Old Town Scottsdale Neighborhood Guide
By Anne Sostman | The Scottsdale Agent | License SA718853000
Old Town Scottsdale:
The West’s Most
Western Town.
Scottsdale, Arizona · 85251 · Downtown Scottsdale
From a 640 acre desert homestead in 1888 to one of America’s most celebrated urban districts, Old Town Scottsdale is a place where cowboy heritage, world class art, James Beard dining, and luxury real estate coexist across just over one unforgettable square mile. This is the cultural capital of the Valley, the most walkable neighborhood in Arizona, and one of the most compelling urban real estate markets in the Southwest.
— Anne Sostman | The Scottsdale Agent
Old Town Specialist
Condos · Lofts · Luxury Homes
Investment · STR · Primary Residence
Off Market Access Available
Published by Anne Sostman
Overview
What Is Old Town
Scottsdale?
Old Town Scottsdale is the historic downtown core of Scottsdale, Arizona — a dense, walkable, one square mile district packed with 100+ restaurants, 30+ art galleries, two world class museums, luxury boutiques, rooftop bars, and some of the Valley’s most sought after real estate.
Divided into nine distinct walkable sub districts, each with its own personality — from the boot scootin’ Historic Old Town to the gallery lined Arts District to the canal side Scottsdale Waterfront. Old Town offers a layered, neighborhood within a neighborhood experience that is unlike anything else in metro Phoenix.
For real estate buyers, Old Town is the rare urban market in the Valley where a car is optional. Residents walk to dinner, bike to galleries, and stroll to world class shopping. That walkability — exceptional by Arizona standards — combined with strong short term rental demand and a consistent influx of high income transplants makes Old Town one of the most compelling and dynamic residential markets in the entire Southwest.
History
From 640 Desert Acres
to One Unforgettable
Square Mile.
Before Scottsdale was Scottsdale, the Salt River Valley was home to the Akimel O’odham (Pima) people, who farmed the fertile floodplains and established sophisticated irrigation networks. In 1885, W.J. Murphy completed the Arizona Canal, opening the Valley to large scale agriculture.
The Nine Districts
Old Town’s Nine
Walkable Districts.
What makes Old Town truly unique is its internal diversity. Rather than a single downtown character, Old Town is divided into nine walkable and bikeable districts, each with its own distinct personality.
| Galleries · Culture
Arts District
The creative heart of Old Town. Fine art galleries, wine tasting rooms, Scottsdale Artists’ School, and Museum of the West. Home of the weekly ArtWalk every Thursday night since 1975.
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Old West · Landmark
Historic Old Town
The original townsite. Rusty Spur Saloon (70+ years strong), Old Adobe Mission, Saturday Farmers Market, and the Little Red Schoolhouse. Western boutiques and buildings dating to the 1920s.
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Nightlife · Energy
Entertainment District
Where Old Town comes alive after dark. Celebrity DJs, live bands, master mixologists, upscale nightclubs. The premier nightlife destination in all of metro Phoenix.
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| Arts · Performance
Scottsdale Civic Center
A 21 acre pedestrian park with lush lawns, public art, and botanic gardens. Houses the Performing Arts Center (1,000+ events annually), SMoCA, and Scottsdale Stadium — spring training home of the San Francisco Giants.
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Boutiques · Local
Fifth Avenue Shopping District
Dozens of unique boutique shops, award winning restaurants, and the iconic Bronze Horse Fountain by Bob Parks. A relaxed, walkable stretch that embodies the original spirit of Old Town retail.
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Canal · Dining
Scottsdale Waterfront
Developed in 2005 along the historic Arizona Canal. Anchored by the Soleri Bridge and Plaza, with canal side restaurants, boutiques, and some of Scottsdale’s most coveted luxury condominiums.
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| Mixed Use · Local
Brown and Stetson District
A vibrant mixed use corridor with restaurants, bars, locally owned businesses, and neighborhood services. A grounded, community oriented counterpart to the more tourist heavy districts.
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Canal · Upscale
Southbridge District
On the south banks of the Arizona Canal. Some of Old Town’s most popular upscale restaurants and boutiques. An intimate, architecturally refined district slightly removed from the main bustle.
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Luxury Retail
Scottsdale Fashion Square
The largest shopping mall in Arizona. Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Dillard’s, and 240+ luxury retailers. Its expansion has anchored the eastern boundary of Old Town’s luxury residential and retail corridor.
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Real Estate
Old Town Real Estate:
What Buyers Need
to Know.
Old Town’s real estate market is unlike any other in the Valley. Where most Phoenix area neighborhoods are dominated by single family homes on large lots, Old Town is 93% condominiums and apartments — a density profile that places it among the top 1% of all U.S. neighborhoods for multi family housing concentration.
Lifestyle
Why People Choose
Old Town Scottsdale.
Old Town delivers a combination of culture, walkability, dining, entertainment, and investment upside that no other Arizona neighborhood can match.
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World Class Dining
100+ restaurants spanning James Beard recognized chefs, farm to table concepts, and rooftop bar dining with Camelback Mountain views. Old Town is the culinary capital of the entire Valley.
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Scottsdale ArtWalk
Every Thursday evening since 1975. 30+ galleries, live artists, wine tastings, free trolley service, and horse drawn carriage rides. One of the longest running weekly art events in the United States.
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Major Annual Events
Barrett Jackson auto auction, Waste Management Phoenix Open (the most attended golf event in history), Parada del Sol, spring training baseball, and 1,000+ events annually at the Performing Arts Center.
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Arizona’s Most Walkable
Among the most walkable neighborhoods in all of Arizona — an exceptional distinction in the car centric Phoenix metro. Free Scottsdale Trolley and horse drawn carriage service supplement on foot access.
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Coffee Culture
Old Town’s Specialty
Coffee Scene.
Old Town Scottsdale has evolved into one of the Phoenix metro’s most concentrated specialty coffee corridors. The density of quality cafes within walking distance signals neighborhood maturity and resident sophistication.
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Fourtillfour
Modern Australian cafe culture meets Old Town, serious espresso program with all day brunch
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Berdena’s
Neighborhood institution serving breakfast and coffee since the 1990s, locals only vibe
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Experiment Coffee and Pastry
Third wave precision with in house pastries, the kind of cafe that signals gentrification
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Cartel Coffee Lab
Training center and event space on 5th Avenue, barista courses and coffee cuppings
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Press Coffee Roasters
The flagship that launched Phoenix’s specialty coffee movement, courtyard seating on Shoeman Lane
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Firefly Organic Coffee and Market
Worth the drive to South Scottsdale, organic market and cafe with community gathering space
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Dining and Nightlife
Old Town’s
Restaurant Scene.
Old Town Scottsdale anchors the Phoenix metro’s luxury dining corridor. The concentration of nationally recognized restaurants within a walkable grid represents one of the Southwest’s most mature culinary ecosystems.
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Arcadia Farms Cafe
Farm to table pioneer that defined Scottsdale’s lunch culture, courtyard dining and seasonal menu
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Virtu Pizzeria
Neapolitan pizza and Italian small plates, neighborhood favorite with serious wine program
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The Mission
Modern Latin cuisine in a historic adobe building, tableside guacamole and rooftop patio
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Anhelo
Contemporary Mexican with chef driven tasting menus, elevated dining in intimate setting
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Ocean44
Premier seafood destination from the Mastro’s team, Japanese influence and extensive wine cellar
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Uchi
Austin’s acclaimed sushi and Japanese restaurant, James Beard pedigree and omakase service
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Bourbon and Bones
Chophouse and bourbon bar at the Scottsdale Waterfront, power dinner destination
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Olive and Ivy
Mediterranean on the Waterfront, weekend brunch and patio dining on the canal
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Virtu Honest Craft
Farm driven American from the Virtu team, seasonal ingredients and craft cocktails
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Din Tai Fung
World renowned Taiwanese dumpling house at Scottsdale Fashion Square, soup dumplings and hand pulled noodles in a sleek setting
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Elefante
Italian coastal cuisine at the Hotel Adeline, rooftop pool deck dining with Camelback Mountain views and craft cocktails
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Maple and Ash
Chicago steakhouse transplant at Scottsdale Quarter, wood fired steaks, tableside presentations, and a dramatic dining room
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Frequently Asked Questions
Old Town Scottsdale
FAQ.
The questions buyers, relocators, and investors ask most — answered with specificity.
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Where is Old Town Scottsdale?
The historic downtown core of Scottsdale, Arizona (zip 85251). Just east of Phoenix and Tempe, about 20 minutes from Sky Harbor Airport. The walkable core spans roughly one square mile.
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What is Old Town Scottsdale known for?
Old West heritage meets modern luxury. Famous for the weekly ArtWalk (since 1975), 100+ restaurants, two art museums, Scottsdale Fashion Square, spring training, Barrett Jackson, and the best nightlife in the Southwest.
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What are home prices in Old Town?
Median sale price around $565K (driven by condo concentration). Luxury condos along the Waterfront and single family homes can exceed $1M to $3M+. Overall area median surpasses $1 million.
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Is Old Town good for short term rentals?
Consistently ranked among the top STR markets in the United States. Arizona’s investor friendly laws and Old Town’s year round event calendar drive exceptional peak season yields.
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What is the Scottsdale ArtWalk?
A free, self guided art event every Thursday 7pm to 9pm along Main Street and Marshall Way. Launched in 1975, over 50 consecutive years of 30+ galleries, live artists, wine tastings, and horse drawn carriages.
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What are the nine districts of Old Town?
Arts District, Historic Old Town, Entertainment District, Scottsdale Civic Center, Fifth Avenue Shopping District, Scottsdale Waterfront, Brown and Stetson, Southbridge, and Scottsdale Fashion Square. Each has a distinct character.
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Who founded Old Town Scottsdale?
U.S. Army Chaplain Winfield Scott purchased 640 acres in 1888 for $3.50 per acre. He planted two olive trees on Second Street that still stand. The town was named Scottsdale in his honor and incorporated in 1951.
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Is Old Town Scottsdale walkable?
One of the most walkable neighborhoods in all of Arizona. The core is compact enough to walk end to end, with free Scottsdale Trolley and horse drawn carriage service on ArtWalk nights.
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Work With Anne
Old Town Is One Square Mile
of Unmatched Opportunity.
Whether you are buying your first Old Town condo, investing in a short term rental property, selling into one of the most dynamic markets in the Southwest, or relocating to a neighborhood where a car is genuinely optional, a private conversation costs nothing and changes everything.
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