Downtown and Old Town — Now and Then
Downtown and Old Town Scottsdale today is a thriving hub of upscale resorts, shopping, dining, nightlife and the arts — for visitors and residents alike to enjoy. It’s also a place where people work, live and play — both in high-rise dwellings and neighborhoods with great schools, outdoor activities and faith places.
- Downtown and Old Town — Now and Then
- Downtown and Old Town Homes for Sale: Select Listings
- The Downtown | Old Town Scottsdale Scene
- Shopping, the Movies and Dining
- Shop Local in Downtown and Old Town Scottsdale
- Art and Gallery Scene
- Baseball in Old Town
- Navigating Downtown and Old Town
- Work in Downtown and Old Town
- Living — The High Life and the Quieter Life
- Check Out Your Local Library
- Pre-K through High Schools
- Faith Places in Downtown and Old Town Scottsdale
- Wrap Up
Emerging in the mid-1940s – 1950s with the visionary building and marketing of Craftsman’s Court, it was an enclave of artists. They sculpted their contemporary Native American and Western esthetic — and stamped Scottsdale on the map as an exotic desert resort and shopping stop.
This vision that began 70 years ago has exploded today, luring visitors and residents in epic numbers.
Downtown and Old Town Scottsdale’s legacy is evolving skyward, using every inch of real estate — creating dazzling edifices & experiences indoors and out. Capturing luxe cityscape views and sensory feasts to satisfy every craving — from fashion, food, drink, art, entertainment and people watching. Enjoy solo or with dates, friends, family or coworkers.
Downtown and Old Town Homes for Sale: Select Listings
The Downtown | Old Town Scottsdale Scene
Enticed by our sunshine, these twin towns are packed from November to mid-April, after which spiking temperatures send those who can escape packing to cooler climes.
Hot summer days? Bring your sweater as we take the fun indoors. It’s our reverse season and we make the most of having room to spread out and enjoy ourselves.
The Entertainment District is a night-life draw, with a variety of bars and clubs beckoning those seeking an amped up party atmosphere.
The two town’s trendy penchant for working, living, shopping, dining and playing together is at a frenzied pace.
Shopping, the Movies and Dining
Fashion Square is nirvana and the movie mecca, Harkins Theatres lives here too. Put them at the top of your list!
The two towns host a buffet of culinary repasts and watering holes. Be sure to hit these iconic Old Town favorites — the Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor (est. 1958), the Grapevine (est. 1971), Los Olivos Patio (est. 1928), and AZ88 (est. 1988).
Shop Local in Downtown and Old Town Scottsdale
A lot of small biz is tucked into the two towns. You’ll find salons, barber shops and spas, alongside fashion and wigs, as well as services.
Antiques, coins and books mingle with boots and moccasins, home furnishings, florists, and souvenirs.
Gilbert Ortega Native American Galleries and others featuring Native American jewelry, art, rugs and furniture dwell here. From high-end designers to Southwestern, vintage and kitsch — it’s all on display, just for you.
Art and Gallery Scene
Speaking of art and galleries, you can’t turnaround without running into a bronze horse or team! Public art is everywhere and we’ve got a gallery row and art walk that are both casual and swank. Perhaps you’re seeking a performance? Check out Scottsdale’s Art Scene! Western Spirit, Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is quite special too.
Baseball in Old Town
Originally built in 1956, serving the Cactus League teams: Oakland A’s, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and Chicago Cubs, Scottsdale Stadium was rebuilt in 1991 as home to the Cactus League and San Francisco Giants Spring Training program. Here’s Scottsdale’s baseball lineup.
Navigating Downtown and Old Town
Unless you’re here at the crack of dawn, getting your and your four-legged friends’ steps in, it’s crazy busy. Giving out pricey parking tickets is a sport — like shooting fish in a barrel. Don’t even think about having one for the road and driving. Hey, how do you think they pay for the Free Trolley? Here you go — navigating Downtown | Old Town. You’re welcome!
Hoofing and Free-Wheeling It
Hit the trails in the two towns! The Arizona Canal — the unpaved Hashknife Pony Express Trail, Camelback Park and the Indian Bend Wash multi-use path are amazing and close. Here are more great options for walkies and wheelies in the heart of the Arts District.
A fabulous place to walk is Fashion Square, which opens at 8 AM daily for mall walkers, window shoppers, and four-legged furry friends.
Need More Exercise?
You can also stroll the Civic Center Plaza or visit the many Scottsdale Parks and Recreation locations in Downtown and Old Town. Here’s a complete list of all parks in Scottsdale, from North to South, including Downtown and Old Town, and Club SAR Fitness Center. Whew!
Golf in Downtown and Old Town
Continental Golf Course, of course! ‘Scottsdale’s best late afternoon golf getaway.’ For other options, here’s my golf blog and table of Golf Clubs and Courses in Scottsdale, North to South.
Tennis and Pickleball
Scottsdale serves up many options for pickleball and tennis, plus squash and racquetball. Here’s my swell blog on racquet court sports, including tables of courts N. to S. — public, in private communities, and resorts. You’ve got 2 amazing public tennis centers near here!
Work in Downtown and Old Town
Square, and Indeed.com are but a few of the many tech companies making a home in the two towns, with many other companies relocating here. Just south is ASU’s innovation zone of notable firms.
Here’s my Work post, providing excellent tables of companies by sector, tables with career pages, and other resources for seeking work here.
Living — The High Life and the Quieter Life
Let’s start with Fashion Square as the nucleus of all things chic and savvy. It’s all about densifying with purpose. Fanning out in all directions are high-rise luxury residential communities. Available for ownership or rental — are condos, townhomes and apartments.
Scottsdale’s Waterfront Community Mixed-Use Project bestows a sophisticated, bustling atmosphere for visiting or residing, where Downtown meets Old Town Scottsdale.
Deftly nestled between Fashion Square and Soleri Plaza on the Arizona Canal, this elegant promenade is a primo showplace to see-and-be-seen living the good life in its collection of retail, restaurant, office, and high-rise residential buildings. Options include Broadstone Waterfront Apartments and Scottsdale Waterfront Residences.
The Quieter Ranch Life
Quieter, traditional neighborhoods exist nearby to take up residential living, full or part-time. Here are Downtown and Old Town Housing Stats.
It’s my pleasure to help you find your new home in Downtown and Old Town!
Check Out Your Local Library
No community is complete without a library, and Downtown and Old Town’s is the Civic Center Branch. It used to be called the ‘Main’ branch and you’ll know — it’s a big one! Head on over, get your free library card, and prepare for your mind to be blown! Books, events, and resources galore will take you to Scottsdale and far beyond — lucky us!
Pre-K through High Schools
This area offers a high caliber of both public, charter and private schools, for K-12 education. Below is my blog about Arizona schools, featuring Scottsdale’s schools.
There are also tables from North to South for public, charter and private schools, to help you get a head start. They are divided by community, with links to each school, calendar and other important details:
Faith Places in Downtown and Old Town Scottsdale
There are many places to worship in Downtown and Old Town. Below is my blog of faith options in Scottsdale. There are also separate tables for each type of faith from N. to S.
Wrap Up
As you can see, Downtown and Old Town Scottsdale serve up a dizzying array of options for visiting, playing, dining, shopping and entertainment. We also offer fine options when you fall in love with this area. I can help you make it home and happily provide this preview of work, schools and places of worship to make it an easy decision to put down roots.
Thank you for touring Downtown and Old Town Scottsdale with me!
April Halstead
Scottsdale Lifestyle Blogger
I’m a 5th generation native Arizona gal who loves showing and telling what makes Scottsdale an amazing place to visit and make home! I hope you enjoy our city through my lens, making your own discoveries and memories here!