Why stay near Old Town Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale vacation rentals are the answer for travelers who want the city on foot. This is the most active district in Scottsdale: galleries, a canal walk, live performances, rooftop dinners and a shopping scene that runs from Western wear to luxury brands. Most of it is walkable and the rest is a short drive.
Couples, families and groups all end up here for the same reason. No long commutes, no constant driving, and an evening that can start at dinner and wander wherever it wants afterward. A house in this area adds the space and privacy a hotel cannot, which is why we keep Wild West Estate close to Old Town.
Walkable attractions near Old Town Scottsdale
The Scottsdale Waterfront and the Arizona Canal paths run right through Old Town. They are a scenic corridor of walking and biking paths and public art, with dining and entertainment along the way. We tell guests to walk the canal early, before the day gets going, and again after dinner.
The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art sits near Civic Center Park with rotating exhibitions in modern art, architecture and design. It is easy to fit into a morning and within walking distance of most houses in the district.
The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is nearby and hosts concerts, theater, dance and cultural events across the year. Check the calendar before you arrive. A show you can walk to is a very good way to spend a Saturday night.
Old Town dining, rooftops and nightlife
Old Town's restaurant scene is broad: upscale Southwestern cooking, chef-driven kitchens, rooftop lounges and casual patios that fill up the moment the weather turns. Lunch can be relaxed and dinner can be an event, and neither requires a car.
The nightlife is why Old Town gets booked for bachelor weekends and big birthdays. Dinner leads to a rooftop, the rooftop leads to a bar, and the walk home is short. Anyone who wants an early night just peels off.
Shopping in Old Town and Scottsdale Fashion Square
Old Town's shops lean local: Western wear, art markets, boutiques and specialty retailers you will not find in an airport mall. Wander without a plan and you will do fine.
For luxury brands and national retailers, Scottsdale Fashion Square is minutes away. It is an easy afternoon when the group wants air conditioning and a proper shopping run.
Events near Old Town through the year
Old Town hosts seasonal events year-round: art walks, parades, live performances and holiday celebrations. Staying nearby means you can attend without a word about parking or rides. That convenience is exactly why houses near Old Town are the first to book during the big event seasons, so plan early if your dates line up with one.
- Weekly gallery art walks in the arts district
- Parades and holiday celebrations in winter
- Live performances at the Center for the Performing Arts
- Rotating exhibitions at SMoCA
Why a house beats a hotel near Old Town
A hotel room near Old Town gives you the location. A house gives you the location plus everything a hotel takes away: several bedrooms, a full kitchen, a private pool and patio, and somewhere to land after a long day that is not a lobby.
Wild West Estate has seven bedrooms and sleeps sixteen, close to the heart of the district. The group gets ready together, walks or takes a short ride to dinner, and comes home to the same pool instead of scattering across three floors of a hotel. For families and longer stays the difference is even bigger.
If walkability, dining and culture are the point of your trip, Old Town is one of the best places in Scottsdale to book a house. It has been the favorite of our returning guests for years, and the reasons have not changed.
Questions we get asked
Is Old Town Scottsdale walkable?
Yes. The canal paths, SMoCA, the Center for the Performing Arts, galleries, restaurants and rooftop bars are all within walking distance of each other and of most houses in the district.
What is there to do near Old Town Scottsdale?
Walk the Scottsdale Waterfront and Arizona Canal, visit SMoCA, catch a performance at the Center for the Performing Arts, browse galleries and boutiques, and eat your way through the district's patios and rooftops.
Is Scottsdale Fashion Square near Old Town?
Yes. It is minutes away and is where to go for luxury brands and national retailers when the local boutiques have been covered.
Which estate is closest to Old Town Scottsdale?
Wild West Estate, with seven bedrooms and room for sixteen, sits close to Old Town and is the house we recommend for groups planning several nights out.
