Phoenix Travel Guide: Things to Do, Day Trips & Getaways
Phoenix is so much more than sunshine and cacti. It’s a city full of scenic desert trails, fascinating history, incredible food, and easy day trips that can turn an ordinary weekend into an adventure.
As a local, I’ve spent years exploring the city and the places just beyond the city, and this guide brings together my favorite discoveries in one place. Whether you’re planning your first visit or looking for a new weekend escape close to home, you’ll find plenty of ideas to help you make the most of your time in the Valley.
A Local’s Guide for First Time Visitors – Things to Do in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona is part of the most beautiful desert in the world, the Sonoran Desert. This unique landscape is a major draw for nature enthusiasts. It’s not just dust and heat. It’s wildflowers, dramatic mountain silhouettes, and the occasional roadrunner zipping across your path.
What I love most about the city is that it is surrounded by mountains. There are mountains in every direction. That’s why hikers love it.
My second favorite thing here are the sunsets. Arizona has the best sunsets. Sunsets here look like a watercolor painting set on fire. The one pictured below is the sun setting at Lake Pleasant in September.
Often referred to as “The Valley of the Sun,” and they’re not kidding. Phoenix sees more than 300 sunny days a year. So if you’re tired of gray skies, this is the place.
If you’ve never been to Phoenix this is your go-to guide. We’ll explain the best time of year to visit, how to navigate the metro area, your lodging options, where to park, unique places to eat, things to do in the metro area and the best day trips. Let’s go explore the Valley of the Sun!
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Phoenix – The Valley of the Sun Overview
Often referred to as “The Valley of the Sun” or just “the Valley,” Phoenix has quickly grown into an urban metropolis and a top vacation destination. It is the capital city of Arizona. The city has retained a laid back atmosphere, flip-flops are worn nearly every day. Dress is casual in most restaurants. There is still an old west influence in this sprawling metropolitan city.
Phoenix is so much more than sunshine and cacti. It’s a city full of scenic desert trails, fascinating history, incredible food, and easy day trips that can turn an ordinary weekend into an adventure. As an Arizona local, I’ve spent years exploring Phoenix and the places just beyond the city, and this guide brings together my favorite discoveries in one place. Whether you’re planning your first visit or looking for a new weekend escape close to home, you’ll find plenty of ideas to help you make the most of your time in the Valley.
Where is Phoenix?
It’s central location within the state of Arizona makes this city a great place to start your southwest vacation. There are plenty of things to do and see in Arizona’s urban center.
Best Time of Year to Visit Phoenix
Hands down: Spring. March and April are the best months to visit. This is my favorite time of year. Wildflowers bloom, temps are perfect (think 70s and 80s), and everything from cactus blossoms to outdoor festivals are in full swing. Of course, spring is also the busiest season, so book your hotel, RV park or Airbnb early. October through March has nice weather as well.
Find out When to Visit Phoenix – Weather by Month.
Top Things to Do in Phoenix
Some of the best attractions are found outdoors. The mountains surrounding the city provide endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. National Geographic voted the Valley as having some of the best urban hikes in the country.
If you Love History
- The Heard Museum
- Heritage Square
- Apache Trail & Goldfield Ghost Town
- Tovrea Castle
- Mystery Castle
- S’edav Va’aki Museum
Tovrea Castle
If you’re traveling with kids
- Odysea Aquarium
- Arizona Science Center
- Goldfield Ghost Town
- Phoenix Zoo & Papago Park
- Museum of Natural History in Mesa
If you Love Nature
Desert Botanical Garden
If you’re a first-time visitor to Phoenix I always recommend The Desert Botanical Garden because it showcases the Sonoran Desert better than anywhere else in the city. Plan to spend about two hours exploring the trails. Best for nature lovers, first-time visitors, photographers. Tip: visit early in the morning or for a different perspective in the evening. Read the complete guide → Visit the Desert Botanical Garden .
Camelback Mountain
Camelback Mountain is a beautiful area to hike, but it is not usually the hike I recommend to visitors unless they are experienced hikers. It is fun, but it is also a steep, difficult hike many underestimate. Best for nature lovers, experienced fit hikers, adventure seekers. Tip: hike early, don’t hike in the summer, bring more water than you think you’ll need. Read the complete guide → Hike Camelback Mountain.
South Mountain
This is a great mountain for first-time visitors because you can drive to it and/or you can hike the many trails. No matter your fitness level you can enjoy the views from South Mountain. Read the complete guide → South Mountain Park
If you love architecture
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesen West
Read the complete guide → Taliesen West
If you love museums and art
- Roosevelt Row
- Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the oldest theatre in Phoenix.
- Musical Instrument Museum. Check out instruments from over 200 countries at this museum.
- The Heard Museum. Explore Native American history.
- Papago Park is home to the Desert Botanical Garden, the Phoenix Zoo, and cool urban hikes
- Phoenix Art Museum. See the Fireflies infinity mirror room.
- OdySea Aquarium, Arizona’s largest aquarium
- Farmers’ Market. Check out the local vendors in downtown Phoenix.
Sightseeing in Phoenix
- Cool off inside at one of these kid-friendly Museums:
- Be a kid again at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix.
- Lay on a bed of nails at the Arizona Science Center.
- Learn about firefighters at the Hall of Flame Fire Museum
- Learn about dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History in Mesa.
- Take a scenic drive on the famous Apache Trail.
- Watch a Spring Training game.
Day Trips from Phoenix
One of the best things about Phoenix is that you don’t have to go very far to find your next adventure. Within a couple of hours, you can trade city streets for winding mountain roads, towering red rock cliffs, peaceful lakes, historic mining towns, or forests filled with towering pine trees. These higher-elevation destinations are perfect for summer road trips when you’re ready for a break from the Phoenix heat. It’s one of the reasons I love living in Arizona.
The great thing about these trips is that you can enjoy a change of scenery without packing a suitcase or taking vacation time. Whether you’re looking for an easy nature escape, a scenic drive, or a town filled with history and charm, you’ll find plenty of options just a short drive from Phoenix.
Love Small Towns and Local History?
Some of Arizona’s most memorable destinations aren’t the biggest cities. Historic downtowns, former mining communities, and Route 66 towns offer a glimpse into the state’s past while providing plenty of locally owned shops, museums, restaurants, and unique attractions. They’re the kind of places where it’s easy to slow down, wander a little longer, and uncover stories you weren’t expecting to find.
Ready to Escape the Heat?
Hidden Gems Worth the Drive
Not every memorable day trip is a famous destination. Some of my favorite adventures have been to places that don’t always make the top travel lists. Quiet state parks, scenic overlooks, fascinating historical sites, and charming small towns often end up being the places I can’t wait to visit again. If you enjoy exploring beyond the obvious, you’ll find plenty of inspiration throughout these guides.
Nature & Hiking
Historic Towns
Small Towns
Lakes & Waterfalls
Scenic Drives
Wine Country
Family-Friendly Day Trips.
Weekend Getaways
Sometimes a single day just isn’t enough. That’s when a weekend getaway is the perfect excuse to unplug, slow down, and explore a different side of Arizona. The best part is that you don’t have to spend hours on the road to feel like you’ve taken a real vacation. Within a few hours of Phoenix, you’ll find mountain towns, red rock landscapes, peaceful lakes, charming main streets, and some of the state’s most unforgettable scenery.
One of the things I love most about weekend trips is that there’s time to experience a destination beyond its biggest attraction. Instead of rushing from one stop to the next, you can linger over breakfast at a local café, browse downtown shops, take an afternoon hike, catch a beautiful sunset, and still have another day to see what else the area has to offer.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic escape, a girls’ weekend, a family adventure, or simply a quiet place to recharge, Arizona has no shortage of destinations that make a perfect two or three-day getaway.
Looking for Adventure?
If your ideal weekend includes getting outside, you’ll find plenty of destinations where you can spend your days hiking scenic trails, kayaking across quiet lakes, exploring national monuments, or taking in spectacular desert and mountain views. Many of these places offer enough activities to fill an entire weekend without ever feeling rushed.
Prefer to Slow the Pace?
Not every getaway needs to be packed with activities. Some weekends are best spent wandering through historic downtowns, enjoying local restaurants, browsing art galleries, or relaxing on a scenic patio with a view. Arizona is filled with welcoming communities where taking your time is part of the experience.
A Getaway for Every Season
Below you’ll find my favorite weekend getaways from Phoenix, along with detailed travel guides to help you plan your trip. Inside each guide, I’ve shared ideas for things to do, places to explore, and local tips that I’ve picked up along the way. I hope they inspire you to hit the road, discover a new favorite destination, and make the most of your next weekend away.
Escape to Arizona’s Mountain Towns
Best for: Cooler temperatures, hiking, forests, relaxing weekends
These are perfect when Phoenix is hot and you want fresh air, scenic drives, and a slower pace.
Destinations:
- Flagstaff
Cool summers, fall colors, Route 66, hiking, national monuments - Prescott
Historic downtown, Whiskey Row, lakes, trails, mountain scenery - Payson
Waterfalls, forests, lakes, Rim Country adventures - Pinetop-Lakeside
Cabins, fishing, cool mountain air
Discover Arizona’s Red Rock Country
Scenic views, hiking, photography, unforgettable landscapes
Destinations:
- Sedona
Red rock hikes, scenic drives, art galleries, wellness retreats - Page
Lake Powell, slot canyons, iconic viewpoints
Step Back Into Arizona History
Historic towns, unique experiences, slower weekends
Destinations:
- Jerome
Historic mining town, mountain views, art galleries - Bisbee
Colorful historic district, mining history, quirky charm - Tombstone
Wild West history, museums, Old West attractions - Globe
Mining history, nearby adventures, historic downtown
- Saguaro National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim
- Route 66
- Lake Havasu City
- Tubac
- Tucson
- Williams
Outdoor Adventures
- Hiking
- Desert parks.
- Tube down the Salt River.
- Lakes – Lake Pleasant, Roosevelt Lake, Saguaro Lake
Historic Attractions
Where to Stay
Where you stay is going to be dependent on what you would like to be near. Phoenix is a major city so you’ll have plenty of choices in hotels, motels, resorts, Airbnb, and VRBOs. Some popular areas to stay include downtown Phoenix, the Biltmore area, Scottsdale near Camelback Mountain or Kierland area, and Westgate in Glendale.
Food & Drink – Unique Places to Eat
If this is your first trip to Phoenix, then you’ve got to try Native American Fry Bread and Sonoran-style Mexican food. I might be biased, but I believe Arizona has the best Mexican food in the U.S. Some other unique to Arizona culinary choices include rattlesnake, prickly pear margaritas and prickly pear ice cream. See our list of unique places to eat in the metro area. → Phoenix Restaurants
Phoenix Attractions & Annual Seasonal Events
The spring and winter months offer a variety of popular annual events. Some of the most well attended events include: Spring Training games, Waste Management Phoenix Open, and the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show to name a few. Phoenix Seasonal Events →
How to Get Around Phoenix
If you’re visiting Phoenix you will want a car. The metro area has some serious sprawl, so if you want to see all the sights you’ll need a car. Phoenix does have light rail, but it isn’t going to take you near most of the sights you’ll want to see in the metro area.
Parking in Phoenix
The majority of parking garages in Phoenix are located in the downtown area south of I-10 and between 7th Street and 7th Avenue. This will give you access to places such as the Phoenix Convention Center, Arizona Science Center, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, the Footprint Center to name a few.
Navigating the Metro Area
Phoenix might look like one city, but it’s actually a giant patchwork of communities all smooshed together. Locals just call it “the Valley.”
Phoenix was built based on a grid system. It’s one of the easiest cities to navigate, once you understand the basics:
- Interstate-17 (Black Canyon Freeway) runs north-south. It is the main artery and first freeway built in Phoenix. If you’re east of it, you’ll find streets. West? You’re in avenue territory.
- Interstate 10 is a major artery running east and west. It connects Buckeye, Goodyear, Avondale, and through downtown Phoenix where it connects to I-17, State Route 51,
- State Route 101 loops around the city connecting the suburbs of Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, and Chandler.
- State Route 202 or South Mountain Freeway connecting Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert.
- State Route 303 or Loop 303 connects the northern part of I-17 to I-10 on the west side of the valley.
- State Route 51, which is the prettiest major roadway in the metro area.
- U.S. Route 60 or Grand Avenue connects Wickenburg to Phoenix and out to Globe.
Maricopa County
Unlike other areas of the United States, Arizona has large counties. The Phoenix metro area is Maricopa County. Cities within this county blend together. Unless you are paying attention, you may not know when you leave one city and enter another one.
More than half of the population in Arizona lives in Maricopa county, so we have lots of urban sprawl here. Despite this, each city has a unique atmosphere.
The metro area includes (but not limited to) the cities of: Apache Junction, Avondale, Buckeye, Carefree, Cave Creek, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Surprise, and Tempe.
To give an idea of distance the city of Fountain Hills to Goodyear is around 50 miles. If you drove from the city of Surprise to Queen Creek it is about 65 miles.
Residents of all of these cities would say they are part of the metro area. The metro covers a large area and this is easiest to see from the air.
- Book a Flight to Phoenix: The largest airport is Sky Harbor.
- Rent a Car: You can rent a car in Phoenix.
- Where to Stay in Phoenix: Choose from hotels, motels, resorts, Airbnb, VRBO and camp sites.
- Tours to Take in Phoenix
