
Local Guide to Old Town Scottsdale: Attractions & Restaurants You Can’t Miss
If you’re planning a vacation to Scottsdale, AZ, chances are, you’ll end up spending some time exploring Old Town Scottsdale during your visit to the “West’s Most Western Town.”
Old Town Scottsdale is a compact, walkable district surrounded by the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, offering stunning views of Camelback Mountain. Even though Old Town Scottsdale spans just over one square mile, it’s filled with plenty of vibrant nightlife, fabulous restaurants, and local shopping. Before heading to Old Town Scottsdale, discover all the best places to explore, eat, drink, and shop below!
Old Town Scottsdale Restaurants

From chef-driven fine dining experiences to casual eateries, Old Town Scottsdale’s restaurant scene offers something for everyone. Here are a couple of the standout restaurants in Old Town Scottsdale:
Citizen Public House
Citizen Public House is an elevated gastropub perfect for an upscale dinner in Old Town Scottsdale. This local restaurant is known for its barrel-aged cocktails, innovative spins on classic comfort food, and “Social Hour” from 4–6 PM with discounts on appetizers, cocktails, wine, and beer.
The Mission
The Mission is a renowned restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale offering an atmosphere of old-world charm blended with modern elegance. The star of the show at this Latin-inspired restaurant is the guacamole (made tableside!) and the meats prepared la plancha over mesquite and pecan woods.
FnB
FnB is a local spot that serves farm-to-table New American cuisine sourced from local farmers and ranchers in Arizona. This restaurant features a seasonal menu that rotates monthly, along with an award-winning wine list that highlights local wines from wineries across Arizona.
Diego Pops
Diego Pops is a favorite for Mexican food in Old Town Scottsdale. Although the menu features plenty of traditional favorites, such as burritos, tacos, and margaritas, Diego Pops is known for its inventive and fun spin on Mexican classics, like Street Corn Queso and Brussels Sprout Nachos.
Old Town Scottsdale Bars & Speakeasies

Ready to grab a drink in Scottsdale? From hidden speakeasies to creative cocktail bars in Scottsdale, here are some of the top places to “cheers” to a night out in Old Town:
Canal Club
Located in the lobby of The Scott Resort & Spa, the Canal Club is a Cuban-inspired restaurant and lounge that serves signature cocktails, beer, wine, and tapas in a trendy, chic atmosphere. The craft cocktails feature island-inspired flavors, like rum, coconut, kiwi, pineapple, and banana.
Straight Up
Straight Up, one of the few speakeasies in Scottsdale, can only be accessed through the secret entrance in the lobby of Hotel Adeline. This sultry speakeasy is renowned for its extensive selection of bourbons, whiskeys, ryes, and scotches (mix and match them in a flight!) as well as its craft cocktails.
AZ88
AZ88 is an ultra-contemporary bar in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. This cocktail lounge offers an upbeat atmosphere with a DJ on weekends and is known for its extensive list of delicious martinis, ranging from classics like the Espresso Martini to unique flavors like the Key Lime Martini.
Scottsdale Wine Trail
For those who would rather sip and savor a glass of wine than a cocktail, check out the local wineries and tasting rooms in Scottsdale on the Scottsdale Wine Trail. Some of the most popular stops include Aridus Tasting Room, Carlson Creek Tasting Room, and Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room.
Old Town Scottsdale Museums & Art Galleries

Want to immerse yourself in Scottsdale’s local culture? From art galleries to museums, here are some of the top cultural attractions to experience in Old Town Scottsdale:
Scottsdale Arts District
Old Town Scottsdale is home to the Scottsdale Arts District, a walkable neighborhood known for its local art galleries and public art displays. Consider visiting on Thursday evenings during the free Scottsdale ArtWalk for free entrance to museums and galleries, accompanied by live entertainment.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
Get in touch with Scottsdale’s roots in the Old West during a visit to the Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West in Old Town Scottsdale. The Western Spirit Museum explores the history and culture of the American West with engaging exhibits and one-of-a-kind artifacts and art displays.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) is one of the best museums in Scottsdale for art enthusiasts. This popular museum showcases modern art, architecture, and design, featuring a rotating collection of contemporary art exhibits from around the world.
Old Town Scottsdale Shopping

Ready to shop ’til you drop? Old Town Scottsdale is home to no shortage of shopping malls and local boutiques selling everything from designer purses to handmade jewelry. Here are the top places to go shopping in Scottsdale:
Scottsdale Fashion Square
Scottsdale Fashion Square is the largest shopping mall in Arizona and the Southwestern USA, featuring over 200 retailers, ranging from high-end luxury brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton to popular name-brand stores such as Abercrombie and Victoria’s Secret. Scottsdale Fashion Square is also home to several restaurants, a movie theater, and Wonderspaces Arizona.
5th Avenue Shops
For more of a local shopping experience, head to the 5th Avenue Shops in Old Town Scottsdale. You’ll find small boutiques and galleries in this shopping district, in addition to charming restaurants, bars, and coffee shops in Scottsdale, making it a great place to walk around and hunt for a souvenir.
Old Town Scottsdale Farmers’ Market
If you’ll be visiting Old Town Scottsdale on a Saturday morning, pay a visit to the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers’ Market, one of the most popular farmers’ markets in Scottsdale! Shop for locally-sourced organic produce, natural meat and fish, and fresh-baked bread and treats at this well-loved market.
Old Town Scottsdale Nightlife & Live Music Venues

Old Town Scottsdale is renowned for its vibrant nightlife scene, particularly due to the numerous nightclubs and bars located in the Entertainment District. Here are a couple of iconic spots to visit if you’d like to partake in the live music and nightlife scene in Scottsdale:
Wasted Grain
Wasted Grain is an energetic nightlife venue in Old Town Scottsdale that hosts live bands and performing artists in a concert-style setting. Aside from concerts, this upbeat nightclub also hosts sports-watching parties, bar crawls, food and beverage festivals, and other fun events.
Rusty Spur Saloon
You can’t visit Old Town Scottsdale without doing a little two-stepping at a country-western bar in Scottsdale, like Rusty Spur Saloon. This historic cowboy bar is filled with traditional Western decor and memorabilia, features an old-fashioned swinging door, and offers live music seven days a week.
Coach House
Coach House is the oldest tavern in Old Town Scottsdale, dating back to 1959. Aside from its history, this iconic dive bar is beloved for its laid-back atmosphere, friendly staff, and affordable drinks — and, of course, the thousands of colorful string lights that adorn the entire building.
Find a Luxurious Place to Stay for Your Scottsdale Vacation with Stay With Style Scottsdale
Whether you’re into unique dining experiences, fascinating museums and art galleries, luxury malls and boutique shopping, or cocktail lounges and nightclubs, you’re bound to find something that you’ll enjoy doing while spending time in Old Town Scottsdale during your vacation to Arizona! If you’re still looking for somewhere to stay in Scottsdale, look no further than our collection of luxury vacation rentals from Stay With Style Scottsdale. Our homes feature designer furniture, high-end amenities, and resort-style backyards, providing an unforgettable stay in Scottsdale. Explore our rentals to find the perfect luxury getaway for your upcoming trip!