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Local Favorites

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Living in Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale has a particular way of doing desert living. Mornings start on a trail or over coffee, afternoons move between golf, shopping and pool time, and evenings can mean anything from a quiet dinner to a packed Old Town nightlife scene.

The city gives you plenty of range, too. You can spend the morning hiking the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, browse contemporary art that evening, and finish with dinner and cocktails—all without leaving Scottsdale.

Here’s the local playbook.

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Get to know Scottsdale

Scottsdale is easiest to understand by the kind of life you want to live.

Old Town is the most walkable and energetic part of the city, with restaurants, galleries, shopping, nightlife, museums and historic sites packed into a relatively compact area. Experience Scottsdale counts more than 100 restaurants and more than 100 galleries in Old Town alone.

North Scottsdale leans toward wide-open desert, luxury resorts, golf, newer communities and easy access to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Central Scottsdale puts you closer to established neighborhoods, parks, golf, restaurants and the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt.

South Scottsdale offers a more eclectic, increasingly creative feel, with easy access to Old Town, the Greenbelt and nearby Tempe.

The result is a city where your ZIP code can shape your daily rhythm almost as much as your floor plan.

The Scottsdale local favorites

Get outside

This is the big one.

The preserve protects more than 30,500 acres of Sonoran Desert and has more than 230 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

Local favorites include:

  • Gateway Trailhead

  • Tom's Thumb

  • Pinnacle Peak

  • Sunrise Peak

  • Lost Dog Wash

  • Brown's Ranch

  • Windgate Pass

  • Sunrise and sunset hikes

  • Mountain biking

  • Guided desert hikes

Local tip: Summer hiking is an early-morning activity. The desert doesn't negotiate.

One of Scottsdale's best everyday amenities is also one of its easiest to overlook.

The Greenbelt strings together parks, lakes, paths, sports facilities and open space through the center of Scottsdale. It's ideal for:

  • Walking

  • Running

  • Cycling

  • Dog walks

  • Picnics

  • Golf

  • Family afternoons

Chaparral Park and Eldorado Park are two good places to plug into the system.

Frank Lloyd Wright's desert home and studio is one of Scottsdale's signature cultural landmarks.

It's part architecture lesson, part desert experience—and completely different from the usual resort itinerary.

Tripadvisor

(480) 312-2312

A longtime family favorite with miniature trains, a historic carousel, railroad exhibits and plenty of room to roam.

It's particularly good when you want an easy afternoon that doesn't require a major production.

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The Scottsdale way to spend a Saturday

Early: Coffee + a desert hike
Late morning: Brunch
Afternoon: Pool, shopping or golf
Late afternoon: Art galleries or a patio
Evening: Dinner
After dark: Cocktails, live music or Old Town

That rhythm is a pretty good summary of Scottsdale life.

Where locals like to eat

Scottsdale's restaurant scene ranges from neighborhood staples to destination dining, and Old Town alone packs an unusually high concentration of restaurants into a walkable area.

Citizen Public House :A Scottsdale staple for elevated comfort food and serious cocktails.

The Mission: Modern Latin cuisine in a stylish Old Town setting.

FnB: A chef-driven Scottsdale institution known for its Arizona-focused, vegetable-forward cooking.

Virtù Honest Craft:  A refined option tucked into Old Town with a more intimate feel.

Roaring Fork: Wood-fired cooking and Western-inspired food in a longtime Scottsdale setting.

Mastro's City Hall Steakhouse: A Scottsdale original and a go-to for classic steakhouse dining.

Zinc Bistro: A French bistro at Kierland Commons that's equally suited to lunch, brunch or a date night.

Dominick's Steakhouse: For a polished steakhouse evening.

Ocean 44: Seafood and steak with a high-end Scottsdale feel.

Buck & Rider: A lively seafood option for oysters, fish and a strong bar scene.

The Americano: Italian-inspired dining with a stylish, modern atmosphere.

Grassroots Kitchen & Tap: A relaxed neighborhood restaurant with Southern-influenced New American cooking.

Andreoli Italian Grocery: Part Italian market, part restaurant—and one of the places worth knowing if you live nearby.

Los Olivos Mexican Patio: A longtime Scottsdale choice for classic Mexican food in a colorful, casual setting.

Sugar Bowl: The pink Scottsdale institution that's been serving burgers, sandwiches and ice cream since 1958.

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Coffee stops

Scottsdale takes coffee seriously.

A few names worth knowing:

  • Press Coffee

  • Cartel Coffee Lab

  • Berdena's

  • Peixoto Coffee

  • Yellow Spruce

  • Fourtillfour Coffee

For a Saturday morning, pair coffee with a walk through Old Town or the Farmers Market.

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Shopping

Scottsdale Fashion Square: (480) 941-2140

The heavyweight: You'll find luxury brands, major retailers, restaurants, entertainment and Harkins theater under one roof. Experience Scottsdale describes it as the largest shopping destination in the Southwest, with more than 200 premium retailers.

Kierland Commons: More open-air and neighborhood-oriented, with restaurants, boutiques and plenty of patio dining.

Scottsdale Quarter: Shopping, restaurants, coffee and entertainment in a walkable outdoor setting.

Old Town + Fifth Avenue:This is where shopping gets distinctly Scottsdale.

Look for:

  • Native American jewelry

  • Western goods

  • Art

  • Home décor

  • Boutique clothing

  • Southwestern gifts

  • Local makers

Art and culture

1
Scottsdale ArtWalk
A Scottsdale institution. On Thursday evenings, galleries throughout Old Town's Arts District stay open late, with exhibitions, artists, music and other experiences. The tradition dates back more than four decades.
2
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art Known locally as SMoCA, this is the stop for contemporary art, architecture and design.
3
Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West
A Smithsonian Affiliate dedicated to the art, history and culture of the American West.
4
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
For theater, dance, concerts, speakers and cultural programming.
5
Wonderspaces Arizona
Immersive, interactive art inside Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Wine, cocktails and nightlife

Scottsdale after dark has several personalities.

AZ88
Art, cocktails and a long-running Scottsdale following.

Canal Club
A Cuban-inspired cocktail bar with a more intimate atmosphere.

Citizen Public House
One of the better choices when the cocktails matter as much as dinner.

Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row: Country music, dancing and a high-energy Old Town crowd.

Wasted Grain: Multiple levels, live music and late-night energy.

Boondocks Patio & Grill Scottsdale: A big patio, live music and a casual nightlife atmosphere.

MAYA Day + Night: Pool-party-by-day, nightclub-by-night energy.

STK Steakhouse Scottsdale: A steakhouse built around dinner, cocktails and nightlife rather than a quiet steakhouse experience.

And then there are the rooftop bars, lounges and clubs scattered throughout Old Town. The advantage: much of it is walkable once you're in the district.

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Golf

Golf is part of the Scottsdale lifestyle, not just something visitors come here to do.

Local names to know include:

  • TPC Scottsdale

  • Troon North

  • Grayhawk Golf Club

  • The Phoenician Golf Club

  • Talking Stick Golf Club

  • McDowell Mountain Golf Club

  • Starfire Golf Club

  • Orange Tree Golf Club

  • Silverado Golf Course

Scottsdale's golf scene ranges from resort courses and championship layouts to approachable municipal options.

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Spa and wellness

Scottsdale has earned its reputation as a wellness destination for good reason.

Local favorites include:

  • The Spa at Camelback Inn

  • Sanctuary Spa

  • The Phoenician Spa

  • Well & Being Spa

  • CIVANA in nearby Carefree

  • Life Time Scottsdale

  • Resort pool days

  • Yoga and Pilates studios

  • Recovery and wellness centers

A Scottsdale weekend doesn't have to involve a packed itinerary. Sometimes the itinerary is the spa.

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Desert experiences

For something more distinctly Arizona:

  • Sunrise desert hikes

  • Sunset horseback rides

  • Hot-air balloon rides

  • Jeep tours

  • Sonoran Desert photography

  • Cactus gardens

  • Stargazing

  • Mountain biking

  • Desert botanical walks

  • Horseback riding at MacDonald's Ranch

Horseback riding is especially fitting here. Scottsdale has numerous desert riding options, including MacDonald's Ranch and guided outfitter experiences.

Day trips and nearby favorites

1
Phoenix
Museums, restaurants, sports, concerts and downtown culture.
2
Paradise Valley
Luxury resorts, Camelback Mountain and destination dining.
3
Cave Creek + Carefree
Western character, desert trails, horseback riding, restaurants and a slower pace.
4
Fountain Hills
Known for its massive fountain, mountain views and outdoor recreation.
5
Tempe
Mill Avenue, ASU, Tempe Town Lake and a younger, more energetic atmosphere.
6
Payson
A cooler-weather mountain getaway when you want pine trees instead of saguaros.
7
Sedona
A classic weekend escape for red-rock hiking, restaurants, galleries and wellness.

Scottsdale's big annual events

One of the city's best qualities is that the calendar doesn't really have an off-season.

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction
Collector cars, automotive culture and serious spectacle.

WM Phoenix Open
Professional golf at TPC Scottsdale, plus the famous Birds Nest concerts.

Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show
A longtime Scottsdale tradition dating back to 1955.

Cactus League Spring Training
Catch MLB teams throughout the Phoenix metro, including games at Scottsdale Stadium and Salt River Fields.

Parada del Sol

Scottsdale Western Week

Rodeo Scottsdale

Arizona Fine Art Expo

Celebration of Fine Art

These events form a particularly busy stretch of Scottsdale's annual calendar.


Scottsdale ArtWalk
Every Thursday evening.

Scottsdale Fashion Week

Canal Convergence
A free public-art experience along the Scottsdale Waterfront featuring large-scale installations, performances, music, workshops and interactive art. The 2026 edition runs November 6–15.

Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships

Scottsdale Italian Festival

Arizona Indigenous Culinary Experience

Fall is also when outdoor life starts feeling particularly good again.

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Saturday morning, Scottsdale-style

Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market

Grab a coffee and wander through local produce, baked goods, specialty foods, flowers, artisan products and other Arizona-made goods.

The market runs Saturdays during its seasonal October–June schedule.

It's an easy ritual to build into life here.

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Family favorites

Scottsdale works surprisingly well for families.

Put these on the list:

  • McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

  • OdySea Aquarium

  • Butterfly Wonderland

  • Musical Instrument Museum

  • Scottsdale Civic Center

  • Chaparral Park

  • Eldorado Park

  • Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt

  • Desert Botanical Garden

  • McDowell Sonoran Preserve

  • Scottsdale Public Library

  • Local splash pads and aquatic centers

  • Spring Training games

The city also gives families plenty of ways to spend an afternoon outside without turning it into a major expedition.

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The local Scottsdale cheat sheet

Best for a morning hike: McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Best for a casual walk: Old Town
Best for art: Arts District + SMoCA
Best for Western history: Western Spirit
Best for shopping: Scottsdale Fashion Square
Best open-air shopping: Kierland Commons
Best farmers market: Old Town Farmers Market
Best family park: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Best date-night zone: Old Town / Waterfront
Best nightlife: Old Town Entertainment District
Best golf: TPC Scottsdale / Troon North / Grayhawk
Best sunset: McDowell Mountains
Best desert experience: Guided Sonoran Desert adventure
Best classic Scottsdale stop: Sugar Bowl
Best Thursday tradition: ArtWalk
Best winter tradition: Spring Training
Best fall tradition: Canal Convergence


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What makes Scottsdale feel like home

The appeal isn't just the number of things to do.

It's the fact that many of them can become part of an ordinary Tuesday.

A trail before work. Coffee afterward. Lunch outside. A round of golf. Dinner somewhere new. A Thursday evening wandering through galleries. A Saturday farmers market. A Sunday afternoon by the pool.

Scottsdale gives you the amenities of a resort destination without requiring you to treat every day like a vacation.

And that's really the local favorite: having all of this close enough to make it part of everyday life.

Event dates, operating schedules and individual business offerings can change, so it's worth checking the official venue or city calendar before making plans. Scottsdale's official event calendar is the best place to keep up with the current lineup.

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By providing your contact information to Reisdorf Metz & Partners, your personal information will be processed in accordance with Reisdorf Metz & Partners's Privacy Policy. By checking the box(es) below, you expressly consent to receive marketing or promotional real estate communication from Reisdorf Metz & Partners in the manner selected by you. For SMS text messages, message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not a condition of purchase of any goods or services. You may opt out of receiving further communications from Reisdorf Metz & Partners at any time. To opt out of receiving SMS text messages, reply STOP to unsubscribe. SMS text messaging is subject to our Terms of Use.
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Contact Details

Reisdorf Metz & Partners

Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

480.797.4977

[email protected]

Address 7669 E Pinnacle Peak Rd Ste 110 Scottsdale, AZ 85255