# 13 Things to Do in Old Town Scottsdale (2026) > Things to do in Old Town Scottsdale: museums, ArtWalk, the farmers market, a 1930s mission, e-bikes, a cowboy bar and more. All walkable. Source: https://guides.thescottsdalescoop.com/things-to-do-old-town-scottsdale --- [Old Town Scottsdale](/hubs/old-town) # Things to Do in Old Town Scottsdale Museums, art, history and a little bit of cowboy - No. 1 Rotating exhibits - No. 7 Open daily - No. 13 (480) 994-4447 ![Things to Do in Old Town Scottsdale](/images/derived/guides-things-to-do-old-town-scottsdale-scottsdale-artwalk-ec0f9930-960.webp) Scottsdale ArtWalk. Photo from google.com. ![Portrait of John Apolinar](/john.webp) By **John Apolinar** · Updated Nov 1, 2026 · 13 spots Looking for things to do in Old Town Scottsdale that aren't just bars? There's a lot more here than people think. You can see a contemporary art museum and a Western museum in the same afternoon, walk the galleries on a Thursday night, hit the Saturday farmers market and grab a sundae at a soda fountain that's been around forever. Everything here is within walking distance. Want the full list? Browse the [Scottsdale activities and experiences directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/category/activities-and-experiences?utm_source=guides&utm_medium=category_link). In this guide 13 spots 1. 1 Old Town Scottsdale ### [Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA)](https://scottsdalearts.org/explore-scottsdale-arts/smoca/) ![Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) in Scottsdale](/images/derived/guides-things-to-do-old-town-scottsdale-scottsdale-museum-of-contemporary-art-sm-cc545a08-1200.webp) Contemporary art off the Civic Center SMoCA is the contemporary art museum run by Scottsdale Arts, right off the Civic Center. The exhibits rotate, so there's usually something new. Give yourself an hour. **The short list:** Rotating exhibitsNext to the Civic Center. [Visit Website](https://scottsdalearts.org/explore-scottsdale-arts/smoca/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/smoca) 2. 2 Old Town Scottsdale ### [Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West](https://westernspirit.org/) ![Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West in Scottsdale](/images/derived/guides-things-to-do-old-town-scottsdale-western-spirit-scottsdale-s-museum-of-th-50c9c68e-900.webp) Western art and history Western Spirit is the museum to see if your guests want the Old West side of Scottsdale. It covers art and history from across the American West. **The short list:** Western art and history. [Visit Website](https://westernspirit.org/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/western-spirit-museum) 3. 3 Old Town Scottsdale arts district ### [Scottsdale ArtWalk](https://scottsdalegalleries.com/) ![Scottsdale ArtWalk in Scottsdale](/images/derived/guides-things-to-do-old-town-scottsdale-scottsdale-artwalk-ec0f9930-960.webp) Thursday night gallery walk ArtWalk is a Thursday evening thing in the arts district. Galleries open their doors, you wander from one to the next and it's free. It's one of my favorite low-key nights in town. **The short list:** Thursday eveningsFree. [Visit Website](https://scottsdalegalleries.com/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/scottsdale-artwalk) 4. 4 Old Town Scottsdale ### [Scottsdale Civic Center](https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov) The Civic Center is the big green park in the middle of Old Town. There's public art all over it and it hosts a lot of the big events, including this year's New Year's Eve Party on the Park. **The short list:** Public artEvent space. [Visit Website](https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/scottsdale-civic-center) 5. 5 Old Town Scottsdale ### [Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts](https://scottsdalearts.org/explore-scottsdale-arts/scottsdale-center-for-the-performing-arts/) The Center for the Performing Arts books concerts, comedy and touring acts all year. Check the calendar and pair a show with dinner nearby. **The short list:** Year-round shows. [Visit Website](https://scottsdalearts.org/explore-scottsdale-arts/scottsdale-center-for-the-performing-arts/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/scottsdale-center-for-performing-arts) 6. 6 Old Town Scottsdale ### [Old Town Farmers Market](https://arizonacommunityfarmersmarkets.com/) The Old Town Farmers Market runs on Saturdays. Local produce, coffee, baked goods and a lot of dogs. Go early before it gets hot. **The short list:** SaturdaysLocal vendors. [Visit Website](https://arizonacommunityfarmersmarkets.com/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/old-town-farmers-market) 7. 7 Old Town Scottsdale ### [Old Adobe Mission](https://www.oldadobemission.org/) ![Old Adobe Mission in Scottsdale](/images/derived/guides-things-to-do-old-town-scottsdale-old-adobe-mission-8b6c251d-1200.webp) Historic adobe church The Old Adobe Mission is the historic Our Lady of Perpetual Help church on Main Street. It's open Sunday through Friday 11 AM to 4 PM and Saturday 8 AM to 4 PM, and you can do same-day tours. Call first in the summer. **The short list:** Open dailySame-day tours. [Visit Website](https://www.oldadobemission.org/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/old-adobe-mission) 8. ### Get the weekly picks Join 15,000 local subscribers You're in. Check your inbox to confirm. 9. 8 Old Town Scottsdale ### [Rusty Spur Saloon](https://rustyspursaloon.com/) ![Rusty Spur Saloon in Scottsdale](/images/derived/guides-things-to-do-old-town-scottsdale-rusty-spur-saloon-7f4d5a96-854.webp) Live country music in an old bank Even if you're not a bar person, the Rusty Spur is worth a peek. It's in an old bank building, there's live country music every day and there's no cover. **The short list:** Live music dailyNo cover. [Visit Website](https://rustyspursaloon.com/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/rusty-spur-saloon) 10. 9 Old Town Scottsdale ### [Sugar Bowl](https://sugarbowlscottsdale.com/) Sugar Bowl is the pink ice cream parlor on Scottsdale Road. It's an Old Town classic and the sundaes are huge. Bring the kids. **The short list:** Ice cream parlorOld Town classic. [Visit Website](https://sugarbowlscottsdale.com/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/sugar-bowl) 11. 10 Scottsdale Waterfront ### [Scottsdale Waterfront](https://www.scottsdalewaterfront.com/) The Waterfront runs along the Arizona Canal at Camelback and Scottsdale. Walk the canal path, check out the shops and grab a bite. **The short list:** Canal walkShops and dining. [Visit Website](https://www.scottsdalewaterfront.com/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/scottsdale-waterfront-shops) 12. 11 Old Town Scottsdale ### [Scottsdale Fashion Square](https://www.fashionsquare.com/) Fashion Square is the big indoor mall on the edge of Old Town. Good escape from summer heat, and Din Tai Fung is downstairs. **The short list:** Indoor shoppingLots of dining. [Visit Website](https://www.fashionsquare.com/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/scottsdale-fashion-square) 13. 12 Old Town Scottsdale ### [Scottsdale Wine Trail](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/scottsdale-wine-trail) The Wine Trail is a group of tasting rooms around Old Town pouring Arizona wine. You can walk between them and hit a few in an afternoon. **The short list:** Walkable tasting roomsArizona wine. [Visit Website](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/scottsdale-wine-trail)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/scottsdale-wine-trail) 14. 13 Old Town Scottsdale ### [Pedego Electric Bikes](https://pedegoelectricbikes.com/pages/find-a-dealer) Pedego has an Old Town e-bike shop. Call (480) 994-4447 before you go. **The short list:** (480) 994-4447. [Visit Website](https://pedegoelectricbikes.com/pages/find-a-dealer)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/pedego-scottsdale) The method ## How I picked these Everything on this list is in or right next to Old Town and open to the public. I checked each one's website and a second listing in November 2026. I mixed free stuff with paid stuff and leaned toward things locals actually take visitors to. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is there to do in Old Town Scottsdale during the day? Start with SMoCA or Western Spirit, walk the Civic Center, check out the Old Adobe Mission and grab lunch. Fashion Square and the Waterfront are right there too. ### Is Old Town Scottsdale walkable? Yes. Most of what's on this list is within a short walk. Pedego has had an Old Town e-bike shop but one directory shows it closed so call (480) 994-4447 before you count on a rental. ### When is Scottsdale ArtWalk? ArtWalk happens Thursday evenings in the Old Town arts district. Check the Scottsdale Gallery Association site for the current schedule. ### Are there free things to do in Old Town Scottsdale? ArtWalk, the Civic Center, window shopping at the Waterfront and the farmers market are all free to walk around. ## Find more in the directory [Scottsdale activities and experiences directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/category/activities-and-experiences?utm_source=guides&utm_medium=category_link) - Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) - Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West - Scottsdale ArtWalk - Scottsdale Civic Center - Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts - 12 Best Things to Do in Scottsdale Activities & Experiences - Best Art Galleries in Scottsdale Activities & Experiences - Old Town Scottsdale Restaurants Dining & Drinks - Best Pools in Scottsdale Activities & Experiences - Best Pickleball Courts in Scottsdale Activities & Experiences - Best Golf Courses in Scottsdale Activities & Experiences ## Get the weekly picks Join 15,000 local subscribers You're in. Check your inbox to confirm. Free. Weekly. Unsubscribe anytime.