Downtown Scottsdale - Scottsdale, AZ Area Guide

The land under modern-day Scottsdale has been occupied since 300 B.C., when a tribe called the Hohokam farmed the land. In 1888, Winfield Scott bought the stretch of land that now houses Downtown Scottsdale and planted acres of citrus trees. Scott's presence drew other educated settlers, and the area became a center for commerce, art and culture. Descendants of the Hohokam remained on the land in traditional homes until the middle of the 20th century.

Today, Scottsdale holds the honor of being one of the wealthiest and most desirable areas in the Phoenix metro area. The neighborhood houses a high concentration of art galleries and museums, including the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the Scottsdale Historical Museum. Each year, the Scottsdale Arts Festival and the Scottsdale Culinary Festival draw thousands of visitors.

Restaurants in Downtown Scottsdale serve an eclectic mix of food at mid-range to high-end prices, from Cornish pasties to upscale Mexican cuisine. While the neighborhood does not have a central restaurant location, you'll find many eateries near 5th Avenue in the northwest and Scottsdale Road in the southeast.

Try a pasty, a calzone-like dish that features pie crust wrapped around a variety of fillings, at the Cornish Pasty Co. Founded by a Cornwall native, the restaurant serves traditional meat-and-potato pasties as well as gourmet filling options such as Carne Adovada and Lamb Vindaloo. The Citizen Public House on 5th Avenue serves lighter meals in an upscale gastropub atmosphere. Locals love the restaurant's signature chopped salad — which has its own Facebook page — and the short ribs. For a truly indulgent experience, make a reservation at FnB, a restaurant fronted by Chef Charleen Badman. Savor the house butterscotch pudding and a glass of locally made Hannah's Blend wine.

Nightlife in Downtown Scottsdale involves mellow weekday happy hours and lively, late-night long weekends. On a weekday, join the locals at the Old Town Tavern for the friendly neighborhood vibe and live music. The bar hosts a different classic or indie rock group every night of the week. Treat yourself to a bargain-priced carafe of sake during happy hours at Geisha A Go Go, a Japanese-themed sushi bar with private karaoke rooms. On Friday and Saturday nights, gather a group of friends and dance until dawn at Cameo on Drinkwater Boulevard. The club has a formal dress code, so dress to impress.

The majority of Downtown Scottsdale residents get around by car, especially during the extreme summer heat. You'll see walkers around the commercial areas and park areas. Plenty of taxis roam the streets, though you should call in advance or use Uber if you need a ride during rush hour or on a weekend evening. Buses 41, 50 and 72 pass through the neighborhood, providing connections to neighborhoods to the north, south and west.

Cyclists in Downtown Scottsdale enjoy safe riding along Indian School Road, North Marshall Way and North Buckboard Trail. Other roads may prove more difficult, as drivers may not be accustomed to sharing the road. A path along both sides of the Arizona Canal enables bikers to connect safely to other parts of the city.

Drivers in Downtown Scottsdale appreciate the free street parking available throughout the neighborhood. Pay attention to the signs, however, as time limits apply. Highway 101, which lies just 2 miles away, provides the fastest way to get out of the city or into downtown Phoenix.

Downtown Scottsdale does not provide much in the way of green space, but residents enjoy the legendary dry heat at several nearby outdoor areas. The Camelback Mountain area, one of the most accessible options, provides steep hiking and biking trails and stunning city views. Popular with local fitness buffs, the park hosts hikers and bikers every day of the year. The Cholla Trail welcomes dogs on leashes, but the Echo Canyon area does not allow pets.

Pet owners and families love Chaparral Park, which sits northeast of Downtown Scottsdale. The fenced-in off-leash area draws local dog owners, while kids love to go boating and fishing on the 10-acre lake. The park also features a playground, community center and a variety of sports facilities. Built-in workout stations enable runners and walkers to work in strength-training activities. Each year, Chaparral Park hosts activities ranging from community sports leagues to kids' swimming classes at the pool. Residents can use both parks free of charge.

The cost of living in opulent Downtown Scottsdale is considerably higher than the Phoenix citywide average. Healthcare and utilities both drive up costs, but housing can be blamed for the high costs. The Downtown Scottsdale housing index sits at nearly twice the Phoenix index. If you're renting a one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood, expect a monthly rent around $1,900 a month.

If you decide to take public transportation into Phoenix, a one-way journey on the bus and light rail costs $4. At a bar like the Brat Haus or the Old Town Tavern, you'll pay an average of $6 for a pint of beer. The neighborhood gas average in Downtown Scottsdale tends to stay equal with the national average.

Downtown Scottsdale provides numerous shopping opportunities, many of which focus on the neighborhood's early identity as a Western frontier city. Stores range from bargain-basement-style consignment shops to boutiques selling high-end cowboy boots. Look for the highest concentration of shopping options in Downtown Scottsdale in the area south of East Indian School Road; you'll also find stores tucked away on nearly every street.

Music lovers in Downtown Scottsdale love Record Room, a tiny store packed with classic vinyl albums. The store's reasonable prices, regularly changing stock and friendly owner keep residents coming back. If you prefer a good book to a good record, pop in to The Poisoned Pen Bookstore to find the next mystery novel on your list. The locally owned store holds frequent author readings and book-signing events. At Saba's Western Wear, you can buy high-end cowboy boots made by hand in the United States and stretched for you by the owner. Check out the store's stock of Western-themed clothing.

Visit One Posh Place’s huge showroom full of home furniture and accessories for some of the very finest upholstered and wood furniture in addition to plenty of moderately-priced items. Peruse the store's selection of fine handmade rugs, gifts, lamps and original artwork. If you're building a new home or remodeling, One Posh Place's ASID award-winning interior design services can help with every aspect of the project. Specialties include kitchen and bathroom design and space planning. You can also order custom bedding, upholstering/reupholstering and window treatments here.

Many Downtown Scottsdale residents get their kitchen essentials at Sprouts Farmers Market, a friendly neighborhood grocery store. For locally made products and fresh produce, visit the Old Town Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings. Dig in to an order of biscuits and gravy while you check out the enormous selection of mushrooms.