11 Best Things to Do in Old Town Scottsdale for First-Time Visitors
By: Adam Jerold Cansino | August 20, 2026
Scottsdale’s downtown core is an ideal place for first-time visitors seeking art, history, shopping, restaurants, nightlife, and Southwestern character in a compact part of the city. The destination is divided into nine walkable neighborhoods and features more than 100 restaurants, galleries, historic sites, shopping areas, public installations, and entertainment.
That variety makes it easy to build a full day without constantly driving between attractions. Start with history, spend the afternoon browsing galleries and boutiques, stop for Arizona wine, and finish with dinner or nightlife.
If you are planning beyond downtown, use our comprehensive guide, 10 Best Things To Do in Scottsdale, Arizona for an Unforgettable Desert Getaway, for more itinerary ideas across Scottsdale.
1. Explore Historic Old Town
Start where Scottsdale’s story began. The historic district preserves the destination’s Old West personality through Southwestern storefronts, local boutiques, Native American jewelry, restaurants, and longtime landmarks. Scottsdale traces its beginnings to Winfield Scott’s arrival in the area in 1888, while several downtown sites still reflect the community’s early development.
A self-guided stroll is one of the simplest ways to visit. Look for the Little Red Schoolhouse, Old Adobe Mission, and other historic details as you move between shops, restaurants, and shaded courtyards. Experience Scottsdale also offers a self-guided historic walking route that takes about an hour.
This is a good introduction to the neighborhood because it shows the contrast that defines Scottsdale: Western heritage alongside polished restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and modern entertainment.
Best for: first-time visitors, history lovers, couples, and photographers.
2. See Contemporary Art at SMoCA
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, or SMoCA, brings a modern cultural stop into the middle of the downtown experience. Located at Scottsdale Civic Center, the museum focuses on contemporary art, architecture, and design.
Because SMoCA pairs well with nearby attractions, it works well as part of a longer afternoon rather than requiring an entire day. Visitors can move from the galleries to the Civic Center grounds, restaurants, shopping, or the Arts District.
Exhibitions change throughout the year, so check the current schedule before your trip. Current visitor information also notes that admission is pay-what-you-wish on Thursdays and every second Saturday.
Best for: art lovers, design enthusiasts, couples, and travelers looking for an indoor stop.
3. Find Western History at Western Spirit
To understand the culture of the American West, visit Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. The attraction brings together art, artifacts, exhibitions, and stories connected with the North American West.
The collection offers a different perspective from SMoCA, making the two museums easy to pair for travelers interested in both Scottsdale’s historic identity and its modern creative side.
Current exhibitions cover subjects ranging from Hollywood Westerns and bronze sculpture to Southwestern artists and historical collections. Because displays and programs rotate, check the schedule before you go if you want to see a particular exhibition.
Best for: history enthusiasts, families, Western art fans, and visitors who want more context about the region.
4. Join the Weekly ArtWalk in the Scottsdale Arts District
If you’re visiting on a Thursday, make room for Scottsdale ArtWalk. The free weekly event runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. along Main Street and Marshall Way, with participating galleries welcoming visitors for an evening of exhibitions, local artists, and creative programming.
The Scottsdale art scene is especially easy to experience here because you do not need a formal tour or reservation. Simply walk between galleries at your own pace and stop wherever something catches your attention.
The surrounding Arts District also has restaurants and wine-tasting rooms, making ArtWalk easy to turn into a complete evening with dinner or drinks before or after.
Best for: couples, art collectors, groups, and Thursday-night visitors.
5. Take a Public Art Walking Tour
You do not have to enter a gallery to experience Scottsdale’s creative side. Public installations are scattered throughout downtown, giving visitors another reason to explore on foot.
Experience Scottsdale offers a dedicated public art walking tour featuring 10 downtown Scottsdale installations. This makes it a convenient option if you prefer an unscheduled experience, with stops for food, shopping, or photos along the way.
You can also pair the route with a visit to the Scottsdale Civic Center, gallery browsing, or lunch nearby. Allow extra time if you enjoy photography or want to investigate individual installations rather than simply walking from one point to the next.
Best for: photographers, budget-conscious travelers, couples, and anyone who enjoys exploring on foot.
6. Go Shopping on Fifth Avenue and at Scottsdale Fashion Square
Scottsdale offers two very different shopping experiences within a relatively compact area.
Along Fifth Avenue, you can shop among independent boutiques, specialty stores, restaurants, and local businesses. The district is known for its mix of fashion, gifts, Southwestern merchandise, and locally owned storefronts.
For luxury retail, Scottsdale Fashion Square provides a much larger shopping experience. The destination has more than 200 premium retailers and restaurants and is close enough to the downtown core to pair with other stops in the same day.
Travelers who prefer one-of-a-kind finds may want to spend more time in independent shops, while visitors looking for major luxury brands can make Fashion Square their main retail stop.
Best for: shoppers, fashion lovers, groups, and warm afternoons.
7. Sample Scottsdale’s Food Scene
Food is a major part of the Scottsdale experience, and downtown gives first-time visitors plenty of variety without requiring long drives between meals.
The district offers Southwestern flavors, modern American restaurants, patios, casual cafés, upscale dining, and international cuisine throughout. Experience Scottsdale describes the downtown neighborhoods as hubs for more than 100 dining and nightlife choices.
Travelers who prefer a structured introduction can also book a local food tour. For example, Arizona Food Tours offers walking food-and-wine tours in Scottsdale that pair tastings at locally owned establishments with neighborhood insights.
Instead of planning every meal in advance, reserve one priority restaurant and leave another meal flexible so you can follow what looks appealing as you explore.
Best for: food lovers, couples, friend groups, and first-time visitors.
8. Have a Classy Day Drink on the Scottsdale Wine Trail
Arizona wine might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a desert getaway, but Scottsdale makes it easy to sample regional producers without leaving downtown.
The official Scottsdale Wine Trail connects six tasting rooms, making it easy to spend an afternoon moving between Arizona wine experiences.
Choose a few tasting rooms rather than trying to visit every stop in one outing. That leaves time to enjoy the neighborhood, have lunch, browse nearby galleries, and keep the afternoon relaxed.
For visitors who prefer craft beer, Scottsdale tourism resources also provide an Ale Trail featuring eight breweries and beer houses.
Best for: couples, friend groups, celebration trips, and relaxed afternoons.
9. Browse the Farmers Market on a Saturday Morning
A Saturday morning gives visitors another way to experience Scottsdale beyond its better-known galleries and nightlife.
The Old Town Farmers Market has operated since 2009 and brings together more than 100 local growers and specialty food producers, offering fresh produce, meats, artisan breads, jams, and prepared foods.
It is a particularly useful stop for travelers staying somewhere with a kitchen, since you can pick up local ingredients or snacks for the rest of the trip. The market also adds a community-focused experience to an itinerary that may otherwise revolve around restaurants and major attractions.
Pair the market with breakfast, historic sightseeing, or nearby shopping for an easy Saturday morning.
Best for: families, food lovers, longer-stay travelers, and weekend visitors.
10. Walk the Scottsdale Waterfront and Civic Center
For a slower part of the day, spend time around Scottsdale Waterfront and Civic Center.
The Waterfront follows the Arizona Canal and sits near boutiques and restaurants, making it useful for an easy walk between shopping and dining. The area also hosts Canal Convergence, an annual public art event featuring interactive installations, performances, and other programming.
Scottsdale Civic Center provides another nearby pedestrian-friendly space and connects to cultural attractions, including SMoCA and the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
These spaces work especially well between scheduled stops when you want time outdoors without committing to desert trails or a mountain hike.
Best for: couples, families, casual walkers, and travelers looking for a slower afternoon.
11. Experience Nightlife and Live Entertainment
Scottsdale changes noticeably after sunset. Restaurants fill up, patios get busier, cocktail bars open for the evening, and the Entertainment District becomes one of downtown’s liveliest areas.
Visitors looking for a late night can choose from cocktail lounges, bars, live music venues, and upscale nightclubs. Experience Scottsdale notes that the Entertainment District is particularly active after dark, with DJs, live bands, and nightlife venues concentrated within the neighborhood.
For something more relaxed, stay closer to the Arts District for wine, dinner, gallery browsing, or live entertainment instead of heading straight into the club scene.
Check current events before your visit, especially on weekends, since performances and special programming can change throughout the season.
Best for: couples, friend groups, celebrations, and travelers who want the day to continue after dinner.
Plan Your Scottsdale Getaway
Old Town makes it easy to experience many sides of Scottsdale in one place, from art galleries and Western history to shopping, restaurants, wine tasting, and nightlife. Whether you are visiting for a weekend or using the area as part of a longer Arizona trip, leaving some flexibility in your itinerary gives you more time to explore at your own pace.
When you are ready to choose a home base, browse Scottsdale vacation rentals from Paradiso for spacious, design-forward homes suited to couples, families, and groups. Staying in a private home can give you more room to relax between outings while keeping Scottsdale’s dining, shopping, outdoor adventures, and entertainment within easy reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time should you spend in Scottsdale’s downtown area?
A full day is enough to see several highlights, but two days give you more time for galleries, shopping, restaurants, history, and evening entertainment without rushing. Visitors who want to add golf, spas, desert adventures, or other Scottsdale attractions should plan a longer trip.
Is Scottsdale easy to explore on foot?
Yes. The downtown core is organized into nine walkable neighborhoods within a relatively compact footprint, making it practical to combine shopping, galleries, restaurants, public installations, and historic attractions on foot.
What is the best day to visit for art lovers?
Thursday is especially convenient because the free Scottsdale ArtWalk runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors can spend the day at SMoCA or Western Spirit and continue into an evening of gallery hopping.
Is downtown Scottsdale good for families?
Yes. Families can combine cultural attractions, public spaces, shopping, historic sightseeing, food stops, and seasonal events. The best choices will depend on the children’s ages and the time of year.
Where should you stay for a Scottsdale getaway?
The right home base depends on whether your trip prioritizes downtown dining, golf, desert scenery, shopping, or relaxation. Families and groups that prefer multiple bedrooms, kitchens, gathering spaces, and private amenities can browse Scottsdale vacation rentals from Paradiso and compare homes that fit their group size and itinerary.
From Western history and galleries to food, shopping, wine, and nightlife, Scottsdale offers plenty of ways for first-time visitors to build a memorable day without constantly changing locations. Start with the experiences that matter most to your group, leave room for spontaneous stops, and use the surrounding downtown neighborhoods as an easy base for exploring more of the desert destination.