My day on Scottsdale's Trolley

From Scottsdale Trolley

While staying at the Scottsdale Park Suites in Scottsdale, I was looking for an inexpensive way to get around town.  Someone suggested the Scottsdale Trolley, so I decided to check it out. 

I left Scottsdale Park Suites and walked two blocks south to the Trolley stop.  I only had to wait about five minutes before it arrived.  The Trolley runs every 20 minutes during the day from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm.  I was really surprised at how authentic the trolley looked when it pulled up.  My driver’s name was Bruce.  When I told him that it was my first time on the trolley, he started telling me all of the places I could go. 

I was on the Neighborhood Trolley which took me to several of the community centers and parks in the area.  As we drove he told me about Vista del Camino, and the Paiute Neighborhood Center.  We had a 10 minute stop when we arrived at the Granite Reef Senior Center so I went in and had a look around.  It’s a beautiful center that offers so many services to adults.  There is a gym, a cafeteria, a ballroom, a library, and they offer classes for just about anything you can think of.  After leaving there, we drove past El Dorado Park, the Civic Center, Scottsdale Healthcare, and the Scottsdale Stadium where the San Francisco Giants hold their spring training every year.

During our ride, Bruce told me how I could connect to the Tempe ORBIT Earth and it would take me to Tempe Marketplace, or ASU and Mill Avenue.  I stayed on the Neighborhood Trolley until it stopped at Loloma Station.  That is where I hopped on the Downtown Trolley.  I was really fortunate to get on the trolley Lloyd was driving that day.  He has been driving the trolleys in downtown Scottsdale for almost 20 years.  He gave me a “T” card and explained that it is a promotion between the trolley company and the Scottsdale Downtown Group.  They want to encourage people to patronize the downtown Scottsdale businesses.  He said all I have to do is look for the “T” symbol in the window of participating businesses, and present my card to receive discounts and specials.

The Downtown Trolley took me to every point of interest in downtown Scottsdale.  It runs every 15 minutes from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.  It was the perfect way to see all the art galleries, restaurants and shops on 5^th Avenue.  I couldn’t believe it when Lloyd said that there are close to 100 art galleries in downtown Scottsdale and about 150 restaurants!  Then he told me “if you can’t find what you are looking for in the endless number of shops in Scottsdale, you don’t need it!!”  He also told me that there is a free Cultural Tour of downtown Scottsdale on the 2^nd Saturday of the month. 

After the mini-tour of 5^th Avenue, we headed to Old Town Scottsdale.    I stopped for a quick lunch at Davids.  Lloyd had mentioned that I could get a great burger there, and he was right.  Plus, I got the fries for free!! 

After thoroughly enjoying my lunch, I was thrilled to see that Lloyd was just making his way down the street.  I hopped back on the Trolley and continued my way through Old Town. 

 There are a total of eight intact historic buildings in Scottsdale.  Seven of those are located in Old Town, including the only blacksmith shop in the state of Arizona that has been owned and operated by the same family since 1920.  The Farmer’s State Bank opened in 1921, and is now the Rusty Spur Saloon.  Scottsdale’s first full time post office opened in 1929 and is now Porter’s Western Store.  Johnny Rose’s Pool Hall opened in 1923, and is now the Mexican Imports store.  Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Church opened in 1933, and is currently being restored.  Scottsdale Grammar School opened in 1909, and is now known as the Little Red School House.  Scottsdale Grammar School #2 opened in 1928, and is still operating as a school.  The name has changed to Loloma School.  These are just a few of the many historical buildings that can be found throughout Old Town Scottsdale.  I could have spent an entire day walking through the all the shops and exploring the history of this area, but that will have to be another day.

The Trolley took me right past a new shopping mall call The Mix.  This mall has about 30 stores in it that are for the trendier shopper.  Right next to The Mix is Southbridge.  If you love food and wine, this is the area for you.  There are 3 incredible restaurants within walking distance of each other.  The first is Cowboy Ciao.  This restaurant is kind of Italian meets Old West.  It is really unusually decorated, but very beautiful.  One reviewer called it “Addams Family meets Old West Bordello.”  I am looking forward to getting back over here when I have time to sit down and eat!  Next is Digestif.  It is in a small space, but I wasn’t staying to eat.  I know now that when I do come to eat here, I will definitely make a reservation!  Last, but not least, is Kazimierz World Wine Bar.  This one doesn’t open until 6:00 pm, so I will have to make it one of the stops on my next “Girl’s Night Out.”  

Just a stone’s throw from Southbridge is The Scottsdale Waterfront.  This area is home to retail shops like Borders, Urban Outfitters, Sur la Table, Isaac Jewelers, Moody Blues, High Point, Optica, Estilo and Sabrina Sky. The restaurants include P.F. Chang's, Olive & Ivy, Wildfish and Sauce. The development is also home to the Fiesta Bowl headquarters and museum. Enjoy the surrounding paths, landscaping, and a pedestrian-only bridge linking the canal to Southbridge and the Scottsdale Fifth Avenue Shopping district.   Scottsdale Fashion Square is located directly across from the Waterfront.

I think I could spend an entire week at Scottsdale Fashion Square just window shopping!  It has to be the most amazing shopping mall in the entire valley.  The majority of the stores located here can’t be found anywhere else in Arizona.  Along with these exclusive stores, there are also the familiar retail chains I am used to seeing in all the other malls I have been to. Hands down, there isn’t another mall in the valley I can think of that makes window shopping this much fun!

Shortly after leaving Fashion Square, I found myself back at Loloma Station.  I got off the Downtown Trolley and thanked Lloyd for the wonderful ride.  Within a few minutes I saw the Neighborhood Trolley making its way toward me.  I climbed on it and was back home at the Scottsdale Park Suites in no time.