Phoenix is sunshine, saguaros, and big desert energy — a city where you can hike a stunning urban mountain in the morning, wander a world-class garden in the afternoon, and catch a major-league game at night. Here are our favorite ways to explore the Valley of the Sun.
Iconic Outdoor Adventures
- Camelback Mountain — Phoenix’s most famous hike, with two challenging routes (Echo Canyon and Cholla Trail) rewarded by sweeping panoramic views. Go early to beat the heat.
- Piestewa Peak — A scenic, slightly more approachable summit hike inside the Phoenix Mountains Preserve.
- South Mountain Park & Preserve — One of the largest municipal parks in the country with miles of trails, scenic drives, and the panoramic Dobbins Lookout. phoenix.gov/parks, 602-262-7393.
- Papago Park — Home to red sandstone “Hole-in-the-Rock,” easy trails, and the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo.
Must-See Attractions
- Desert Botanical Garden — More than 50,000 desert plants across 140 acres, including the magical seasonal “Las Noches de las Luminarias.” dbg.org, 480-941-1225.
- Phoenix Zoo — Arizona’s largest non-profit zoo, set in beautiful Papago Park. phoenixzoo.org, 602-286-3800.
- Heard Museum — Internationally renowned for its American Indian art and cultural exhibits. heard.org, 602-252-8840.
- Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) — One of the most unique museums in the country, with instruments from every nation in the world. mim.org, 480-478-6000.
- Phoenix Art Museum — The Southwest’s largest art museum, featuring everything from Western to contemporary works. phxart.org, 602-257-1880.
- Taliesin West — Frank Lloyd Wright’s stunning desert masterpiece in nearby Scottsdale. franklloydwright.org, 888-516-0811.
Sports, Spring Training & Live Entertainment
Phoenix is a major-league sports city. Catch the Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB) at Chase Field, the Phoenix Suns (NBA) and Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) at Footprint Center, the Arizona Cardinals (NFL) at State Farm Stadium, and Cactus League Spring Training baseball every February and March across the Valley.
Family Favorites
- Children’s Museum of Phoenix — Three floors of interactive fun for kids 10 and under. childrensmuseumofphoenix.org, 602-253-0501.
- OdySea Aquarium — The largest aquarium in the Southwest. odyseaaquarium.com, 480-291-8000.
- Butterfly Wonderland — A walk-through tropical rainforest filled with butterflies.
- Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix — A summer-favorite waterpark.
Day Trips Worth Taking
- Sedona — About 2 hours north, with red rocks, energy vortexes, and incredible hiking.
- Grand Canyon National Park — Roughly 3.5 hours from Phoenix.
- Old Town Scottsdale — 20 minutes away with galleries, shopping, and dining.
- Apache Trail & Tortilla Flat — A scenic desert drive with stunning lake views.
For more inspiration, visit VisitPhoenix.com or stop by a Visitor Information Center, 877-225-5749.