A True Shoppers Paradise - Scottsdale

At the top of many people's priority lists of things to do on a vacation in Scottsdale is shopping. And when it comes to shopping in Scottsdale, style is everywhere you turn. No matter what you are looking for, you can find every kind of store with every price point can be found. Scottsdale offers every kind of shopping venue from the traditional indoor mall and outdoor stores in Scottsdale Fashion Square to tropical outdoor areas friendly to foot traffic in Kierland Plaza, to blocks of one-of-a-kind boutiques and gift shops in Old Town.

KIERLAND COMMONS

The palm tree-lined avenues of Kierland Commons, located at 15205 N. Kierland Blvd., is Scottsdale shopping at its most luxurious. A collection of resort-style stores - pleasing to the eye from the street-side window displays - the 38-acre Plaza encourages lingering in the open-air courtyard and on the green, where jazz groups play in the summer and Christmas songs are played on weekends in December while Santa is there to visit with children.

On any given day, town cars with drivers may be waiting for their shopping occupants, women coiffed and polished push high-end strollers with well-dressed babies in them and visitors staying in the nearby Westin Kierland Resort & Spa hit the designer bricks in golf wear and suits.

Kierland boasts over 70 upscale stores, clothing shops are most prevalent and run the gamut, for men's and women's clothing from conservative to chichi to hip and trendy. There are great specialty shoe stores, lingerie shops, jewelers and more to keep shoppers busy eyeing the wares.

Kierland Plaza is also a mecca for serious foodies who indulge in the casual gourmet restaurants for both lunch and dinner. The Zinc Bistro is one of the area's most unique, yet traditional French food venues in a heavy wood-paneled space with brass fixtures that replicate an actual bistro in Paris. The Greene House is a nouveau cuisine spot with a large outdoor seating area.

SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE

Located at 7014-590 Camelback Road, the mall features more than 180 stores, anchored by Nordstrom's, Barney's New York, Dillard's, Macy's and Neiman Marcus. There are so many great stores are among the many stores to lure shoppers to spend.

A place to see beautiful people and perhaps even some celebrities, the mall is decorated with falling water features and fountains, as well as live plants under a large atrium skylight. Its open, inviting and natural feel makes it seems as though the enormous space is as much outside as it is under a roof.

No matter if you are hungry for a whole meal or just a snack there are a plethora of unique restaurants no matter what you have a taste for. Along with shopping and dining, there are Scottsdale Fashion Square offers numerous spa/salons, and a movie theater offer additional entertainment and pampering options.

OLD TOWN SCOTTSDALE

Southeast of Indian School Road and Scottsdale Roads in Downtown Scottsdale, Old Town Shops span about four city blocks, and are adjacent to the Scottsdale Arts District to the West and the Scottsdale Center for the Arts to the East.

There are over 300 stores in Old Town Scottsdale and the vast majority are independent clothing shops, galleries and gift shops.

Antiques, galleries, bookstores and seasonal stores also add to the eccentric feel of the area. The Canal Concert series on Sundays from 2 to 5 pm. on Stetson Plaza, a Saturday morning Farmer's Market and ArtWalk on Thursday nights are among the activities that keep crowds coming to the area.

There of course are many souvenirs at the great shops in Old Town, but you can also find Native American wares, Western clothing, tooled leather and Western art objects that are unusual and eye-catching.

At night, restaurants and nightclubs draw the crowds, but during the day shoppers rule in this artsy section of town, where museums and galleries often stay open late at night to lure those who prefer to take in paintings and sculpture while they imbibe in the wine or other libations offered.

Located along the "Scottsdale Waterfront" on the Arizona Canal, adjacent to Old Town, the 5th Avenue Shopping Area is something of a misnomer, since it is comprised entirely of independently-run boutiques and not upscale chain stores dominate the area. Some of the stores include the Indian Trading Post, where authentic Native American jewelry and sculpture can be found, the Charles Parkhurst Rare Books store and Fiesta Southwest Gifts, which features pottery, poster reproductions and figurines, among other items.

No matter where you choose to shop in Scottsdale, you will not be disappointed. And best of all is that every Scottsdale vacation rental home is close a great shopping destination! Article Source: Arizona Vacation Rentals