Cowboy core isn’t just a trend in Scottsdale—it’s part of everyday life. This city blends authentic Western roots with modern flair in a way only it can, from the early ranching days to today’s nightlife. Every January and February, Scottsdale even hosts its own Western Week, a lively celebration of local culture, heritage, and history. Whether you want to discover Arizona’s Old West or sip a cocktail in boots and fringe (or sip a cocktail from a boot!), here’s how to live your best cowboy core life in Scottsdale.
Design Your Own Cowboy Hat
Every cowboy or cowgirl needs a proper hat, so start your adventure at Rancher Hat Bar, one of the most Instagrammable spots in the Valley. The shop’s striking pink-and-white aesthetic indeed makes the perfect backdrop, but the real magic happens inside. Choose from rows of colorful hats, then add one-of-a-kind custom touches: feathers, beads, bands, even brands.
Deck Yourself Out in Western Wear
Cowboy hats are just the beginning. For boots, denim, pearl snaps, and much more, head to Mavericks of Scottsdale (which has a custom hat bar of its own) or Bischoff’s Shades of the West, both in Old Town. These boutiques are the perfect fun stop for fashion-forward Western looks—for you or your home.
Horseback Riding & Cowboy Cookouts
You simply can’t do cowboy core without a horse. Scottsdale is surrounded by miles of desert trails, where horseback riding feels like stepping back in time. MacDonald’s Ranch (pictured) and local outfitter Windwalker Expeditions offer everything from one-hour strolls among saguaros to sunset rides through the Sonoran Desert. No experience? No problem. These guided rides welcome both first-timers and seasoned equestrians.
Few things say “cowboy” like dinner cooked over an open flame. November through April, MacDonald’s Ranch hosts Cowboy Cookouts by reservation only. Choose a horseback or hayride, then tuck into a hearty al fresco steak or chicken dinner (vegetarian options also available) at sunset. A bonfire, live entertainment, and the desert night sky complete the experience.
Discover Western Spirit
History also plays a big role in Scottsdale’s real-life cowboy core. At Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, you’ll find rotating fine art exhibits, rare artifacts, and cultural treasures, all marrying the spirit of the American West and Scottsdale’s role in it. Think buffalo hide robes, Texas Ranger badges, and intricately crafted Hopi pottery.
Bar-hop to Scottsdale’s Country Bars
Ranch life isn’t all work. Scottsdale’s nightlife delivers plenty of honky-tonk fun, bringing out even the most reserved patrons’ inner cowboys. Pick one, or make it a full country western bar crawl.
- Rusty Spur Saloon: A tiny Old Town gem with swinging saloon doors and live music seven nights (and days!) a week (pictured).
- Handlebar J: Known for the resident Herndon Brothers Band and free line dancing lessons three nights a week.
- Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row: A modern spin on a country club with a 360-degree rotating stage and popular weekday happy-hour specials.
- Not My First Rodeo: An upbeat, cheeky college bar with photo ops, like upside-down cowboy hats on the ceiling, and themed events including Chris Stapleton lookalike contests.
Learn Cowboy Skills at Cowboy U
Arizona Cowboy College, the only school of its kind in the world and a working cattle ranch, helps students learn the ropes—literally—of cowboying. Ride, shoe horses, get hands-on with cattle, and learn about branding and even the cattle market. Choose from one or three-day sessions in groups of six or fewer.
Enjoy Fine Dining with Western Flair
End your cowboy experience with a touch of history. LON’s at The Hermosa Inn sits on the former home and studio of painter Lon Megargee, today serving award-winning cuisine and boasting an impressive wine list. The lore is just as alluring: classic Western Stetson hats come with a silk lining featuring Megargee’s “The Last Drop” painting, depicting a cowboy letting his horse drink from his hat. As the story goes, Lon created the most reproduced Western image ever, because if you owned a Stetson, you owned one of his paintings.
