Best Things To Do in Phoenix

Welcome to the fifth largest state in the United States, where the possibilities for fun and adventure are endless. Whether you're visiting Phoenix in 2 days or more, here's a list of some of our top recommendations.

Discover the city from above on a hot air balloon ride. Immerse yourself in its history and culture with a museum tour. Explore the desert on an ATV safari or try rafting on the Salt River for a thrill. Follow the Apache Trail and, for those looking to relax, a lake cruise is the perfect choice. Here are 13 things to do and see in Phoenix not to be missed.

Camelback is one of the highest peaks in Phoenix, which is why it is chosen as one of the perfect spots to fly over the city, especially if you want to see Phoenix in 1 day. The hot air balloon ride offers panoramic views of Phoenix, Scottsdale, the Sonoran Desert and the surrounding area.

The ascent reaches around 1,500 metres and best of all, you can book your balloon flight at sunrise or sunset, both times the experience has a particular charm. Moreover, this is an activity that adults and children from 5 years old can enjoy, so it is possible to share it with family or friends.

Details of interest

• Address: Camelback Mountain is located at 5700 North Echo Canyon Parkway, however, shuttle service is often available for this activity.
• Price: from €190 per person.

One of the must-do activities on your trip to Phoenix is a visit to the Sonoran Desert. During the tour, you'll enter the vast wilderness amidst huge saguaro cacti, canyons, monoliths and shortcuts like the Bulldog Canyon trail to make your way through the Agua Fria River and Bradshaw Mountains for a unique adventure.

How do you take part in this experience? You can hire an ATV tour to roar your engines solo, or 4WD and share the vehicle with up to four people.

On this type of Phoenix desert tour you'll also have the opportunity to observe wildlife, including coyotes, bobcats, deer, rabbits and often rattlesnakes. The adrenaline rush is fascinating.

Details of interest

• Address: Usually you drive through the northern part of Sonora.
• Price: from €87 per person.

It boasts the largest musical instrument museum in the world with its vast collection of more than 8,000 pristine pieces. Best of all, the MIM offers an interactive experience.

After purchasing your ticket to the Musical Instruments Museum you open the doors to a musical journey featuring instruments from 200 countries divided into specialised galleries.

In the Conservation Lab, for example, you can see how instruments are restored. Continuing through the Experience Gallery, you bring the instruments to life by playing them; and if you go with children up to 8 years old, the Encore Gallery offers instruments and specialised staff to look after them. Isn't it wonderful?

This museum also features concerts and even iconic objects such as John Lennon's piano or Berta Rojas' guitar. The MIM gives you a truly immersive experience, with curiosities and activities for the whole family. I invite you to make it one of your things to do in Phoenix with kids.

Details of interest

• Address: 4725 East Mayo Blvd.
• Price: from 22 € per person.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:00-17:00 hours.

The Dolly Steamboat has taken millions of people sailing on Arizona's breathtaking Canyon Lake. Since 1987, the Grimh family has operated this 142-passenger boat.

The Dolly Steamboat offers daytime sightseeing cruises and if you're looking for things to do in Phoenix at night, you can add this experience at that time as well. The intention is to invite visitors to immerse themselves in the picturesque scenery and wildlife of the lake at a time of their convenience. In addition, there are a variety of noteworthy attractions on this Apache Trail such as the ghost town of Goldfield, Tortilla Flat and Fish Creek Hill in the Superstition Mountains.

With its range of options with combined land and sea tours, this is one of the best day trips in Phoenix, you won't want to miss it.

Details of interest

• Address: 16802 AZ-88, Tortilla Flat.
• Price: from €154 per person.

Rafting on the Salt River is a popular activity that's a summer staple, although it can be done year-round thanks to the area's warm climate. The lower stretch of the river, known as The Lower Salt River, is ideal for rafting, especially for beginners, as the current is not very strong.

During the trip, you can appreciate the beauty of the Sonoran Desert and enjoy the pristine surroundings. Along this tributary you will find a variety of species, including river otters, bald eagles, foxes and ospreys. For rafting you can either bring your own equipment or book your own rafting experience, in which case all the necessary equipment will be provided, plus an expert guide accompanies you on the experience.

Fancy something a little less strenuous? If you're an adrenaline junkie, kayak the Upper Salt River at the other end of the river, where the current is stronger. As you'll see, the Salt River has something for everyone, which is why it's one of the must-visits around Phoenix.

Details of interest

• Address: 9200 N. Bush Highway, in Mesa.
• Price: from €154 per person.

Antelope Canyon is famous for being one of the top 10 most beautiful places in the shape of a heart. Over the years, nature has created a masterpiece of sand, stone and light. The walls of this canyon feature intermingled reddish and yellow colours, and the rays of light filtering through the upper slits create luminous curtains.

If you want to experience the natural beauty and capture stunning photographs of the great Navajo secret, don't miss the opportunity to visit Antelope Canyon during your stay in Phoenix.

Details of interest

• Address: Lower Antelope Canyon, Page.
• Price: from €381 per person.

Since 1962, the city's premier zoo has inspired visitors to learn about and conserve wildlife through its work with some 3,000 specimens of over 400 species. Buying your tickets for the Phoenix Zoo gives you access to the more than 50 hectares of Papago Park that have been set aside for the zoo.

Zoo tours allow you to participate in experiences such as: camel rides; meeting 'Chutti' the one-horned rhino; visiting a giant anteater; taking the elephant tour; joining a colourful flamingo walk; participating in the safari cruise; the endangered species carousel and many more. Kids love it!

Interesting details

• Address: 455 North Galvin Parkway.
• Price: from €35 per person.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:00 - 17:00 hours.

When the word "desert" is thrown around, it is often associated with desolate plains, fading brown plants and a reptile's paradise. However, the Desert Botanical Garden aims to dispel this notion by showcasing the desert's abundant vegetation. Spread over almost 57 hectares of land, the botanical garden is home to more than 50,000 species of plants.

Like the Phoenix Zoo, this garden is part of Papago Park. Visitors can take a bike or walking tour of the trails, participate in botanical garden experiences, or if they prefer, join in the seasonal spirits tasting before sampling the exquisite food in the restaurants.

And if you're looking for things to do in Phoenix in the summer to share with the kids, experiences such as lantern nights, storytelling and garden parties are on offer here and are a delight for families from morning to night.

Interesting details

• Address: 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix.
• Price: from €27 per person.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday 07:00 - 20:00.

Entry to the Hall of Flame Museum is another must-see activity in the Valley of the Sun. It features a line of firefighting heroes' activities since 1725 with the world's largest collection of firefighting equipment.

And if this museum impresses you, you might also want to stop by the famous Phoenix Art Museum, with its extensive collection of contemporary and classical art; or the Heard Museum, dedicated to Native American art and culture. In particular, if you want to learn about the history of the city, a tour of the best museums in Phoenix is a good alternative.

If you visit Phoenix in 3 days, I recommend you dedicate at least one day to this activity. They always surprise you with something new between exhibitions, seminars, events and experiences to explore the history and traditions of the region and the country.

Interesting details

• Address: 6101 E Van Buren Street.
• Price: from €19 per person.

Grand Canyon tours are a regional classic and top the list of things to do and see around Phoenix. This natural wonder has a depth of 2,422 metres surrounded by a landscape of sculpted rock meanders that invite you to explore.

One of the great things about this natural phenomenon is that it can be visited all year round, in fact, Traveler's recommendations include visiting the Grand Canyon in winter, so make it one of your things to do in Phoenix in December for your next holiday.

What can you do in Grand Canyon National Park? Explore its many trails through the Colorado River Passage. One of the most famous is the Bright Angel Trail, a 13-kilometre hike down to the river. You can also enjoy the Grand Canyon from the Skywall, a glass-floored observation deck that plunges 20 metres into the abyss at an altitude of 1,200 metres.

Interesting details

• Address: 20 South Entrance Road, Grand Canyon.
• Price: from €213 per person.

The Arizona Science Center is a public science museum, although it's not free, but it's considered one of the best in the state, making it a popular meeting place for tourists and locals alike.

Families with children will enjoy this learning centre, but if you're not travelling with little ones, don't worry, the Arizona Science Center has experiences exclusively for adults. Science With a Twist is one of them, offering science programmes, drinks, dancing and fun for those 21 and over. The planetarium is world-class and welcomes visitors of all ages.

Interesting details

• Address: 600 E Washington St, Phoenix.
• Price: from €20 per person.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:30 am - 4:00 pm.

Just over an hour from the peaks of Flagstaff lies the region of crimson rocks: the Sedona Desert. Here, ancient Native Americans left their architectural mark among monoliths and canyons surrounded by pine forests. You can approach the site on your own, but native guides add valuable information, prevent loss and make the most of the day.

When you join a day trip to Sedona from Phoenix you visit a variety of sites of interest with the Sinagua Culture as the flagship. The Montezuma Castle National Monument, a structure carved into the rock; Roca Cathedral, with over a millennium of history and; Santa Cruz Chapel, a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired church; are not to be missed on this type of tour.

Also often visited are the Roca Bell, Mesa Airport, and the Tuzigoot, the Underwater Rock and the famous Snoopy Rock. This expedition should not be missed on your bucket list.

Details of interest

• Address: Sedona Desert.
• Price: from €158 per person.

There are many Native American ruins in Phoenix found on surrounding tribal lands, as well as in the rest of the state. For example, you can visit Havasupai Canyon, a famous place for those seeking a deep spiritual connection with nature. You'll also find Canyon de Chelly, part of the Navajo Indian Reservation northwest of the city.

But if you feel like getting closer to downtown Phoenix, the Pueblo Grande Museum Archaeological Park is the place to be. This unassuming museum, renamed the ** S'edav Va'aki Museum**, has been a National Historic Landmark since 1929. It houses the largest preserved archaeological site in Phoenix and is a cornerstone of regional culture.

Details of interest

• Address: 4619 E. Washington St. Phoenix.
• Price: From €5 per person.
• Hours: 09:00 to 16:45 Monday to Sunday during the months of October - April. Closed Sundays and Mondays from May-September.