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Phoenix
Photo: Alan Stark from Goodyear, AZ, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0

5 Days · in Phoenix

5 Days in Phoenix: The Complete Valley Experience

Five days gives you time to experience the Valley fully, from its museums and architecture to its mountains and desert lakes. The first three days cover Papago Park, Scottsdale and a sunrise hike with the Musical Instrument Museum. Day four explores downtown Phoenix and Roosevelt Row, and day five heads east to the Superstition Mountains and the Salt River.

5 days
Things to DoRestaurantsHotelsPhoto SpotsTravel TipsItinerariesLandmarks

Day 01

Papago Park, the Heard & the Desert

Desert plants, red buttes and the Southwest's finest museum of American Indian art.

  1. Morning

    Desert Botanical Garden

    Arrive at the Desert Botanical Garden at opening, when it is coolest, and walk the Desert Discovery Loop among saguaros and cacti.

  2. Late Morning

    Hole-in-the-Rock

    Drive a few minutes to Hole-in-the-Rock in Papago Park and climb the short trail to the natural window in the butte.

  3. Lunch

    Arcadia

    Have lunch in the Arcadia neighborhood, at the foot of Camelback Mountain.

  4. Afternoon

    Heard Museum

    Spend the hottest hours at the Heard Museum, exploring its collections of American Indian art.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Phoenix Art Museum

    Walk to the nearby Phoenix Art Museum, the largest art museum in the Southwest.

  6. Evening

    Pizzeria Bianco

    End the day downtown with wood-fired pizza at Pizzeria Bianco on Heritage Square, expecting a wait at peak times.

Day 02

Scottsdale & Frank Lloyd Wright

Desert architecture, bronze bells and the galleries of Old Town.

  1. Morning

    Taliesin West

    Take a morning tour of Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's desert home and studio, booked in advance.

  2. Late Morning

    Cosanti

    Visit Cosanti, the studio of architect Paolo Soleri, known for its earth-cast concrete structures and bronze bells.

  3. Lunch

    Old Town Scottsdale

    Have lunch in Old Town Scottsdale.

  4. Afternoon

    Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

    Explore contemporary art and design at the museum, then browse the galleries of Old Town.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Soleri Bridge and Scottsdale Waterfront

    Walk along the canal to the Soleri Bridge.

  6. Evening

    FnB

    Dine at FnB, known for its seasonal, vegetable-forward cooking and Arizona wines.

Day 03

Sunrise Hike & Musical Instrument Museum

A mountain sunrise, a world of music and sunset over the Valley.

  1. Morning

    Piestewa Peak or Camelback Mountain

    Start before sunrise for a hike in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve or on Camelback, carrying plenty of water.

  2. Late Morning

    Breakfast in Arcadia

    Refuel with breakfast near the mountain.

  3. Lunch

    Musical Instrument Museum

    Drive to the Musical Instrument Museum and have lunch at its cafe before exploring.

  4. Afternoon

    Musical Instrument Museum galleries

    Spend the afternoon in the geographic galleries and the Experience Gallery.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Resort pool

    Cool off at your hotel or a resort pool.

  6. Evening

    Dobbins Lookout

    Drive up South Mountain to Dobbins Lookout for sunset and the city lights, checking road hours.

Day 04

Downtown Phoenix & Roosevelt Row

History, science, ancient canals and the city's arts district.

  1. Morning

    Heritage Square

    Start at Heritage Square with a guided tour of the Victorian Rosson House.

  2. Late Morning

    Arizona Science Center

    Next door, explore the hands-on exhibits of the Arizona Science Center, or visit the free Arizona Capitol Museum west of downtown.

  3. Lunch

    Matt's Big Breakfast or downtown cafes

    Have a late breakfast or lunch downtown.

  4. Afternoon

    S'edav Va'aki Museum

    Visit the Hohokam platform mound and museum, formerly known as Pueblo Grande, near the airport to learn how ancient canals shaped the valley.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Roosevelt Row

    Walk the murals and galleries of Roosevelt Row, Phoenix's arts district.

  6. Evening

    Lom Wong or a game

    Have dinner at Lom Wong, known for regional Thai cooking, or catch a Diamondbacks or Suns game downtown.

Day 05

Superstition Mountains & the Salt River

Jagged peaks, a ghost town and desert lakes east of Phoenix.

  1. Morning

    Lost Dutchman State Park

    Drive about an hour east to Lost Dutchman State Park and hike a trail beneath the Superstition Mountains.

  2. Late Morning

    Goldfield Ghost Town

    Visit the recreated mining town of Goldfield, with its shops and narrow-gauge train.

  3. Lunch

    Apache Junction

    Have lunch in Apache Junction or at Goldfield.

  4. Afternoon

    Saguaro Lake

    Drive to Saguaro Lake for a scenic boat cruise among desert cliffs.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Lower Salt River

    Look for wild horses along the Salt River near Coon Bluff, keeping a safe distance.

  6. Evening

    Return to Phoenix

    Drive back to Phoenix for dinner, or stay to watch the stars.