aren’t looking to buy, the galleries welcome any and all visitors.
Notable galleries include:
- Art One Gallery is the place to see new artists before they hit the big time. Art One represents high school, college and university students as well as local emerging artists and carries works in all mediums.
- Eric Firestone Gallery showcases mid-20th Century modern art in museum-like displays. Works include postwar-modernist and abstract-expressionist paintings, drawings and sculpture.
- Wilde Meyer Gallery emphasizes upbeat, colorful contemporary paintings and sculpture from artists such as Linda Carter Holman, Jim Budish and Sherri Belassen.
This area, between Indian School Road and 5th Avenue, has a lovely neighborhood-like setting.
In addition to galleries, there are a variety of restaurants, day spas and salons and home interior designers and boutiques.
5th Avenue Shops and Boutiques
From Scottsdale Road to Goldwater Boulevard, Downtown Scottsdale’s 5th Avenue District offers a touch of the old Scottsdale atmosphere with flower-filled and tree-lined streets in a small town setting. |
| Tree-lined streets and a small town atmosphere encourages shoppers to explore the 5th Avenue boutiques |
This area is a mix of more than 80 boutiques, clothing and jewelry stores, art galleries, salons, nightclubs and over 35 restaurants.
When you visit the 5th Avenue district, don’t miss The Poisoned Pen Bookstore on Goldwater Boulevard.
This popular, independent bookseller is one of the three largest mystery bookstores in North America.
They carry over 15,000 titles and, although they specialize in crime fiction, you’ll find a wide assortment of books on many subjects.
The Poisoned Pen also hosts numerous events including author book signings and a book club.
Although Clarke & Clarke Art + Artifacts specializes in Asian art, they have an amazing array of contemporary art mixed with cultural artifacts from Asia, Africa, India, New Guinea and the Himalayas.
You’ll find everything from tribal weapons to Chinese Dynasty vases here.
Popular nightclubs, bars and lounges in this area include Devil’s Martini, Stingray Sushi Bar and Restaurant, Anderson’s 5th Estate, Next and Upper Deck Sports Grill.
On Saturdays, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (October – April), the 5th Avenue District is home to the colorful, bustling downtown Scottsdale farmer’s market.
Shop for fresh Arizona produce like peaches, citrus and sweet Grand Canyon onions, breads, coffee and flowers.
If you’re on 5th Avenue, stop by the famous Bob Parks Horse Fountain - a popular piece of downtown Scottsdale public art and one of the most photographed spots in Arizona.
The area is also host to a variety of festivals throughout the year including the twice annual ArtFest of 5th Avenue, which features the work of artists from across the country along with food and live entertainment.
Brown and Stetson Businesses
While this Scottsdale shopping district is mainly home to professional and personal services businesses, day spas and salons, there are several hotels and restaurants here too.Downtown Scottsdale hotels in this area include the Hilton Garden Inn, the Hyatt Place, Scottsdale Marriott Suites Old Town and Summerfield Suites by Wyndham.
Restaurants include L-Academie Restaurant, Medizona, Pacific Café and the Saddle Ranch Chop House.
One of the newer nightclubs, E4, is here.
This multi-million dollar, Las Vegas style nightclub and restaurant has four separate rooms modeled after the four elements – earth, wind, water and fire.
Each space is unique with its own design, energy, mood and music.
You can move through any of the areas as the mood strikes you. The open air patio is the happy hour scene. The earth lounge offers social dining and entertainment.
Scottsdale Entertainment District
The Scottsdale Entertainment District is home to some of downtown Scottsdale’s hippest and hottest nightclubs.This is where many of Scottsdale’s young "see and be seen" crowd tends to congregate.
There are quite a few restaurants, bars and nightclubs in the area.
Here’s a few Scottsdale nightclub and lounge highlights:
- Axis/Radius: Axis/ Radius is two different nightclubs in one spot. Axis has an open, glittering bar with a raised seating area and high energy music. Radius features a mahogany dance floor, VIP club with floating bar and everything from techno pop to top 40s music.
- Drift: is a modern take on a Polynesian tiki bar. This lounge and restaurant has a hip and casual atmosphere with dramatic lighting and décor. Food and drinks include Pu Pu platters, coconut shrimp, braised spare ribs and tropical umbrella drinks.
- Drinx: is more low key with a classy, red décor. Not as crowded, it’s considered a great spot to relax and have a drink with friends. The menu includes appetizers, wraps, salads and entrees.
- Myst: is an 18,000 square foot club with some of the best DJs i ntown. There's also scantily clad dancers, VIP tables, skyboxes, a catwalk bridge and a wide variety of special events.
- Suede Euro-Asian Restaurant and Lounge: has an art deco-retro décor with suede-paneled walls and furniture, a full bar and a contemporary lounge. The restaurant serves a fusion East-meets-West cuisine.
Downtown Scottsdale Fast Facts
Downtown Scottsdale Shopping DistrictsLocation: The seven districts are bounded by the following major roads: Miller Road, 2nd Street, 68th Street and Camelback Road. Scottsdale Road runs directly through the center of the Scottsdale downtown area.
Click here for a printable Map of Downtown Scottsdale from the City of Scottsdale
Click here for a printable Scottsdale Downtown Directory from the City of Scottsdale
Scottsdale Shopping Express Trolleys
Downtown Scottsdale Trolley: Begins at Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall and loops through all districts of downtown Scottsdale, stopping at various points along the way including:
- Scottsdale Fashion Square
- Fifth Avenue Shops
- Marshall Way Arts District
- Main Street Arts District
- Old Town Scottsdale
- Southbridge
- Scottsdale Waterfront
- Scottsdale Convention and Visitors’ Bureau
Service: Year round
Schedule: Every 10 minutes, 7 days per week 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
No trolley service on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Fee: Free
Phone: (480) 421-1004 for the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors’ Bureau.
Click here for a printable Scottsdale Trolley Map from the City of Scottsdale
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This information was accurate at the time of our visit. All contact information, access, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the park, agency, business or facility before making reservations and/or travel plans.
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