Phoenix in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Phoenix is the capital of Arizona, and a charming city with plenty of entertainment options. If you have three days to explore the best things to do in Phoenix, you can't miss out on the city's cultural offerings.

This is a destination noted for its desert climate, where the heat blankets the main streets filled with street art. During your visit you can explore emblematic spaces in the city centre and even go on a ghost hunt at night. Here's a complete itinerary so you can see the city's most popular attractions during your stay.

Downtown brings together some of the city's best recreational attractions, preserving old buildings that reflect the essence of Arizona. It's on a perimeter accessible by car or bus, so you can get around even if you plan to visit Phoenix in a day.

CityScape

In the heart of downtown Phoenix, you'll find the vibrant CityScape district, made up of about three streets of shopping malls, bars and restaurants. It's definitely the best place to start your holiday, as you can explore the city centre in a variety of ways - walking, cycling, riding a segway, etc.

There are different activities every day, including outdoor movie screenings in the nearby plazas. It's a family-friendly district where everyone will have a good time. Even if you are looking for things to do in Phoenix with kids, you can opt for ice skating.

It's a shopping district, where you can see the city from the terraces that offer happy hour at noon, with half-price cocktails. There are also restaurants, shopping malls and cultural entertainment areas.

Details of interest: most shops and restaurants are open until 20:00 hrs. On Sundays most of the district is inactive.

Orpheum Theatre

The Orpheum Theatre is a historic building with over a thousand seats available, which was built in the 1920s. From CityScAPE head to Adams Street, taking W Adams St and N 1st Ave. It's a four-minute walk, or you can get there in less time by bus.

Here you can enjoy screenings of Broadway shows, films, cultural performances, opera nights and ballet shows. You can also marvel at the building's neo-baroque and neo-colonial Spanish architectural style.

Interesting details: you can find tickets from €30, depending on the event.

Phoenix Street Art Street

Your next stop is a four-minute walk from the Orpheum Theatre, First Avenue Street Art Street. Here, throughout the year, the downtown streets are filled with creative exhibitions and murals are part of the local décor, so you can see the art in all its glory. An essential stop on any of the best tours and excursions in Phoenix.

Details of interest: this is a completely free activity.

Japanese Friendship Garden or Ro Ho En

The Japanese Friendship Garden is an oasis of relaxation that honours the original construction, which is located in the Japanese city of Himeji. Here you can relax and appreciate the space.

If you are lucky, you can even enjoy an authentic tea ceremony, a ritual that consists of preparing green tea or matcha, as this activity takes place in this garden once a month.

To get there from First Avenue, you can get there by car in less than five minutes, taking N 3rd Ave. Another option is to take a bus, which will take you through several small streets of Phoenix, arriving in about fifteen minutes.

Details of interest: The entrance fee is around 10 € per person, but if you schedule your visit among the activities to do in Phoenix in October, you may find special discounts.

Phoenix Art Museum

From the Japanese Friendship Garden you'll continue on to the Phoenix Art Museum where you'll find both ancient and modern art exhibits. You can drive there in less than three minutes, taking N 3rd Ave and McDowell Rd.

Art is a highly valued cultural expression in Phoenix, so in this learning space, you'll find tours to study art from different regions internationally.

Details of interest: admission is approximately 20 €.

Heritage Square and Rosson House

From the Phoenix Art Museum you can walk to the Phoenix Heritage Square to experience the charm of the Victorian era. All you need to do is drive along N 7th St, which takes about six minutes. You can also take the 0, 7 or 10 bus to get there in less than twenty minutes.

Here you can find 19th century buildings, such as the Rosson House whose details have been preserved over time.

The house also serves as a historical museum, specifically located on Monroe Street. I recommend you take advantage of these tours, especially among the things to do in Phoenix in January, as it is the best time to walk around the city because there are fewer tourists.

Details of interest: you can find tickets to the Rosson House from 10 €.

After walking around downtown and taking in the historic heritage, on your second day I suggest you take a look at the other side of Phoenix. There are areas where you can find a variety of experiences within walking distance of each other, such as Hole in the Rock, the Phoenix Zoo and the Hall of Flame Museum.

Hole in the Rock

Hole in the Rock is a hiking area, characterised by its striking geological formations. This curious heritage site is located in Papago Municipal Park. It is the best choice for easy hiking.

When you get to Hole in the Rock you can enjoy intense biking or quad biking through the hills. Or just breathe in the fresh air and relax in the green areas.

Details of interest: I recommend you to wear comfortable shoes. The entrance fee is approximately €6.

Phoenix Zoo

On your next stop you can visit the Phoenix Zoo, where you can find more than 3000 types of animals, including native species. You can get there from Hole in the Rock in less than five minutes, driving down N Galvin Pkwy, or take the bus along the road, which will drop you off in a matter of seven minutes.

In operation since 1962 and offering free parking, it features a farm, a monkey village, as well as rides on the Safari Cruise, rides on the Endangered Species Carousel and animal-shaped bike rides. An ideal activity if you're looking for things to do with kids in Phoenix.

Details of interest: entrance fee is around €35, plus guided tours of the facilities are available.

Firemen's Hall of Flame Museum

Phoenix is a hot city with intense summers, a factor that has prepared citizens to prevent fires and other incidents. The Hall of Flame Museum is the perfect place to get an up-close look at the protocols and work system of a fire service.

It's a three-minute drive from the zoo at N Galvin Pkwy and E Van Buren St. By bus, you can also get there in about fifteen minutes. In this building there are exhibits of antique equipment, including the region's first fire trucks. There is also a mini-theatre and hands-on activities ideal for children.

Details of interest: Among the best museums in Phoenix, you can find tickets from €20.

You can finish your tour with fun activities such as building Legos at Legoland Discovery Center. Popular attractions within walking distance include the city's aquarium, the ghost tour through the San Carlos Hotel and the Superstition Mountains.

Legoland Discovery Center

Your last one can start at the Legoland Discovery Center, an ideal space to stir up childhood memories, as you will have the opportunity to build pieces with Legos. In general, you can take advantage of a lot of family activities in this space, as well as the visit to the Legofactory.Interesting details: for around 28 € you can enter all the attractions.

SEA Life Aquarium Arizona

Continue on to the SEA Life Aquarium, an interactive aquarium ideal for all ages. It's located across the street from Legoland, so you'll be there in less than a minute. Its learning spaces will give you answers about the marine world.

There are approximately 3000 species of animals, including rays, fish, sharks and native species. Be prepared to experience the story of rescued turtles, as well as touching baby sharks under professional supervision.

Details of interest: you can find tickets from around €15. There are special promotions that take you to Legoland and SEA Life for the same price, as they are located close together.

San Carlos Hotel

To end your day, if you're a fan of paranormal stories, learn more about the legends and haunted buildings that are part of Phoenix culture. The most famous stop encompasses the mysteries of the San Carlos Hotel. The best way to get there from the Phoenix Aquarium is by car or taxi along I-10 W, which takes about twenty minutes.

It's known as Phoenix's haunted hotel, so it's ideal for a ghost tour. Many people believe they have seen ghosts, and there are even exhibits about the haunting stories of this haunted property. Other places to visit include:

• St. Mary's Basilica: this church was founded in 1881, since then strange events have been reported.
• Rosson House: it is a museum located in the oldest street of Phoenix. If you like horror movies, you will definitely be fascinated by this stop. There is a legend about a guard who died years ago in its premises and who usually haunts its corridors.
• Teeter House: Eliza Teeter was the founder of this interesting place and lived there until 1965. Some people believe that she still haunts its spaces, as some objects move on their own.
• Hanny's: It is a very elegant restaurant, but few people know its secret. In the basement you can find strange dolls, which pay homage to the Last Supper in an unconventional way.

This tour is among the best things to do in Phoenix in April, as it is low season and there are few crowds. It's not recommended as a place to stay, as it's been in operation since 1926 and the facade and rooms are quite old.

Details of interest: You can book a ghost tour to visit several fascinating places, from €28 per person. It's a great option if you're looking for things to do in Phoenix at night, as the tour runs at night.

The fun doesn't end in this desert paradise. If you decide to extend your itinerary and visit Phoenix by at least 5 days, you'll have time to take in the top hidden attractions in Arizona's capital city.

• Visit the Heard Museum: it is a traditional art museum located on Central Avenue. If you have a cultural pass you can enter for free, all other visitors must pay a fee of approximately €15. Here you can explore exhibits on Native American tribes.
• Tour Scottsdale's Old Town: located on the outskirts of the city, there are great bars if you're looking for things to do in Phoenix at night. You can also find vintage jewellery shops, restaurants, shopping centres and art galleries.
• Learn at the Musical Instrument Museum: it has a collection of instruments from over 200 countries. Here you can enjoy concerts and cultural exhibits.

Use a car

When people say Phoenix is hot, they mean it. It's a city characterised by hot, desert-like summers. Even winters tend to be mild, unlike other American cities. During your stay, the best thing to do is to rent a car.

Car rentals in Phoenix start at €8 per day, depending on the type of vehicle and the services offered. Alamo Rent a Car is an excellent choice, allowing you to save money while enjoying a comfortable and reliable service.

While it is possible to get around some areas on foot, it can be stifling and exhausting. Keep in mind that Phoenix is the sixth largest city in the United States, so you'll spend a lot of time walking from place to place. If you're on a tight budget, other means of transport are available:

• Bus and light rail: this is the least recommended option, as Phoenix's public transport is poor. However, you can make the most of it for short trips and in the early morning, as it runs until 2:00 a.m. Daily tickets start at €4.
• Taxi: This is one of the fastest ways to get around, especially if you want to take advantage of the things to do in Phoenix at night. The fare is around €2.

Stay hydrated

When visiting a new city, it's important to have the energy to cover the itinerary successfully. In Phoenix, it's virtually impossible to complete the tour without constant hydration.

If you're looking for things to do in Phoenix in the summer, be warned that it's a really hot time of year. This season can bring heat waves, which intensify the temperatures.

Be prepared so that the weather doesn't ruin your plans, so you can take advantage of the extra daylight hours.

Look for centrally located accommodation

As I mentioned, Phoenix is a big city. Having centrally located accommodation makes it easier to get around, as it allows you to organise your itinerary strategically.

• Downtown: the heart of Phoenix is where most of the activities and attractions are located, you can take advantage of the local Thursday markets or enjoy a baseball game.
• Midtown: an artsy area where some of Phoenix's best museums are located. Transportation is accessible and there is a variety of nightly entertainment.
• Encanto: is a fairly safe area, located near Midtown. Accommodations are in a variety of price ranges that are accessible to all, and there are several Valley Metro stations.