Scottsdale invites residents to rediscover Old Town this summer
Old Town Scottsdale is inviting residents to rediscover one of Arizona's most iconic destinations this summer by exploring local restaurants, boutiques, galleries and attractions while supporting the businesses that make the district unique.
The invitation is part of Scottsdale's new year-round Old Town marketing strategy, approved by City Council earlier this month. The strategy establishes a long-term approach to strengthening Old Town as Scottsdale's cultural heart by increasing year-round visitation, supporting local businesses and showcasing the district's unique mix of dining, shopping, arts, culture, entertainment and Western heritage. It also emphasizes measuring results to ensure marketing efforts continue to deliver value for residents, businesses and visitors.
The new strategy is designed to ensure Old Town remains one of the Southwest's premier destinations by building on its distinctive character, celebrating its authentic experiences and creating new reasons for residents and visitors to return throughout the year. It combines marketing, special events, partnerships and public engagement to strengthen Old Town's long-term vitality.
"Whether it's discovering a new favorite restaurant, browsing a local boutique or spending an afternoon exploring our galleries and public art, there's always something new to experience in Old Town," City Manager Greg Caton said. "I encourage residents to spend time here this summer, support our local businesses and experience everything that makes Old Town one of Scottsdale's most vibrant and welcoming destinations."
Old Town's greatest strength isn't any one attraction. It's the variety of experiences found within its compact, walkable district. Rather than promoting individual businesses, the city's strategy highlights the complete Old Town experience, encouraging visitors to explore award-winning restaurants, locally owned shops, galleries, museums, entertainment venues, public art and historic sites in a single visit. By inspiring people to explore more of Old Town, the city aims to encourage longer visits, repeat trips and continued support for the businesses that make the district unique.
The strategy's first major initiative is the Friends and Family campaign, which encourages residents to rediscover Old Town this summer and share their favorite restaurants, shops and attractions with visiting friends and family throughout the year.
Running through Labor Day, the campaign features a variety of interactive experiences designed to encourage residents and visitors to explore Old Town. Activities include a "With Love from Scottsdale" postcard activation, complimentary "Sunshade Splash" giveaways, influencer features highlighting local coffee shops and smoothie destinations, support for restaurants participating in Arizona Chef's Week and the return of the popular Experience Passport Program, which rewards visitors for exploring participating businesses.
“Old Town is a significant economic and cultural asset for Scottsdale,” said Kevin Burke, Senior Director of Economic Development and Tourism. “Its restaurants, shops, galleries and events contribute to the city’s economy and create an experience that is distinctly Scottsdale. Our marketing strategy is focused on strengthening that experience, supporting continued investment and sustaining Old Town’s vitality throughout the year.”
As part of the strategy's commitment to transparency and accountability, Scottsdale has launched a public dashboard that allows residents to follow Old Town marketing efforts and performance. The dashboard tracks visitor engagement, pedestrian activity and marketing initiatives, with future enhancements including city activation results and verified Old Town sales tax data. The information will help evaluate marketing efforts and guide future decisions.
The campaign builds on the success of June Days, which partnered with local businesses to promote more than 50 events and more than 20 exclusive offers throughout June.
Whether you're planning a weekend brunch, shopping for something unique, exploring local art, attending a special event or simply taking an evening stroll, there's never been a better time to rediscover Old Town Scottsdale.
Learn more about upcoming events, participating businesses and seasonal promotions at OldTownScottsdaleAZ.com.