Old Town Scottsdale: A Group's Guide From a Pool Home Minutes Away
Old Town Scottsdale is the city's walkable downtown. Experience Scottsdale describes it as nine walkable, bikeable districts packed into just over one square mile, with more than 100 restaurants, more than 100 galleries and two art museums (Experience Scottsdale Old Town fact sheet). The Sunkiss is a short drive away: Old Town is roughly an eight-minute drive in ordinary conditions, though traffic, spring training and event weekends can add time (The Sunkiss). That means the group can be out for dinner and back at its own pool the same night.
What is Old Town Scottsdale?
Old Town is Scottsdale's historic core and downtown. The City of Scottsdale's planning document for the area, the Old Town Scottsdale Character Area Plan, was formerly called the Downtown Plan and guides development for "Scottsdale's downtown" (City of Scottsdale).
Experience Scottsdale names nine districts (fact sheet):
- Arts District: galleries, Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West and the Thursday night ArtWalk.
- Brown & Stetson District: restaurants, bars and local businesses.
- Scottsdale Civic Center: a 21-acre park with the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and Scottsdale Stadium.
- Entertainment District: the nightlife blocks.
- Fifth Ave Shopping District: shops, restaurants and the Bob Parks Horse Fountain.
- Historic Old Town: the Old West corner, with Western wear, Native American jewelry and historic sites.
- Scottsdale Fashion Square: the large shopping mall.
- Scottsdale Waterfront and Southbridge Districts: boutiques and restaurants on the banks of the Arizona Canal.
Is Old Town Scottsdale walkable?
Yes. The City of Scottsdale's Old Town site says "Old Town is extremely compact and walkable" (City of Scottsdale, Old Town public parking). Park once or rideshare in, then walk.
In summer, plan walking for the cooler parts of the day and use the hottest hours for the pool back at the house. The National Weather Service in Phoenix advises doing strenuous activity during the coolest part of the day and carrying water (NWS Phoenix heat page).
What are the best things to do in Old Town Scottsdale?
Start with art, then shop, eat and check what's on that week.
- Scottsdale ArtWalk. The Scottsdale Gallery Association holds ArtWalk every Thursday night (Scottsdale Gallery Association).
- Museums. Visit Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West or the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Check each museum's site for current hours and closed days.
- The Waterfront. Walk the canal-side Scottsdale Waterfront and Southbridge area at golden hour.
- Shopping. Browse the Fifth Ave Shopping District and the Historic Old Town boutiques.
- Spring training. Scottsdale Stadium is the spring home of the San Francisco Giants. The 2027 Cactus League season runs February through March, opening February 19 (Cactus League).
- Farmers market. The Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market runs on Saturdays, October through June, and moves to a new location starting October 3, 2026. Check the official market listing for hours and the current address.
For what's happening on your dates, see The Sunkiss events calendar.
Where should you eat in Old Town Scottsdale?
Plan at least one group dinner in Old Town. It has the city's densest mix of restaurants, with more than 100 in the district (Experience Scottsdale). For a big group, reserve a private or semi-private table well ahead, especially January through March, and ask about large-party policies such as automatic gratuity. The house's chef's kitchen handles the other nights. The Trailstead guide to Scottsdale dining and experiences covers how to book for groups.
Is Old Town Scottsdale good for a bachelorette or birthday weekend?
Yes. Old Town's Entertainment District is where the nightlife is concentrated (Experience Scottsdale). Use the house as the calm base: brunch by the pool, a pickleball match on the sport court, dinner in Old Town, then home. The Sunkiss does not permit parties, neighborhood quiet hours apply, and the primary guest must be 25 or older (The Sunkiss plan page). Plan the celebrating out on the town.
How do you get around Old Town with a group?
Rideshare in and walk once you're there. If you drive, the City of Scottsdale says Old Town's "parking garages are all free and street parking has a three-hour limit" (City of Scottsdale). A large group rarely arrives together in several cars, so two or three rideshares from the house is usually simpler, and nobody has to be the designated driver.
When is the best time to visit Old Town Scottsdale?
It depends on what you want. The Sunkiss planning calendar treats January to March as peak season, with cooler mornings for golf, walks and patios, and spring training in February and March. April and May are warmer and good for pool time. June to September needs outdoor plans built around cooler hours. October to December is a practical window for golf, pickleball and holiday gatherings (The Sunkiss plan page). See the Scottsdale destination guide for more.
Should you stay in Old Town or near it?
For a big group, one house nearby keeps everyone under one roof instead of spread across separate rooms. The Sunkiss has five bedrooms and eight beds (four kings plus a bunk room), three full bathrooms and sleeps up to 16. Out back are a private pool, private hot tub, a sport court set up for pickleball and basketball, a putting green and a gas fire table. Inside there's a pool table, foosball, and a chef's kitchen with a coffee bar. Cornhole and ladder toss are on hand. Check-in is 4 p.m. and checkout is 10 a.m. Optional pool heat is $100 per night, needs at least three days' notice and must be purchased for the entire stay. The hot tub is included (The Sunkiss, plan page). Check rates and dates on the booking calendar.
One Old Town day for a group
| Time | Where | What | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 | The Sunkiss | Coffee bar, pickleball before the heat | Sport court is on-site |
| 10:00 | Old Town (rideshare) | Galleries and a museum | Split up: art lovers and shoppers |
| 12:30 | Old Town | Group lunch on a patio | Reserve ahead for a big group |
| 14:00 | The Sunkiss | Pool and hot tub reset | Pool heat optional: $100/night, 3 days' notice, whole stay |
| 18:30 | Old Town | Group dinner | Reserve a private or semi-private table |
| 21:30 | The Sunkiss | Fire table, cornhole, early night | Quiet hours apply; no parties |
Frequently asked questions
What is Old Town Scottsdale known for? It is Scottsdale's walkable downtown, known for galleries, Western heritage, boutiques, restaurants and nightlife.
Is Old Town Scottsdale the same as downtown Scottsdale? Yes. The City of Scottsdale's plan for Old Town was formerly called the Downtown Plan and describes the area as Scottsdale's downtown.
Is Old Town Scottsdale walkable? Yes. The City of Scottsdale describes Old Town as extremely compact and walkable. In summer, walk during the cooler parts of the day.
How far is The Sunkiss from Old Town? Old Town is roughly an eight-minute drive in ordinary conditions. Traffic and big event weekends can add time.
Is parking free in Old Town Scottsdale? The City of Scottsdale says Old Town's public parking garages are free and street parking has a three-hour limit.
Can we host a party at the house after a night in Old Town? No. The Sunkiss does not permit parties, and neighborhood quiet hours apply.