1. The Borgata
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (602) 953-6538
Address: 6166 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Description: You’ll do a double take when you spy this replica of a 14th-century Italian village, complete with brick towers. The Borgata stands out in more than just architecture, though. It guards an elegant array of high-fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, art galleries, and outdoor bistros. The 30 stores include J. Alexander’s; Fresh Produce; Femme De Paris; the immensely popular Dolce Salon and Spa; Baudine’s for women’s shoes and apparel; Saddlebags; Two Plates Full for home decor and gifts; and SLo Foods Organic Cafe. The Borgata’s cobblestone courtyard is often transformed into high-end community events. The Christmas season brings an incredible display of twinkling white lights and other holiday decorations. The Borgata is open daily.
2. El Pedregal At The Boulders
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (480) 488-1072
Address: 34505 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Description: With its Moroccan styling, El Pedregal Festival Marketplace harmonizes with its magnificent desert setting—rock-strewn terrain formed millions of years ago. Located where the new housing developments of north Scottsdale give way to the hills and boulders of Carefree, the shopping development is part of the Boulders resort, a short distance away by foot. More than 30 artisan shops and galleries cluster in this distinctive 2-level building, which overlooks a 1,200-square-foot Courtyard Stage amphitheater for live performances. The more than 125 galleries offer everything from local folk art to African sculpture. Other shops include Stefan Mann and Mila Lingerie Boutique. The Spotted Donkey Cantina serves Southwestern and Mexican specialties.
3. Kierland Commons
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (480) 348-1577
Address: 15205 N. Kierland Blvd.
Insider Pick:
Description: The popular shopping center is designed to look like an upscale version of Main Street in a small town, with a spacious plaza, shady trellised arcades, natural stone, and an abundance of flowers and trees. The 450,000-square-foot, mixed-use development is the first “urban village” center to be built in the Phoenix area. It’s actually located in Phoenix, though the location at Greenway Parkway and Scottsdale Road carries a Scottsdale address. Top shops include Restoration Hardware, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Crate & Barrel, bebe, Bose, Coach, and Sur La Table, along with popular eateries like Zinc Bistro and Mastro’s Ocean Club (see Restaurants chapter). Open daily.
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Shopping
Address: 7014 E. Camelback Rd.
5. Shops At Gainey Village
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Shopping
Address: 8787 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Description: The Shops at Gainey Village, located on busy Scottsdale Road at Doubletree Ranch Road, are designed as a series of linked outdoor plazas and buildings reflecting an upscale rustic “village” atmosphere reminiscent of the historic roots of the original Gainey Ranch. The Shops at Gainey Village combine a distinctive blend of upscale stores, boutiques, trendy eateries, and fine-dining establishments. Stores include Oak Creek with Southwestern art and gifts and Rolf’s Salon & Spa. Hungry? The Village Tavern offers American fusion cuisine and popular cocktail deals. The bar is a major draw for local professionals who know it as the “Best Happy Hour in Town.”
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Shopping
Address: 9175 E. Indian Bend Rd.
7. Scottsdale Seville
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (480) 998-4774
Address: 7001 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Description: This pastel-colored, Southwestern-style shopping center has several high-end boutiques, including Draper’s and Damon’s and the Leopard Spot. Home decor shops include Azadi for fine rugs and Distinctive Interiors & Design. Here you’ll also find a selection of good restaurants, including Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Enjoy the day and a cocktail or coffee at any of the several other eateries. Most stores are open daily at the center near Indian Bend Road.
8. Chief Dodge Indian Jewelry & Fine Arts
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (480) 970-1133, (800) 553-5604
Address: 1332 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Description: For more than 30 years, the family-run establishment at Papago Plaza in south Scottsdale has offered a wide selection of Native American arts and crafts, allowing customers to buy directly from the artisans for a significant savings. Turquoise jewelry is abundant here, as are crafts such as Navajo kachina dolls, sand paintings, pottery, and baskets.
9. Jacadi-Paris
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (480) 443-3921
Address: 15024 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Description: Jacadi-Paris, located in Kierland Commons, is an upscale children’s boutique where shoppers can find clothing, shoes, and nursery items. As the name implies, the store has roots in Paris, and styles have a European flair. The core belief is that introducing a child to fashion is a way of teaching good taste, so attention to detail is paramount here. Don’t even think about wash-and-wear.
10. Poisoned Pen Bookstore
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (480) 947-2974
Address: 4014 N. Goldwater Blvd.
Description: It’s no mystery where book lovers go to buy their favorite whodunits. The Poisoned Pen is one of the largest mystery bookstores in the country. In business for more than a decade, the store not only tallies more than 12,000 titles, but it brings in top-rated mystery writers for book signings, hosts book clubs, and even runs its own Poisoned Fiction Review blog.
11. Smoca Store
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (480) 874-4666
Address: 7374 E. 2nd St.
Description: Art books, gifts, and other items purchased from the SMoCA store in the heart of Scottsdale’s arts center, near the city’s Civic Center, help fund the museum’s programs. Voted “Best Museum Shop” by Valley publications, its eclectic assortment of eye-popping home accessories, jewelry, art, T-shirts, and educational (but fun) toys should please just about anybody on your shopping list. Many of the works are handmade by local artists.
12. Sphinx Ranch Gourmet Market
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (800) 482-3283
Address: 3039 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Description: Date farming is quite successful in Arizona, and Sphinx Ranch has one of the best reputations in the state. Personnel offer samples of several plump date varieties to help you make your choice. Other products, such as cactus jellies and locally made candies, are also available. But the date milkshakes are a flavorful way to cool down in the summer. The store occupies the original home on the date ranch, though the dates come from local farms.
13. Kerr Cultural Center
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (480) 596-2660
Address: 6110 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Description: Tucked in amid the glitzy resorts and shopping centers of Scottsdale Road, Kerr Cultural Center is a 300-seat adobe studio designed for chamber music. Today Kerr’s programming includes jazz, folk, world music, theater, lectures, cameo theatrical events, and family concerts. It is run by Arizona State University. The entrance to Kerr is a little tricky. Follow the signs at the stoplight at Rose Lane near the Borgata Shopping Village.
14. Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (480) 994-2787
Address: 7380 E. 2nd St.
Description: The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) contribute to the city’s reputation as a fine-arts destination. The performing arts center hosts more than 60 music, dance, and theater performances, as well as several screenings of independent films throughout the season. Performances by the Phoenix Chamber Music Society, the Phoenix Symphony Chamber Orchestra, and the Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra take place on a regular basis. Some concerts are held under the stars in the center’s outdoor amphitheater. Ticket prices vary based on the type of performance.
15. Heard Museum North
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (480) 488-9817
Address: 32633 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Description: The northern branch of the famed Heard Museum (detailed in Attractions chapter) includes 2 exhibition galleries that feature changing exhibitions of Native American art. It also hosts guest artists and special events. The museum shop offers the highest-quality arts and crafts by Native American artists. Admission is $5 for adults, with discounts for seniors, students, and kids.