Glendale City Centre: A Guide to Historic Downtown Stops

Historic Downtown Glendale covers 10 square blocks divided between Old Towne and Catlin Court. Begin in Old Towne for brick-trimmed sidewalks, gaslights, Restaurant Row, specialty boutiques and eclectic shops; then head into Catlin Court to see its boutiques and eateries in early- to mid-century bungalows.

Catlin Court’s buildings show Victorian, Craftsman Bungalow, Ranch and Spanish Eclectic styles. For parking, use the downtown structure at 5835 W. Palmaire Avenue. The Historic Downtown Glendale Merchants Association describes it as free and covered.

The Glendale History Walk offers a way to connect the streetscape with local history: 59 images are embedded in the sidewalk along the promenade of the parking structure retail area.

The association’s free Peacock Passport is another route through downtown, with metal peacock markers pointing to participating businesses and attractions in Historic Downtown Glendale and Historic Sahuaro Ranch. Completed passports can be returned to the Arizona Information Center for a free gift.

Downtown Glendale’s landmarks include the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Glendale and the GFWC Glendale Woman’s Club. The club says it has served the local community since 1901 and rents its clubhouse for private family or business events.

The association traces Glendale’s peacock history to 1933, giving the Peacock Passport a local-history connection as well as a way to find participating businesses. Monthly specialty events are also part of the association’s activities; check the official site before you go for current details.

The Arizona Doll & Toy Museum adds a collection-focused stop to a downtown walk. At 5847 W. Myrtle Avenue, it describes its collection as ranging from antique to modern dolls, toys, games, dollhouses and miniatures. The museum also has a gift shop and doll hospital.

Its hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Afterward, you can continue through Catlin Court’s boutiques and eateries or Old Towne’s specialty shops and Restaurant Row. For more on the collection and visit planning, see this Arizona Doll & Toy Museum Glendale guide.

The downtown shopping and dining district spans 10 square blocks, with Old Towne and Catlin Court offering different streetscapes within the same area. You can use the brick-trimmed sidewalks and gaslights as you pass through Old Towne, then look for the bungalow architecture in Catlin Court.

If you want to follow the Glendale History Walk, its 59 images are set into the sidewalk along the parking structure retail-area promenade. The Peacock Passport provides another way to navigate, using metal markers to connect participating businesses and attractions. For a broader plan that links downtown with the ranch, a one-day Glendale itinerary combines both stops.

Historic Sahuaro Ranch Park makes a separate stop for historic buildings, gardens and outdoor grounds. The 17-acre site at 9802 N. 59th Avenue includes a rose garden, a barnyard and orchards, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Its story begins with completion of the Arizona Canal in 1885; the Main House was built in 1891.

The City says the grounds are open from 6 a.m. to sunset and admission is free except during certain special events. The City’s usual Main House tour schedule runs from September through July, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with tours every half hour.

The Main House is annually closed during August and the first weekend in September. Check the City of Glendale’s official site before you go for current hours, admission exceptions and tour availability.

You can treat downtown and the ranch as separate parts of a Glendale visit: browse the shops and landmarks in the historic district, then set aside time for the ranch grounds. Details on the grounds and its history are in this Sahuaro Ranch Park Glendale visitor guide.

What neighborhoods make up Historic Downtown Glendale?

Old Towne and Catlin Court make up the historic shopping and dining area, which spans 10 square blocks. Old Towne has gaslights, brick-trimmed sidewalks and Restaurant Row; Catlin Court is known for boutiques and eateries in bungalows.

Is the Arizona Doll & Toy Museum in downtown Glendale?

Yes. The museum is at 5847 W. Myrtle Avenue and has hours from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Is Historic Sahuaro Ranch Park free?

The City says admission to the grounds is free except during certain special events. The grounds are open from 6 a.m. to sunset.