Old Town Scottsdale Self-guided Walking Tour

Old Town Scottsdale is a fun place, and great setting for a inexpensive date. There are shops, art galleries and restaurants lining the streets. For a good, cheap, day time date in Old Town, take the self guided walking tour.

You can start almost anywhere. Just find the markers or a maps on the sidewalk (It's easy- they are everywhere) and follow them. There are even maps painted right on the sidewalk to guide you. You will also find a pamphlet cart with maps and information on the corner of Main Street and Brown Street. 

We parked in the Civic Center Plaza because it is easy to find and has free covered parking. Then we walked to the park behind the library and began.  You can also park for free at the Old Town Parking Corral at 3806 N Brown Ave.

The path follows a roughly figure eight contour, and runs for about a mile.   As we said you can start anywhere.  The section in town passes historic buildings.  There is a large section in the park behind the library, filled with gougeous landscaping and fountains.

The path will lead you past  picturesque statues of prominent pioneer in old Scottsdale.  Also, look sor the iconic Scottsdale "Love" statue. 

The first big stop is the "Little Red School House Museum." The museum was once Scottsdale's school, and now contains exhibits and information on Scottsdale's history. It is closed during summer months, so if you really want to visit, check their website and make sure you plan your date during their open hours.

The trail will also lead you to the old adobe chapel, one of the first churches in Scottsdale.  Then, it diverges slightly off the historic path to take you through some shops and art galleries.  You can go in and browse, or just have some fun window shopping.  There are historic building along the way, however, so keep going if you want to get the full experience.

If the date is going well, you may want to stop into the Sugar Bowl on Main Street for an old fashioned ice cream soda. The Sugar Bowl has been in Scottsdale for over 50 years, and still has a fun 1950s feel.   We thought the ice cream was only average, but the atmosphere made it a fun stop.

If you get tired at any point on the date, free trolleys circle through Old Town every twenty to thirty minutes. Just find a station and then hop aboard. The trolleys are air conditioned and can take you back to the Civic Center, or to various other places on the route