How to Have an Epic Trip to Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix isn’t typically a city that people choose to make their final destination on a trip, but rather, a city where people fly into to explore Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and other points of interest in Arizona. Phoenix is the fifth largest (most populous) city in the United States. It’s a lovely city to spend a few days exploring, especially if you visit during the late Fall or early Spring when the rest of the United States has cold weather.
Phoenix boasts numerous fun activities to do including museums, day hikes, the botanical garden, street art, sports games, and more. This city just might surprise you. My parents have lived in Phoenix for 20 years so we have visited them many times and have experienced firsthand all that Phoenix has to offer. This blog post is all about what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in Phoenix, Arizona, and how to have an epic trip to Phoenix.
WHAT TO DO to have the most epic trip to phoenix arizona
PHOENIX MUSEUMS:
Heard Museum – This museum is well-known for its impressive display of Native American cultural items and art. It includes 12 exhibition galleries, free guided tours, outdoor sculpture gardens, a café, a contemporary art gallery, and trading-post style shopping. It’s a great way to spend a few hours in downtown Phoenix.
Phoenix Art Museum – I really love this museum, especially its interactive mirror room. As the museum attempts to make art more accessible, they have a “Pay what you wish Wednesday” between 3-9 p.m.
Musical Instrument Museum – This museum is SOOO cool! Our entire family enjoyed our visit to this museum, from the kids to the grandparents. Adults enjoy it just as much as the kids! The collection of over 15,000 musical instruments and associated objects includes examples from nearly 200 countries and territories, representing every inhabited continent. You could seriously spend all day at this museum and learn about so many different cultures.
WHAT TO DO IN DOWNTOWN PHOENIX
Roosevelt Street Art aka Roosevelt Row – Roosevelt between 7th St. and 7th Ave. (love this area!) – this is one of my favorite areas of Phoenix. Much of Phoenix is overcome with strip malls and boring tan and beige-colored buildings. But, this area of Roosevelt provides some much-needed color to the city. Walk around the area to discover all of the colorful, thought-provoking murals. And, if you’re in town on the first Friday of the month, definitely check out their First Friday event.
Downtown Farmers Market – Saturdays 7:30-11:30 a.m. – This market is close to the Roosevelt area so it makes it easy to combine a visit to both. This is the best place to get locally grown, fresh produce as well as vegan treats to eat while at the market or to take home with you. There are many vendors selling all sorts of handmade items.
Japanese Friendship Garden – This is pretty close to other activities in downtown Phoenix and could be added to a long day of exploring the area. The garden encompasses 3.5 acres and includes a tea garden and tea house. It is a joint project of the sister cities of Phoenix, Arizona, and Himeji, Japan. You will enjoy a very zen-like stroll through this garden!
JUST OUTSIDE OF PHOENIX
Taliesin West – winter home of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright – this is your chance to marvel at a Frank Lloyd Wright architectural masterpiece up close! If you’re a fan, then definitely check out his previous winter home!
Dobbins Lookout South Mountain – at 2,330 feet, this is the highest point in the park that is available to the public. Accessed by both hiking trails and Summit Rd., the lookout is popular with tourists and locals, who want to get an unobstructed panoramic view of the Valley. Take extreme caution as there are drop-offs and blind curves near here. After you access the viewpoint, you can do some hiking nearby.
Tempe: Mill Ave.,Tempe Beach Park, Tempe Town Lake – college town, adorable boutique area of Mill Ave – this area is fun to walk around and enjoy the local vibe. You could spend a couple of hours roaming around Tempe and Mill Ave and then go to Tempe Beach Park. Check the website to see if there are any fun events scheduled while you’re in town. Tempe Beach Park is an awesome place to take a picnic and then walk on the trails.
Gammage Theatre (on Mill Ave, Tempe) for live theatre performances. Check the schedule to see what entertaining shows you can see while you’re here.
WHAT TO DO IN SCOTTSDALE
Desert Botanical Garden – This botanical garden is HUGE and absolutely worth a visit. It’s a little farther away near Scottsdale, but you could combine a visit to old Scottsdale too. Not only can you see the desert botanicals on display here, but they typically hold gardening classes and other events throughout the year. I highly recommend that you check the schedule before visiting.
Old Town Scottsdale – This area encompasses nine walkable districts that offer treasures at every turn. From the chic boutiques along famed Fifth Avenue and the galleries of the Arts District to the eclectic shops in the Historic District and beyond, you’ll find plenty of cool things to see and do.
Favorite view Papago Park: hike to the top of the park with the huge hole-in-the-rock boulder for amazing views.
** You could combine a visit to the Desert Botanical Garden, Papago Park, and Old Town Scottsdale on the same day if you start your day early.**
Golfing – If you like to golf, there are myriad golf courses in Phoenix. The most well-known golf course in the area is Wigwam.
FOR FAMILIES WITH KIDS:
Enchanted Island Amusement Park – We went here several times when our kids were younger and they LOVED it. It’s the perfect size theme park for those under age 13.
BEST DAY HIKES
As you see similar flora and fauna on whichever trail you take in the Phoenix area, I would choose which hike to do based on location. The location closest to where you’re staying would be ideal.
West Valley
Thunderbird Conservation Park
White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Phoenix area
Piestewa Peak Park
Camelback Park
North Mountain Park and Shaw Butte
Phoenix Mountain Preserve
South Phoenix
East Valley
Superstition Mountains
DAY TRIPS FROM PHOENIX
SEDONA: If you have more time to allocate in Arizona, I highly recommend a visit to nearby Sedona. It’s a beautiful 2.5-hour drive from Phoenix. Sedona is surrounded by red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls, and pine forests. It’s noted for its mild climate and vibrant arts community. Uptown Sedona is dense with New Age shops, spas, and art galleries. On the town’s outskirts, numerous trailheads access Red Rock State Park, which offers bird-watching, hiking, and picnicking spots.
Tlaquepaque village – This charming village was built to resemble Tlaquepaque in Mexico. It’s a lovely area to walk around and check out the shops.
Hiking at Red Rock State Park – there are many trails to choose from and the scenery is stunning. You can’t go wrong with any of the trails!
OTHER DAY TRIPS FROM PHOENIX
Canyon Lake and Dolly Steamboat, Goldfield Ghost Town – you could do this fun day trip and stop at Tortilla Flat, check out Superstition Mountain, Goldfield Ghost Town, and then go to Canyon Lake for a steamboat tour. It makes for an enjoyable day in Arizona!
WHERE TO EAT vegan food IN PHOENIX
Green New American – We eat here every time we are in town. The food is delicious and the location is perfect. Plus, NAMI is next door!
NAMI – we LOVE this place! The ultra-thick milkshakes (tsoynamis) are fantastic!
The Coronado – the food and ambiance are wonderful and thankfully, since 2020, this restaurant has been 100% vegan.
Giving Tree Cafe – This is a highly rated health food/superfood restaurant that will make you feel ultra healthy after eating here. The location in downtown Phoenix is a plus.
Vegan House – Vegan Thai restaurant with tons of amazing options in downtown Phoenix.
Loving Hut – When the other restaurants are closed or not easy to find, you can always rely on Loving Hut for consistent, affordable vegan Asian food.
Earth Plant Based – Vegan Mexican food?! Sí, por favor! Last time I was in Phoenix in 2023, I ate here 3 times because it was so good. Plus, the area around is fun to explore and take photos of the street art.
Pachamama – This is a highly rated Latino-influenced vegan food restaurant not far from downtown. I can’t wait to try the tacos here.
Or if you don’t want to go out, but you want a vegan meal delivery, definitely check out Vegin Out. It’s one of my favorite meal deliveries!
WHERE TO STAY IN PHOENIX
- Hyatt Regency – splurge-worthy + sustainable property
- Cambria Hotel Downtown – affordable + unique hotel
- Hyatt Place – awesome location + sustainable property
- BeSpoke Inn Scottsdale – local flavor + amazing location
- Scottsdale Camelback Resort – long-time favorite resort
FUN PAID ACTIVITIES IN PHOENIX
- Hot Air Balloon Ride over Phoenix with Champagne – the perfect activity to see the lovely city
- Apache and Dolly Steamboat Tour – awesome day trip from Phoenix
- Sun Valley Ghouls Walking Tour – for a very unique activity to do in Phoenix
- Legoland Discovery Entry Ticket – perfect outing for families
- Sedona or Flagstaff Epic Tour – Get a close-up look at the amazing views in Sedona. This would truly be EPIC!
WHEN TO GO TO PHOENIX AND SEDONA
Late Fall, Winter or early Spring are the best times to visit. Definitely avoid April-October as it’s extremely hot in Arizona during those months. December is a pretty awesome month because it’s still quite warm during the day and the mood is festive and celebratory.
Have you been to Phoenix Arizona? Is there something else that you enjoy in Phoenix that isn’t included in this post? If so, I’d love to hear about it!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend items that we truly love!
THE 5 ITEMS WE WERE SO HAPPY TO HAVE FOR ALL OF OUR TRIPS:
- Merrell women’s light hiking shoes – these are amazing because they are lightweight, but are extra grippy and helpful! I also have this pair that I always get compliments on: Merrell Rainbow shoes. Fernando loves his Asics trail runners which are also grippy and perfect for hikes.
- Thermoflask water bottle – like a Hydroflask, but more affordable! We don’t go anywhere without these water bottles full of purified water.
- North Face Aphrodite 2.0 capris – Seriously, I wear these pants every.single.day! I couldn’t live without these ultra-comfy, lightweight pants that dry so quickly. They are 100% worth the money!
- Osprey Day Pack – this is an awesome lightweight backpack that we can easily put the belongings we need at hand for traveling around the city and on public transportation.
- Vegan Sunscreen – don’t forget to put on your vegan, all-natural sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s rays
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ITEMS:
SURFSHARK VPN – truly the best for our VPN needs!
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