Locals Guide to Scottsdale
City/town information
There is nothing quite like a sunset in the valley of sun. Lucky for you the condo is in the heart of old town Scottsdale close to world class dining, shopping, and adventure.
385 locals recommend
Scottsdale
There is nothing quite like a sunset in the valley of sun. Lucky for you the condo is in the heart of old town Scottsdale close to world class dining, shopping, and adventure.
Sightseeing
Hike Camelback Mountain! Echo Canyon trailhead is short drive from the condo and currently the only open hiking trail (Cholla Trail closed) up Camelback Mountain. Be aware - it is a strenuous hike up rocks and boulders - make sure you bring good hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Hit the trail at sunrise - very crowded November - April.
1752 locals recommend
Echo Canyon Trail and Recreation Area
East McDonald DriveHike Camelback Mountain! Echo Canyon trailhead is short drive from the condo and currently the only open hiking trail (Cholla Trail closed) up Camelback Mountain. Be aware - it is a strenuous hike up rocks and boulders - make sure you bring good hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Hit the trail at sunrise - very crowded November - April.
Great place to take the kids to ride on a train, see a variety of train sets, have a snack and play at the park.
211 locals recommend
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 E Indian Bend RdGreat place to take the kids to ride on a train, see a variety of train sets, have a snack and play at the park.
Largest mall in Arizona - spend a day exploring many stores and restaurants just a short walk or drive from condo.
761 locals recommend
Scottsdale Fashion Square
7014 E Camelback RdLargest mall in Arizona - spend a day exploring many stores and restaurants just a short walk or drive from condo.
Spend the afternoon / evening learning about native plants throughout the southwest. Check out their live music series throughout the year.
1231 locals recommend
Desert Botanical Garden
Spend the afternoon / evening learning about native plants throughout the southwest. Check out their live music series throughout the year.
Great place to see a movie. Reserve your recliner seat ahead of time on their website and order unlimited popcorn along with a full menu and drinks served directly to your seat.
38 locals recommend
RoadHouse Cinemas - Scottsdale
9090 E Indian Bend RdGreat place to see a movie. Reserve your recliner seat ahead of time on their website and order unlimited popcorn along with a full menu and drinks served directly to your seat.
Learn what drew Frank Lloyd Wright to Arizona on this engaging tour of sustainability and architecture. Their evening tours are extra special.
296 locals recommend
Taliesin West
12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright BlvdLearn what drew Frank Lloyd Wright to Arizona on this engaging tour of sustainability and architecture. Their evening tours are extra special.
Great place to watch the sunset. Can be crowded during certain times. Lots of hiking and mountain biking trails. Check out hole in the rock. Right next to Desert Botanical Gardens and Phoenix Zoo.
543 locals recommend
Papago Park
625 N Galvin PkwyGreat place to watch the sunset. Can be crowded during certain times. Lots of hiking and mountain biking trails. Check out hole in the rock. Right next to Desert Botanical Gardens and Phoenix Zoo.
Fast & fun electric go-carts can be a bit pricey. Reserve your race online ahead of time.
96 locals recommend
Octane Raceway
9119 Talking Stick WayFast & fun electric go-carts can be a bit pricey. Reserve your race online ahead of time.
Walking, running, and biking paths alongside lake stocked with fish. Playground and wide areas to burn some energy. Can be a great place to catch a sunset over Camelback Mountain.
65 locals recommend
Chaparral Park
5401 N Hayden RdWalking, running, and biking paths alongside lake stocked with fish. Playground and wide areas to burn some energy. Can be a great place to catch a sunset over Camelback Mountain.
Classic ice cream parlor in old town Scottsdale. Check out Family Circus cartoons created by Bil Keane featuring Sugar Bowl. Has a few arcade games for kids to play.
102 locals recommend
Sugar Bowl
4005 N Scottsdale RdClassic ice cream parlor in old town Scottsdale. Check out Family Circus cartoons created by Bil Keane featuring Sugar Bowl. Has a few arcade games for kids to play.
Great place to hike just minutes away. Bring water, sunscreen, and a camera. Lots of wildlife opportunities
31 locals recommend
McDowell Sonoran Preserve
18333 N Thompson Peak PkwyGreat place to hike just minutes away. Bring water, sunscreen, and a camera. Lots of wildlife opportunities
Lots of photo opportunities along the water. Rent boats, paddle boards, bikes, or scooters to explore the area.
453 locals recommend
Tempe Town Lake
620 N Mill AveLots of photo opportunities along the water. Rent boats, paddle boards, bikes, or scooters to explore the area.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West
3830 N Marshall WayToms Thumb
Tom's Thumb TrailGood uphill hike. Bring lots of water and sunscreen.
Pinnacle Peak
Good uphill hike, bring water and sunscreen.
Topgolf
9500 Talking Stick WaySpend an hour hitting golf balls amongst friends and cold beverages.
Great place to catch the Cubs at spring training located a few minutes away from the condo in Mesa, Arizona.
23 locals recommend
Cubs Mesa Arizona
Great place to catch the Cubs at spring training located a few minutes away from the condo in Mesa, Arizona.
Home of San Francisco Giants spring training located in old town Scottsdale a short drive or bike ride from condo.
379 locals recommend
Scottsdale Stadium
7408 E Osborn RdHome of San Francisco Giants spring training located in old town Scottsdale a short drive or bike ride from condo.
Check out a Arizona Diamondbacks or Colorado Rockies spring training game just minutes away from the condo.
344 locals recommend
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
7555 N Pima RdCheck out a Arizona Diamondbacks or Colorado Rockies spring training game just minutes away from the condo.
Family fun arcade, bowling, laser tag, virtual reality games, and more with full menu and bar.
29 locals recommend
Mavrix
9139 Talking Stick WayFamily fun arcade, bowling, laser tag, virtual reality games, and more with full menu and bar.
Neighborhoods
Short walk/bike ride along canal to world class shopping at Fashion Square Mall, old town art district, and restaurants. Check out Thursday evening art walk.
1378 locals recommend
Old Town Scottsdale
3200 N Scottsdale RdShort walk/bike ride along canal to world class shopping at Fashion Square Mall, old town art district, and restaurants. Check out Thursday evening art walk.
Food scene
Start your day at least once with a classic diner breakfast at Randy's. It is cash only just a short walk, bike ride, or drive from the condo located in same shopping center as Safeway.
28 locals recommend
Randy's Restaurant & Ice Cream
7904 E Chaparral RdStart your day at least once with a classic diner breakfast at Randy's. It is cash only just a short walk, bike ride, or drive from the condo located in same shopping center as Safeway.
Stock up on all vacation necessities at Safeway less than a mile from the condo. Has a large wine selection and a Starbucks inside.
101 locals recommend
Safeway
7920 E Chaparral RdStock up on all vacation necessities at Safeway less than a mile from the condo. Has a large wine selection and a Starbucks inside.
Much wider selection of organic fruits & veggies than Safeway, Fry's, or Basha's. Short drive from condo.
149 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
8787 N Scottsdale RdMuch wider selection of organic fruits & veggies than Safeway, Fry's, or Basha's. Short drive from condo.
Tucked along canal right next to Fashion Square Mall offers great food and drink selection.
314 locals recommend
Olive & Ivy
7135 E Camelback RdTucked along canal right next to Fashion Square Mall offers great food and drink selection.
Good selection of sandwiches and salads right across the street from McCormick Stillman Train Park.
37 locals recommend
Wildflower Bread Company
7001 N Scottsdale RdGood selection of sandwiches and salads right across the street from McCormick Stillman Train Park.
Looking a delicious meal with fantastic service? Check it out and thank us later ;)
131 locals recommend
Maple & Ash
7135 E Camelback RdLooking a delicious meal with fantastic service? Check it out and thank us later ;)
Check them out for taco Tuesday located right on the canal in old town.
193 locals recommend
Barrio Queen
7114 E Stetson DrCheck them out for taco Tuesday located right on the canal in old town.
It's not cheap but definitely offers some world class food. Many nights have live music in the bar area, call to verify.
197 locals recommend
Mastro's City Hall
6991 E Camelback RdIt's not cheap but definitely offers some world class food. Many nights have live music in the bar area, call to verify.
Trader Joe's has a wide selection of quick and easy meals along with a good selection of wine.
413 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
7720 W Bell RdTrader Joe's has a wide selection of quick and easy meals along with a good selection of wine.
Cool vibes, classic black & white movies, and well thought out libations. Has good drinks and food although a bit pricey.
48 locals recommend
The Canal Club
4925 N Scottsdale RdCool vibes, classic black & white movies, and well thought out libations. Has good drinks and food although a bit pricey.
Healthy selection of food and fresh juices for lunch. Looking for something light for breakfast- try a fresh fruit pitaya bowl.
218 locals recommend
Original ChopShop
7158 E 5th AveHealthy selection of food and fresh juices for lunch. Looking for something light for breakfast- try a fresh fruit pitaya bowl.
Great place to watch the sun set over a happy hour menu.
23 locals recommend
Lou's Bar and Grill - Papago Golf Course
5595 KarstenGreat place to watch the sun set over a happy hour menu.
Postino Highland
4821 N Scottsdale RdWide selection of drinks and snacks.
High end grocery store offering food and beverages found at most big box grocery stores.
53 locals recommend
Ajs Fine Foods
7141 E Lincoln DrHigh end grocery store offering food and beverages found at most big box grocery stores.
Delicious pizza in the heart of old town Scottsdale - across the street from Sugar Bowl ice cream parlor.
137 locals recommend
Grimaldi's Pizzeria
4000 N Scottsdale RdDelicious pizza in the heart of old town Scottsdale - across the street from Sugar Bowl ice cream parlor.
Great way to start your Saturday. Wide variety of food and drinks.
52 locals recommend
Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market - open October through May
3806 N Brown AveGreat way to start your Saturday. Wide variety of food and drinks.
Great place to stock up for vacation goodies and gas. Always crowded on weekends.
33 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
15255 N Hayden RdGreat place to stock up for vacation goodies and gas. Always crowded on weekends.
Blanco Tacos + Tequila
6166 N Scottsdale RdBreakfast Club
4400 N Scottsdale RdPizzeria Bianco
623 E Adams StCold Beers & Cheeseburgers
4222 N Scottsdale RdTraveler advice
Getting around
Free Scottsdale Trolley System
Scottsdale's trolley system connects riders to entertainment, shopping, dining, schools, parks, libraries, community centers and more. The trolley offers three fixed routes with connections to Valley Metro Transit and the Tempe Orbit. Visit the Valley Metro website to create a e-transit book, or download the Valley Metro App to plan your trip and track your bus or light rail in real time.
What to pack
It’s a dry heat.
Bring sunglasses, comfortable sandals, hiking shoes, sun tan lotion, and water bottle to ensure proper enjoyment of desert.