See, Eat, Sleep: Old Town Scottsdale Travel Guide

Fun fact: this wasn’t Tony & I’s first trip to Arizona together! Not only does he stop through Arizona pretty frequently on tour, we stayed in the high desert last year during the winter! Funnily enough, it’s actually Doug’s second vacation in Scottsdale too! We recently hopped on a quick flight (literally like an hour) from San Diego to Phoenix and spent the week in Old Town Scottsdale for a little work/play!

There are a ton of reasons to love Scottsdale. Surprisingly, we were there during the hottest time of the year (like 110 degrees F every day). But we barely noticed it! Whether you’re into outdoorsy activities and want to go on a hike (ok, maybe wait until the fall for that when the temps drop a bit) or want to hang by the pool, there’s a ton of awesome ways to vacation in Scottsdale. So I compiled a list of all of my top Old Town Scottsdale recommendations. Perfect for a romantic getaway, weekend trip with your besties, relaxing solo vacation or fun bachelorette party!

Where to Stay in Old Town Scottsdale

We stayed at one of my favorite hotels to date in Scottsdale: Hotel Valley Ho. Hotel Valley Ho actually originally spend in 1956 and was a major Hollywood hideout. Celebrities like Zsa Zsa Gabor and Bing Crosby would come and hang out at Valley Ho to get away from paparazzi and relax!

A 2005, Hotel Valley Ho was revamped and brought back to it’s original retro roots. The hotel is absolutely beautiful and one of the most well preserved mid-century hotels in the country. You feel kind of like you’re in an episode of Mad Men, with the mid century mixed with modern decor and atmosphere.

Today, the hotel is still a hotspot for celebs trying to getaway.

I tried to bait some of the hotel staff for details, but they wouldn’t budge. Word on the street is that celebrities like John Travolta and Billy Bob Thorton have stayed. So you’re probably asking yourself, “Why do celebrities want to stay here”? While there are a ton of luxury hotels in Scottsdale, Hotel Valley Ho has unparalleled classic mid-century modern architecture. Which makes it feel luxurious without feeling pretentious. You kind of feel like you’re in the super secret hideout mansion from The Incredibles.

We stayed in their new luxury tower, in one of the most next level suites I’ve ever been in. Not only did it have a full sized kitchen, washer & dryer, balcony, living room and walk in closet, the entire suite came stocked with any amenity you can think of! It was basically like moving into a fancy, furnished apartment. Like, my dream apartment!

The resort is located within walking distance of Old Scottsdale.

When I say “Old” Scottsdale, I don’t mean old and run down, but that it’s the original downtown, that has been revamped and packed with awesome restaurants, bars & shops.

The resort’s location, just a finger’s breath away (if fingers could breathe) from picture pretty Old Scottsdale, is a major draw. The location makes is really easy to walk to dinner or explore the town.

You can also take advantage of their awesome restaurant & bar from brunch, pool for a mid day soak, spa for a leisurely massage or quick reboot with some in room yoga!

Where to Eat in Old Town Scottsdale

Obviously, I plan my vacations around restaurants. I’m all about finding the best restaurants, from hot spots to hidden gems. Here are my top recommendations:

• ZuZu:
  

  Before you even walk outside the doors of Hotel Valley Ho, you have to stop in at ZuZu! They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner & brunch! If you follow me on Instagram you probably saw the cinnamon roll donut bombs we ate every morning! I also loved their avocado toast – with a side of over easy eggs! ZuZu is also known for the Show Stopper Shake! Every month they have a different over the top milkshake they serve. In July, they had the Unicorn Milkshake, a mixed berry milkshake with a funfetti cupcake, marshmallows, cotton candy, rainbow lollipop, whipped cream, white-chocolate-dipped waffle cone and rainbow sprinkles.

• Diego Pops:
  

  A fun, laid back, indoor/outdoor Mexican restaurant known for their margaritas and pink salsa! They also have some next level Brussel Sprout Nachos! If you’re looking for the perfect spot to snap and Instagram pic, definitely stop by!

• Rehab Burger Therapy:
  

  Known for having some of the best burgers in Arizona! You can get a normal burger, or a super burger! They even serve a PBJ & Bacon Burger that comes with peanut butter, grape jelly, bacon and sriracha on a burger.

• Barrio Queen:

  The best Mexican food in Scottsdale! Being from San Diego, I’m used to some amazing Mexican food. Barrio Queen had some awesome items like their El de Lujo hot dog topped with beans, cartelized onions, jalapeño sauce, avocado, spicy ketchup and cotija cheese. Their classic margarita is a must too!

• Culinary Dropout:
  

  Literally one of my favorite restaurants in Scottsdale. If this was in San Diego, we’d be there every week for happy hour. Everything from their soft pretzels & provolone fondue to their chocolate s’mores pudding. Everything on their menu looks and tastes amazing!

• Hula’s Modern Tiki:
  

  A fun, retro polynesian fusion restaurants and bar. They have some really fun retro tropical cocktails and a cool, vibey atmosphere.

• Růže Cake House:
  

  The prettiest bakery with the most photographable tea! They literally serve cotton candy on top of your boba tea! Soooo pretty and so delish. They also have a ton of fun macaron flavors!

What to Do In Old Town Scottsdale

Old Town Scottsdale, also known as downtown, has a ton of boutiques, souvenir shops, jewelry stores, art, bars, lounges & restaurants.

The great thing about Old Town is that there are a ton of things to do within a short walking distance of each other. You can grab lunch, do some shopping, check out some art, grab a drink & pick up some souvenirs all within a block!

If you’re an art lover, I recommend checking out the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. If you want a taste of Scottsdale’s history, check out Cavalliere’s Blacksmith Shop, an authentic adobe building that was built in 1910!

During the summer, staying cool is key.

You can rent a kayak from Fort McDowell Adventures for a few hours and float down the Salt River. It’s an awesome way to take in the desert landscape and see some wild horses and cows along the way!

Other “stay cool” options include: Odysea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, Musical Instrument Museum and Scottsdale Fashion Square!

If you’re not staying at Hotel Valley Ho, you can also buy a day pass to use their pool with Resort Pass! You can rent either a day bed or cabana for yourself of a party! It’s a pretty fun way to be able to access the hotel’s amenities without staying at the hotel!

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