Old Town Scottsdale & Art Galleries

Old Town Scottsdale's gallery district along Marshall Way and Main Street is the default evening for golf visitors staying in the central corridor: contemporary, Southwestern, and Native American art within easy walking distance of dinner.

The experience

Two to three hours of gallery browsing transitions naturally into a meal at one of the nearby restaurants, no car required. The Thursday evening ArtWalk extends gallery hours and adds opening receptions, which is when the district's energy peaks. The western kitsch that once defined the area has largely been replaced by a more interesting mix of fine art, design, and serious cooking. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), on the eastern edge, is small, well curated, and worth the modest admission.

Logistics

The district is free to explore; most galleries don't charge admission. Thursday ArtWalk runs year-round, typically 7 to 9 PM. Parking is straightforward in public garages and lots. Dining options along Marshall Way and Stetson Drive run from inventive Southwestern to straightforward steak; quality at the top end is high. Plan two to three hours, longer if you stop to eat.