phoenix usa places to visit

Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and is located in the central region of the state. People may know it for its year-round sun, desert beauty, and world-class resorts and golf, but as the fifth-largest city in the U.S., it also offers sophisticated urbanscapes, southwest culture and lots of outdoor adventure.

Sometimes, bigger really is better. Phoenix (the "Valley of the Sun" to locals) invites you to enjoy major destinations for recreation and relaxation, must-visit venues in the culinary and cocktail kingdoms, and long-standing arts, civic and cultural institutions. And that just scratches the surface of things to do in Phoenix.

Be a good sport(s fan)

The Valley Metro public light rail system pulls up right outside Chase Field , the downtown Phoenix ballpark that's home to MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks. Footprint Center , the arena that's home to the NBA's Phoenix Suns, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and the IFL's Phoenix Rattlers, is just a few blocks west. On any game day, you'll find flocks of fans pre- and post-gaming at nearby sports bars, upscale eateries and neighborhood taquerias.

Get back to nature

South Mountain Park Preserve , the nation's largest municipally managed park, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts to experience Phoenix activities. Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders have more than 50 miles of trails, while bicyclists can test their endurance on the roadways that climb across three mountain ranges. On "Silent Sundays," the park even closes its main road to motor vehicles, allowing cyclists and hikers to enjoy the roadways without the buzz of automotive traffic.

Discover next-level relaxation

The luxury resort scene in Phoenix includes a long list of historic and modern properties that go big. Families enjoy epic-sized pools with monumental play features. Wellness travelers find spa treatments and fitness programs that add euphoria to vacation days. And for those who find their bliss on a golf course , many of the area's top resorts boast some of the best year-round courses in the country.

Whet your palate …

Some of the country's most innovative restaurateurs hone their culinary creations and prowess in Phoenix. The best-known restaurants in Phoenix have racked up regular plaudits from national newspapers and magazines and nominations from the James Beard Foundation. In 2022, local chefs and restaurants were named semifinalists in eight different categories.

… Then wet your whistle

The city's cocktail and craft brew culture are as strong as some of the pours you'll find therein. While beer and cider drinkers sample flights and drafts at a local microbrewery or meadery, those in search of higher spirits can content themselves with a well-composed tipple in one of the city's many other popular gathering spots.

Embrace creative culture

The galleries and exhibits at the Musical Instrument Museum draw from a collection of more than 8,000 instruments from around the globe, including opportunities to see and hear the instruments played … and sometimes play them yourself. Those who might prefer to leave the playing to the professionals, meanwhile, can reserve tickets for a Phoenix Symphony or Arizona Opera performance at Symphony Hall, one of many performance venues that make downtown a cultural center with a vibrant arts scene all around.

Discover more about desert life—then and now

One of Phoenix's first cultural institutions, the Heard Museum has grown into an international destination to learn about Native American art and history, while the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archeological Park is a must-see Phoenix attraction that takes visitors on a path to remnants of a ballcourt and platform created by the Hohokam people who lived in this area from A.D. 450 to 1450. And at the 140-acre Desert Botanical Garden , more than 50,000 desert plants illustrate the beauty and variety of desert plant life.

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360 Adventures

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10919 S Central Ave Phoenix, Arizona 85042

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3201 N 16th St, #3 & 4 Phoenix, Arizona 85016

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Our excellent guided van tours include the Grand Canyon via Sedona & Navajo Indian Reservation Tour; Sedona, Jerome and Montezuma...

3213 E Rosemonte Dr Phoenix, Arizona 85050

Ak-Chin Him-Dak Eco-Museum

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47685 N. EcoMuseum Road Maricopa, Arizona 85139

American Family Fields of Phoenix

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3805 N 53rd Ave Phoenix, Arizona 85031

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19 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Phoenix, AZ

Written by Lana Law Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Lana Law has spent many winters in Arizona and Phoenix is one of her favorite cities.

Phoenix's warm, dry climate attracts sun lovers and those looking to escape the snow and cold during the winter months. The city offers abundant arts and cultural attractions, historic neighborhoods, as well as shopping, dining, and an outstanding selection of resorts and hotels .

Many people come here simply to enjoy the outdoors. Golfing is one of the top things to do in Phoenix, but you'll also find opportunities for hiking, biking, camping , and climbing.

If you are spending more than just a few days here, you may want to consider doing some day trips from Phoenix to nearby towns and tourist attractions. Within easy reach are communities like Sedona, Prescott, and Jerome. If you're up for a big day, you can even do a trip to the Grand Canyon.

The Phoenix Metropolitan Area, which includes the cities of Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale, is spread out and covers a large area. Plan your sightseeing in advance to save time with our list of the best things to do in Phoenix.

See also: Where to Stay in Phoenix

1. Desert Botanical Garden

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Located in Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Garden is a beautiful complex that combines art and nature. Art installations dot the gardens , adding another dimension to this beautiful space.

The 140-acre complex is home to tens of thousands of plants and displays examples of vegetation from deserts around the world. This is also a good place to spot hummingbirds and butterflies, with designated gardens designed to attract these creatures.

Extensive trails wind their way around the property, and you should plan on spending a significant amount of time walking. Spring is a particularly good time to visit, as the plants come to life and bloom in an array of colors.

Address: 1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona

The Musical Instruments Museum is one of the largest of its kind in the world , with a collection of more than 8,000 instruments from almost 200 countries.

Housed in a spectacular building are five permanent galleries, including the Geographic Gallery; the Artists Gallery; the Mechanical Music Gallery; the STEM Gallery; and the Experience Gallery, where you can play some of the instruments. You can also see master craftsmen at work restoring instruments in the Conservation Lab.

The museum hosts special traveling exhibits and has a variety of Signature Events, showcasing instruments and live music from countries around the world. Catch a concert in the facility's 300-seat theater.

Address: 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, Arizona

Located in Scottsdale, Taliesin West was the winter home of the celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright . Situated in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, this property is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also the international headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

Even if you have only the smallest interest in architecture, this is a worthwhile addition to your Phoenix itinerary. The tours offer detailed information on the architecture and Wright's life.

The buildings here were constructed out of native materials, such as rubblestone and redwood, and built entirely by Wright and his apprentices from 1937 to 1959.

Address: 12345 North Taliesin Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona

Looking for something to do outdoors? A walk through the desert is always a pleasant way to spend a morning or a day, and Phoenix offers a full range of hiking trails for all levels of hikers.

At one extreme are the trails for the adventurous hiker, like the hike up Camelback Mountain , and at the other end of the spectrum are short, easy trails, perfect for birders and nature lovers. You'll find some of these at Papago Park or the Lost Dog Wash Trailhead .

Somewhere in between these are Mormon Trail and Pinnacle Peak , which offer a bit of a challenge and elevation, along with beautiful views.

For a more comprehensive look, see our list of the top hikes in the Phoenix area to plan your outing.

The renowned Heard Museum in Phoenix, dating from 1929, is devoted to the art and culture of the Indian peoples of the Southwest . The Heard is noted for its amazing displays of basketwork, pottery, jewelry, textiles, and a large collection of kachina dolls.

The museum's exhibit galleries and outdoor courtyards feature traditional and contemporary Native American art. This is a great place for families to learn about native history and see traditional arts.

Outside, you can wander through the outdoor sculpture garden or take a garden tour of the museum. The museum also has a very pleasant outdoor café with courtyard seating and a menu that changes regularly and features special dishes to complement the featured exhibit.

Address: 2301 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona

For fun and quirky, one of the best places to visit around Phoenix is Old Town Scottsdale. Unique shops housed in buildings with Western-style covered walkways sell a variety of trinkets and other goods, primarily aimed at tourists.

Just up the street from the kitschy shops are some of the city's finest galleries featuring spectacular work by famous artists. Downtown Scottsdale is a fun place to see and be seen.

Old Town also has a good selection of restaurants, some with delightful patio seating, perfect for people-watching. The area is easily walkable and can be found at the intersection of East Main Street and North Scottsdale Road.

A fun way to tour the area and see the sites is on a two-hour Scottsdale Segway Tour . This will take you along the waterfront, past some of the historic sites, and through Old Town.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Scottsdale

South Mountain Park/Preserve in Phoenix is one of the largest city parks in the United States , covering over 16,000 acres of desert landscape. The miles of trails running through the park are ideal for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking . One of the most popular trails is the Mormon Trail.

Views out over the desert and beyond to the city are fabulous. If you are looking for things to do at night in Phoenix, come here after dark for an incredible look at the city lights.

The highest point in the park is Mount Suppoa at 2,690 feet, but the highest lookout, which can be reached by trail or road, is Dobbins Lookout at 2,330 feet.

Every fourth Sunday is Silent Sunday, where the park's main thoroughfare, Summit Road, is closed from 5am to 7pm to all motorized traffic. On these special days, the wide-open roadway is reserved for those human-powered activities, including walking, jogging, and cycling. On the first, second, and third Sundays, the same roadway is closed, but only to the one-mile marker.

Address: 10919 South Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona

The Hall of Flame Fire Museum is both a historical look at the profession and a tribute to firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty, or noted for their heroism.

On display at the museum are exhibits dating back to 1725, including old fire engines and some very curious types of fire extinguishers. While most of the focus is on the history of firefighting in America, you'll also see exhibits from Europe and Japan, offering a more international perspective on the profession.

The National Firefighting Hall of Heroes displays the names of those killed since 1981. There is also a memorial to the firefighters and police officers killed at the World Trade Center in 2001.

Address: 6101 East Van Buren Street, Phoenix, Arizona

Papago Park is a wonderful natural area in the southeast part of the city. If you're looking for activities and fun things to do in Phoenix, this park is a good place to start. Here you you can enjoy hiking along nature trails, scrambling up the red rocks that dominate the park, cycling the extensive routes, and even golfing.

This is a popular place to come for a walk, particularly in the morning before the heat of the day, and you'll see the citizens of Phoenix taking full advantage of this urban oasis.

Papago Park has a multitude of trails, but the two most popular are the Elliot Ramada and the Double Butte Loop trail . Both these trails take you up to the weird rock outcroppings that are a key feature of the park. You can sometimes see wildlife, primarily rabbits but occasionally bighorn sheep.

Also located in Papago Park are the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden .

Address: 625 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona

The Phoenix Art Museum has a permanent collection covering the art of the European Renaissance and Baroque periods, the Far East, and the American West. The museum also presents modern and contemporary works, fashion design, live performances, and films.

The classically progressive look of its 203,000-square-foot building is a work of art in itself. Designed by New York architects Tod Williams/Billie Tsien & Associates in the mid-1990s and expanded by them in 2006, it integrates art and architecture with the southwestern landscape.

The museum's founding in 1959 and eventual development into one of the leading art museums in the American Southwest reflects the constant commitment from the community and mirrors the growth of Phoenix from a small desert town to the current metropolis it has become.

Address: 1625 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona

While the Phoenix Zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals, including numerous endangered species, it's especially well known for its Sumatran tigers and orangutans.

The four different trails leading through the facility are the Africa Trail, Tropics Trail, Arizona Trail, and Children's Trail. The zoo also offers children's programs and events, splash pads, and play areas, so pack your bathing suits and towels.

Animal encounters are a special part of any visit and truly a highlight at the Phoenix Zoo. The Monkey Village will have you snapping pictures as your kids walk through an open exhibit with monkeys swinging by.

Another encounter that will generate squeals of delight is the Red Barn. It's a petting zoo with goats, sheep, and horses all happy to engage with little people. Other experiences include the gentle giraffe encounter, Stingray Bay encounter, and the ever-popular camel rides.

If you've had enough of the animals, take a ride on the Endangered Animals carousel, where each animal is unique.

Address: 455 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona

Although it may seem odd to find a giant aquarium in the middle of the parched desert, somehow it all comes together in an enjoyable maritime learning experience. The OdySea Aquarium at 200,000 square feet is the largest of its kind in the Southwest and a wonderful place to step out of the arid environment into a water-based world.

The concept is that you are a raindrop falling from the sky into freshwater and then you make your way through streams and rivers before finding your way to the ocean. Over 70 exhibits, many of them interactive, line the pathway from start to finish.

Just follow the pathway through the facility, around each corner, and on each level, you'll find new and interesting exhibits along with three different touch pools including the world's only Russian Sturgeon exhibit. Over 6,000 aquatic animals exist here, ranging from penguins through to sharks, stingrays, otters, and octopuses. The Odysea even has a sloth, along with tropical birds.

Educational shows take place throughout the facility, one of the most unique being the Voyager a presentation making you feel you are in a submarine. For an additional fee, you can experience the SeaTREK® indoor, underwater helmet diving, where you descend into a pool filled with fish in a special diving suit or have an animal interaction with the penguins.

Although it may sound strange to highlight Odysea's restrooms, be sure you check them out for the glass ceiling above the sinks, complete with sharks and other aquatic creatures casually swimming by.

Address: 9500 E Via De Ventura, Scottsdale, Arizona

The Arizona Science Center has hundreds of interactive exhibits in seven galleries, each with a unique theme. Also on-site are an IMAX theater and a 200-seat planetarium . This is the perfect thing for families to do in Phoenix, especially on a day when the weather doesn't cooperate.

The Science Center holds six signature events throughout the year, including Weird Science Halloween; Science with a Twist; and Snow Week, where Science Park hill becomes a mountain of white, covered with 75 tons of real snow.

Address: 600 East Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona

Set among beautiful gardens is the old State Capitol, built in 1900, which was the seat of government until 1974. The imposing state building is now a free museum focusing on the history of Arizona.

The exhibits are spread over four floors, and one of the must-see displays is the unique Arizona flag, made of 113,998 Lego bricks. Each Lego brick represents one mile in the state.

Other notable highlights include the Arizona Takes Shape exhibit, showcasing the state's development, from when it was a territory through to the present day, along with the USS Arizona exhibit.

For a thought-provoking experience, be sure to check out the Capitol Mall and Wesley Bolin Plaza memorial monuments.

Address: 1700 West Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona

North Mountain Preserve is a popular recreational area with all kinds of hiking trails . North Mountain stands at an elevation of 2,104 feet, and Shaw Butte, the tallest mountain in the preserve, stands at 2,149 feet. Together these mountains are a landmark feature in Phoenix.

The more advanced hiking trails in the preserve lead to the summit, but easier hikes offer access to all levels of abilities. This is a lovely way to experience the local flora and fauna, with many plant species, including saguaro cactus.

Be sure to stop in at the North Mountain Visitors Center to get the latest updates on the trails, learn about the local history, get some insight on the flora and fauna, and top up your water bottles.

Address: 12950 North 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona

The Phoenix Children's Museum opened in 2008 and has been going strong ever since. Today it's one of the city's most popular family attractions. The 14 galleries full of fun and interesting displays are designed to engage growing minds.

Some of the galleries include the Noodle Forest, Blockmania, Pedal Power, and the Texture Café, among others. Attentive staff, called Playologists, are always on hand to help.

The Phoenix Children's Museum is just around the corner from the Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix; combining trips to both is easily accomplished.

Address: 215 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona

The Phoenix Symphony , led by the talented conductor Matthew Kasper, performs classical, pop, chamber, and family programs throughout the year. As Arizona's only full-time symphony orchestra, this is a staple in Phoenix's cultural scene. If you're looking for a night out while in town, check their online calendar for a list of upcoming performances.

Be sure to note the performance venues. The Phoenix Symphony performs at five different locations: Symphony Hall, Mesa Arts Center, Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, Orpheum Church, and ASU Gammage.

Address: 75 North 2nd Street, Phoenix, Arizona

A great outing that everyone in the family can agree on is Castles-N-Coasters . The 10-acre park is a mix of roller coasters, mini golf, water rides, bumper boats, bumper cars, go-carts, and arcades. No matter your age, you'll be sure to find something that gets your heart racing.

The most intense ride is the double-looped Desert Storm roller coaster. A little less frightening but still a thrill is the Skydiver, where you free-fall from 120 feet in the air. For something a bit different, head into the completely crazy Stranger Stuff Fun House. If the Phoenix heat is starting to wear you down, head on over to the Splashdown log flume water ride.

If you still have energy, wander on over to the Indy Carts, and race against your friends, or take in a nutty game of mini golf. If after that you still want to keep going, head to the bumper cars or the Sea Dragon ride, or the XD Dark Ride; the list goes on and on.

Address: 9445 North Metro Parkway East, Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix, with its non-stop highways and modern infrastructure, may leave you pining for something historical. A stop at the Pueblo Grande Museum is the solution. Here, you'll find the well-preserved ruins of a Hohokam village dating from 500 BCE.

Tour the site along a two-thirds-of-a-mile trail and discover the remains of this once-thriving settlement, including irrigation canals, a ballcourt, and replicas of the homes these ancient people used to live in.

The museum has done a good job of providing information on the former inhabitants using display panels strategically located throughout the site. Be sure to climb to the main lookout for a bird's-eye view of the entire site.

The Pueblo Grande Museum is located in the southern part of Phoenix near the airport.

Phoenix has a vibrant downtown with many tourist attractions, and this is one of the best places to stay if you're interested in sightseeing. Another option is to stay in downtown Scottsdale, near Old Town. Below are a number of highly rated hotels in convenient locations.

Luxury Hotels:

• One of the new luxury hotel options in downtown Phoenix is the Kimpton Hotel Palomar , located at the new CityScape development. This contemporary hotel features large rooms and suites and a beautiful rooftop pool.
• For hip and sophisticated, look to the Found:Re Phoenix . Located in the heart of Phoenix near numerous attractions, this boutique hotel offers 104 unique rooms featuring industrial-chic décor.
• For a quaint, luxury experience in the desert, you can't beat the comfort and hospitality of the Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North . In the foothills of Pinnacle Peak and next to the Troon North Golf Club, this is the perfect place for a relaxing escape.
• Another Scottsdale option is the ultra-cool, mid-century modern Hotel Valley Ho . This unique restored hotel, once the haunt of Hollywood celebrities, maintains a 1950s theme, from the music to the décor. Walking distance to Old Town Scottsdale, the location here is hard to beat, with shopping, dining, and numerous things to do in the vicinity.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• A consistently good choice in downtown Phoenix is the Hilton Garden Inn . Housed in a restored 1932 Art Deco building, the hotel offers modern, comfortable rooms and is within easy walking distance of the Convention Center.
• In the heart of the city center, the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel is an upper-end mid-range option with a heated rooftop pool.
• The Fairfield Inn and Suites Phoenix Midtown is within walking distance of the Heard Museum and the Phoenix Art Museum and offers free parking, unlike many downtown hotels.

Budget Hotels:

• Budget-minded travelers can find some deals in the city, although prices can vary depending on what is going on in Phoenix during your stay. Near downtown is the Comfort Inn West Phoenix at 27th Ave And I-10. This hotel provides decent rooms and good prices, and breakfast is included.

Sightseeing Tour:

• See the sights in four hours with this Half-Day Phoenix Highlights Tour . This tour will take you to the State Capitol, Old Town Scottsdale, Camelback Mountain, South Mountain Park, and more. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation, a guide, and free time to explore on your own.

Day Trip to Sedona and the Grand Canyon:

• One of the greatest attractions in Arizona and America is just a day trip away from Phoenix. If you haven't seen the Grand Canyon, taking a tour from Phoenix should be on your to-do list. The Small-Group Deluxe Grand Canyon Day Trip offers the perfect opportunity to see some of the incredible Arizona landscape. This tour includes transportation in a luxury van to the Grand Canyon, including a stop in the picturesque town of Willams along famous Route 66.
• If flying over the Grand Canyon is on your wish list, the Grand Canyon Helicopter and Ground Tour from Phoenix is a must-do. This tour offers a scenic drive to the Grand Canyon and includes a 45-minute helicopter ride over the canyon.

Day Trip to Tombstone:

• For a glimpse of the Old West, take a Day Trip to Tombstone and San Xavier Mission , where you can see this historic town, including the OK corral, and stop at the beautiful mission at San Xavier de Bac.

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Day Trip Destinations: If you only have time for one trip outside of Phoenix, consider heading out to see the red rocks and top sites of Sedona , just two hours away. Here, you can hit some of the top hiking trails or ride the mountain biking trails .

Explore the Best of Arizona: To get you started planning your trip, see our list of top attractions and places to visit in Arizona . If you know you want to get active and see some of the state's most beautiful scenery, have a look at our recommendations for the best hiking trails in Arizona . Campers looking for ideas should browse through our list of top campgrounds in Arizona . Other recommended hot spots that may not be on your radar but should be, include Prescott and Flagstaff .

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All the best things to do in Phoenix

Jan 14, 2022 • 7 min read

Greater Phoenix offers urban pleasures as well as natural beauty © Matt Mawson / Getty Images

Phoenix offers exciting diversity, urban sophistication and natural serenity, too.

Visitors to Arizona ’s capital can discover landmark mansions and sip local wine (yes, there are wineries in the desert). They’ll take in the Cactus League’s spring training baseball, then join locals to hike amid Sonoran Desert cactuses or cycle the “ale trail.” 

It’s these unexpected mashups that make the Greater Phoenix metropolis of 1.7 million so compelling, no matter the season. Here are 10 of our favorite things to do in the Valley of the Sun. 

Cycle the coffee, wine and ale trails

With more than 50 resorts and day spas, Scottsdale (12 miles from downtown and part of Greater Phoenix) lends itself to leisure. Yet if you’re thirsting to explore without expending too much effort, hop on a bike in Old Town to taste a range of coffee drinks, wines and beers. Kick off a day of easy activity by fueling up at Schmooze Bar & Breakfast before pedaling around historic sites, public art installations and the Arizona Canal, which dates back to the 1800s. 

As you explore, take time to stop at some of the dozen-plus wine-tasting rooms and breweries in town. Merkin Vineyards ’ grapes hail from the Verde Valley, while Craft64 serves only Arizona beers, including its own signature brew (created in collaboration with Phoenix-based SunUp Brewing).

Celebrate Pride in the desert

Phoenix embraces its LGBTIQ+ community every day – but the hug never feels stronger than during  Phoenix Pride , which takes place each November. The two-day celebration draws crowds of up to 40,000, who come enjoy the festive parade in mild weather as well as more than 150 performers hitting six alfresco stages. The family-friendly event even offers a KidSpace with a photo booth and activities like face painting.  

Explore a famous mansion 

Close your eyes at historic Wrigley Mansion  and you can imagine enjoying sunset drinks on the terrace with Elvis Presley and other famous visitors. This 16,000-sq-ft estate was once owned by chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. Enshrined on the National Register, it’s a Phoenix landmark built an all-American blend of architectural styles ranging from Spanish Revival to modernist. Preserved elements include the original tiles, which were hauled up the hill by donkey after being shipped from the namesake family’s tile factory on Catalina Island. 

This glamorous history has been played up by owner Jamie Hormel, who purchased the property in 1992 and installed upgrades like Christopher’s , the namesake restaurant of James Beard award–winning Chef Christopher Gross. The venue joins Geordie’s, a mansion mainstay for afternoon tea and multi-course wine dinners.

Cheer for your favorite pro baseball team

For the most dedicated sports nuts, spring in the desert heralds just one thing: baseball season. And Greater Phoenix is longtime host to Major League Baseball’s Cactus League spring training . Fifteen teams – from the Arizona Diamondbacks to Seattle Mariners – practice at 10 ballparks and stadiums scattered around the city. It’s the greatest concentration of pro baseball facilities in the country – and a fan fantasy. 

Interact with art at Wonderspaces

At Wonderspaces , art lovers can not only observe art but interact with it, while connecting with others to create a shared experience. Situated inside Scottsdale Fashion Square mall, Wonderspaces’s immersive installations include Rainbow Rooms, comfortable furniture arrangements enclosed by colored yarn. Less warm and fuzzy is Killing Time , a macabre kinetic hourglass sculpture by Mesplé. The mesmerizing skull detects a viewer’s presence, triggering the release of black liquid and producing breath-like motion from the mouth. Unsettling and unforgettable.

See thousands of butterflies in a botanical garden

Nature, art, education, conservation and wellness blend beautifully at Desert Botanical Garden , a 140-acre ecosystem with trails looping among the cactuses, trees and wildflowers. While you can expect familiar flora like Arizona’s iconic saguaro cactus, this living museum is home to 4400-plus species, including 400 rare and endangered ones.

The diverse landscape is ripe for roaming. Keep an eye out for hummingbirds. Spot cactuses in bloom. Explore the open-air Butterfly Pavilion, home to thousands of live butterflies – from monarch to malachite. Another way to take in the garden’s atmosphere is during meditation classes, sunrise tai chi or sunset yoga. 

Desert Botanical Garden offers seasonal programming that enhances the natural beauty. Visit Las Noches de las Luminarias during the holidays to see 8000 lights glimmering throughout the plantings. You should also keep an eye out for visiting art exhibitions, such as Chihuly in the Garden : the American artist’s outsize spikes and swirls of blown glass add another layer of wonder to this desert oasis.

Read more: Chihuly in the US: where to see the glass master's art

Sip cocktails while playing classic video games 

When you’re looking for old-school fun accompanied by an adult beverage, the Cobra Arcade Bar downtown cheerfully delivers both. (There’s also a locale in Tucson.) There’s something delightfully subversive about sipping a cocktail made with Stoli or Four Roses in this adult-only spot while filling up on the nostalgia of bashing the buttons on vintage pinball machines and classics like Mortal Combat. A rotating lineup of DJs provides the soundtrack.

Make an architectural pilgrimage to Taliesin West

“ Taliesin West is a look over the rim of the world,” said Frank Lloyd Wright in 1943, describing his desert studio and winter home. A National Historic Landmark located in Scottsdale and built in 1937, Taliesin West was also a campus where this titan of American architecture educated his protégés and pushed the boundaries of his singular architectural vision. In 2019, Taliesin West was one of eight Lloyd Wright works inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage site list for their cultural significance.

Today, visitors can tour the rooms and landscapes to see elements both unusual (a bathroom made from sheets of aluminum) and ancient (boulders with petroglyphs) scattered throughout the property. The site is often host for special events, from sunset wine tastings to guided tours of art exhibitions such as Chihuly in the Desert . 

Hike the Hole-in-the-Rock Trail

When you want to hike an otherworldly landscape without leaving the comforts of the city, head to the Hole-in-the-Rock Trail in Papago Park, located just minutes from downtown Phoenix. Only a little effort on the trail results in a massive payoff: a wind-eroded hole in the sandstone butte that frames photo-worthy views of the expanse of Greater Phoenix beyond. The short pathway (0.2 miles) is composed of natural steps leading hikers from the visitor center 200ft up in elevation. Arrive early – the park opens at 5am – to squeeze in some solitude on the popular route and enjoy cooler morning temperatures. 

While you’re gazing through the sandstone gap, consider how the Indigenous Hohokam peoples who lived in the area from 450 to 1450 CE used the hole as a sundial of sorts for planting and other agricultural activities. 

Visit a “funporium” 

Food trucks hawking delectable snacks from tacos to pizza, a mobile wine car, pop-up shops and live entertainment, all in and around a renovated 1920s house downtown: though you might never heard of a “funporium,”  Pemberton House  defines the term. Located in the Roosevelt Row arts district, this onetime carriage house has undergone an artful transformation into a space for local makers and community events. 

Expect an ever-evolving array of activities that encourage repeat visits, whether yoga on the wellness lawn or beer dinners with guest chefs and breweries.

Experience fine art and infinity 

O’Keeffe, Kahlo, Kusama: these are only a few of the big names you’ll discover in the Phoenix Art Museum ’s global collection of 20,000 works. The Southwest’s largest art museum has been a point of pride for the city since it first opened more than 60 years ago. Today, the Phoenix Art Museum is “bringing the world to our museum and our museum to the world.” 

You might also like: The 5 best neighborhoods to explore on your trip to Greater Phoenix 15 free things to do in Phoenix The ultimate guide to a weekend in Phoenix, Arizona

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10 Best Things to Do in Phoenix

By Chris Malloy

The list of best things to do in Phoenix is an expansive one. There’s no place quite like this city—a rapidly growing, 517-square-mile sprawl in the middle of the Sonoran Desert with Apache street art, 150-year-old cacti, ultra-fresh  Mexican seafood , and giant sunsets. Many people come to the Valley of the Sun for golf, work, nightclubs, or sports, but those who leave the usual bubbles are rewarded. More so than other American cities of similar size (Phoenix has 1.6 million people, making it the fifth-most populous city in the U.S.), you need to know where to look.

On the gastronomic end, Phoenix is an example of a destination that excels when its chefs embrace local producers. Growers benefit from 300-plus days of annual sun to produce incredible citrus, beans, squash, and flour. It's so good that Arizona exports to Italy, fueling incredible tortillas and pizza. The art scene is everywhere, most visibly manifested as murals swirling across downtown facades. Casual galleries and refreshingly original museums—like the Heard and its Native American collection—are ever-evolving and always worth (re)visiting. 

And despite the urban sprawl, the wonders of the world’s most vibrant desert are never far. Here’s where to get started if you really want to taste, see, feel, and experience the best of what the rising city has to offer today. 

Musical Instrument Museum Arrow

This expansive museum in the desert right off of the North Phoenix highway is a paean to world music. Inside the Musical Instrument Museum's tall sandstone walls, 8,000-plus instruments from some 200 countries await, all packed into galleries forking from a central corridor. As you stroll through wearing headphones, you hear the sounds of the instruments you pass. Videos play, too, showing how people play instruments in their countries of origin. Other highlights: The museum has rooms for kids, displays instruments actually played by artists like Johnny Cash, and hosts concerts. 

Century Grand: Platform 18 Arrow

This bar is in a long room designed to resemble a luxury railroad cabin from a century ago. Thanks to strategically spaced TVs playing synchronized footage of a passing snowy landscape, you might feel like you’re in motion, actually winding through the Rocky Mountains. The cocktails made on the “train” are among the most progressive and celebrated in Arizona. Tailored to adventurous drinkers with lofty cocktail standards, Century Grand uses all kinds of outlandish ingredients in cocktails, like smoked tea and kefir. One cocktail that conjures flavors of a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich comes with a sleeve of Campari cotton candy. Sip thoughtful punch or dig into boozy ice cream. Bartenders use a wide range of spirits, liqueurs, and fortified wines. Flavors are carefully considered and often balanced on a tightrope. 

South Mountain Park and Preserve Arrow

In a famously sprawling city, the 16,000 acres of South Mountain Park allow people to disappear into the natural world. Hiking, running, biking, and even driving, you might see roadrunners and loping coyotes. And oftentimes the trail will bend, and there rises the towers of downtown Phoenix, rising from its bowl of mountains. Keep your eyes peeled for petroglyphs. These are rock carvings etched by ancient desert communities, like the Hohokam. There are hundreds of petroglyphs scattered through the park: spirals, animals, and suns—all incredible to witness and ponder. 

Pizzeria Bianco Arrow

Chris Bianco is a giant in the pizza world and his handiwork hasn’t slipped an inch over the decades. Famously, he says he doesn’t do much, delegating praise to the farmers, ranchers, and other producers. But he truly excels at giving premier local ingredients—flour, pistachios, cheeses, herbs, citrus—the exact touches they need to express themselves as ideally as pizza, salad, and pasta dishes can. Bianco’s pizza defies category, embracing hard-way methods like blending select local flours. The Rosa, a white pie crowned with pistachios, red onion, rosemary, and Parmigiano Reggiano, is his Mona Lisa. His simple marinara is a dark horse that showcases his technique. Too many people often overlook the pasta specials at the Town & Country location, so be sure to consider them when you make your inevitable pilgrimage.

Heard Museum Arrow

This central Phoenix museum showcases pieces from Indigenous people all over the world, but with a focus on the American Southwest. The goal: to allow Indigenous people from across time to tell their stories through their own words, art, and artifacts. Founded in 1929, the Heard has earned a global reputation and should be a  must  on any visitor’s to-do list. The museum has some 44,000 objects in 12 exhibit galleries, including more than 1,200 Hopi Katsina dolls. 

Valley Bar Arrow

Raw and grungy with nothing to distract from the flow of canned beers and music, this low-slung underground hall packs 250 people—mostly standing room. The bands that take the minimal stage tend to be local standouts. Many of the people in the crowd know them well, for this is a pillar of Phoenix’s homegrown music scene. Come here for sweat and sound. In addition to the music room, Valley Bar has others spreading below the downtown streets. Play billiards in one and eat taquitos or sip a cocktail named after an Arizona politician in another. Don’t miss the Rose Room—an intimate half-hidden library stocked with couches and vintage reading material. 

Desert Botanical Garden Arrow

The Sonoran Desert is often called the world’s most vibrant desert, and this garden’s 140 acres of wondrous plants show why. Sure, visitors know the Sonoran’s wavy-armed signature—the Saguaro cactus—but what about the dozens of other Seussian species: the organ pipe cactus, the barrel, the hedgehog? The house restaurant, Gertrude’s, is far better than any botanical garden eatery should be. Gertrude’s cooks higher-end seasonal dishes using local ingredients: House cocktails prioritize Arizona spirits, like Tucson whiskey smoked with mesquite and Sedona gin made with foraged juniper. 

Bacanora Arrow

his Grand Avenue nook has heart and vibe unlike any other downtown Phoenix restaurant. That’s thanks to Rene Andrade, whose Sonoran roots shape an electric menu of Sonoran Mexican specialties, many of them charred on a smoky, giant Santa Maria-style grill in the music-packed room’s corner. Bacanora is a cool spot. People drink agave spirits out of bone luges, tuck into Flinstonian steaks ringed with flour tortillas and salsas, and enjoy bracing raw seafood plates like limey shrimp aguachiles. Flavors are huge and uncompromising. The fruity heat of chiltepin pepper scorches nearly everything, even cocktails and desserts. Andrade plays by no rules but his own, and that’s what makes this young-but-now-classic Phoenix restaurant so great.

Since 1975, Xico has elevated Latinx and Indigenous artists, who are the backbone of Phoenix’s art and culture scene. The gallery relocated to a handsome century-old brick building with original walls and a high exposed industrial ceiling in 2020. Pieces displayed in the humble, intimate space span local, national, and international. It's also practically on Roosevelt Row, downtown Phoenix’s bustling enclave of new bars and eateries. And if you get thirsty, Xico Gallery abuts Barcoa , a watering hole that pours a dizzying range of tequilas, mezcals, and other Mexican spirits. 

Palabras Bilingual Bookstore Arrow

Palabras is an independent bookstore that rigorously curates its vibe and selection to elevate under-represented voices. Just about all communications from the bookstore are in English and Spanish, right on down to the text on its website. Within Palabras’ shared space, there are also a few other literary businesses, including a micro publisher and literary zine purveyor. The rigorously curated selection of books alone makes this one of the coolest small bookstores in the country. Try to time your visit with one of many incredible workshops, maybe an open mic session, a Diné creation story, or an author leading a multi-lingual reading. A reading area out back of the shop is little more than a patio, fostering an intimate environment. Owner Chawa Magaña has won a strong following of regulars—he customer base is diverse, with plenty of Latin and Indigenous representation. It’s a place where anyone who loves books and has an open mind can feel at home.

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Phoenix   Travel Guide

Courtesy of tonda | Getty Images

Why Go To Phoenix

Referred to as "LA without the Pacific," Phoenix combines high-end shopping, a flourishing restaurant scene and resort life in the Sonoran Desert. Instead of golden beaches and palm trees, you'll encounter vibrant red mountains and cacti-lined boulevards. Phoenix's setting is so attractive that the one-time ranch town has morphed into the fifth most populated city in the U.S. And with the development of palatial resorts , hundreds of golf courses , a burgeoning bar scene and attractive room rates, you'll see why this city has become a popular refuge for snowbirds, families and 20-somethings alike.

While world-renowned spas and shopping centers draw elite clientele with money to spare, "The Valley of the Sun," also lures adventurous travelers with its unique desert landscape and numerous hiking trails. Spring, winter and fall visitors spend most of their time outdoors, soaking in the rays on the links, on the mountains, on the tennis courts or in the pools. The diversity of the suburbs (Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe and Glendale to name a few) means there's an assortment of hotels and activities for every budget. What's more, Phoenix is a convenient jumping-off point for some of the best Arizona tours , including exciting all-terrain vehicle rides through the desert. Phoenix may not have the glitz and the seaside boardwalk of Los Angeles , but you'll find yourself hardly wanting those elements when you relax poolside before your afternoon hike or massage.

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• # 19 in Best Places to Visit in Arizona

Best of Phoenix

Best hotels in phoenix.

• # 1 in The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale
• # 2 in Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
• # 3 in Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Best Things to Do in Phoenix

• # 1 in Desert Botanical Garden
• # 2 in Camelback Mountain
• # 3 in Musical Instrument Museum

Popular Tours

Morning Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Phoenix

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from $ 236.52

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Phoenix Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Phoenix is November through April, when you'll see blue skies with highs in the upper 60s, 70s and low 80s. But whenever you visit, keep in mind this desert city's seasons are hard to determine. The leaves don't change colors in fall, nor will flowers blossom in the spring. You will notice differences in temperature, however, particularly in the toasty summers when highs average above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If you can bear this dry, formidable heat, you can take find great deals at luxury resorts .

Weather in Phoenix

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Day trips are key Phoenix is in the center of Arizona, which makes it a great home base for day trips to popular places like Sedona and the Grand Canyon . Signing up for one of the best Arizona tours is a great way to enjoy a day trip with the expert guidance of a local.

Cars do burn You'll be racing to your car to turn on the AC in the scorching summer. But keep in mind, if it's 110 degrees outside, your door handle is at a temperature well above that.

Be prepared to hike If you're planning to conquer Camelback Mountain , come prepared with sturdy hiking shoes, lots of water and plenty of sunscreen. The City of Phoenix offers helpful reminders on its website for those thinking of tackling this strenuous hike.

How to Save Money in Phoenix

Consider summer vacations The climate is difficult for most to handle, but you'll be amazed at the savings on hotel rooms , restaurants and even rental cars. Do as the Phoenicians do: Go outside only in the mornings and evenings, and choose a car with quality air conditioning.

Consider bringing your own supplies Resort life is already expensive, but petty rental fees for tennis rackets and golf clubs can bust your budget. Bring your own equipment. Bringing your own car isn't a bad idea either.

Consider where you shop Phoenix has some amazing shopping venues – indoors and outdoors. Various parts of town host different shops with different prices. Popular Scottsdale will be on the high-end.

What to Eat

With hundreds of restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world, Phoenix is a great destination for foodies. However, the city is best known for its Mexican eateries; sitting only a few hours north of the border, it's difficult to resist the enticing aromas that pour out of Phoenix's popular Mexican restaurants. Whether your taste buds are craving traditional breakfast burritos or Mexican sushi, you'll find it in the Valley of the Sun. If you're looking for an elevated take on traditional Mexican, you can't go wrong at  Barrio Cafe Gran Reserva , according to recent diners. For a more casual meal, try Joyride Taco House  or Tee Pee Mexican Food  – a family-owned eatery that's hosted visiting celebrities and politicians alike. Phoenix's numerous cowboy-style steakhouses are also not to be missed. These family-friendly eateries offer generous portions along with live entertainment in a Wild West atmosphere.

If you're looking for fine dining, you're also in luck – the area hosts many renowned restaurants that serve a variety of cuisines, including Tratto (Italian), FnB (farm-to-table) and  Kai (Native American), among many, many others. More than a few Phoenix-area chefs have earned James Beard awards. Some such chefs include Beau MacMillan, executive chef of elements  restaurant in Scottsdale; Chris Bianco, owner of Pizzeria Bianco ; and Vincent Guerithault, head chef and owner of Vincent on Camelback . 

Although you can find great dining throughout the city, many top-notch restaurants are located along the Camelback Corridor in Scottsdale. No matter which restaurant you choose, it's best to make reservations in advance – especially during the winter months – to avoid long waits. 

Phoenix is a relatively new and constantly expanding metropolis. Although crime rates are not excessively high, you should still take extra precautions. Make sure to always lock your car doors, and keep valuables hidden from plain sight. 

There's a reason why it's called the Valley of the Sun: The Phoenix Metropolitan Area sees more than 300 days of sunshine every year, and its desert climate means the air is hot and dry. Visitors unaccustomed to this type of weather often suffer from heat stroke and dehydration, the symptoms of which include nausea, fatigue, headache and dizziness. To avoid heat stroke, drink plenty of water and wear a hat to shade your face. If you're hiking or biking in the mountains, take regular breaks. You should also apply sunscreen on a regular basis to avoid getting burned. Always carry sunglasses, especially when you are driving around sunrise or sunset: Wearing them will help improve your visibility and prevent an accident.

The desert is home to some creepy-crawlies for whom you should keep an eye out, particularly rattlesnakes and scorpions. It's unlikely you'll encounter these creatures within the city — or that you'll have problems if you do — but it's still wise to be extra cautious when out on the trails. If you're bitten or stung, seek medical attention immediately.

Getting Around Phoenix

The best way to get around Phoenix is by car, especially as this ever-expanding metropolis rests neatly on a grid. A car is a necessity to reach the spread-out attractions , your hotel and restaurants – not to mention the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). A car will also come in handy if you're planning to take daytrips to nearby hot spots, such as Sedona . Plus, there are plenty of scenic drives within a short distance of downtown, such as Doobins Lookout and the Piestewa Freeway.

Walking outside for more than a few blocks is an easy way to be identified as a tourist. Smaller public shuttles, such as the Scottsdale Trolley and Downtown Area Shuttle, however, are useful to traverse those specific areas.

Phoenix's skyline is punctuated by mountains, golf courses and cacti.

Explore More of Phoenix

Things To Do

Best hotels.

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# 1 in  Best Party Cities in the U.S.

# 2 in  Best Day Trips from Phoenix

# 3 in  Best Day Trips from Phoenix

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The Best Things to Do in Phoenix: 33 Epic Activities in the Valley of the Sun

Ready to discover the best things to do in Phoenix? From exhilarating hot air balloon rides to indulging in delicious Southwestern cuisine, make your trip to Phoenix memorable with the help of this fabulous guide.

Don’t let Phoenix be just a quick stop on your way to Arizona’s stunning natural landscapes. Sure, it’s near the Grand Canyon and many other natural wonders, but this city is more than just a decent layover.

As someone who has spent a lot of time in the Southwest recently, I can attest that this big city with a chilled-out vibe is worth exploring in its own right. 

Now, don’t get me wrong, Phoenix isn’t the kind of city that’s packed full with things to do. Sure, there’s plenty to keep you busy, but the best way to enjoy the city is to do so at your leisure. 

I found a surprisingly vibrant dining scene and plenty of opportunities to relax and explore, from libraries to botanical gardens. Sounds like your scene? I thought it might be.

So, get ready to discover the best things to do in Phoenix with this guide.

Looking for somewhere cool to bed down? I love the Found:Re Phoenix Hotel . It sits right between Midtown and Downtown Phoenix and offers an affordable, fun and vibrant stay on your trip to the Southwest.

Top 5 Things to Do in Phoenix

Explore the desert botanical garden.

Phoenix sits bang in the middle of the Sonoran desert, which calls over 300 species of cacti home. Want to learn more about them? Head to one of my top picks for cool things to do in Phoenix: the Desert Botanical Garden.

When you’re here, you’ll be able to explore the 140+ acres of the magical Southwestern landscape. Check out a rotating exhibit (Chihuly in the Desert is uh-mazing) or book a ticket to the monthly immersive experiences that include sweet treats, music and dance.

Top tip: save some time to eat at Gertrude’s, which showcases locally-sourced ingredients for brunch, lunch and dinner seven days a week (brunch is available on weekends only).    

Wander Around the Heard Museum

If you only have time to visit one museum in Phoenix, make it the Heard Museum . You can thank me later.

This museum showcases American Indian art through paintings, storytelling and video. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours here — it’s not massive, but it’s packed with eye-catching pieces and in-depth information.

A visit is as much a learning experience as a visual one, particularly when it comes to exhibitions such as the Boarding School Exhibit, a fascinating (and horrifying) look at the US’s terrible historic boarding school system for Native Americans. 

Current exhibitions include He‘e Nalu | The Art and Legacy of Hawaiian Surfing and the permanent exhibition in the Sky-Dome titled Substance of Stars, which worked with several indigenous communities to tell their incredible stories.

Visit the Grand Canyon

I’ll cut to the chase, part of the appeal of visiting Phoenix is its proximity to the Grand Canyon .  It is, of course, an unmissable landmark near the Arizona capital.

In short, if you haven’t been to this massive national park, it’s time to get excited.

Over millions of years, this massive canyon formed from the Colorado River’s red rock banks and is larger than one US state (Rhode Island). On top of being ancient and enormous, it’s filled with mysteries like secret caves, microclimates and jaw-dropping vistas you’ll never forget.

But make no mistake, it’s a serious commitment to take on as a day trip (four hours each way), though I thoroughly recommend it if it’s your only chance to see it.

Keen to book a tour? The From Phoenix: Grand Canyon with Sedona Day Tour is a good option. Experts will show you various parts of the rim, often finding the best time and place to enter to avoid long lines.

It’s a full day, but you’ll ride in style in an air-conditioned van, stopping in Sedona and along the Grand Canyon’s top attractions.

Have a little longer to explore? You’ll find the best views of the Grand Canyon if you check it out from several different vantage points at your own pace.

Grandview Point is one and has truly remarkable views (but this is far from a secret). So if you want an underrated way to view the Grand Canyon, hike to the Redwall Bridge, but remember to pack water and go early, as it’s only open from May to October. 

Dine at Valentine

Wondering what to do in Phoenix, Arizona? My answer = eat. And then eat some more. And my favourite restaurant in Phoenix, hands down, is Valentine.

This atmospheric spot dishes out small plates like smoked chicken from the local Two-Wash Ranch that the chefs cooked to perfection. Can poultry really be this good? Definitely .

Other creative takes on southwest flavours include the bison tartare tostada and grilled lamb hearts with green chili bacon. Wash it all down with a glass of natural wine or one of their unique cocktails (Dirty Cactus Martini, anyone?) 

Venture Through Papago Park

Have you ever seen that stunning view of Phoenix through a rocky opening that frames it just right? You can find the famous vantage point from the Hole-in-the-Rock at Papago Park.

What makes this one of the best Phoenix things to do? It’s a beautiful park with lots of nice hiking trails, and its central location is perfect for a day trip to Tempe or Scottsdale.

The park is open from 5 am to 11 pm, and you can catch a picture-perfect sunrise or sunset any time of year.

Brilliant Things to See & Do in Phoenix 

Hike the famous camelback mountain.

Hiking in the desert is mesmerising – and the Camelback Mountain trail is one of my favourite trails in Phoenix.

It’s a moderate route but, once you’ve reached the top of this 3.86 km climb, you’ll see why tourists flock to this rocky desert mountain. Views are top-notch, and it’s a must-see in Phoenix if you do only one hike.

Best of all? It’s an excellent choice for free things to do in Phoenix, so you have plenty of cash left over for a cocktail and snacks. And trust me, there’ll be a lot of those.

Top tip: pack way more water than you think you’ll need. This trail gets HOT.

Soar Above the Desert in a Hot Air Balloon 

Want one of the best things to do in Phoenix? Float 3,000 feet above the city on an hour-long adventure. 

Hot air balloons may have first taken flight in Europe, but the mostly-calm morning weather in Phoenix, Arizona, makes the Sonoran Desert a famously popular place to take flight.

You’ll catch the desert backdrop from an angle unlike any other, especially if you can book a sunrise flight.

Want to make a day of it? When you land, butterflies and all, you’ll enjoy champagne and delicious local cuisine from Vincent on Camelback on this guided tour .

Take a Day trip to Montezuma Castle National Monument

OK, this is actually an hour and a half out of Phoenix, but the striking well-preserved dwellings etched into the side of a limestone cliff at Montezuma Castle National Monument are well worth visiting. 

Spend some time marvelling at the village that the Sinagua culture used until the 15th century. The park is open seven days a week from 8 am to 4:45, but you’ll want to plan ahead and check there are no closures for private events or tours. 

If you want to make a day of stuff to do in PHX and beyond, book the From Phoenix: Sedona, Jerome & Montezuma Castle Day Trip and do some sightseeing in the mining town of Jerome.

Head to Phoenix Art Museum

What is there to do in Phoenix between hiking, exploring the desert and refuelling with some delicious food? The museums in Phoenix were an unexpected surprise for me, and Phoenix Art Museum was no exception.

Since 1959 this sprawling museum has featured famous works of art through paintings, film, photography, and fashion design.

Want something to plan a trip around? The upcoming Juan Francisco Elso: Por América looks at the post-revolutionary Cuban artist’s sculptures. If you’re in town during this exhibit, you won’t want to miss it. If not, I’m sure there will be another fabulous exhibition running.

Catch a Game at Chase Field

Baseball is America’s favourite pastime, and you can see one of the finest examples of an MLB stadium at Chase Field. The Arizona Diamondbacks have played here since 1998 under a retractable roof in the National League West.

Even if you’re not a fan of the game, having a hotdog or Cooper Steak with Whiz (think Philly cheesesteak) is an experience you won’t want to miss and one of the best downtown things to do in Phoenix.

Grab a Slice at Pizzeria Bianco

A culinary trip to Phoenix wouldn’t be complete without tasting the legendary pies from Chris Bianco. The growing pizza empire (recently featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table) began as a humble operation in a grocery store.

Decades later, Pizzeria Bianco has two Phoenix locations and a James Beard award to back it up.

Visit the first location in Heritage Square and order any of the expertly crafted wood-fired pizzas. You’ll be happy you did.

Explore the USA’s Biggest Municipal Park

Fancy wandering through the USA’s largest municipal park? Of course you do. South Mountain Park and Preserve is a vast urban nature reserve that allows you to explore 50 miles of trails on foot, by bicycle or – excitingly – on horseback.

Even though you’re close to Phoenix, you’re in the heart of the desert wilderness, so take safety very seriously. Pack plenty of water, bring a compass and avoid the year’s hottest months.

Wander Through Heritage Square

Want to see what Phoenix was like when it first became the capital of Arizona towards the turn of the 19th century?

Tour the Rosson House Museum and get a glimpse into what life was like in the Victorian Mansion, where some of Arizona’s elite families lived during the early years of what’s now one of the largest cities in the USA.

It’s a popular indoor thing to do in Phoenix and a great way to spend an hour or two while downtown.

Have a Pint at Arizona Wilderness DTPHX

Craft beer in the Southwest is a real thing, and Arizona Wilderness leads the pack with its inventive takes on farmhouse ales, IPAs and stouts.

If you don’t like beer, don’t worry. Cocktails, wine and food are available at this lively beer garden in the heart of Phoenix. Swing by in the early evening for a bite to eat and a little booze up in the Valley of the Sun.

Browse the Musical Instrument Museum

What to do in Phoenix if you’re a music lover? Heading over to the largest collection of musical instruments anywhere in the world at the Musical Instrument Museum is a no-brainer, of course.

Sometimes museums that get this specific only draw a devoted crowd. But the 5,000+ musical instruments span cultures, locations and genres worldwide.No wonder it’s so popular.

Visit the galleries any day of the week from 9 am to 5 pm or check out a live performance and see why this is one of the most incredible museums in the USA.

Check Out the Burton Barr Central Library

As a little bit of a book nerd, a visit to a special library is always high on my list – and the Burton Barr Central Library fits the bill very nicely. Will Bruder designed this 20th-century architectural landmark paying respect to a local congressman.

The uniquely-modern building became a focal point of downtown Phoenix and is still an important part of the community hosting over one million books. There is also an art gallery, a children’s play area, and a space dedicated to rare texts. 

I’m always up for a good read, aren’t you?

Things to Do in Phoenix at Night

Enjoy an expert cocktail at platform 18 at century grand.

One advantage of visiting warm-weather cities is that the nights are magical. Phoenix nightlife has been heating up as of late, and Platform 18 at Century Grand is one of the shining stars of the PHX bar scene.

Sure, it’s a bit kitsch and a tad dramatic. But hop aboard and take a seat at the quirky 19th-century railroad-inspired bar and enjoy inventive libations like Single Track South or Hints & Allegations. 

It’s become one of the most popular places in Phoenix – and for a good reason.

Eat Tacos at the Fry Bread House

Frybread is a deep-fried flatbread that has been a part of Native American diets since the troubling history of tribal displacement in the Southwestern USA.

While the origins are genuinely disheartening, Native American cultures adopted this dish as a culinary icon that has stood the test for nearly 200 years.

The award-winning Fry Bread House, opened by Cecelia Miller, a member of the Tohono O’odham tribe, has been dishing out delicious fry bread for nearly 30 years. It’s delicious on its own, when paired with beans and cheese, or as a fully loaded taco (my fave).

You can enjoy these any time of day between 11-8 (closed on Sundays), but I think they’re particularly best for dinner.

Witness Living History at Arizona Falls

Looking for free things to do in Phoenix, Arizona, at night? Visit this historic waterfall that’s one part tourist attraction and one part functioning hydroelectric plant.

Walk across the pedestrian bridge and see the 100+-year-old power plant that took an organic 20-foot drop in the Arizona Canal and turned it into a truly unique-looking structure atop the waterfall that lights up to great effect at night.

You’ll capture some epic photos and get a lesson in engineering along the way.

Try a Sonoran Hot Dog at El Caprichoso 

What’s one of the must-do things in Phoenix at night? Ending your evening with a Sonoran hot dog at El Caprichoso is something like a right of passage after a few cocktails in the Arizona capital.

The Sonoran hot dog isn’t your ordinary frank. Oh no no no.

The bacon-wrapped specialty from across the border in Mexico is bursting with avocados, chile peppers, onions and tomatoes. A mayo drizzle gives the late-night snack its signature look and caps off a sinfully delectable Phoenix specialty.

Nerd Out at Arizona Science Center

Though most popular with families and children, the Arizona Science Center offers plenty for adults, too. 

When they open up for Science with a Twist, the 21+ event is a fantastic time to tap into your scientific side with a cocktail in hand (which gets a HUGE yes from me). The planetarium’s live music and light show make this a great thing to see in Phoenix, Arizona, after the sun goes down.

Top tip: the schedule changes seasonally, so keep an eye out for the next events. 

Have Dinner at Christopher’s at the Wrigley Mansion

Wrigley Mansion is an iconic house on the hill overlooking Phoenix and the mountains around it. You can tour the mansion and see where two iconic families called home throughout the decades (Geordie Hormel also lived here in the 1990s).

But what makes this one of my favourite ideas for fun things to do in Phoenix is having dinner at Christopher’s. James Beard winner Christopher Gross serves up an epic fine-dining prix fixe dinner that is an homage to his favourite dishes over his career.

Dress up, order a cocktail and celebrate Phoenix in style.

Check Out a Show at Orpheum Theatre

Looking for indoor things to do in Phoenix at night? The historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix was originally a Vaudeville House but is now a contemporary venue for live comedy, music and dance.

Despite numerous changes throughout the years, the interior underwent restorations to recapture the magic of the original decor inside and out. It was a huge success, and it remains a focal point of Southwestern culture.

Recent performers have included the Gipsy Kings and Tonino Baliardo. Check out what’s on here , and book your tickets in advance.

Unique Things to See & Do in Phoenix: Hidden Gems That Are Off the Beaten Track

Visit a bat cave (yes, irl).

Alright, hear me out on this one. I know it’s a tad quirky and might even cause some legitimate night terrors for some of you (skip this if that’s you).

But one of the most interesting free things to do in Phoenix is to head over to this quiet part of town in Paradise Valley around sunset and wait patiently for thousands of these migratory mammals to soar through the flood tunnel.

How do you get there? Plug “Bat Cave” into your Google Maps or take an Uber and look for the increasingly large crowds.

Hike Up to Piestewa Peak

Looking for free things to do in Phoenix, Arizona? I’ve got you covered.

Piestewa Peak is slightly less famous than the only other lookout point higher up in the Valley of the Sun, but no less magnificent. In fact, many locals think it’s a better view than Camelback Mountain (I do, too).

This out-and-back trail to the top is steep, so you might need to hype yourself up for the challenge, but it’s worth every effort. There’s enough scrambling involved that you likely won’t find droves of inexperienced hikers attempting to make their way to the top. 

Top tip: wear your best boots for this hike. I love the Berghaus Expeditor Trek 2 shoes.

Tour Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights

When Alessio Carrero moved to Arizona in the 1920s, the real estate developer had grand plans for this property above the Sonoran Desert.

After the vision for his hotel fizzled out in the Great Depression, the Tovrea family purchased the terraced palace that has sparked curiosity and conversation for almost 100 years.

The doors have been open to tourists for the past decade, but you must reserve an official tour . It’s becoming very popular amongst tourists and locals who have been curious about the castle in the desert for decades, so plan ahead if you want to see the architectural marvel in the desert.

Swing by the Phoenix Zoo

Keen to explore one of the largest zoos in the United States? While not on every holidaymaker’s Arizona itinerary, the Phoenix Zoo is truly one of the top attractions in Phoenix.

You can see over 400 endangered species amongst the 3,000 animals in this sprawling non-profit zoo. Check out various big cats, foxes and the animated “Dinosaurs in the Desert” while you’re here.

Top tip: want to fit in with your other travel plans? Purchase your ticket ahead of time to skip the long lines, especially on the weekends.

Pan for Gold in the Bradshaw Mountains

The Southwest and Western United States were home to the legendary gold rush of the mid-1800s. Mining continued for some time, bringing about new wealth in small towns and large cities across the United States.

One famous location known for gold mining is the Bradshaw Mountains. Lynx Creek is the most famous area, and you can still pan for it on your own if you follow regulations .

If you didn’t pack your mining gear, not to worry. The From Phoenix: Gold Rush Guided Hiking and Gold Panning Tour is a fun way to get out and tap into an iconic piece of Southwest history on your trip to Arizona.

Book your Phoenix Gold Rush tour here

Check Out the Governor Hunt Tomb

Trying to find unique things to do in Phoenix? Governor Hunt Tomb is one landmark in Papago Park that you won’t want to miss.

Why? It’s a unique (and somewhat morbid) piece of Phoenix history that is an actual pyramid and tomb where you can see the resting place of Governor Hunt and his family. Governor Hunt was the first governor of Arizona, serving seven terms and also helping to construct Arizona’s constitution.

It’s an unusual piece of Arizona history but one of my favourite ideas for cheap things to do in Phoenix.

Chow Down at Chico Malo

By now, you should have got the hint that I love Phoenix’s foodie scene. In fact, one of my favourite things to do in downtown Phoenix is to spend the day relaxing and sampling the incredible food, cocktails and craft beers.

Looking for a cool restaurant with a live DJ on the weekend? Chico Malo has traditional brunch fare and Mexican dishes that are amongst the best in the city.

Go for the smoked birria for a hearty start to your day – and I’m not judging if you opt for that second cocktail. 

Peer Inside the Mystery Castle

Next up is a rather bizarre Phoenix landmark that lovers of the quirky and unusual will want to see. On the Northern edge of South Mountain Park and Preserve is the Mystery Castle. It was a father’s gift to his daughter in 1945, and the three-story castle is a unique place to spend a few hours – if a bit strange. What will you find here? Perhaps the question is, what won’t you find here? Automobile parts, railroad tracks and bricks are a few of the eclectic pieces that make up this unique home.

Pay a Visit to Lake Pleasant

Sure, Phoenix is a sprawling city, but the Arizona capital is also filled with an abundance of nature. And, better yet, you don’t need to travel far: head to Lake Pleasant Regional Park. 

In a little under an hour’s drive, you can see the beauty of Arizona’s wilderness at any time of day.

Whether stargazing and scorpion hunting at night (for real), scuba diving in the summer (the canyons are breathtaking), or camping for the weekend, Lake Pleasant is a popular destination with locals and visitors alike.

Top tip: for epic sunset views, book this kayaking tour and experience the peaceful side of Phoenix at dusk.

Sip Vino at Sauvage Wine Bar and Shop

It’s no secret that I’m a huge wine lover. If you’re also keen to try some unique and well-curated natural wines on your trip to Phoenix, look no further than this next spot. 

Chris Lingua makes it his mission to open minds and palettes to unique vineyards from across the globe at Sauvage . With selections from Italy, California and Brooklyn, the wines and spirits are chosen with the utmost attention to detail. 

Not sure where to start? Take my advice and pair an orange wine (no citrus involved) or amaro with locally sourced sheep’s cheese and underbelly meats. Or, you know, listen to the expert and see what they suggest.

Things to do in Phoenix: Practical Tips for Your Trip

Phoenix is a large metropolis (currently the fifth most populated in the USA), but it’s also sprawling, making it less walkable than other cities. If you want to see many of the top things to do in Phoenix, you’ll need about 5-7 days.

Summers are famously scorching hot in Phoenix, and winters are slightly unpredictable. Schedule your holiday for April or early May, and you’ll likely enjoy hot (but not sweltering) days and cool, comfortable nights.

Where Should I Stay in Phoenix? 

Found:re phoenix hotel (mid-range) .

Is there a cooler hotel in this sunny city than the Found:Re ? Doubtful. This pet-friendly, ultra-trendy spot near the midtown arts district and The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix offers it all.

Whether you dream of sipping a cocktail by the pool or enjoying the city views from your balcony, you’ll love this boutique hotel in Phoenix.

Check Rates and Availability 

Arizona Biltmore A Waldorf Astoria Resort (Luxury)

Staying at the four-star Waldorf Astoria hotel in Phoenix will afford you every luxury you can imagine, from eight swimming pools to not one but two 18-hole golf courses.

Stylish rooms have mountain views, optional balconies or patios, and central air conditioning for those blistering summer heat waves.

Looking for things to do at night in Phoenix? Grab a cocktail at The Spire Bar before checking out Phoenix’s excellent food and beverage scene.

Check Rates and Availability

Recommended Tours in Phoenix 

• Phoenix and Mesa: Self-Guided Kayak Trip on Saguaro Lake  
• Phoenix: Guided Self-Drive ATV/UTV Tour
• Grand Canyon Day Trip From Phoenix
• Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Phoenix
• Spooky Ghost Tour of Phoenix

Things to do in Phoenix: Map 

Things to do in Phoenix: Read More Arizona Guides

• The Ultimate Arizona Road Trip Itinerary
• 20 Unmissable Things to do in Arizona
• Stunning Hikes in Arizona to Add to Your Itinerary
• A Guide to Stargazing in Arizona

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I’m Julianna Barnaby - a professional travel writer and geek extraordinaire. I started The Discoveries Of to help you to discover the best of new destinations from around the world.

Discovering new places is a thrill - whether it’s close to home, a new country or continent, I write to help you explore more and explore differently.

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Home » Travel Guides » United States » Arizona (AZ) » 55 Best Things to Do in Phoenix (AZ)

55 Best Things to Do in Phoenix (AZ)

Decking the Valley of the Sun is an unending grid system that bleeds into contiguous cities like Scottsdale , Glendale , Tempe , and Mesa .

Abrupt rocky clumps at Papago Park, Camelback Mountain, South Mountain Park, and Piestawa Peak break up Phoenix’s sprawl and bring a Western-style desert scape to the middle of the city.

The appeal of Greater Phoenix lies in these pockets of desert wilderness, the year-round sunshine, and the many chances to study Arizona’s indigenous cultures. You can indulge every whim at Phoenix’s opulent resorts, tee off at innumerable golf courses, watch big sporting moments at heavyweight arenas, and brush up on America’s greatest architect at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West architecture lab.

I am a travel enthusiast and a resident of Arizona who has visited the City of Phoenix several times. Visiting this vibrant city can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. So to help, I recommend you these 54 best things to do in Phoenix.

1. Desert Botanical Garden

If you want to be near nature and discover a myriad of plant species you’ve never seen before,  I think visiting the Desert Botanical Garden of Phoenix is worth it.

At the north end of the sprawling Papago Park is a glorious botanical garden collecting desert species from around the world. Of the 4,000 taxa represented at the Desert Botanical Garden, one-third are native to the Sonoran, around Phoenix. There are 50,000 plants in all, counting large collections of cactuses and agave.

There are also desert plants from Australia , South America, and California , while species that grow in more moderate conditions are kept under shade houses. You can also witness a butterfly exhibit in a special pavilion where you can find out about their lifecycle from the Start of March to the end of May.

During my visit, I walked a series of themed trails, presenting brilliant desert wildflowers, delving into the topic of conservation, and revealing the plants and people of the Sonoran Desert. I was also able to witness the flowers that bloom after dark when the cactuses are also given atmospheric lighting.

2. Heard Museum

If you want something educational and worthwhile, visit the Heard Museum, one of the top museums for American Indian art in the country. The best way to learn about the many indigenous tribes native to Arizona is by visiting this great place.

The Heard Museum is famed for its award-winning exhibits, both permanent and temporary. It was founded in 1929 by the collector and philanthropist Maie Bartlett Heard and her husband Dwight, who a few years before had acquired Phoenix’s La Ciudad Indian Ruin, which yielded many of the pieces in their collection.

When I visited there, I marveled at the seven-meter mural serving as a cultural portrait of the Yaqui people or the full-sized Navajo hogan. I also admired the collection of more than 2,000 works, among them textiles, jewelry, pottery, basketry, beadwork, and ritual items.

The Heard Museum has also made a name for its events, like the Hispanic El Mercado de Las Artes in February and the Indian Fair and Market in early March, showcasing hundreds of Native American artists and drawing thousands of visitors, which I hope I can witness again next year.

3. Taliesin West

Posted on a mesa above Paradise Valley is Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and architecture school, now also the headquarters for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

Taliesin West was built in 1937, and much of the construction cost came from the deep well needed to provide the campus with water. In line with his philosophy for organic architecture, Wright used low, tilting planes and materials like local desert sand and rocks so the complex could coexist with its environment.

Wright also oversaw the finest details, designing the furniture to measure and even taking a hammer to parts that he wanted to change when he arrived each year after a summer in Wisconsin .

Before my visit to this historic and revolutionary place, I booked in advance as the only way to visit Taliesin West was by guided tour. I took the standard 90-minute Insights Tour, visited the drafting studio, music pavilion, and Wright’s personal quarters, and chose a more in-depth experience like the three-hour Behind the Scenes Tour.

4. Camelback Mountain

An official Phoenix Point of Pride, the 825-meter Camelback Mountain looks like the hump and head of a kneeling camel and soars over the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. This reddish granite and sandstone mass rises between Arcadia and Paradise Valley to the northeast of downtown.

It lies within the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area and attracts a steady stream of hikers, despite the steep, rugged ascents. The two ways to the top are the Echo Canyon Trail and the Cholla Trail, and both paths are less than 1.5 miles but aren’t for the faint of heart.

The Echo Canyon Trail has handrails to help you up and benches for hard-earned breaks; while the Cholla Trail is smoother, it requires some scrambling over large boulders towards the end.

I chose the Echo Canyon Trail, which was steeper, but thankfully, I was able to rest and chat with some fellow hikers from time to time. By the trails, I witnessed some mesquites and prickly pears. All my efforts paid back tenfold with the 360° views from the top.

If you decide to visit, I advise bringing your camera as you might come across a desert tortoise, cottontail rabbit, or chuckwalla lizard. You also have to be careful as rattlesnakes occupy the area. I also recommend going early in the day and packing lots of water as it can be hot.

5. Phoenix Zoo

I recommend this place for a nice and unforgettable bonding with your loved ones. The highly-rated zoo in Papago Park opened in 1962 and has been oriented towards conservation since it opened. As you’d hope, the zoo only keeps species that are comfortable in Phoenix’s hot desert climate.

The main areas are organized along four different “trails”: Arizona Trail, Africa Trail, Tropics Trail, and Children’s Trail. Arizona Trail has animals native to the Sonoran Desert, like coyotes, bobcats, cougars, and turkey vultures.

On the Africa Trail, I encountered lions, giraffes, cheetahs, and gazelles, while the Tropics Trail brought me close to jaguars, Asian elephants, orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and spider monkeys.

Moreover, the Children’s Trail introduces younger zoo-goers to smaller animals from across the globe, like wallabies, an ocelot, and golden-mantled tamarins.

One of my most unforgettable moments at Phoenix Zoo is its 4D theater, with shows using scent, wind, and other ambient effects. I also took a glimpse of its marvelous water play areas. And, of course, I never missed the chance to participate in some great animal interaction activities they have, like feeding giraffes, walking among squirrel monkeys, and touching the backs of stingrays at Stingray Bay.

Book online : Phoenix Zoo Tickets

6. Phoenix Art Museum

Are you looking for something creative and inspirational? Then you don’t have to go far, as the Phoenix Art Museum, which houses modern masterpieces by renowned artists around the world, will satisfy your creative side.

The origins of Phoenix’s art museum can be traced back to a community art collection established just after Arizona became the 48th state in 1912. The museum itself was inaugurated in 1959 to house a myriad of masterpieces made by world-renowned artists.

I witnessed its wealth of modern art by the likes of Picasso, Alexander Calder, Georgia O’Keeffe, Henry Moore, and Henri Rousseau. I also contemplated the European collections of Renaissance and Impressionist paintings.

And, of course, I completed my visit by going into the museum’s fabulous cache of Latin American art, which includes works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, but also exceptional decorative arts and furniture.

I’m also sure families will love the Thorne Miniature Rooms, as dozens of meticulously decorated interior scenes are pieced together using antique furniture on a 1:12 scale. Also, temporary exhibitions are often high quality at the Phoenix Art Museum.

7. Papago Park

Almost 1,500 acres of desert landscape across Phoenix and Tempe, Papago Park contains golf courses, trails, seven acres of stocked fishing lagoons, picnic areas, sports facilities, rugged hills, mesmerizing sandstone formations, and a few of the attractions on this list, like the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo.

In places, the vistas are awe-inspiring, like at Hunt’s Tomb, a pyramid built by Arizona’s first governor, George W.P. Hunt, for his wife in 1931 and also his final resting place when he passed away in 1934.

As I have an Arizona fishing license, I was able to try my luck at landing tilapia, carp, rainbow trout, catfish, and largemouth bass in its lagoons.

And while this may be desert terrain, I assure you that the natural diversity is immense on trails lined with mesquite, Fremont thorn bush, desert tobacco, and the giant saguaro cactus.

Related tour : Tempe Town Lake & Papago Park Tour

8. Hole-in-the-Rock

One of the most rewarding hikes in Papago Park will deposit you at this natural wonder, not far south of the Desert Botanical Garden on the east side.

Visiting this place brought me to a whole new world. I felt like I was on another planet, surrounded by unique boulders of rock. What’s more incredible is the valuable lessons I obtained from my tour. I have learned that the Hole-in-the-Rock is a low sandstone hill perforated with openings created by the flow of water over millions of years.

There’s a chamber with a wide entrance and an aperture in the ceiling. This space and its ceiling’s opening are known to have been used by the Hohokam culture (300 to 1500 CE) as a kind of calendar to mark the seasons, recording the position of sunlight on annual landmarks like the solstices and equinox. The light at sunset is out of this world, and the views of downtown Phoenix in the distance warrant the short but stiff climb.

9. Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)

If you’re a music enthusiast, I assure you that your visit to Phoenix’s Musical Instrument Museum will be worth it. You will have a musical trip around the world as the MIM has instruments from almost 200 different countries.

The galleries at this grand building opened in 2010 and display more than 6,800 pieces from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Oceania, Latin America, and the United States/Canada, accompanying them with multimedia so you can explore the cultures that produced them and hear the instruments in action.

One outstanding piece I witnessed here is the “Steinweg” piano, officially the first ever Steinway, assembled by the Steinweg family in their house in Seesen in 1936.

The Experience Gallery was also a treat, as it allowed me to play many of the instruments that I’ve seen in those globe-trotting galleries, like a theremin, gong, and Peruvian harp.

I also visited the Artist Gallery that houses the instruments belonging to the likes of Elvis, Tito Puente, John Lennon, Santana, Taylor Swift, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and Ravi Shankar. The MIM is also a performance venue, booking artists from around the world

See also :  15 Best Romantic (Weekend) Getaways in Arizona

10. Orpheum Theater

Built for vaudeville in 1929, the sumptuous Orpheum Theatre has a Spanish Baroque style and can seat 1,364 for touring Broadway musicals, ballet, stand-up comedy, family shows, live music, podcast recordings, and much more. What will strike you right away is just how opulent this building is, especially following a $14m restoration in the 90s.

My trip was awe-inspiring as the  Orpheum Theater abounds in intricate moldings on the frieze and balcony outside and inside on the fan pattern over the beautiful Peacock Staircase, the proscenium arch, and the gilded Solomonic columns lining the auditorium’s walls.

The murals are also glorious and intended to evoke a shifting sky as if you’re watching a show in the courtyard of a Spanish villa. The venue was a cinema for most of its history, and there’s still a playable Wurlitzer organ for silent movies.

11. Arizona Museum of Natural History

If you want to travel back in time, it would be great to visit the Arizona Museum of Natural History . This is the only natural history museum in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area and is a little way east of downtown Phoenix in the city of Mesa.

Founded in 1977, the museum is in what used to be Mesa City Hall, a building raised in 1934 and expanded to house extra galleries in the 80s and 90s.

The dinosaurs are the stars at the Arizona Museum of Natural History, not least at Dinosaur Mountain, where there’s a three-story waterfall and where you can see and hear the beasts of the Mesozoic Era.

I satisfied my curiosity in the Dinosaur Hall, which is filled with skeletons of theropods, sauropods, ceratopsians, and iguanodonts, while the outdoor Paleo Dig Pit lets children play the role of paleontologists, unearthing fossilized bones and eggs.

Arizona Through Time presents a complete chronology of the state’s natural history via the formation of rocks and minerals, Palaeozoic seas, Triassic forests, and Cretaceous seas. Also fascinating are the galleries devoted to the native cultures of the Ancient Americas and Western North America.

12. Grand Canyon Day Tour from Phoenix, Scottsdale, & Tempe

When the most celebrated natural wonder in the United States is a few short hours away, I advise that you don’t miss this day trip. You could make the whole experience much more convenient by booking a tour through GetYourGuide.com .

During my  Grand Canyon Day Tour, we cruised along the historic Route 66, through the town of Williams, before skirting the south rim of the canyon.

I also had three hours to spend in the National Park and had plenty of time to marvel at this iconic mile-deep chasm. I think it would be great to take as many photos as possible, shop for souvenirs, and check out some of the man-made landmarks like Hopi House (1904) and El Tovar Lodge (1905).

Your van on this tour will be air-conditioned and equipped with captain’s seats for all passengers, while bottled water is included in the fee.

One of Phoenix and Scottsdale’s great draws, especially in the winter, is the 200 golf courses within reach of the metropolitan area. This is a region with 300 days of sunshine and a golf industry that has gone into overdrive in the last three decades.

Award-winning 36-hole resorts accompanied by spas have infused this otherwise forbidding environment with real luxury. The dessert course is king here, at courses like Troon North at We-Ko-Pa, where you’ll play through a romantic Sonoran landscape of saguaro cactuses, prickly pear, cholla, and giant granite outcrops.

As the name might tell you, the two courses at The Boulders are even rockier, while for high luxury, the Arizona Biltmore has been played by U.S. presidents and a roll-call of Hollywood celebrities.

We can’t leave out TPC Scottsdale, of course, the venue for the PGA’s Phoenix Open. There’s a piece of history here at the 13th where the one-ton boulder moved for Tiger Woods by fans in 1999 is the heaviest loose impediment in the history of golf.

14. Scottsdale Fashion Square

It’s appropriate that a city of casinos, nightspots, and luxury spas should have the largest mall in Arizona and among the most visited in the United States.

I was struck by the size of the mall, which has three floors and more than 225 tenants. Scottsdale Fashion Square is almost 60 years old but has constantly evolved with expansions, the most recent in 2018.

I witnessed a neat balance here between premium brands like Prada, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Burberry, and Tiffany & Co. and midmarket stores like Gap, H&M, Zara, and Foot Locker.

Furthermore, the six anchors are Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dillard’s, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, and Nordstrom, while if you’re up for a movie there’s a branch of Harkins Theatres. For food, you’ve got fast casual big guns like Five Guys, Chipotle, Johnny Rockets, Shake Shack, and Panda Express.

15. Chase Field

One of the two most recent MLB franchises, the Arizona Diamondbacks, was formed in 1998. Their home ballpark is the unique Chase Field, completed in time for the Diamondbacks’ first season and a venue that needs to be visited even outside the baseball season (April-autumn). The Diamondbacks won the World Series just three years later, becoming the fastest expansion team in the major leagues to claim a championship.

Chase Field holds 48,686 fans and has a retractable roof to cope with Phoenix’s blazing heat and sudden summer storms. A new touch I witnessed during my visit is the APS Solar Pavilion over the plaza by the ballpark’s west entrances, providing needed shade and 75 kilowatts of solar power for the stadium.

There is also a hallmark, an open-air pool in right-center field, rented as a suite for any group of Diamondbacks fans with extra money to burn.

You can take a tour of Chase Field Monday to Saturday all year round to check out that pool, one of the largest high-definition scoreboards in MLB, and to find out about that retractable roof.

I once visited the Spa at Camelback Inn for some relaxation after an exhausting hike or trip in Phoenix. No sooner had the city been founded in the late-19th century the Phoenix area became a honeypot for health tourists, particularly tuberculosis sufferers, for the restorative desert climate.

By the first half of the 20th century, there were health spas across the city and neighboring desert communities; these have been succeeded by a slew of high-luxury resorts, many welcoming day visitors for a few blissful hours of steaming, massages, pampering, and beauty treatments.

A few premium picks I would like to recommend to you based on my experience are Spa Avania at Hyatt Regency, Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, The Spa at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn, Joya Spa at the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa, and the Arizona Biltmore Spa.

One harking back to the 1920s is the Mediterranean-style Alvadora Spa at Royal Palms, still among the most indulgent for its in-house herbalist crafting botanical treatments, as well as Vichy showers, hot stone massages and a watsu pool for in-water massages.

17. Pueblo Grande Museum and Cultural Park

If you want a captivating glimpse of Phoenix’s distant past, visiting the Pueblo Grande Museum and Cultural Park preserves the largest archaeological site in the city, should be on your itinerary.

Belonging to the Hohokam culture and occupied from 450 CE to 1450 CE, Pueblo Grande is a sophisticated network of irrigation canals, a platform mound, and the remnants of ballcourts on the north bank of the Salt River. There’s an interpretive trail, 2/3 of a mile long, winding around the site and taking in these remains, as well as reconstructed and furnished houses.

During my visit here, I had a stroll in its three galleries showing off artifacts like pottery and tools recovered from this site and more than 350 other prehistoric settlements in the region.

The museum also puts on a lively schedule of workshops, talks, markets, demonstrations, tours, and auctions, shedding light on Hohokam and other local indigenous cultures.

18. Arizona Science Center

Like all the best science museums, the Arizona Science Center is as hands-on as possible. I experienced its four levels of fun exhibits demonstrating natural forces like gravity, magnetism, friction, and electricity, Earth’s relationship with the sun, information technology, and the science behind the human mind and body.

Forces of Nature meanwhile uses immersive technology to synthesize tornados, wildfires, a monsoon, and volcanic eruptions. Also located here is the Dorrance Planetarium, one of the largest and most advanced in the United States.

19. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

A wonderland for any train aficionado, the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is on a piece of a ranch donated to the City of Scottsdale by Anne and Fowler McCormick in the 1960s.

Anne’s son, and Fowler’s stepson, Guy Stillman, was a rail enthusiast and had constructed a complete narrow gauge railroad, the Paradise & Pacific Railroad, on the property.

This ridable line was the basis for the park’s array of rail-themed attractions and exhibits and is still running today, with more than 1.1 kilometers of track, a tunnel, and six locomotives (three steam and three diesel).

One static attraction that I think deserves your attention is the Magma Arizona Railroad Engine #6, built in 1907, as does the Roald Amundsen Pullman Car, dating to 1928 and used by Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Dwight Eisenhower. Also charming is the working Charro Carousel, built by the Allan Herschell Company in 1950.

20. Children’s Museum of Phoenix

A trip should not just be fun for the adults but for the children as well. It would be great to bring your kids to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix , where they can learn through play. It is opposite Heritage Square and the Arizona Science Center

The museum’s highly interactive exhibits are designed to engage little ones’ minds, imaginations, and muscles for open-ended, creative play. My visit here reminded me of the i.d.e.a Museum I once visited.

Kids can scramble to new heights and gain physical confidence on the Schuff-Perini Climber, build something extraordinary at BlockMania, have fun with grownup interactions at The Market, negotiate the wacky wilderness of the Noodle Forest, go to work at the Texture Cafe and ride tricycles to their hearts’ content at Pedal Power.

21. Goldfield Ghost Town

On the east flank of the Valley of the Sun is the old mining town of Goldfield, where you can take a day trip back to the Old West.

The town was established in 1893 when gold was discovered in the surrounding Superstition Mountains, which look like a backdrop from a John Ford Western.

It wasn’t long before the gold vein faulted, and Goldfield slipped into a slow death. The reconstructed town is a bit touristy, but anyone enchanted by the history of the Southwest will be caught up in the joy of the Superstition Narrow Gauge Railroad, a tour of the historic Mammoth Gold Mine, and an Old West gunfight with talented re-enactors.

Included in (top-rated tour) : Apache Trail Small Group Tour with Canyon Lake Cruise

22. Tempe Town Lake

A desert oasis at the heart of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, the two-mile Tempe Town Lake was formed in the 1990s by damming a section of the dry Salt River and replenishing it with water from the Colorado River.

For recreation, people flock to Tempe Beach Park, which has been around since the 1920s and was renovated when the reservoir was filled in 1999. Tempe Town Lake’s circumference is about five miles, and the way is paved for cyclists, walkers, rollerskaters, and joggers.

I highly recommend you sign up for a Segway tour if you’re in the mood. Since I had an Arizona fishing license, I was able to cast a line for sunfish, catfish, bass, tilapia, and trout. And after dark, I marveled at the Tempe Town Lake Bridge’s little LED light show every time a Valley Metro train passed over.

23. Tempe Beach Park

The recreation base for Tempe Town Lake is a grassy 25-acre park on the south shore, opposite Papago Park, and a lovely spot to watch the sun go down.

My visit here at Tempe Beach Park was filled with fun-filled bicycle rides within the five-mile trail and hitting the water on kayaks, rowboats, pedal boats, and paddleboards.

There’s also a splash playground in the park for smaller children and an amphitheater holding 5,000 people and hosting all sorts of concerts and shows throughout the year, like the Independence Day celebrations on 4 July. On the west side, the Tempe Center for the Arts is a modern venue for plays, live music, dance, and live comedy. Also, the baseball diamond at Tempe Beach Park harks back to the 1930s and hosts little league and softball games.

24. Roosevelt Row

Do you want an outdoor art exhibit where you can take great selfies and memories? I highly suggest you visit Roosevelt Row Mural. This walkable arts district in downtown Phoenix is on Roosevelt Street, from 7th Avenue in the west to 16th Street in the east. It’s an area of head-turning murals, thriving local restaurants, bars, intriguing one-of-a-kind shops, artists’ studios, and galleries.

The concrete for some of the sidewalks on Roosevelt Row was poured in 1909 before Arizona had become the 48th state, and for much of Phoenix’s history, this strip has been a hub for local businesses.

Re-zoning in the 1970s brought about a steep decline, but the neighborhood has bounced back since the 1990s as artists moved into the cheap boarded-up buildings and former crack houses.

Something else I loved about Roosevelt Row is the line-up of quirky gatherings and festivals, like the Chile Pepper Festival in September and the Pie Social in November.

25. First Friday

Over 80 galleries and studios in downtown Phoenix’s various arts districts throw open their doors on the first Friday of the month for an art extravaganza. More than a simple art walk, First Friday involves lots of live music, street performers, and outdoor vendors while all sorts of quirky boutiques join in the fun.

When I went here, the official event took place from 6 pm to 10 pm, but there were lots of after-hours happenings at bars and restaurants. Artlink, the organizers, encourage people to leave their cars at home with free hop-on/hop-off shuttles that run three routes linking Roosevelt Row, Grand Avenue, the Warehouse District, and Mid-town Phoenix.

Also check out my guide on the best day trips from Phoenix .

26. State Farm Stadium

A monumental piece of sports architecture and the home of the Arizona Cardinals, Glendale’s State Farm Stadium is one of the top NFL venues in the country and the stage for Super Bowl XLII (2008), XLIX (2015), and LVII (2023). This $500m stadium can seat 64,400 for regular season games and has no obstructed seats, while the capacity can be boosted by another 8,800 for the biggest events.

The State Farm Stadium is one of the few in the NFL with a retractable roof and the only one with a roll-out grass field. You may find it tricky to get to one of the Cardinal’s eight regular season home games, but there are three tours a day from Wednesday to Saturday, outside of game days.

The Behind the Scenes tour guide took me to the press box, the visiting team’s locker room, and out onto the field to gauge the amazing dimensions of this marvel of engineering and design.

27. Tovrea Castle

This theatrical stuccoed building off the southwest corner of Papago Park went up in the middle of the Great Depression in the early-1930s and was supposed to be the anchor for a desert resort that never followed.

It was then bought by Della Gillespie Tovrea, wife of cattle magnate Edward Ambrose, and would be her home until she passed away in 1969. For decades Tovrea Castle nicknamed the “wedding cake house,” was left to decay but is now part of the Phoenix Parks System and was restored along with its terraced cactus gardens in the 2000s.

Since 2012 it’s been possible to take tours of this curiosity perched atop a granite outcrop. I was able to savor the Art Deco interiors decorated by the same Italian artisans who worked at the Orpheum Theater and took a glimpse at Della’s possessions. One that fascinated and scared me a bit was a bullet hole in the ceiling created during an armed robbery when Della was 80 years old.

28. Castles N’ Coasters

Right by the Metrocenter Mall, where scenes from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) were shot, there’s an endearing theme park with lots to keep the family on board.

The headline ride is Desert Storm, a double-looping rollercoaster, while the smaller Patriot is a gentler ride around a massive Stars and Stripes, and Splashdown is a log flume with two sharp splashdowns. There’s a small world of other amusements, like a huge video arcade, bumper cars, bumper boats, a swinging Viking shop, a 40-meter drop tower, a go-kart track, and four fun-packed miniature golf courses.

29. Japanese Friendship Garden (Ro Ho En)

This is one of the most memorable places I would recommend to you. This is a collaborative project between Phoenix and its sister city, Himeji, in Japan. The Japanese Friendship Garden is a peaceful escape just north of Downtown Phoenix.

This 3.5-acre garden, rich with birdlife, was laid out by landscape architects from Himeji starting in 1987. On a rambling path, you’ll stroll past 50 plant varieties, lanterns, and more than 1,500 tons of rock shaped by human hands.

There are bubbling streams crossed by little footbridges, as well as a four-meter waterfall and a large pond with more than 300 koi. Every third Saturday of the month outside summer, there’s an authentic Japanese tea ceremony at the Musoan tea house, while the garden hosts regular craft workshops, tai chi sessions, and flower arrangement classes, as well as a summer jazz night in June.

30. South Mountain Park

First plotted in 1920s, South Mountain Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States and is listed as an official Phoenix Point of Pride. The park boasts more than 16,000 acres of unadulterated desert terrain, navigable by almost 60 miles of trails for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding.

I highly recommend this for your Wild West adventure. On my visit, I enjoyed my horseback tour with Ponderosa Stables (10215 S. Central Ave), which arranges special trips to see petroglyphs on Saturdays.

The desert environment at South Mountain Park is noted for its elephant trees and unusual abundance of chuckwallas (large lizards). You may be curious about the Sonoran desert as a habitat, in which case South Mountain Environmental Education Center (10409 S. Central Ave) is full of information about its plants, animals, and human history, as well as tips for recreation in the park.

31. Dobbins Lookout

The highest accessible point in South Mountain Park is this heart-lifting vantage point at 710 meters. The Dobbins Lookout is named for J.C. Dobbins, a member of the three-strong park committee and chairman of the Phoenix planning commission.

Equipped with a toposcope to identify the many visible landmarks, the Dobbins Lookout faces north, with a clear line of sight to downtown Phoenix and the city’s surrounding ranges like Camelback to the northeast. There’s also a stone ramada that allowed me to marvel at the views out of the glaring desert sun.

32. Talking Stick Resort

South-east Scottsdale borders the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Reservation. There’s a high-end casino right here, within an easy trip of downtown Phoenix.

Talking Stick Resort incorporates a luxury hotel, a 650-seater showroom, a capacious Grand Ballroom, two golf courses, and a casino with hundreds of slot machines and more than 50 table games.

On the 14th floor, I had a great time at one of the best spas in Scottsdale, set in the open air and graced by invigorating views of The Valley. I also felt a sense of the heritage of the Pima and Maricopa people at a cultural center in the hotel lobby with an exhibition of paintings, jewelry, and photography.

Being a big-hitting resort, there’s a big helping of entertainment, and Jay Leno and Foreigner were a couple of the names on the bill in the summer of 2019.

33. Heritage Square

To have the best trip in Phoenix, I suggest you don’t miss out on the grandeur of Heritage Square Phoenix.  In this place, you’ll get an idea of what Phoenix looked like in its earliest days.

Ensconced in greenery, Heritage Square has an assortment of residences and business properties raised between 1881 (Forest Burgess Carriage House) and 1923 (Hughes-Stevens Duplex). This is the last surviving set of buildings from the original Phoenix town site, and these interesting pieces of heritage have been put to use as bars, restaurants, gift shops, and museums.

I once went to the Visitor Center in the Carriage House, and it has a worthwhile exhibit on Phoenix’s history, while the Stevens-Haustgen Bungalow hosts the Heritage Gallery, showing how early Phoenix’s original 98 blocks became the dynamic downtown of today.

34. Rosson House Museum

This elegant Queen Anne-style Victorian house on Heritage Square is an early example of a building constructed in Phoenix with fired bricks rather than adobe. Rosson House , dated 1895, was built for physician and surgeon Dr. Roland Rosson and designed by San Francisco architect A.P. Petit.

This place has long been on my list.  Paying a visit and admiring its period woodwork, furniture, decorative art, wallpaper, and curtains on a guided tour was all worth the wait and saving. I assure you that your guide is well-versed in both the history of this residence and Phoenix at the turn of the 20th century, sharing facts that might even surprise long-term Phoenicians.

35. Old Town Scottsdale

On Scottsdale’s original town site, dating back to the 1920s, Old Town Scottsdale is an exciting neighborhood of bars, restaurants, nightclubs, design shops, fashion boutiques, and art galleries.

For a bit of culture, I dropped by the Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, exploring the art and history of 19 states in the American West. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is in a minimalist concrete building and puts on temporary exhibitions that also branch out to design and architecture.

There’s a farmers’ market on Saturdays outside the summer months and lots of events that celebrate Scottsdale’s Native American heritage and Western traditions but also show off the city’s contemporary side, like a Thursday Art Walk.

The best way to start an evening is under the stars on a patio with a prickly pear margarita in hand, while if you’re on the hunt for something unique to take home, you’ll surely find it at the scores of independent shops and art galleries on Main Street.

36. Piestawa Peak

The mountains on Phoenix’s horizons hold an undeniable allure for walkers, and you may find your eye drawn to the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, a brief drive along the Piestawa Parkway from downtown Phoenix.

In this small massif is Piestawa Peak, which at 796 meters is the second highest point in the Phoenix Mountains after Camelback. The only route to the top is the Summit Trail, which is 1.2 miles to the top and down again.

That might sound short, but this is not a climb to take lightly. I attest that the trail can be rocky, and the calf-shredding path is as steep as they come. Despite this, I’m still happy to brave the hike and be compensated with a complete panorama of Phoenix down to South Mountain Park.

Piestawa Peak is named in honor of Lori Ann Piestawa (1979-2003), the first Native American woman to be killed in combat in the U.S. Military.

Related tour : Sonoran Desert Guided Hiking Adventure

37. Wrigley Mansion

The chewing gum industrialist and owner of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, William Wrigley Jr. (1861-1932), ordered this labyrinthine Italianate mansion just south of Piestawa Peak. Despite having 24 rooms, this was actually the smallest of Wrigley’s properties and was only used for a few weeks of the year.

It rests atop a 30-meter knoll gazing over the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, which sweeps out to the south. The mansion, now an event and fine dining venue, is lauded for its tile work, which was produced at Wrigley’s tile factory on Catalina Island off the coast of California, and then carried hundreds of miles by mules. You can learn the story of its construction and the lifestyle of the Wrigley Family on your tour.

38. Cosanti Originals

In 1955 the Italian-American architect Paolo Soleri (1919-2013) set up his studio and home on a plot in Paradise Valley. Solieri had been a student under Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West and created his own headquarters just a few miles away.

Looking like the houses on Tattooine in Star Wars, Cosanti is a complex of experimental, earth-cast concrete structures, all imbued with Soleri’s sense of creativity and positioned partly underground for natural insulation.

Well, I think this is ahead of its time. Cosanti has lots of sustainable elements, like south-facing apses to collect sunlight in the winter and deflect it when the sun is higher in the sky in summer.

Soleri also used a modified earth-casting technique to craft his popular ceramic and bronze wind bells, which helped fund his architectural projects and are still produced and sold at Cosanti.

39. Arizona Capitol Museum

The oldest wings of the Arizona State Capitol building are maintained as a museum telling the story of the state and presenting artifacts from Arizona’s state-owned collections. The Neoclassical statehouse was completed in 1900, 12 years before the territory became a state.

My visit here helped me learn about the sinking of the USS Arizona battleship at Pearl Harbor in 1941 and view the silver service from the ship. There’s a detailed timeline explaining how Arizona became a state, and you can enter the Governor and Secretary of State’s original offices or take a seat at the Historic House Chamber.

One captivating exhibit deals with the “Merci Train,” a trove of objects gifted by the people of France in return for a shipment of fuel and food during the country’s reconstruction following the Second World War.

40. Mystery Castle

Blending with the northern foothills of South Mountain Park, Mystery Castle is a bizarre 18-room, three-story mansion, like a cross between a Gothic castle and a hacienda. The story behind this monument, a Phoenix Point of Pride, is fascinating.

On learning that he had tuberculosis in the 1930s, the Seattleite Boyce Luther Gulley fled his family for Phoenix without telling them, purchasing a mining stake and spending the next 15 years constructing this property on it.

Mystery Castle was built with whatever Boyce could get his hands on, be it stone, adobe, rail tracks, automobile parts, or telephone poles. When his family received news of his death in 1945 they were shocked to discover that he had built this castle for his daughter, Mary Lou Gulley.

In his will, Boyce stipulated that if his family lived there for three years they could open a trap door in the house. This was revealed to contain two $500 bills, a gold nugget, and a Valentine’s Day card Mary had made for her father years earlier.

My visit to Mystery Castle allowed me to hear its wonderful story, tour its premises made with love, and enjoy the supreme views of downtown Phoenix.

41. Desert Belle Cruise Sightseeing Cruise on Saguaro Lake

Saguaro Lake is walled by the steep, rust-colored slopes of the Tonto National Forest and high on the Salt River. One unforgettable way to soak up this evocative desert scenery is on the Desert Belle (1964), a restored sightseeing boat making gentle 90-minute cruises on the lake.

I once traveled in a shaded upper deck with an air-conditioned cabin and had lots of time to view the cactus-strewn desert terrain and catch sight of some of its wildlife.

You may also see bald eagles swooping overhead or bobcats, bighorn sheep, and coyotes in the brush. There’s also live narration by the captain, calling your attention to landmarks and animals you might have missed, and a concession stand if you get thirsty.

Also read :  25 Amazing Hidden Gems in Arizona

42. Hall of Flame Fire Museum

This attraction on the west side of Papago Park chronicles the history of firefighting but is also the setting for the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes, which pays tribute to firefighters who have died in the line of duty or have been decorated for feats of heroism.

In the museum’s galleries, I witnessed more than 90 preserved pieces of antique firefighting equipment, the oldest dating back to 1725. These pieces come from as far afield as Japan, Germany, and England and include beautiful horsedrawn carts and motorized engines up to 1969.

There’s also an absorbing collection of arms patches and a gallery documenting the history of firefighting in the wilderness in the United States.

43. Desert Ridge Marketplace

I also recommend following up a visit to the Musical Instrument Museum with a shopping expedition at this palm-shaded outdoor mall in North Phoenix.

Desert Ridge Marketplace is as much about entertainment and dining as stores. There’s a plush, 18-screen AMC cinema, street performers on weekends, and upwards of 30 dining options, from In-N-Out Burger to Islands and Dave & Buster’s.

CB Live blends dining with entertainment as a full-service eatery and bar combined with a stage for nightly DJ sets, live comedy, and up-and-coming bands.

As for shops, there’s a broad selection, including H&M, Target, Old Navy, Kohl’s, Hot Topic, Barnes & Noble, and other major chains. When things heat up in summer there’s a water feature in front of the cinema where kids can play and cool off, while an outdoor fireplace takes the edge off the cool desert nights in winter.

44. Sahuaro Ranch Park

The finest public park in Glendale is a reminder of the city’s agricultural beginnings. Set up as a commercial operation by the rich Illinois businessman William H. Bartlett in 1886, Sahuaro Ranch was planted with pecan and citrus orchards and raised cattle, horses, and hogs.

Bartlett constructed an ensemble of buildings for the workers employed here, many of which are still standing. There’s an authentic 1890s outhouse, a smithy, a wagon and early automobile garage, a pump house, a good house, along with the handsome Main Mansion.

The ranch was bought up by the City of Glendale in the 1970s, which preserved these structures, as well as the orchards and historic irrigation ditches. Peacocks wander the grounds, while there are picnic areas, playgrounds for youngsters, sports fields and courts, and a dog park.

Related reading :  15 Best Things to Do in Downtown Phoenix

45. Talking Stick Resort Arena

Not far from Chase Field in downtown Phoenix, Talking Stick Resort Arena is the home court for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and a stage for some of the city’s top concerts.

The arena was completed in 1992 and has been renovated a couple of times, with more work announced in 2019. One thing you say about the Suns, formed in 1968, is that they are normally competitive: Remembered for the likes of Charles Barkley, Steve Nash, Paul Westphal, and Dan Majerle, this franchise has the second-highest win percentage of a team never to win an NBA Championship.

The arena holds 18,422 and is also the home of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. In summer, the major recording artists play a date or two at the Talking Stick Arena on nationwide tours. Some performers who have been here are Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Paul McCartney, and Queen + Adam Lambert.

46. Phoenix Fan Fusion

Like all the top comic conventions, Phoenix Fan Fusion (formerly Phoenix Comic Fest) has widened its scope to encompass a big swathe of pop culture from the worlds of movies, video games, television, anime, horror, or fantasy novels.

Phoenix Fan Fusion started out as a humble gathering at the Best Western Hotel in Ahwatukee in 2002 and has grown year after year into a massive event at the Phoenix Convention Center, pulling in upwards of 100,000 fans and inviting ever more famous guests.

Stan Lee was a regular in the late-2000s, and the past few editions have welcomed William Shatner, Will Wheaton, George Takei, Jeff Goldblum, Jason Momoa, Elijah Wood, and Christopher Lloyd.

Visiting Phoenix Fan Fusion was so thrilling for me as there were celebrity panels, photo ops, signings, and a multitude of workshops by industry experts in everything from costuming and cosplay to writing.

47. Luhrs Tower

This gorgeous 56-meter Art Deco tower on West Jefferson Street made an appearance at the beginning of Psycho (1960) when Marion Crane gets ready to take flight with the deposit she was supposed to make for her boss.

The Luhrs Tower was commissioned by George Luhrs Jr., a member of a family whose past is entwined with Phoenix’s early years. The tower opened in 1929, was designed by El Paso’s Trost & Trost architects, and may have been a template for El Paso’s O.T. Bassett Tower, completed in 1930 and designed by the same firm.

48. Luhrs Building

The Luhrs Tower’s neighbor on West Jefferson is this handsome L-shaped Beaux-Arts-style block completed five years earlier in 1924. At that time, the Luhrs Building, ten stories high with a brick facade, was the tallest building in the city and believed to be the largest building between El Paso and Los Angeles. From the streets, I marveled at the fine marble moldings on the upper floors, with a corbelled balustrade, rosettes, cornice, and garlands.

49. Salt River Fields

It’s not just the snowbirds who fly to Phoenix for its warmer climes. Half of Major League Baseball’s 40 teams are based in the Greater Phoenix area for Spring Training before the start of the new season in April.

During this time, teams compete in the Cactus League, usually beginning around the end of February and lasting for a month. Talking Stick’s Salt River Fields, the first MLB park to be built on Native American land, opened in 2011 and is the spring base for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies.

There’s a game scheduled every day at Salt River Fields for these four weeks at a time when the big MLB fields are still painting their lines. The stadium broke its attendance record in March 2019 when 14,030 people came to watch the Diamondbacks against the Cubs.

More on Arizona : 15 Amazing Waterfalls in Arizona

50. SEA LIFE Center Arizona

As I always wanted to explore the sea, visiting Sea Life Center and having an easy day out with its 2,415-cubic-metre aquarium, keeping sharks, rays, green sea turtles, and all sorts of colorful tropical fish was a memorable experience.

The stars at SEA LIFE Arizona might be the seahorses, which have their own exhibit, Temple of the Seahorse, and are bred at the aquarium as part of a worldwide breeding program.

The Shoaling Ring is impressive, with hundreds of barred flagtails in one silvery mass, while the Interactive Tidepool lets you touch rockpool species like starfish and sea urchins. Try to catch one of the many talks and feeding times, especially at Ocean View, for a better look at the whitetip reef sharks, rays, and sea turtles.

Book online : SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium Tickets

51. Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

If Phoenix has piqued your interest in the Ancient Puebloan Hohokam culture, you could make the comfortable drive to this riveting adobe archaeological site to the southeast of the Metropolitan area.

The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument was preserved as a walled farming compound established around 1350 CE and abandoned about a century later.

As for my experience, the most substantial portion of the ruins is the Great House or Casa Grande, protected under a large canopy. It is not known whether this monolithic structure was a gathering place or simply a waymarker in a vast network of irrigation canals.

The surrounding desert is rich with ironwood, mesquite, and palo verde, as well as barrel, prickly pear, and hedgehog cactuses. I advise you to go carefully, and you may see round-tailed squirrels, cottontails, and even great horned owls, which are huddled in ruins.

52. Lake Pleasant Regional Park

Almost half of this mountainous landscape in the Northwest Valley is taken up by the 10,000-acre Lake Pleasant reservoir, which was dammed in 1927. On the southeast shore sits Go Paddle AZ, which rents out kayaks and paddleboards and arranged experiences on the water like paddleboard yoga.

When things get really hot in Phoenix you’ll see people lazing in the water on tubes and rafts around Fireman’s Cove, Humbug Cove, and Coles Bay. If you plan on swimming, a life vest is recommended, as the water temperature can fluctuate suddenly.

There’s an educational Visitor Center outlining the history of the reservoir and the wildlife on the shores and in the water. You can also walk a light half-mile interpretive trail from the Visitor Center or take the more challenging but very scenic Roadrunner Trail to lookouts on the shore.

53. Biltmore Fashion Park

In the district of the same name, the Biltmore Fashion Park is a snazzy open-air shopping plaza with roots going back to 1963. In those early days, A-listers like Princess Grace, Sophia Loren, and John Wayne would shop here, and all sat for photographs at the Gittings Portrait Studio.

The mall was redeveloped in the 1990s when it gained its lawns, fountains, and trees. Saks Fifth Avenue has been around since the 1960s and is accompanied by Macy’s and brands like Ralph Lauren, Sephora, L’Occitane, and J. Crew.

To dine, you’ve got a choice of full-service restaurant chains like Cheesecake Factory, True Food Kitchen, and the Capital Grille.

54. Security Building

If you’re yearning for another historic visit, checking out Phoenix’s Security Building will be worth it. A property magnate Dwight B. Heard (1869-1929) of the Heard Museum, was the president of the Security Improvement Company, which commissioned this distinguished landmark in downtown Phoenix.

On the National Register of Historic Places, the Security Building is in the Second Renaissance Revival style and is composed of copper and hand-molded bricks on a steel frame with marble hallways.

It was designed by Claude Beelman, who conceived a wealth of landmarks in Los Angeles, like the Board of Trade Building and the Garfield Building. Look up, and you’ll see the loggia-style arches of the penthouse on the ninth floor, added in 1958.

To sum it all up, my travels in Phoenix were filled with adventures, humbling moments, and lessons. I was able to meet great people, discover places, and learn more about myself.

55 Best Things to Do in Phoenix (AZ):

• Desert Botanical Garden
• Heard Museum
• Taliesin West
• Camelback Mountain
• Phoenix Zoo
• Phoenix Art Museum
• Papago Park
• Hole-in-the-Rock
• Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)
• Orpheum Theater
• Arizona Museum of Natural History
• Grand Canyon Day Tour from Phoenix, Scottsdale, & Tempe
• Scottsdale Fashion Square
• Chase Field
• Pueblo Grande Museum and Cultural Park
• Arizona Science Center
• McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
• Children's Museum of Phoenix
• Goldfield Ghost Town
• Tempe Town Lake
• Tempe Beach Park
• Roosevelt Row
• First Friday
• State Farm Stadium
• Tovrea Castle
• Castles N' Coasters
• Japanese Friendship Garden (Ro Ho En)
• South Mountain Park
• Dobbins Lookout
• Talking Stick Resort
• Heritage Square
• Rosson House Museum
• Old Town Scottsdale
• Piestawa Peak
• Wrigley Mansion
• Cosanti Originals
• Arizona Capitol Museum
• Mystery Castle
• Desert Belle Cruise Sightseeing Cruise on Saguaro Lake
• Hall of Flame Fire Museum
• Desert Ridge Marketplace
• Sahuaro Ranch Park
• Talking Stick Resort Arena
• Phoenix Fan Fusion
• Luhrs Tower
• Luhrs Building
• Salt River Fields
• SEA LIFE Center Arizona
• Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
• Lake Pleasant Regional Park
• Biltmore Fashion Park
• Security Building

20 Fun-Filled Things To Do In Phoenix To Make The Most Of The City

Explore desert terrains, soar to the skies, hang out with wildlife and more with our list of super cool things to do in Phoenix.

Known for its year-round heat and rolling deserts, things can get pretty hot in Phoenix. So when the sun isn’t shining too brightly, us Phoenicians like to venture out and enjoy some of the most exciting plans in the city. From hiking mountains to off-roading in the desert , action-packed adventures in and around Phoenix await. But when things get too hot in the Valley of the Sun, museums , Instagram-worthy restaurants , exhilarating escape rooms and more offer a cooler alternative to your outdoor plans. So to cover all bases, we’ve rounded up a range of things to do in Phoenix  that tick both the indoor and outdoor boxes.

1. Pay a visit to Phoenix Zoo

Spanning 125 acres, Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the US. Over 3000 animals call the zoo home, and you can expect to see cheetahs, flamingos, giraffes, elephants, monkeys and many more on your visit. Thanks to the zoo’s outstanding on-site facilities, it’s a complete oasis for the animals that live there as well as the humans that visit. There’s a Harmony Farm where kids can pet a bunch of farm animals as well as a Safari Cruiser that takes visitors on a 20 to 25-minute tour of some of the zoo’s main attractions. It’s open form 9am to 5pm everyday and adult tickets cost at $37.95 per person.

🦁 Get your tickets to Phoenix Zoo here!

📍Phoenix Zoo, 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008

2-4. Explore the wilderness on a hike

Hiking is one of Phoenicians’ favorite pastimes. Sure, they  can sometimes be challenging, but hikes are the perfect way to brush off the cobwebs, immerse yourself in nature and take a much-needed break from city life. And the best part is, they’re almost always completely free!

Piestewa Peak Trail

Piestewa Peak Trail is a 3.7-km out-and-back trail that’s known to be pretty challenging. It’s short but steep, and the reward of the stunning desert views once you reach the top make it all worth it. Dogs aren’t allowed on the route, so we recommend leaving your furry friends at home for this one.

🕒Trail hours: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

📍7232 Piestewa Peak Dr #7200, Phoenix, AZ 85016

South Mountain Park Trails

South Mountain Park is home to several hikes including the Crosscut Trail, Ma Ha Tauk Trail and T-Bone Trail.  Each of these trails are under 2.5km, making them the perfect length if you’re a newbie in the hiking world.

🕒Trail hours: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.​

📍10919 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042

Cholla Trail

The Cholla Trail on Camelback Mountain  is a super popular 5km hike. It’s sometimes easy to lose the trail, so be on the lookout for rocks with blue dots painted on them that mark the way. What’s more, dogs are more than welcome to join you on the hike if you’d like some canine company too.

🕒Trail hours: sunrise to sunset

📍 5700 N Echo Canyon, Phoenix, AZ 85321

5. Experience the magic of a Candlelight concert

Combine stunning live music performances with the enchanting glow from a sea of candles , and you have this spellbinding series of Candlelight concerts. Taking place inside magnificent venues in Phoenix, these candlelit concerts are lighting up the city with the help of gifted string quartets, solo pianists and more. From Vivaldi  and Tchaikovsky to Coldplay and Taylor Swift,  these magical tributes showcase a range of artists and genres, so you’re sure to find a concert that speaks to you.

🕯️ Grab your ticket to this series of magical Candlelight concerts here.

6. Make a hole-in-one at one of Phoenix’s golf courses

Home to over 200 golf courses , Phoenix is quickly becoming one of the country’s most popular golfing destinations. But because there are so many golfing spots in and around the city to choose from, finding the right course for you can be a pretty tough task.

If you’re looking for an authentic Phoenician golf experience, Arizona Biltmore brings all the glamour and sophistication of the city to the golf course. There’s a huge putting green and driving range on-site as well as their pièce de résistance – an 18-hole PGA Championship course for you to practice your putting skills.

📍Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E Missouri Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85016

7-10. Broaden the mind at a museum

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With first-rate institutions dedicated to art, history, music and more, Phoenix is full of superb museums that suit any and every interest. 

Musical Instrument Museum

Over 6800 instruments live inside the Musical Instrument Museum. It’s one of the city’s top tourist attractions and showcases music, cultures and talents from all over the world. In fact, many of the instruments on display here have been played by music legends including Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. So as you boogie round award-winning exhibitions featuring state-of-the-art audio technology, you’ll get to learn more about the musicians and their instruments that helped change the musical world.

🎶 Get your tickets to the Musical Instrument Museum here.

📍4725 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050

Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting

The Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting immerses visitors in the firefighting universe as they explore exhibits featuring 130 vehicles and thousands of interesting artifacts. Expect to see lots of fire trucks, of course, including the now restored Rescue 4 trucks that played an important role during the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center.

🧑‍🚒 Grab your tickets to the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting here.

📍6101 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008

Phoenix Art Musuem

Phoenix Art Museum boasts a stunning art collection made up of over 20,000 artworks. Every year, their galleries come to life with their wide range of exhibitions that showcase art in all its forms, from haute couture fashion to art of the American West and more. Every Wednesday, the museum is open from 10am to 5pm and adult tickets cost $25 per person. Between the hours of 11:30 am and 12pm, the museum hosts an in-depth analysis of a singular piece of art to delve deep into its history and significance in the art world.

📍1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Heard Museum

The Heard Museum puts a spotlight on Indigenous art from all over the world. In doing so, they give a voice to the Indigenous communities, letting them share their own stories through their own art and artifacts. Across 12 exhibits, there’s over 44,000 fascinating objects to be explored, from dresses to jewelry, breathtaking contemporary paintings and even 1200 Hopi Katsina dolls. Adult tickets cost $22.50 per person and opens from 10am to 4pm.

📍2301 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004

11. Explore Desert Botanical Gardens

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Nestled inside Papago Park lies Desert Botanical Gardens , a 140-acre oasis that hosts a unique collection of desert plant life. The gardens prove that the desert is much more than just sand and rocks, as they show off the beautiful plants and flowers that thrive even in the hottest and driest of conditions. It’s open daily from 8am to 8pm and tickets start from $ 24 .95 per person. 

📍1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008

12. Enjoy a show with a tipsy twist at the Drunk Shakespeare Society

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To shot or not to shot? That isn’t really the question at this unique Drunk Shakespeare Society show. Five actors come together to perform their own version of a Shakespearean tragedy , but while they perform, one of the actors takes five shots. As the remaining professionals try their best to keep to the script, the tipsy actor takes the eloquence of the famous prose and simply throws it in the trash. Delightful chaos inevitably ensues, making for a side-splitting experience that’s the perfect plan for both theater aficionados and those who love a good time at happy hour.

🍺 Find out more about the Drunk Shakespeare Society experience in Phoenix here.

📍55 N 3rd St Suite 1010, Phoenix, AZ 85004

13. See Phoenix from above on a hot air balloon ride

Ever wondered what Phoenix looks like from the skies? When floating through the clouds on a hot air balloon, you’ll get to see the bustling city surrounded by all its sandy glory. Desert landscapes look vaster than ever, and the city’s mile-a-minute metropolis seems minuscule from above.

Rainbow Ryders is the largest hot air balloon business in the Southwest and has been serving the area for over 40 years. They offer sunrise and sunset rides with tickets starting from $189 per person, which is a pretty good price for this unforgettable  bucket list experience.

📍7934 N Glen Harbor Blvd, Glendale, AZ 85307

14. Channel your inner child at the Crayola Experience

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Crayola Experience Chandler (@visitcechandler)

The Crayola Experience offers a range of super fun activities that are overflowing with creativity and color. Located in Chandler, the hands-on experience is the perfect way to express your artistic side in a completely unique way. It’s inspiring Phoenicians both young and old to think (and draw) brighter, bigger and bolder than ever while making colorful memories that last a lifetime. And by purchasing your tickets through the Fever app, you can skip the line to save you having to wait to enjoy the 17 fun-filled activities available.

🖍️ Secure your tickets to the Crayola Experience Chandler here!

📍3111 W Chandler Blvd Suite 2154, Chandler, AZ 85226

15. Indulge in delicious delights at one of Phoenix’s unbeatable eateries

Rocks and cacti are in abundance in and around Phoenix, and so too are top-notch restaurants. Chow down on delicious meats at a sizzling steakhouse , satisfy your pizza and pasta cravings at an Italian joint or tantalize your taste buds at an Asian-inspired eatery that celebrates Thai , Chinese and Korean cuisines. In more of a seafood mood? There’s a number of outstanding seafood spots serving up delicious delights of the ocean too. The culinary possibilities are endless in Phoenix, and you’re guaranteed to be well fed here.

16. Sip on cocktails among the clouds at a rooftop bar

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Taking your cocktail date to one of Phoenix’s top-notch rooftop bars elevates the whole drinking experience. Sipping on a craft cocktail on ground level just doesn’t compare to taking to the skies to enjoy the exact same drink. You can marvel at the stunning skyline views and uncover a whole new perspective of the city below.

If you’re on the hunt for an upscale bar among the clouds, Upstairs at Flint and Alibi Rooftop Lounge are two of our favorite elevated watering holes with a touch of sophistication. Both bars serve delicious bites as well as innovative cocktails , and the vistas are second to none.

📍Upstairs at Flint, 2425 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

📍Alibi Rooftop Lounge, 108 E University Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281

17. Catch a movie at your local cinema

Escape from the heat outside and enjoy one of the latest blockbusters (and some trusty AC) at your local movie theater. The AMC Yellow Ticket offers discounted cinema tickets for any participating AMC movie theaters including AMC Arizona Center 24, AMC Centerpoint 11 and AMC Ahwatukee 24 . With your box of popcorn in one hand and XXL soda in the other, get ready to sit back and relax as you experience the magic of the movies at a reduced price.

📽️ Find out more about the AMC Yellow Ticket here!

18. Ride through the desert on an ATV tour

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Taking an ATV tour of Arizona’s vast desert lands will open you up to a new world that you simply wouldn’t get the chance to see on foot or by car. Arizona Outdoor Fun offers guided and unguided ATV tours, so you’re free to choose which suits you best. On both tours, you’ll roam through some of the most scenic areas of Sonoran Desert as you take the off-road trail into the wilderness. Tickets start at $75 per person and they also offer offer hiking tours, gold panning experiences and more.

📍61112 Black Canyon Fwy, New River, AZ 85087

19. Break free from an escape room

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Puzzle Effect - Phoenix (@puzzleeffectphx)

The concept of escape rooms is simple. Crack codes, find clues, escape rooms. They’re also seriously fun and can provide a good deal of laughter for hours on end. Riddles challenge the brain muscles and the exciting themes of every room keep you on your toes at every moment. In Phoenix, Puzzle Effect Escape Rooms is one of the highest-rated escape rooms and one of our personal favorites. Each room takes on its own unique storyline and gives challengers 60 minutes in total to solve the puzzles and break out while promising exhilarating twists at every turn.

📍4700 N Central Ave Suite 102, Phoenix, AZ 85012

20. Make a splash at one of Arizona’s swimming holes

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jamie Young | Family Travel + Content Creator (@justsimplywander)

When things heat up in Phoenix, sometimes the AC just doesn’t cut it. Luckily for us, the city is surrounded by several swimming holes that are a lifesaver once temperatures rise. Wet Beaver Creek, Grasshopper Point and Havasu Falls  are some of the most popular dipping spots in Arizona, so don’t be surprised if they get super crowded when summer arrives. What’s more, stores in the area are few and far between, so we also recommend packing a picnic, sunscreen and any other essentials you might need on your trip.

📍Wet Beaver Creek, 6825 N Forest Road 618 Rimrock, AZ

📍Grasshopper Point, N State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336

📍Havasu Falls, Hualapai Hilltop, Supai, AZ 86435

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One of the nation's largest cities, Phoenix boasts some of the Southwest's best museums, attractions, and hiking—and the surrounding metropolitan area, known as the Valley of the Sun, has even more to offer. Whether you're looking to take a jeep tour through the Sonoran Desert or experience cultural art at the Heard Museum, Phoenix and the Valley have something for every age and interest.

Keep in mind that in the summer, temps get quite hot and afternoon monsoons can produce torrential rains (especially in July and August). Check each venue for more information about inclement weather and seasonal hours before you go.

Discover Native American Art at the Heard Museum

 Jackson Vance / TripSavvy

Founded in 1929 in the home of Native American art collectors Dwight and Maie Heard, this museum rotates roughly 44,000 pieces of traditional and contemporary Indigenous art through its 12 galleries. On display, you’ll see Native American paintings, jewelry, pottery, textiles, photography, and more. The famous Barry Goldwater Katsina Doll Collection is a visitor favorite.

The Heard Museum also hosts an active schedule of special events, including the annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest in February and the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market in March.

Learn about the Desert at the Desert Botanical Garden

 Claire Cohen / TripSavvy

One of only 24 botanical gardens accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Desert Botanical Garden has five major trails: Desert Discovery, Plants & People of the Sonoran Desert, Desert Wildflower, Sonoran Desert Nature, and Center for Desert Living. These routes showcase 139 rare, threatened, and endangered plant species, with information on how animals and people live in the Sonoran Desert.

The garden routinely features special art exhibits—like the works of Dale Chihuly—and offers a variety of programs, including its seasonal Butterfly Habitat, Music in the Garden series, and Los Noches de Las Luminarias during the holidays. 

Make Music at the Musical Instrument Museum

Jackson Vance / TripSavvy

Considered one of the best music museums in the world, the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) features more than 7,000 musical instruments from 200 countries and territories. You can listen to many of these via a pair of headphones handed out at admission; videos showing artisans and musicians at work crafting and performing enhance the experience.

Kids of all ages can try their hands playing the instruments they see on display in the Experience Gallery, while pop culture fans can marvel at the exact instruments used by their favorite musicians in the Artist Gallery. The museum also boasts a 300-seat concert hall where renowned singers and musicians regularly perform. 

Tour Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West

Claire Cohen / TripSavvy

Famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed and built his winter home and school of architecture in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains in northeast Scottsdale in 1937. Today, Taliesin West is a UNESCO World Heritage site and National Historic Landmark. You can explore the property on a self-guided audio tour using your phone and a pair of headphones (available for purchase if you don't have your own), or a 60-minute guided tour. Tickets must be purchased in advance for either option.

Drive the Apache Trail

Andrew Lichtenstein / Getty Images

Once a stagecoach route linking Theodore Roosevelt Dam to Phoenix, the Apache Trail (SR 88) was designated a USFS Scenic Byway by the U.S. Forest Service, as well as an Arizona Scenic Historic Byway. Although flooding in 2019 damaged the stretch from the Fish Creek Hill Overlook to the Apache Lake Marina, it's still worth the drive to Tortilla flat for lunch and a scoop of prickly pear ice cream. Along the way, you'll pass Lost Dutchman State Park, Goldfield Ghost Town, Saguaro Lake, and Canyon Lake.

Stroll through Goldfield Ghost Town

This 1890s mining town near the Apache Junction was set to overtake Mesa in population before its vein faulted and people scattered. Today, Goldfield is a great day trip for anyone wanting to experience the Old West. Admission is free to wander around and watch the weekend gunfights held October through May; however, many of the attractions, like the mine tour and narrow gauge railroad, have fees. Book the horseback rides and jeep tours that leave from Goldfield before you go.

Hike the Trails at South Mountain Park and Preserve

 ksblack99 / Flickr

The largest municipal park in the nation, South Mountain Park and Preserve covers more than 16,000 acres on the southern edge of Phoenix. Visitors can hike, bike, or horseback ride the park’s 50-plus miles of trails, or simply drive to Dobbins Point for an incredible view of the Valley. If you take to the paths, be on the lookout for wildlife and petroglyphs (prehistoric art etched into the rock walls). You can access the park at several trailheads as well as the main entrance off of Central Avenue. South Mountain Park’s trails are open daily 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Tee Off at Gold Canyon Golf Resort & Spa

 Getty Images / Wonderlust Industries

If you're a golfer, spending the day at one of the 100-plus golf courses in the Phoenix area is a must during your stay. While you can tee off at the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale—where the pros play the Waste Management Phoenix Open —the Dinosaur Course at Gold Canyon Golf Resort & Spa is one of the most scenic courses in Arizona.

Schedule your visit well in advance since it can be a challenge to get a tee time, especially during the winter. If nothing is available on the Dinosaur Course, try booking a round at Gold Canyon's other course, Sidewinder.

Soar Over the Valley in a Hot Air Balloon

Riding in a hot air balloon over rugged mountains and cacti-studded terrain is one of the best ways to experience the Sonoran Desert. Not only will you get a bird's-eye view of the Valley, you'll often spot animals you wouldn't see from the ground. Tour operators like Hot Air Expeditions will even treat you to a post-ride gourmet breakfast or round of hors d'oeuvres—with champagne, of course.

If you're afraid of heights, though, there are other ways to explore the Sonoran Desert. Instead, take a guided horseback ride into the desert or book a 4x4 tour.

Visit the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting

Teresa Bitler

The world's largest historical firefighting museum features more than 130 wheeled pieces—including horse-drawn and steam engines—as well as 10,000 artifacts ranging from helmets and badges to fire extinguishers. Don't miss the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes, which honors thousands of firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Hall of Flame is centrally located near the Phoenix Zoo , Desert Botanical Garden and Papago Park , so you can easily spend an hour or so here before heading to nearby attractions.

See Hohokam Ruins at the Pueblo Grande Museum

 Getty Images / Jamirae

Built on the ruins of a 1,500-year-old Hohokam village, this museum explores Hohokam agriculture, canal building, crafts, trade, astronomy, and related topics. Outside, you can view an excavated ball court, a reproduction adobe compound, and other structures on the Ruin Trail. Hands-on activities for kids make this a good option for families wanting to delve into Phoenix's history.

Appreciate Western Art at Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West

This 43,000-square-foot Western museum explores life in the West through exhibits ranging from Native Americans and early settlers to water conservation and other issues facing those living in the nation's western-most states today. In addition, you'll see artwork by renowned artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe, Allan Houser, and Charles Bird King in the museum's eight galleries and in the Sculpture Courtyard. Special exhibits rotate every six to 12 months. Check the museum's calendar for programs and seminars held in the architecturally impressive auditorium.

Meet a New Friend at the Phoenix Zoo

 Dave Pape / Wikimedia Commons

The nation's largest privately-owned, nonprofit zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals, including zebras, sloths, Asian elephants, giraffes, and Komodo dragons. You can see the majority of them on the zoo's four main trails (Africa, Arizona, Tropics, and Children's), although some are raised as part of the zoo's conservation program and later released into the wild.

Plan to spend at least three hours just to see the animals, or longer to enjoy rides and attractions like the Red Barn, where kids can pet sheep and goats and climb on farm tractors. During the summer, get there early: Many animals head for shade and hide during the heat of the day. The zoo is open every day except December 25.

Take the Family to Talking Stick Entertainment District

 TripSavvy / Claire Cohen

If you have kids, the Talking Stick Entertainment District has enough attractions and activities to satisfy even the pickiest traveler. For starters, animals lovers will marvel at OdySea Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the southwest, and its neighbor, Butterfly Wonderland , the largest butterfly atrium in the nation. The district also has a Topgolf, iFly Indoor Skydiving, Medieval Times, Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs, go-kart track, bowling alley, virtual reality gaming experience, mirror maze and 3-D mini golf. The Arizona Diamondback and Colorado Rockies play spring training baseball at Salt River Fields, and families can stay at the district's Great Wolf Lodge and take advantage of the resort's indoor waterpark.

Shop at Scottsdale Fashion Square

At 1.9 million square feet, Scottsdale Fashion Square is one of the largest shopping malls in the Southwest, and the place to go for designer threads. Between high-end stores like Prada and popular retailers like Anthropologie and H&M, you’ll find the first-ever physical location for the online powerhouse UNTUCKit and the only Gucci store in the entire state. In addition to its more than 200 stores and restaurants, Scottsdale Fashion Square features rotating art experiences and an art walk.

Phoenix Guide: Planning Your Trip

The 10 Best Places to Visit in Arizona

Easy Experiences in Phoenix and Scottsdale

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48 Hours in Phoenix: The Ultimate Itinerary

The Top 10 Museums in Phoenix

The 6 Most Romantic Places in the Southwest

The Phoenix Zoo: The Complete Guide

16 Best Free Things to Do in Phoenix

The Best Places to Go Shopping in Phoenix

How to Get From Scottsdale to Phoenix by Bus, Light Rail, and Car

The 11 Best Parks to Visit in Greater Phoenix

Lost Dutchman State Park: The Complete Guide

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The Complete Guide to Phoenix's Desert Botanical Garden

Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting: The Complete Guide

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Home » North America » Phoenix

10 BEST Places to Visit in Phoenix (2024)

Deep in the Arizona desert, you’ll find the state capital and economic and cultural centre, Phoenix. No matter what time of year you visit, you’re almost guaranteed sunshine! Phoenix has more than 300 days of sun a year, so it’s unlikely you’ll have your plans ruined by rain. The city is brimming with cultural and historical attractions which you just have to add to your Phoenix itinerary. It’s also home to some of the best Mexican and Southwestern cuisine in the entire United States!

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the best places to visit in Phoenix so that you can easily plan your trip. As well as some cool outdoor activities and fascinating museums, we’ve included some unusual off the beaten track attractions too! Therefore, you’ll get a quirky overview of this great city. First, let’s take a quick look at the best places to stay in Phoenix.

Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighbourhood in Phoenix:

These are the best places to visit in phoenix, faq on the best places to visit in phoenix.

Downtown Phoenix is the neighbourhood located at the heart of the city. It is the historic and cultural hub where you’ll find everything from government buildings and towering skyscrapers to historic squares and swanky boutiques.

• Explore 350 hands-on exhibits at the Arizona Science Center
• Indulge in exquisite Japanese dishes at Nobuo at Teeter House
• See incredible works of art at the Phoenix Art Museum

Not only do we know about the BEST places to visit in Phoenix, but we’ve also got the low down on the COOLEST areas to stay in . Take a quick look and sort your accommodation needs out before discovering all you can see and do there!

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#1 – Tovrea Castle – One of the more unique places to visit in Phoenix

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• A truly unique building in Phoenix
• It’s not actually a castle
• One of the most recognisable landmarks in Phoenix

Why it’s awesome: Tovrea Castle is one of the most mysterious attractions in Phoenix, and on the rare occasion that tours are offered, tickets get snapped up very quickly. The unusual building was based on a wedding cake and built at the end of the 1920s. An Italian immigrant and his son had the idea of a resort hotel, but it didn’t quite pan out that way. After the ownership changed hands and the building fell into disrepair, the city purchased it. Nowadays, it’s a true Phoenix icon!

What to do there: Although tours are rare and the only way you can visit Tovrea Castle, we highly recommend it. A knowledgeable local guide will tell you about the building’s history, and the three families that were responsible for this incredible piece of architecture. You’ll get to see the insides of the castle but the enormous cactus garden too! Wandering through the gardens, you’ll work your way between more than 100 species of 5,000 cacti and get great views of the arid Phoenix landscapes. Don’t miss out on seeing this cool and unusual Phoenix must-see attraction!

#2 – Camelback Mountain – A beautiful outdoor place to visit in Phoenix

• Beat the midday sun to enjoy the views from the top of Camelback Mountain
• Watch out for rattlesnakes!
• One of the best places in Phoenix for outdoor enthusiasts

Why it’s awesome: The iconic Camelback Mountain is one of the most notable landmarks in Phoenix Valley. Hiking to the top will give you awesome views of the city and surrounding landscapes from 2,700 feet (roughly 825 metres). It may not sound that high, but it can be quite an arduous trek. If you plan to do this, we’d recommend leaving quite early in the morning. Why’s that? Well, Phoenix’s midday and afternoon sun can be quite relentless. Make sure you take sunscreen, plenty of water, and a good pair of hiking shoes or trainers!

What to do there: There are a few trails on Camelback Mountain, but the two most popular are the Echo Canyon and Cholla trails. They’re by no means easy but are at least accessible if you’re not an experienced hiker. Geologically, the mountain is quite unusual and curious. Some parts of it date back to 1.5 billion years ago, while some are only 30 million years old. Practically young! Ponder this when you’re not snapping photos of the landscape. Do be careful where you tread, as there are rattlesnakes on the mountain. So, keep your eye peeled and your eyes tuned in!

#3 – Desert Botanical Garden

• The best place to see and learn about desert flora and fauna
• Take a night time flashlight tour
• One of the best places in Phoenix to connect with nature

Why it’s awesome: The Desert Botanical Garden covers 140 acres and is the perfect place to get to know more about the plants that live in the southern US deserts. Of course, there’s a huge range of cacti but there’s other stuff too. Flora, fauna, plants that are a couple of inches tall, and some that are twice the size of a fully grown human, they’re all here. It’s a really good idea to take a tour of the garden, as the knowledgeable guides here know a lot about the plants and animals that call this place home!

What to do there: While we’re on the subject of tours, the Desert Botanical Garden is a great place to visit at night! Take part in a flashlight tour, where you’ll hopefully get a closer look at the nocturnal creatures that live in the garden. You can make a day of things here too – as there’s a restaurant and café on site. There are also a number of local shows, which just get even better when you consider that they’re against a stunning desert backdrop! Head to the shop of one of the best places in Phoenix to pick up local produce like chilli peppers and honey. This is a great day trip to take from Phoenix !

#4 – Phoenix Art Museum

• Amazing contemporary art exhibitions in a cool building
• Surrounded by the Dorrance Sculpture Garden
• One of the best places in Phoenix for culture vultures

Why it’s awesome: The largest arts centre in the southwest is a perfect place for a dose of culture and art when you travel to Phoenix. Also, if you’re finding the sweltering summer heat oppressive, this is a great place to duck out of it! There are a number of intriguing exhibitions which regularly change, introducing visitors to painting, sculpture, and audio-visual art, among other types too. The building itself could be considered a work of art, with the cool design allowing lots of light in!

What to do there: When visiting Phoenix, the sunshine and heat sometimes get too much. So, head into the Art Museum for an educational and interactive day out. Check out the events programme as the museum hosts performances, festivals, and workshops. It’s a great place to bring the kids too, as there’s an interactive gallery on site!

Hungry or thirsty? You can check out Palette’s restaurant, arguably one of the best places to eat in Phoenix. Once you’ve done all that, you may be ready to head back to your hostel . If not, take a walk around Dorrance Sculpture Garden and soak up the sun!

#5 – Japanese Friendship Garden – A nice quiet place to see in Phoenix

• Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city
• Developed in conjunction with Phoenix’s twin city in Japan
• Have some refreshing Japanese tea in the park’s tea house

Why it’s awesome: If you’re looking to escape from the fast-paced environment of the city for a few hours, there’s nowhere better to do it than the Japanese Friendship Garden. One of the most tranquil and peaceful attractions in Phoenix , it was developed with a shared cultural vision of Phoenix’s sister city, Himeji. In the garden, there are over 1,500 tonnes of rock, 50 types of plants, sculptured landscapes, and even a koi pond! Explore Phoenix’s chilled side by visiting this garden.

What to do there: Taking a picnic and just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere has to be top of the agenda for the Japanese Garden, also known as Ro Ho En. It’s a good spot to go with a book as well, where you won’t be disturbed or distracted by bright lights or lots of noise! If you find yourself getting thirsty or you forgot to bring a drink with you, don’t worry. You can enjoy a real Japanese matcha tea at the garden’s tea house. This really is one of the nicest attractions in Phoenix!

#6 – The Heard Museum – Possibly one of the most important places to visit in Phoenix

• Learn about the area’s Native American culture
• A fun and educational collection of permanent and temporary exhibitions
• One of the best places in Phoenix for a day out

Why it’s awesome: Not only one of the best museums in Phoenix, the Heard Museum is one of the top museums in the United States in its subject area. That would be the advancement of American Indian art. As well as world-class exhibitions showing the finest of American Indian art from the southwest and further across the country, The Heard hosts festivals and brilliant events. You really shouldn’t miss this place off your Phoenix itinerary!

What to do there: If you want to learn about Native American culture in the southwest, then this is one of the best places in Phoenix for it. If not the best! Check out the museum’s events calendar to see if there’s anything happening when you travel to Phoenix. The Heard hosts an Indian fair and market where you can check out the latest art, while there are also dinner events at the museum too. These aren’t that regular, but certainly worth checking out!

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#7 – Butterfly Wonderland

• Hang out in a jungle environment with over 3,000 butterflies
• Wear bright colours so they land on you
• One of the best places in Phoenix to take the kids

Why it’s awesome: A tropical jungle in the middle of the desert with more than 3,000 butterflies? We probably don’t even need to explain why that’s awesome. But we’ll have a go anyway! This is probably one of the best Phoenix vacation ideas if you’re travelling with kids. They (and you) are sure to find having colourful butterflies fluttering around and landing on them a magical experience. We almost forgot to mention that it’s the largest conservatory in the whole of the United States!

What to do there: Butterflies are top of the agenda here, but you can also meet reptiles! The rainforest reptile exhibit also squeezes into the largest conservatory in the United States. After meeting the colourful insects, check out the 3D Theater. The movie shown there is available in both English and Spanish! Butterfly Wonderland is just a few minutes’ walk from the OdySea aquarium, another of the best places to visit in Phoenix if you’re interested in wildlife. You can get a combined ticket for these and also Laser Maze and the Titanic Exhibition. Plenty there for a full family day out!

#8 – Castles n’ Coasters – Easily one of the most fun places to check out in Phoenix

• Great mix of thrill rides, water rides, and chilled out rides
• The perfect day out for all the family
• Ride the Skydiver for a real adrenaline rush!

Why it’s awesome: There are a couple of amusement parks in Phoenix, but Castles n’ Coasters ticks all the boxes for a family day out. You won’t just find rides here, there’s an arcade too as well as go-karts and mini-golf. There are plenty of places to get food during your visit too. Just don’t eat too much before you go on the biggest rollercoasters – things could get messy! Don’t miss it off your Phoenix itinerary if you’re travelling with kids. No matter what age they are!

What to do there: Where do you even start with what to do at Castles n’ Coasters? For starters, it’s not the sort of place where you’ll just want to spend a couple of hours. There’s clearly enough here for the whole day! Explore Phoenix’s premier amusement park and you’ll certainly be rewarded. Try the double loops of the Desert Storm Ride, feel your stomach drop out on the Free Fall, or cool off from the hot desert sun on one of the parks water rides. This place is one of the most fun Phoenix vacation ideas there is!

#9 – Phoenix Bat Cave – One of the most incredible free places to go in Phoenix

• Witness a natural phenomenon – with 10 – 20,000 bats the stars of the show
• A great place to visit in the summer months of May to October
• Another of the best places in Phoenix for wildlife enthusiasts

Why it’s awesome: Phoenix is a great city for wildlife enthusiasts. The Butterfly Wonderland and flora and fauna in the botanical garden that we’ve already mentioned barely even scratch the surface. However, if you want to see animals in their true natural habitat, you should head to the Bat Cave. Every year, between May and October, you’ll see a huge colony of Mexican free-tailed bats emerging from their cave every night. One of the best things about this cool display is it won’t cost you a single cent!

What to do there: You need to get to the storm drain where the bats live at the right time to see this natural phenomenon, of course. Try and arrive before dusk during the summer so that you’ve got a front row seat to witness this event. Definitely try snapping a few photos too! Some of the most famous attractions in Phoenix are on our list, but the Bat Cave is a bit of a hidden gem. So, hopefully, you won’t have to contend with big crowds as you have quite a special experience!

#10 – The Phoenix Musical Instrument Museum

• Have a go at playing a number of classical instruments
• The home of more than 6,000 musical instruments from nearly every country in the world!
• See (but you won’t hear) the cool and unusual octobass

Why it’s awesome: The Phoenix Musical Instrument Museum is a musician’s dream. However, you don’t need to be able to play them to enjoy it! Not only does it have instruments from across the world, but there are some pretty famous ones too. The piano that John Lennon used in Imagine is one of the stars of the show! As well as learning about the instruments, you can try your hand at playing them in the Experience Gallery. This is definitely one of the coolest points of interest in Phoenix!

What to do there: While you’re in the Musical Instrument Museum, don’t miss taking a look at the Octobass. One of the rarest and most unusual classical instruments in existence, there’s a pristine sample here. It’s meant to give a deep rumbling sound to orchestras, and some of the notes it plays can’t be heard by the human ear. We can only pick up its vibrations! The museum also boasts a small theatre that hosts live concerts, so check out their events calendar!

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Find out what people want to know about the best places to visit in Phoenix

Are there any unique places to visit in Phoenix?

Check out these epic and unique places to visit in Phoenix: – Tovrea Castle – Phoenix Art Museum – Phoenix Bat Cave

Which are the coolest places to visit in Phoenix?

Phoenix has some pretty cool places on offer and these are the best ones: – Phoenix Bat Cave – Castles n’ Coasters – Camelback Mountain

What are the best family places to visit in Phoenix?

To entertain the whole family, visit these epic places in Phoenix: – Butterfly Wonderland – Castles n’ Coasters – The Phoenix Musical Instrument Museum

Which places in Phoenix can you visit today?

For a bit of itinerary inspiration, check out Airbnbs experiences for some locally guided tours. If you want even more options, you can find more epic places to visit on Klook as well.

Final Thoughts

So, that’s all when it comes to the best places to visit in Phoenix. Hopefully, you’ll have a few ideas of what you want to add to your Phoenix itinerary, and you won’t have to make any last-minute rushed decisions when you arrive!

Since we’ve included quite a mishmash of activities, we think you’ll see more than just the standard museums and restaurants you would usually head to on a city break. Yes, Phoenix does have some cool ones but there is plenty of weird stuff too!

Our list of the best places to visit in Phoenix should have done more than just help you make a plan for your trip: it should have given you an idea of what it’s like to live as a local too. If you want to extend your trip, consider going on some epic road trips around the area.

Colleen Kinsey

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CNN just named this Arizona city one of America's best towns to visit. Here's why

For many travelers, the ideal summer vacation spot offers unique character, an abundance of things to see and do, and little to no crowds.

That sentiment explains why CNN Travel compiled a new list of U.S. places where people can avoid "the elbow-to-elbow crowds of the big tourist cities." Its inaugural list of 10 cities includes one in Arizona, a popular stopover point on the way to the Grand Canyon.

CNN's list, called America's Best Towns to Visit in 2024, highlights smaller cities. Richmond, Virginia, was ranked No. 1 for its cultural and dining scenes and "intriguing" neighborhoods.

CNN's travel contributors selected the cities based on their attractions, dining, nightlife, culture, sense of identity, proximity to other interesting spots and wow factor.

New to the top 10 city for this year: a beloved restaurant chain arrived in April , and a West Coast flight from its airport is coming in the fall .

Why Flagstaff is one of CNN's America's Best Towns to Visit in 2024

Flagstaff, a northern Arizona city rich in ponderosa pine forests and overlooking the state's tallest mountain peak, is ranked No. 6 on CNN's list of America's Best Towns to Visit.

CNN's contributors gave Flagstaff high marks for its outdoor experiences, especially stargazing . They cited Flagstaff's status as an International Dark Sky City for its protection of the night sky from light pollution, as well as Lowell Observatory, the astronomy hub where Pluto was discovered in 1930.

They said the city's connection to outer space doesn't end there, with a nod to its proximity to Meteor Crater about 45 minutes east in Winslow. The natural landmark, one of The Arizona Republic's uniquely Arizona road trip destinations , preserves the site where a meteorite struck the Earth's surface about 50,000 years ago.

Flagstaff's proximity to Coconino National Forest and the San Francisco Peaks creates plentiful adventure opportunities, including skiing and snowboarding. Arizona Snowbowl at Humphreys Peak (elevation 12,633 feet), which CNN described as "ground zero for Flagstaff's winter sports scene," extended its season this year due to above-average snowfall, including its first-ever June dates .

Flagstaff is about 80 miles south of the Grand Canyon, one of America's most famous adventure spots.

Flagstaff is also a key stop on historic Route 66, where the city's historic downtown has evolved into a shopping, dining and entertainment hub.

CNN's America's Best Towns to Visit 2024

• Richmond, Virginia.
• Providence, Rhode Island.
• Tacoma, Washington.
• Portland, Maine.
• San Luis Obispo, California.
• Macon, Georgia.
• Grand Rapids, Michigan.
• Knoxville, Tennessee.
• Duluth, Minnesota.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at  [email protected] . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:  @salerno_phx .

Support local journalism.   Subscribe to  azcentral.com  today.

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How to Watch and Stream 2024's First Presidential Debate on NBC

Presidents Biden and Trump will face off once again following 2020's election cycle.

Election season is officially underway as former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden face off in the first debate of the 2024 presidential election on Thursday, June 27. The eyes of the nation will be on the pair, as this rematch of the 2020 opponents could go either way. Here's how to tune in:

What time does the 2024 presidential debate come on?

Following NBC's  coverage of the Olympic trials at 8/7c , CNN will host the debate, but it will also be simulcast on NBC at 9/8c. However, Live coverage on the network starts well beforehand at 7/8c.

If you're at a computer, you will be able to watch a livestream of the event  on NBC News NOW, and see up-to-the-minute coverage from NBC .

About the new rules for the 2024 presidential debate between Biden and Trump

Dana Bash and Jake Tapper will co-moderate the 90-minute debate between Presidents Trump and Biden in Atlanta.

RELATED:  Where to Watch the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials: "Got to See It to Believe It"

Two of the major changes for this debate versus the previous elections is that the microphones will be "off" by default, meaning that the candidates cannot interrupt one another, and there will be no live audience, so they won't be interrupted or encouraged by hecklers or applause, either.

Trump still hasn't announced a VP pick

Biden is once again running with current Vice President Kamala Harris, but former VP Mike Pence won't be on the ticket in November. Trump has teased that he may announce his running mate during the debate, but hasn't promised to do so. He also hinted that he may announce his pick at the Republican National Convention, which is in July, per NBC .

NBC N e ws re ported  that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida are all high on the list of potential running mates, and all three are currently in Atlanta.

RELATED: Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers Want to Sit in Trump's Trial A La SNL's Beavis and Butt-Head

• Where To Watch

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Plan a Trip with Our App

Plan your trip with our Visit Phoenix app! Easily find and keep track of places to stay, local dining, unique experiences and tours, and even find events happening during your trip.    Check it out

Travel Guide

Email signup, trail guide, book your next meeting in greater phoenix, top phoenix attractions.

As one of the largest cities in the U.S., you'll find every kind of attraction in Greater Phoenix: food, nightlife, outdoors and more fill every nook and cranny of our metro. If you're not sure where you should start, we've rounded up the top attractions everyone — visitors and locals — should check off their Greater Phoenix bucket list. Find the best attractions in the urban sprawl of the Sonoran Desert, including hikes, museums, and more. You can also find more attractions below. 

Camelback Mountain

The panoramic view from the "hump" of this iconic landmark, named for its resemblance to a kneeling camel, is worth scaling its two tricky trails, Echo Canyon and Cholla.

Hikers gain 1,200 feet in elevation to the summit, which looks out over the city and Phoenix Mountains Preserve . Camelback is one of the most popular urban hiking spots in Phoenix, so expect trail traffic and consider hiking on weekdays. During hot-weather months, hike in the early morning and drink plenty of water. See our outdoor safety tips page for more info before you head out. 

Papago Park

Just minutes from downtown is iconic Papago Park , home to red rock buttes looped with trails, scenic views from the intriguing rock formation atop Hole-in-the-Rock Trail and two of the city's top attractions:  Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo . 

The park is also a popular hub of recreation, including fishing in seven acres of stocked lagoons, the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting  and scenic Papago Golf Course , set at the base of Papago’s buttes.

South Mountain Park and Preserve

Boasting 50 miles of trails through 16,000 acres of the Sonoran Desert, this municipal park is perfectly suited for outdoor adventure just minutes from the city. 

The skyline views and Sonoran Desert flora aren't the park's only perks. Keep a lookout for ancient petroglyphs carved into the rocks (we've got details in this blog post on petroglyphs in Phoenix ). If you'd rather drive than hike, bike or hoof it up the trails, hop on the 5.5-mile Summit Road up to Dobbins Lookout, the highest accessible point in the preserve.

Museums and Attractions

Musical instrument museum.

See, hear and even play instruments from every corner of the world in a one-of-a-kind collection.

The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) tunes you into thousands of instrument sounds with a headset that syncs seamlessly as you move through its galleries. Take a world tour of cultural instruments and pop culture artists, and return for a live music experience at MIM Music Theater, a year-round concert series hosting more than 200 international acts.  

Desert Botanical Garden

The winding paths of this 50-acre desert garden showcase a fantastic variety of arid plants, from towering saguaros to delicate blooms.

This beautiful landscape is also the backdrop for the garden’s seasonal events. During the winter months, thousands of luminaria bags and twinkling lights transform the garden for Las Noches de Las Luminarias , a holiday tradition. The garden also features art installations intertwined with the flora each year.

Taliesin West

Tours of Taliesin West , Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home, offer insight on how the masterful architect was inspired by the desert surroundings. Visitors walk through rooms, gardens, walkways and Wright's entertainment pavilion on the grounds while learning about his organic architecture. Taliesin West was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 7, 2019, after being submitted for nomination by the National Park Service in November 2018. Find out more here .

Phoenix Zoo

Nestled on 125 acres within beautiful Papago Park, the Phoenix Zoo is a wondrous place of curiosity, imagination and discovery. Featuring over 3,000 animals, including Bornean orangutans, Asian elephants, Sumatran tigers, Komodo dragons, Masai giraffes and more — it is like no other place in the Valley! Visit today and create memories that last a lifetime.

Heard Museum

The tradition, culture and history of 22 regional American Indian tribes converge in the Heard Museum 's immersive exhibits and authentic art shop, as well as annual events like the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest .

Through art and cultural objects, the museum’s ongoing exhibits tell the stories of native people of the Southwest, from early history to powerful memories of boarding schools.

Phoenix Art Museum

The Southwest's largest fine art museum features a collection of contemporary work and global masterpieces.

Complementing the museum's galleries of fine art and objects from Asia, America, Europe and beyond are rotating exhibitions. Want to see the permanent collections for free (and the special exhibitions at a discount)? Visit Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. during voluntary donation time, or the second Sunday of the month from noon to 5 p.m. for Free Family Sundays.

Roosevelt Row

The creative beat of the city's urban heart is in Roosevelt Row , home to galleries, mural-splashed business walls and a monthly art walk. This arts district is a prominent stop for visitors and the downtown community along the First Friday self-guided art tour.

Old Town Scottsdale

Southwestern arts and hip eateries line the streets of Old Town, a popular destination for Greater Phoenix shopping and nightlife.

If you're hunting for a souvenir, you'll find your fill of old-fashioned flair (think cowboy hats and turquoise jewelry) alongside upscale art galleries and trendy boutiques in the Fifth Avenue district. The area is also a hot spot for after-dark dancing, lounging and libations.

Heritage Square

Like the 19th-century homes nearby, a restaurant in downtown's Heritage Square is making history: Pizzeria Bianco (heralded as the best pizza in the nation) is James Beard Award winner. The area is also home to the Arizona Science Center , featuring more than 350 hands-on exhibits. 

Melrose District

This 1-mile stretch of Seventh Avenue, between Indian School and Camelback roads, is home to some of the best antique shops, art, dining, patio cocktailing and dancing around. Also known as “The Curve” for its winding nature in an otherwise grided city, and the “gayborhood,” thanks to its high concentration of  LGBTQ+  bars and rainbow flags perched outside allied businesses, this neighborhood is an absolute must for a sense of this city's pride as well as its midcentury roots. 

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