Old Town Scottsdale's Art District: A Self-Guided Tour

Overview

Old Town Scottsdale is one of America’s most concentrated art districts, also known as ”the West’s Most Western Town.” On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll discover how a frontier farming community transformed into a sophisticated cultural destination while maintaining its distinctive Southwestern character. You’ll walk through the historical center, where Native American trading posts evolved into luxury galleries. You’ll weave through Main Street’s gallery corridor and Marshall Way’s boutique district. As you walk, you’ll browse Native American pottery at galleries representing four generations of trading families, and see the city’s first public art installation, Louise Nevelson’s monumental 1973 “Windows to the West” sculpture. By the end of this two-hour tour, you’ll have explored how Scottsdale became the Southwest’s premier art destination, while still managing to preserve the cowboy culture that earned it legendary status.

Itinerary

1. Old Town Scottsdale

   Old Town Scottsdale is one of America’s most concentrated art districts, also known as ”the West’s Most Western Town.” It is a frontier farming community that transformed itself into a sophisticated cultural destination while maintaining its distinctive Southwestern character.

   · Non-stop passage

2. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

   Starting in front of the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, you’ll walk through the historical center, where Native American trading posts evolved into luxury galleries.

   · Non-stop passage

3. Old Adobe Mission

   You’ll weave through Main Street’s gallery corridor and Marshall Way’s boutique district. I’ll show you Scottsdale’s Old Adobe Mission and the Little Red Schoolhouse, one of its first buildings in the original Mexican-American barrio.

   · Non-stop passage

4. Step inside Bischoff’s Gallery, housed in a 1952 bank building where the original vaults now protect valuable Navajo rug collections. And explore the site of Sarah Thomas’ 1897 general store – Scottsdale’s first female-owned business – now home to Bischoff’s Shades of the West trading post

   · Non-stop passage

5. Visit King Galleries, recognized as one of the world’s top five destinations for authentic Pueblo Indian pottery

   · Non-stop passage

6. American Fine Art, Inc.

   Discover works by Andrew Wyeth, Andy Warhol, and Pablo Picasso at American Fine Art’s 12,000-square-foot showcase

   · Non-stop passage

7. Sissoko Tribal Art Gallery

   Browse Sissoko Tribal Art Gallery’s extraordinary collection of African artifacts assembled by a former Malian gold trader

   · Non-stop passage

8. Experience Sugar Bowl’s ice cream parlor, immortalized in ”The Family Circus” comic strip

   · Non-stop passage

9. Scottsdale Historical Museum

   Old Town Scottsdale is one of America’s most concentrated art districts, also known as ”the West’s Most Western Town.” On this walking tour, you’ll discover how a frontier farming community transformed into a sophisticated cultural destination while maintaining its distinctive Southwestern character.

   · Non-stop passage

10. By the end of this two-hour tour, you’ll have explored how Scottsdale became the Southwest’s premier art destination, while still managing to preserve the cowboy culture that earned it legendary status.

    · Non-stop passage

11. By the time the tour ends at the Scottsdale Public Library and Civic Center Library, you’ll have traced the complete evolution of this desert town through its art and architecture.

    · Non-stop passage

How to use your ticket

Ticket handed over by the operator on site

VOICEMAP CODE ─── Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour. This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code. DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS ─── Once you've received your code, please follow these steps: Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app Create an account Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes Enter your code then select Download Now PLEASE NOTE ─── You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point. This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next. When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point. Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour. SUPPORT ─── For technical support and other queries, please email support@voicemap.me

Meeting and end point

What to know before you go

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Travelers

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

• From 1 days before : 100% refunded
• From 0 days before : 0% refunded

Reviews

Product code: 110804P997

Activity offered by VoiceMap Audio Tours via Viator.