Old Town - Scottsdale, AZ Area Guide

The Hohokam Indians first settled the area that would become Scottsdale. They created a complex network of canals to use as irrigation for their farms. The Hohokam Indians mysteriously disappeared around 1500, perhaps due to a prolonged draught. In 1888, Winfield Scott purchased 640 acres of land for him and his family. He called it Orangedale for all the citrus groves that they planted. In 1894, the town was officially named Scottsdale after its founder.

The City of Scottsdale heavily supports the arts scene with the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the numerous galleries that surround it. The Scottsdale Historical Museum is in Old Town Scottsdale as well.

Scottsdale hosts several events throughout the year, such as the Scottsdale Street Fair, Salt River Fields Balloon Spooktacular, and the AZ BBQ Festival.

The owners of D’Lish deliver tasty, healthy food and even feature a convenient drive-thru window for when you need to get delectable dishes on the go. With healthy alternatives to traditional favorites, such as the Oatmeal Our Way, a mix of organic quinoa, vanilla macaroon granola and lite maple syrup, D’lish delights with fast yet nutritious food.

The trendy eatery Pig & Pickle makes exceptional pork dishes, but it also serves seafood, duck, and beef while intentionally eschewing chicken. Try the confit pork shanks with cattle beans and bacony greens paired with any of the signature and uniquely named cocktails, such as the Blood & Swine. Regardless of what you eat or drink, this establishment provides a distinct and memorable impression.

When your night calls for Asian food, head over to BEI. The restaurant not only serves as a Japanese sushi bar, it also features a variety of other Asian-style dishes, including Korean BBQ and a large selection of udon and ramen noodles. Start with Bei stuffed jalapeños followed by the Bei bulgogi, a Korean-style sliced ribeye with assorted vegetables. Bei stocks an assortment of sake in its full bar.

Old Town Scottsdale provides some of the hottest nightlife in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. If you want to dance the night away, check out The Mint. Designed around an old bank vault, the Mint plays electronic dance music all night long. If you want a quieter night, try the wine bar 5th and Wine, which features several wines by the glass or the bottle.

Most commuters in Scottsdale Estates prefer their personal vehicles for traveling around the city. Loop 101 on the west side of the neighborhood ensures access to metropolitan areas in the Phoenix Valley. Loop 101 can become congested at peak times, so consider a park and ride or using the light rail system. Bus stations along all major roads ensure residents have direct access to the easiest way around town. Taxis sometimes make an appearance in Old Town Scottsdale, but if you need reliable transportation, consider calling one of the local cab companies in advance for pickup or use your smartphone to request an Uber or Lyft ride.

Residents have direct access to the Vista del Camino Park and community center. The 71 acres of park land contains two grass volleyball courts and a sand volleyball court, two lakes, and an off-leash area for dogs and their owners. People come to the park to enjoy green landscapes while watching their children play in the splash area or on the two playgrounds. Residents in need of an exercise-centric area enjoy the miles of pathways that meander around the two man-made lakes. The community center there holds classes on a variety of topics, including job preparation services and youth services.

Fry's and AJ's Fine Foods serve as local favorites for grocery shopping. Find a Target and Wal-Mart conveniently located at the north and south sides of the neighborhood. The Scottsdale Old Town Farmers Market opens Saturdays at 8 a.m. in the city parking facility at the corner of Brown Avenue and 1st Street.

Chief Dodge Indian Jewelry and Fine Arts contains plenty of turquoise, artifacts, pottery and Navajo rugs that make fantastic displays or personal additions to your style. Come here if you want a centerpiece for your table or a simple bracelet to accent your day-to-day fashion.

The Blue Jean Buyer takes your jeans and turns them into one-of-a-kind creations. Drive just south of the neighborhood to purchase your perfect pair of shorts.

Find exclusive stores like Neiman Marcus, Dillard's, Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Bulgari, Brighton Collectibles, Coach, Michael Kors,Carolina Herrera, and Bottega Veneta,at the Scottsdale Fashion Square, an upscale shopping mall.