Photo: Alan Stark from Goodyear, AZ, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0Travel guide
Discover the best things to do in Phoenix, from Camelback Mountain and the Desert Botanical Garden to the Heard Museum, Taliesin West and Old Town Scottsdale.
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Phoenix is a desert city, and the best things to do in Phoenix revolve around its sun, its mountains and its warm, outdoor lifestyle.
In the cooler months, you can hike Camelback Mountain at sunrise, wander among giant saguaros at the Desert Botanical Garden and spend the afternoon by a resort pool or on a patio in Old Town Scottsdale.
The city's museums are some of the best in the Southwest, from the Heard Museum's American Indian art to the Musical Instrument Museum, and they offer a cool refuge on hot days.
What makes Phoenix special is the way the desert runs right through it. Mountain preserves rise between neighborhoods, trails start minutes from downtown, and the sunsets over the Sonoran Desert are among the most spectacular in the country.
The metro area includes Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa and other cities, each with its own personality, from resort luxury to college-town energy. Day trips lead to Sedona's red rocks, ghost towns and, a little further, the Grand Canyon.
This guide is built to be comprehensive, whether you have a single afternoon, a family week or a long weekend with friends.
We organize Phoenix by mood and traveler, with fun, free, family-friendly, adults-only, romantic, nighttime and indoor picks, then move through the seasons and the neighborhoods so you can build a trip that fits the way you like to travel and the time of year you visit.
📍 Papago Park
This world-class garden in Papago Park displays thousands of desert plants, from towering saguaros to rare cacti and wildflowers, along trails that explain how plants and people survive in the desert. The red buttes of Papago Park form a stunning backdrop. Visit early in warm months, and come back in December for the luminaria-lit evenings.
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📍 Midtown
One of the finest museums of American Indian art in the country, the Heard presents historic and contemporary works by Native artists, from pottery and baskets to jewelry and painting. Its galleries emphasize Native voices, and its spring Indian Fair & Market is a major event. The museum is near a light rail stop on Central Avenue.
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📍 Desert Ridge
This vast museum displays thousands of instruments from nearly every country in the world, with wireless headphones that play music as you approach each display. The Experience Gallery lets visitors try instruments themselves. Plan at least half a day; it is a perfect choice for a hot afternoon.
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📍 Arcadia
Phoenix's most famous mountain rises in the middle of the city, crossed by two steep, challenging trails to the summit with sweeping views. Start at dawn, carry plenty of water and wear proper shoes; the city may close the trails on extreme heat days. Parking is limited, so arrive early or use rideshare.
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📍 Papago Park
Red sandstone buttes, easy trails and a natural window in the rock make Papago Park a favorite for sunset. A short walk leads to Hole-in-the-Rock, where you can sit and watch the city light up. The park also has fishing lagoons and picnic areas, and it is home to the zoo and the botanical garden.
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📍 Scottsdale
Frank Lloyd Wright's desert home and studio, begun in 1937, is part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing of his major works. Guided and self-guided tours explore its stone-and-concrete buildings, drafting studio and terraces with views across the valley. Visits are by tour only, so book ahead.
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📍 South Mountain
One of the largest city parks in the United States, South Mountain offers miles of hiking, mountain biking and horseback trails, plus a scenic drive to Dobbins Lookout with views over the city. Petroglyphs left by ancient peoples can be seen along some trails. Visit at sunrise or sunset.
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📍 Midtown
The Southwest's largest art museum has collections that range from American and European art to Asian, Latin American, contemporary and fashion design. It hosts major traveling exhibitions and is a cool, calm place to spend a few hours. It is located on Central Avenue near the Heard Museum.
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📍 Scottsdale
Scottsdale's historic center is packed with Western-themed shops, art galleries, restaurants and bars. Stroll the streets by day, visit the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and join the Thursday evening ArtWalk, a long-running tradition among the galleries. At night, the entertainment district comes alive.
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📍 Downtown
Phoenix's arts district is known for its colorful murals, galleries, studios, coffee shops and restaurants in restored bungalows and warehouses. The monthly First Friday art walk fills the streets with crowds, street vendors and music. It is the creative heart of downtown.
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📍 Downtown
A block of restored Victorian homes in downtown Phoenix, anchored by the Rosson House museum, shows what the city looked like before its rapid growth. Tours of the Rosson House explain life in territorial Phoenix, and the square's restaurants include the famous Pizzeria Bianco.
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📍 Downtown
The original copper-domed territorial capitol, completed in 1900, is now a free museum of Arizona's history and government. Nearby Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza holds memorials, including one dedicated to the USS Arizona. It is a quiet and interesting stop west of downtown.
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📍 East Phoenix
Formerly the Pueblo Grande Museum, this site preserves a large Hohokam platform mound and village, with a museum explaining how the ancient people of the valley built hundreds of miles of irrigation canals. A short trail leads around the mound and past reconstructed homes. It is a fascinating look at the long history beneath modern Phoenix.
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📍 Papago Park
Set among the red buttes of Papago Park, the Phoenix Zoo is home to animals from around the world, with trails through African, Asian and Sonoran Desert habitats. Visit in the morning in warm months. In winter, ZooLights turns the zoo into a festival of holiday lights.
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📍 Downtown
The home of the Arizona Diamondbacks has a retractable roof and air conditioning, so baseball is comfortable even in summer. A swimming pool beyond the outfield is one of its quirky features. Ballpark tours are offered on many days, and the stadium is a short walk from downtown hotels.
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📍 Tempe
This lake on the Salt River is lined with paths for walking and cycling and offers boat and paddleboard rentals. It is a lively spot for events, and its shores connect to downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue. Sunset walks across the pedestrian bridge are lovely.
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📍 Phoenix Mountains Preserve
The second-highest peak in the Phoenix Mountains, Piestewa offers a steep summit trail and gentler routes through the surrounding preserve. The summit view takes in the whole valley. As with Camelback, start early, bring water and check for heat-related trail closures.
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📍 Downtown
This hands-on science museum near Heritage Square has interactive exhibits, a planetarium and a giant-screen theater. It is a great choice for families, especially on hot afternoons.
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📍 Scottsdale
One of the largest aquariums in the Southwest, OdySea displays sharks, sea turtles, penguins and many other marine animals, with interactive experiences and shows. It is a favorite family outing and a cool escape on hot days.
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📍 Apache Junction
At the foot of the Superstition Mountains, about an hour east of Phoenix, this state park offers desert trails with dramatic views of the jagged peaks. It is named after the legend of a lost gold mine. Wildflowers can be spectacular in spring after a wet winter.
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📍 Sedona
About two hours north of Phoenix, Sedona is famous for its red rock formations, hiking trails, galleries and scenic drives. It makes a popular day trip, though staying overnight lets you enjoy sunset and the starry sky. Expect crowds and limited parking at popular trailheads.
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📍 Grand Canyon
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is about three and a half to four hours by car from Phoenix. It is a long day trip, so many visitors stay overnight near the park. Guided tours from Phoenix are also available. The views from the rim are unforgettable at any time of year.
📍 View on Google Maps →The most fun things to do in Phoenix take advantage of the sunshine, the desert landscape and the city's love of sports. Few places make it so easy to combine a sunrise hike, an afternoon by the pool or at a ballgame and an evening on a patio under the stars.
In the cooler months, outdoor adventures are the highlight; in summer, the fun moves indoors, into the water or into the evening.
These picks mix classic attractions with activities that locals actually enjoy, so you can sample the Valley's playful side whatever your budget and the season.
In February and March, catch a Cactus League game at one of the Valley's ballparks, with close-up views of Major League players.
Float over the Sonoran Desert at sunrise on a hot air balloon flight, offered by several companies in the cooler months.
Hike a trail in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve or South Mountain at dawn, when the light is golden and the air is cool.
Join a guided off-road tour through the desert north and east of the city to learn about saguaros, wildlife and the landscape.
Watch baseball in air-conditioned comfort under a retractable roof.
Cool off at a water park, including the resort water park at Arizona Grand, which sells day passes.
Visit this recreated mining town at the foot of the Superstition Mountains, with shops, a narrow-gauge train and gunfight shows.
This amusement park in north Phoenix has roller coasters, mini golf and an arcade.
Rent a kayak or paddleboard on the lake for city views from the water.
Join the crowds for art, music and street food on the first Friday of the month.
There are many free things to do in Phoenix, and some of the best experiences in the Valley cost nothing at all. The city's mountain preserves offer hundreds of miles of trails, its parks are open to everyone, and its arts districts host free events.
The challenge is the summer heat, so plan free outdoor activities for the cooler months or for early morning. These picks prove that the Valley's best assets, its desert landscapes, its sunsets and its creative neighborhoods, are remarkably easy to enjoy on a budget.
Camelback, Piestewa Peak, South Mountain and the Phoenix Mountains Preserve have free trails for every level.
Watch the sun set over the city from the natural window in Papago Park.
Free exhibits in the historic copper-domed capitol.
Walk the arts district to see its large, colorful murals.
Free art, music and street life in downtown Phoenix each month.
Visit Old Town Scottsdale's galleries on Thursday evenings.
Walk or cycle the paths around the lake and across the pedestrian bridge.
Drive or hike up South Mountain for a free view over the Valley.
Stroll the restored Victorian block downtown.
Visit the memorials near the Capitol, including the USS Arizona anchor.
Walk along the canal and see public art in Old Town Scottsdale.
Find any open viewpoint at dusk and watch the sky light up over the mountains.
Some museums offer free admission on certain days or evenings; check their calendars.
Walk or bike along the Valley's canal paths, part of a historic irrigation network.
Visit the white pyramid of Arizona's first governor, with views over the valley.
Phoenix is a great destination for families, especially in the cooler months, with a zoo, an aquarium, science and music museums, water parks and easy outdoor adventures. In summer, focus on indoor attractions and water play, and keep outdoor activities to early morning.
Many resorts have family pools with slides and lazy rivers. These picks cover toddlers to teens, with options for every budget.
Animals from around the world among the red buttes of Papago Park.
Sharks, penguins and sea turtles in Scottsdale.
Interactive exhibits and a planetarium downtown.
Children love the Experience Gallery, where they can play instruments.
Hands-on play spaces for young children in a historic school building downtown.
A large indoor butterfly conservatory in Scottsdale.
Wave pool, lazy river and slides, with day passes for non-guests.
A short, fun scramble with a big view, best in the cooler months.
A recreated mining town with a train and gunfight shows.
Rides, mini golf and an arcade.
Relaxed, family-friendly baseball in February and March.
Phoenix and Scottsdale offer plenty for grown-up travelers, from luxury resort spas and championship golf to craft breweries, wine bars and lively nightlife.
Old Town Scottsdale is the center of the nightlife scene, while downtown Phoenix and Tempe have their own bars and music venues. Spend a day at a spa, an evening at a rooftop bar or a weekend exploring Arizona's wine country.
These picks focus on the experiences that adults will appreciate most.
Many Valley resorts offer full-service spas with pools and treatments; day passes are sometimes available.
The Phoenix area is famous for its desert golf courses, including TPC Scottsdale.
Bars, lounges and clubs fill the entertainment district on weekends.
Visit tasting rooms in Old Town Scottsdale, or make a trip to the wine regions near Cottonwood and Sedona.
Explore the Valley's breweries in downtown Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa.
Enjoy sunset drinks with mountain and city views at hotel rooftop bars.
In February, the famously lively golf tournament draws huge crowds to TPC Scottsdale.
Catch a concert or a comedy show in downtown Phoenix, Tempe or Scottsdale.
In January, collector car enthusiasts gather in Scottsdale.
Book a dinner at a resort restaurant with views of the mountains at sunset.
With its glowing sunsets, starry desert nights and luxurious resorts, Phoenix is an easy destination for a romantic getaway. Romantic things to do in Phoenix often involve the desert: a sunrise balloon ride, a hike to a viewpoint or dinner overlooking the city lights.
Couples can also enjoy spa days, poolside afternoons and evenings on candlelit patios. These picks highlight the Valley's most romantic settings and experiences.
Float together over the desert as the sun rises.
Watch the sky change color from the natural window in Papago Park.
Book a spa day at one of the Valley's luxury resorts.
Choose a hilltop or rooftop restaurant overlooking the city lights.
Stroll among the cacti as the light fades, especially during seasonal evening events.
Book a night at the Arizona Biltmore or another classic desert resort.
Drive away from the city lights for a night sky full of stars.
Explore red rock trails and galleries together.
Enjoy a leisurely brunch with views of Camelback Mountain.
Visit tasting rooms featuring Arizona wines.
Phoenix comes alive after dark, especially in summer, when evenings are the most comfortable time to be outside. Old Town Scottsdale offers the liveliest nightlife, downtown Phoenix has sports, concerts and bars, and Tempe's Mill Avenue attracts a young crowd.
Rooftop bars, night hikes in cooler months and desert stargazing add more options. These picks will help you plan evenings that suit your style.
Bars, lounges and clubs for a lively night out.
Sports in downtown Phoenix at Chase Field or the Footprint Center.
Art, music and street food in downtown Phoenix.
Sunset and city lights from hotel rooftops.
Bars and restaurants near Arizona State University.
Historic theaters and arenas host shows throughout the year.
Head out of the city for dark skies.
Some parks and trails offer guided evening walks.
Seasonal lights, concerts and art installations.
Taquerias across the Valley stay open late.
In Phoenix, indoor attractions are not just for rainy days: they are essential refuges during the long, hot summer. Fortunately, the Valley has excellent museums, an aquarium, indoor sports and shopping centers.
These picks will keep you cool and busy, whatever the temperature outside.
Hours of music from around the world.
American Indian art in cool, calm galleries.
The Southwest's largest art museum.
Marine life and interactive experiences.
Hands-on science and a planetarium.
Thousands of butterflies in an indoor conservatory.
Play spaces for young children.
Air-conditioned baseball under a retractable roof.
Contemporary art and design in Old Town.
Free exhibits on Arizona's history.
Hohokam history and artifacts, with an indoor museum.
Large malls such as Scottsdale Fashion Square offer air-conditioned shopping and dining.
In Phoenix, the seasons shape everything. Winter and spring are the high season, with warm, sunny days, cool nights and the best conditions for hiking and outdoor dining.
Summer is extremely hot, with temperatures often above 110°F (43°C), and the monsoon brings dramatic storms and dust storms from mid-June to September. Fall gradually cools down, and outdoor life returns by November. Here's how to make the most of Phoenix whenever you visit.
December is mild and sunny, with cool evenings that call for a jacket. The Desert Botanical Garden lights its paths with thousands of luminarias for Las Noches de las Luminarias, the Phoenix Zoo glows with ZooLights, and Glendale hosts its holiday lights downtown. It is a great month for hiking and patio dining, and resorts are festive. Hotel prices rise around the holidays, so book ahead.
January brings sunny days with pleasant afternoon temperatures and cold nights. The Barrett-Jackson collector car auction draws car lovers to Scottsdale, and it is one of the best months for desert hikes and golf. Snowbirds fill the Valley, so restaurants and resorts are busy. It is also a good time for day trips to Sedona and the Superstition Mountains.
February is one of the best months to visit, with warm days and the start of spring training. Major League Baseball teams arrive for the Cactus League, the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament draws huge crowds to TPC Scottsdale, and the Arizona Renaissance Festival opens on weekends. Wildflowers may start to bloom in the desert after a wet winter. Book hotels early, as this is peak season.
March and April are peak season, with warm, sunny days and blooming cacti and wildflowers. Spring training continues through March, the Heard Museum's Indian Fair & Market celebrates Native artists, and the Desert Botanical Garden is at its most colorful. By May, the heat builds, and saguaros bloom with white flowers. Enjoy patios and outdoor activities while you can.
Summer is extremely hot, so plan outdoor activities for early morning or after dark and spend the middle of the day indoors or in a pool. Resorts offer their lowest rates of the year, museums and aquariums provide cool refuges, and water parks are busy. The monsoon season brings spectacular thunderstorms, lightning and dust storms, especially from July to September. Never hike in the afternoon heat.
Fall cools slowly, with October still warm and November pleasant. The Arizona State Fair runs in October, Día de los Muertos celebrations take place around the start of November, and outdoor patios and hiking trails come back to life. It is also a good season for day trips to the Grand Canyon and Sedona, before winter crowds arrive.
The Phoenix area is a patchwork of cities and neighborhoods spread across the Valley of the Sun, each with its own personality. Downtown Phoenix offers sports, museums and an arts scene, while Scottsdale is known for resorts, galleries and nightlife, and Tempe has a lively college-town atmosphere. Distances are large, so plan your days by area. Here are six areas worth exploring.
Neighborhood
Downtown Phoenix is home to Chase Field, the Footprint Center arena, the Arizona Science Center and Heritage Square. Just north, Roosevelt Row is the city's arts district, with murals, galleries, coffee shops and restaurants, and a busy First Friday art walk each month.
Neighborhood
Scottsdale's historic center mixes Western-themed shops, art galleries, restaurants and a lively nightlife district. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the canal-side Scottsdale Waterfront are nearby, and many resorts are a short drive away.
Neighborhood
A leafy neighborhood at the foot of Camelback Mountain, Arcadia is known for its citrus trees, ranch homes and popular restaurants and patios. It is a pleasant area for brunch and a stroll with mountain views.
Neighborhood
Home to Arizona State University, Tempe has a youthful energy, with Mill Avenue's bars and restaurants, Tempe Town Lake and easy access to Papago Park. The light rail connects it with downtown Phoenix and the airport.
Neighborhood
This upscale area along Camelback Road includes the historic Arizona Biltmore resort, the Biltmore Fashion Park shopping center, restaurants and hotels, with views of Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak.
Neighborhood
East of Tempe, Mesa's downtown has museums, a performing arts center, restaurants and breweries, and it is a gateway to the Superstition Mountains and the lakes of the Salt River.
See our full Best Hotels in Phoenix guide for the best areas, and plan smoothly with our Phoenix travel tips.
Only in parts. Downtown Phoenix, Roosevelt Row, Old Town Scottsdale and downtown Tempe are walkable, but the metro area is very spread out. Most visitors rent a car or use rideshare, and the light rail connects downtown Phoenix with Tempe, Mesa and the airport's Sky Train.
Three to four days cover the highlights: the Desert Botanical Garden, the Heard Museum, a sunrise hike, Old Town Scottsdale, Taliesin West and the Musical Instrument Museum. With five days or more, add day trips to Sedona, the Superstition Mountains or the Grand Canyon.
Phoenix is known for its sunny desert climate, its golf courses and resorts, spring training baseball, Sonoran Desert scenery with saguaro cacti, and its proximity to the Grand Canyon and Sedona. It is also known for extreme summer heat.
Many of the best experiences are free: hiking in the mountain preserves, watching the sunset from Hole-in-the-Rock, visiting the Arizona Capitol Museum, exploring the murals of Roosevelt Row and walking around Tempe Town Lake.
From about November to April, when the weather is warm and sunny and outdoor activities are pleasant. March is especially popular because of spring training and blooming desert plants. Summer is extremely hot but brings low hotel prices.
Only very early in the morning, and with great caution. Heat illness can develop quickly, and the city may close popular trails during extreme heat warnings. Carry plenty of water, avoid hiking after mid-morning and never hike alone in the heat.
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