The Ultimate
Old Town Guide

Restaurants, nightlife, shopping, art galleries, local favorites, and insider tips for planning the perfect Scottsdale weekend.

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Your Scottsdale home base

Make El Charro Sol your private home base for Old Town Scottsdale.

Make El Charro Sol your private home base for Old Town Scottsdale — close enough for easy rideshare access, but with the space, private pool, and quiet backyard hotels cannot offer.

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Old Town
At a Glance
3.6 Milesfrom El Charro Sol
Diningrestaurants & cocktails
Galleriesart, culture & museums
ShoppingFashion Square & boutiques
Walkabledistrict-style exploring
DistrictsRestaurantsBrunchNightlifeShoppingArt & CultureItineraryWhere to Stay

Explore Old Town’s Five Districts

Old Town Scottsdale is made up of five unique districts. Each one has its own personality, attractions, and unforgettable experiences — all just minutes from El Charro Sol.

Historic Old Town Scottsdale sign

Historic Old Town

Western roots, historic buildings, public art, local boutiques, and the original Scottsdale charm that made it famous.

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Scottsdale Arts District public art

Arts District

Galleries, studios, public art, Scottsdale ArtWalk, and one of the Southwest’s most vibrant arts scenes.

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Scottsdale Waterfront canal at dusk

Scottsdale Waterfront

Walkable canals, restaurants, shopping, public art, and one of Scottsdale’s most photographed districts.

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Scottsdale Fashion Square shopping area

Scottsdale Fashion Square

Arizona’s premier luxury shopping destination featuring Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Christian Louboutin, Rolex, and more.

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Old Town Scottsdale Entertainment District nightlife

Entertainment District

Rooftop bars, live DJs, cocktail lounges, bottle service, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and some of Arizona’s most energetic nightlife.

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Featured Local Partner

Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila

One of our favorite Old Town Scottsdale restaurants for tacos, tequila, margaritas, and group-friendly dining.

El Charro Sol Guest Perk:
El Charro Sol guests receive 15% off their bill.

Perfect for girls weekends, birthday dinners, baseball trips, family gatherings, and anyone looking for a great first-night Scottsdale recommendation.

Private tequila tastings & celebration experiences

Cien Agaves also offers private tequila tastings and the “Last Margarita as a Señorita” package for bachelorette parties, birthdays, and celebration groups. Reservations are required.

View Cien Agaves Experiences →
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Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila exterior

Best Restaurants

Our curated picks for different occasions.

Best Steak

Maple & AshUpscale steakhouse with a lively atmosphere.

Mastro’s City HallScottsdale classic for steak, seafood, and people-watching.

Best Mexican

Cien AgavesTacos, tequila, margaritas, and a 15% dining discount for El Charro Sol guests.

The MissionModern Latin cuisine in a beautiful dining room.

Best for Groups

Diego PopsCasual, colorful, and easy for groups.

The MontaukGreat social energy for brunch or a casual meal.

Date Night Favorites

FnBArizona-driven cooking with a food-focused reputation.

Virtù Honest CraftIntimate, polished, and memorable.

Best Brunch Spots

For slow mornings, group trips, and the day after Old Town.

Hash Kitchen

Energetic brunch, large portions, and a build-your-own Bloody Mary reputation.

The Montauk

Coastal-inspired, social, and popular for groups starting a Scottsdale day.

Farm & Craft

Fresh, lighter options with a health-forward Scottsdale vibe.

SumoMaya

A distinctive brunch experience with bold flavors and lively group appeal.

Nightlife & Cocktails

Old Town has both polished cocktail experiences and the louder Entertainment District scene.

Cocktail Lounges

  • Second Story
  • Tell Your Friends
  • Century Grand area experiences

Entertainment District

  • Bottled Blonde
  • Riot House
  • Casa Amigos
  • El Hefe

Casual Local Energy

  • Coach House
  • Boondocks
  • Sports-bar style stops

Best Strategy

Start with dinner or cocktails, then decide if your group wants relaxed drinks or high-energy nightlife.

Shopping

Scottsdale Fashion Square: the practical details.

Scottsdale Fashion Square is Old Town’s major indoor shopping destination, with luxury boutiques, department stores, restaurants, entertainment, and welcome air-conditioning during warmer months.

Luxury names include Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Christian Louboutin, Rolex, Cartier, Prada, and more, alongside Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Macy’s, and Apple. Dining options range from quick stops to destination restaurants such as Nobu, Ocean 44, Élephante, Din Tai Fung, Moxies, Catch, and Toca Madera.

Address: 7014 East Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Regular mall hours:
Monday–Thursday 10 AM–8 PM
Friday–Saturday 10 AM–9 PM
Sunday 10 AM–6 PM

Individual stores and restaurants may keep different hours, and holiday hours can change.

Official Mall Website Store Directory Current Hours Center Map
Interior of Scottsdale Fashion Square

Best for Luxury Shopping

Start in the luxury wing for designer fashion, jewelry, watches, and brands that are difficult to find elsewhere in Arizona.

Make It a Half-Day

Pair shopping with lunch or dinner at the mall, then walk the nearby Waterfront and Old Town districts.

Parking

Multiple garages and valet locations serve the property. Check the official visitor page or center map before arriving during busy weekends and events.

Prefer Local Boutiques?

For a more local feel, continue to Fifth Avenue, Historic Old Town, the Arts District, and Waterfront shops and galleries.

Art & Culture

Old Town is also galleries, museums, public art, and Scottsdale history.

Thursday ArtWalk

A long-running Scottsdale tradition where galleries stay open into the evening.

SMoCA

The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art focuses on modern art, design, and architecture.

Western Spirit Museum

A strong stop for visitors who want Western history, art, and regional culture.

Waterfront Public Art

Walk the canal area and look for public art, bridges, lights, and outdoor gathering spaces.

Sample plan

A simple Old Town weekend itinerary.

Friday

Check in, settle in, then head to Cien Agaves for tacos, tequila, and the El Charro Sol guest perk. Walk Old Town afterward.

Saturday

Brunch, Fashion Square or galleries, pool time back at the house, then dinner and nightlife in the Entertainment District.

Sunday

Coffee, easy brunch, a Waterfront walk, then one last relaxed Scottsdale stop before heading home.

Best Tip

Do Old Town in blocks. Pick one dinner, one nightlife zone, and one daytime activity rather than trying to hit everything.

Explore Old Town.

Where to stay near Old Town

You do not have to sleep in the middle of the nightlife to enjoy it.

Many visitors spend only part of their day in Old Town. A private home nearby can be the better setup: go out for dinner, shopping, galleries, brunch, and nightlife, then come back to your own pool, kitchen, and quiet Scottsdale neighborhood.

El Charro Sol is approximately 7–10 minutes from Old Town and is designed for guests who want comfort, personality, and space beyond a hotel room.

Private pool and backyard at El Charro Sol

Scottsdale experiences

Looking for more to do?

Browse Scottsdale and Arizona experiences, including desert adventures, food tours, outdoor activities, and local favorites to round out your stay.

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Stay near Old Town

Make El Charro Sol your Scottsdale home base.

Old Town is where you go out. El Charro Sol is where your group comes home to a private pool, full kitchen, outdoor dining, backyard games, and space to relax.

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