Welcoming, Walk-able Downtown Scottsdale

It all starts in pedestrian-friendly downtown Scottsdale, home to more than 500 one-of-a-kind specialty shops and boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, nightclubs, and museums.                                                                                                                                              

Check out Old Town Scottsdale's historic hitching posts, cowboy wares and authentic Native American artifacts. Can't-misses include browsing Arizona's largest collection of handcrafted leather boots and Western attire at the 86-year-old, family owned Saba's Western Store (www.sabas.com) and shopping for Southwestern décor at Shades of the West (www.shadesofthewest.com), located on the site of Scottsdale's original general store. Round up authentic American Indian concha belts and turquoise jewelry at Atkinson's Indian Trading Post and Gilbert Ortega Museum and Galleries, or bring home boldly colored pottery at River Trading Post & Traditional Pueblo Arts (www.rivertradingpost.com). In between purchases, get a taste of frontier living at Cavalliere's Blacksmith Shop, which has been pounding out metal goods from its Old Town spot since 1920, and the Rusty Spur Saloon (www.rustyspursaloon.com), where everyone from Pony Express riders to John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Jennifer Aniston have whet their whistles.

Look for vintage pieces at downtown Scottsdale boutiques. Misty Guerriero collects the vintage pieces for her shop, Vintage by Misty! (www.vintagebymisty.com), during trips to Europe throughout the year. She curates high-end designer clothes, bags and accessories from the past century. Peek in to Fashion by Robert Black (www.fashionbyrobertblack.com) to peruse co-owners Robert Black and Doreen Picerne's selection of vintage finds, from red carpet masterpieces to 1960s shift dresses.

The adventure continues at the Scottsdale Arts District (www.scottsdalegalleries.com), a compact four-block stretch in downtown featuring one of the most concentrated collections of galleries in the nation. Discover everything from traditional Native American artwork to cutting-edge Western works, plus collectable and curio shops. Modern art lovers, meanwhile, meander over to the nearby Marshall Way Arts District, a neighborhood-like setting overflowing with restaurants, boutiques and contemporary galleries, including “wearable art” at Jewelry by Gauthier (www.jewelrybygauthier.com).

Centered around sculptor Bob Park's famed Horse Fountain – one of the city's most photographed landmarks – Scottsdale's Fifth Avenue District (www.5thavenuescottsdale.com) tempts with nearly 30 restaurants and bars and 60 shops. And if all of those shopping bags are slowing you down, take a load off your feet and hop on and off the free trolley that runs throughout the downtown area.

Waterside Wonders

Lining the banks of the historic Arizona Canal, which has been delivering precious water to the desert since before Scottsdale was even incorporated in 1951, the Scottsdale Waterfront is a 1.1 million-square-foot, $250 million project located in the heart of downtown. Standing in the shadows of dual 13-story condominium towers, shoppers discover a variety of restaurants and retail shops such as Urban Outfitters, High Point, Primp and Blow and more. Also part of the Waterfront: Ellie & Michael Ziegler Fiesta Bowl Museum, where you can relive the greatest moments in the college bowl games history.

Now jump across the Arizona Canal – don't worry there's a pedestrian-only bridge – to SouthBridge. This one-of-a-kind development offers trendsetting fashion boutiques and eclectic shops that can only be found in Scottsdale. Shoppers can peruse independent retailers boasting everything from home furnishings and linens to designer clothing, “hot denim,” and kid's clothes and accessories. New tenants like Destiny's Bride are mixed with longtime staples like J Gilbert Footwear, which offers high-end, handcrafted Western boots.

Shop Till You Drop

Feed your shopping addiction in the heart of downtown Scottsdale at Scottsdale Fashion Square (www.fashionsquare.com). There, you'll shop 'til you drop at prestigious labels like Prada, Barneys New York, Ilori, Bottega Veneta, Bulgari and Jimmy Choo. Already the largest shopping center in the Southwest at nearly 2 million square feet with more than 250 stores, Scottsdale Fashion Square is adding an additional 141,600 square feet to the facility, which was completed in summer 2015. Dick's Sporting Goods, the new anchor tenant, is joined by others like Lorna Jane, Crazy 8, Diane von Furstenberg and Ivivva. In November, a 14-screen, state-of-the-art movie theater, dubbed “Camelview at Fashion Square,” will open. The theater will boast reserved seating, recliner seats and the Vérité Lounge, the first lobby lounge with full-service bar at a Harkins' movie theater. The expansion follows a $130 million renovation to the mall in 2010 that brought colorful shopping, dining and entertainment including favorites such as kate spade, Burberry, Tiffany & Co., Hugo Boss, Salvatore Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton and the country's first Microsoft Store.

If you hold the shop 'til you drop mantra close to your heart and are also a fan of all things local, head to UNION, Biltmore Fashion Park's (www.shopbiltmore.com/UNION) innovative hub of small, independent retail stores that opened in November 2012. The 7,200-square-foot UNION offers shoppers more than a dozen one-of-a-kind intimate boutiques (and an eatery) ranging in size from 200- to 500-square-feet. Local favorites include: Citrine Natural Beauty Bar, known for its wide array of organic skin and beauty products; Juic'd Life, featuring cold pressed juices; and Queen Creek Olive Mill Oils & Olives, which offers a selection of locally-produced extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars.

Northern Lights

Heading north from downtown Scottsdale, shop-aholics will delight at each and every one of these alluring destinations.

Scottsdale Quarter (www.scottsdalequarter.com), the newest addition to Scottsdale's shopping bag, has more than 70 shops and restaurants, including Verdé Maison Organic Beauty Spa (www.verdemaison.com), a day spa and retailer specializing in organic, paraben-free skincare products; Kendra Scott Jewelry (www.kendrascott.com), featuring colorful cuff bracelets, cocktail rings, bib necklaces, and chandelier earrings in vogue styles; and Make Meaning, a hands-on store that challenges children and parents' creativity with over 50 crafty activities. Think the movie-going experience needs a bit of fine dining? Don't miss iPic Theater (www.ipictheaters.com), a luxury movie theater, where you can dine before, during or after your movie and enjoy sips from the wine vending machine and beer on tap. After a marathon of shopping, grab a healthy bite at True Food Kitchen (www.foxrc.com), a mouth-watering steak at Michael Dominick's Lincoln Avenue Prime Steakhouse (www.dominickssteakhouse.com) or sip on a delicious milkshake at Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar (www.zinburger.com).

Just across the street and perfectly suited for Scottsdale's sun-drenched lifestyle, Kierland Commons (www.kierlandcommons.com) is an outdoor shopping promenade that artfully blends shopping, dining and office space with urban loft living. Among the 70 high-end specialty retailers lining this Main Street development are fashion favorites 7 For All Mankind, Michael Kors, Anthropologie and BCBGMAXAZRIA. With 14 eateries, bars and coffee shops at Kierland, hunger is not an option. Tommy Bahama's Restaurant and Bar (www.tommybahama.com), Mastro's Ocean Club (www.mastrosrestaurants.com) and NoRTH Italia (www.foxrc.com) are a few culinary highlights.

One of Scottsdale's premier shopping addresses, The Shops Gainey Village (www.theshopsgaineyvillage.com) boasts one-of-a-kind stores like the lux Oliver Smith Jeweler (www.oliversmithjeweler.com), handcrafted designer clothing store A Cool Breeze and home furnishing boutique Designer Studio – all wrapped up in a pretty, palm tree-lined package. And el Pedregal Shops & Dining at The Boulders Resort (www.elpedregal.com) is a Moroccan-influenced outdoor shopping plaza that features upscale stores and restaurants, a tranquil courtyard and live entertainment on an outdoor stage.

UNIQUELY SCOTTSDALE

Purveyors of customized (individual or group) shopping tours, SPREE! The Art of Shopping (www.shoppinginscottsdale.com) is a must for serious style lovers. Led by professional fashionistas, attendees receive red carpet treatment as store owners greet them with wine and cheese receptions and provide access to special merchandise and store services. This VIP tour is a perfect fit for shoppers seeking local boutiques and only-in-Scottsdale finds!

For a truly one-of-a-kind Scottsdale gift, stop by Cosanti (www.arcosanti.org), formerly the residence and studio of the late famed Italian designer Paolo Soleri. His hand-crafted bronze bells are poured on-site and hang throughout the property creating a uniquely Scottsdale song as they sway with the wind. Bells of all sizes are available for sale to make the sound of a Scottsdale vacation last forever.

Take a taste of vacation home with one of the robust reds or crisp whites from Arizona's newest wine community in Verde Valley. Look for wines by Arizona Stronghold Vineyards, Page Springs Cellars, and Dos Cabezas WineWorks in Scottsdale at Red Goat Wines/Bodega (www.fnbrestaurant.com), hidden in downtown. Lawrence Dunham Vineyards Wine Gallery (www.lawrencedunhamvineyards.com) brings the taste of the Southeastern Arizona wine region to downtown Scottsdale. The Wine Gallery is a tasting room and shop – the only retail spot to buy wine from the 40-acre vineyard based in the Chiricahua Foothills. For a more Southwestern flare, bring back The Phoenician's (www.thephoenician.com) Private Label. Created exclusively for the resort by Master Distiller Carlos Camarena of El Tesoro de Don Felipe® Tequila in Jalisco, Mexico, the muy añejo tequila is only one of more than 200 labels in its collection. When your taste buds fall in love, buy a bottle to share for $125.

On Saturday mornings from October to May, visit Old Town Farmers Market (www.arizonafarmersmarkets.com) for a spread of organic and pesticide-free produce from local growers and specialty food purveyors. This family friendly food festival features seasonal specialties such as cider and apples and flowers, as well as year-round staples including natural pork, beef and fish, free range eggs, local cheeses, freshly baked artisan breads, tamales, and more. Experience agriculture in the Sonoran Desert firsthand at Singh Farms. Underneath a canopy of trees at the lush 20-acre Singh, the desert is abloom with kale, artichokes, and mushrooms. It comes to life on Saturday mornings when in-the-know locals descend with reusable grocery bags in hand to shop for fresh produce, bread, olive oil and honey.

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