Scottsdale Waterfront — Attraction in Scottsdale

We walked around the waterfront during the Canal Convergence light festival. It was interactive and very interesting. We had such a good time looking at all the lights and playing around with the installations. You can grab libations and walk around, drinks in hand. There are lots of shops, restaurants, bars, etc, in the surrounding area, so there is plenty else to do and see as one walks around. Currently, there are places like Olive & Ivy, Urban Outfitters, Culinary Dropout, Primp and Blow, and others surrounding this waterfront area in the heart of downtown Scottsdale. There are other events along the waterfront other than the light show, and many are free to the public. This is a charming area for a breezy afternoon of shopping and lunch or a cool evening out for dinner and drinks. Parking can get a bit congested on the street, but there is plenty of parking in the Fashion Square garage. There is also a valet at Fashion Square. During events and on weekends, I highly recommend using the parking garage. The area has more people during the winter months as this is the tourist season in Arizona. There are also winter residents known locally as "snowbirds" that come down from Northern states and Canada for the winter months, and this creates additional traffic. Just something to keep in mind for...

This plaza is located. next to the more popular Scottsdale Fashion Square mall. These shops are open-air vs inside the indoor mall. To access, there's street parking or you can park at the Waterfront parking garage, or if you want to walk across the canal instead to avoid heavier traffic- you can park at South Bridge Garage; all have accessible spots and paved sidewalks to take you to this plaza.

The plaza's buildings are all aesthetically pleasing, and some of the restaurants there like Olive and Ivy offer waterfront views of the canal. The area is clean and well-maintained too, and it's a nice spot to treat yourself. They have quite the assortment of higher-end restaurants like Maple and Ash steakhouse, STK steakhouse, etc- and there's some beauty places like Primp and Blow and a Refine Men's Salon for the guys. They also have Mountainside...

A terrific place to have several hours of pleasant strolling and shopping/dining. Parking can be rough during high season, but just use an Uber to drop you off, and then hit it on foot. If you are lucky enough to be there in the evening hours you can dine right on the canal with some great Tapas and wine - a fabulous outdoor atmosphere. Need to sit in a nice cigar bar? Buy some top notch cowboy boots? Chinese, Irish, Mexican, Italian, Spanish...every conceivable food and style is available in walking distance. Only downside is parking and lack of public toilets in an area where you will be spending many hours. Definitely do not...