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 visit Phoenix in 2 days or more, here is a list of some of the best 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 thrills. 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 areas of the city.

The ascent reaches about 1,500 meters high and best of all is that you can book your balloon flight during sunrise or sunset, in both opportunities the experience has a particular charm. In addition, this is an activity that adults and children from 5 years old can enjoy, so it is possible to share with family or friends.

Details of interest

• Address: Camelback Mountain is located at 5700 North Echo Canyon Parkway, however, for this activity a shuttle service is often offered from the lodge.
• 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 will enter the vast wilderness between huge saguaro cacti, canyons, monoliths and shortcuts like the Bulldog Canyon trail to make your way through the Agua Fria River and the Bradshaw Mountains for a unique adventure.

How do you participate 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 will also have the opportunity to observe wildlife, including coyotes, bobcats, deer, rabbits and often rattlesnakes. The adrenaline rush is fascinating.

Details of interest

• Address: you usually travel 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 that features instruments from 200 countries divided into specialized 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 specialized staff to assist them. Isn't it wonderful?

This museum also presents 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 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

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 intent is to invite visitors to immerse themselves in the lake's picturesque scenery and wildlife at a time of their convenience. In addition, there are a variety of noteworthy attractions on this Apache route such as the ghost town of Goldfield, Tortilla Flat and Fish Creek Hill in the Superstition Mountains.

With its range of options with combined sea and land 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 the Salt River is a popular activity that is a summertime 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 a pristine environment. 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 rafting experience, in which case all the necessary equipment will be provided, plus an expert guide accompanies you during the experience.

Fancy something with less effort? Join the Salt River Tubing experience. Are you an adrenaline junkie? Kayak the Upper Salt River at the other end of the river, where the current is stronger. As you can 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 has gained fame thanks, among other things, to the fact that it belongs to the 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 colors, and rays of light filter through the upper slits creating luminous curtains.

If you want to experience the natural beauty and capture stunning photographs of the great secret of the Navajo, 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, this, the city's premier zoo, has inspired visitors to learn about and conserve wildlife through its work with some 3,000 specimens of some 400 species. When you buy your tickets for the Phoenix Zoo, you get access to the more than 50 acres of Papago Park that have been set aside for the zoo.

Tours of this zoo allow you to participate in experiences such as: camel rides; meeting "Chutti," the one-horned rhinoceros; visiting a giant anteater; taking the elephant tour; joining a colorful flamingo walk; participating in the safari cruise; the endangered species carousel and so much more. Kids love it!

Details of interest

• Address: 455 North Galvin Parkway.
• Price: from $35 per person.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

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. Spanning nearly 57 acres 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 its trails, participate in botanical garden experiences, or if they prefer, join in the seasonal spirits tasting before sampling the exquisite food at its restaurants.

And if you're looking for things to do in Phoenix in the summer to share with the little ones, know that experiences like lantern nights, storytelling and garden parties are offered here, 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 from 7:00 am - 8:00 pm.

Entrance to the Hall of Flame Museum is another must-see activity through the Valley of the Sun. Here a line of firefighting heroes' activities since 1725 is recounted 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 classic art; or the Heard Museum, dedicated to Native American art and culture. Specifically, 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 to this activity. They always surprise with something new between exhibitions, seminars, events and experiences to explore the history and traditions of the region and the country.

Details of interest

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

Grand Canyon tours are a regional classic that tops lists of things to do and see around Phoenix. This wonder of nature presents a depth of 2,422 meters surrounded by a landscape of sculpted rock meanders that invite to be explored.

One of the benefits of this natural phenomenon is that it can be visited throughout the year, in fact, among the recommendations of Traveler highlights the visit to the Grand Canyon in winter, so you can schedule the trip among your things to do in Phoenix in December for your next vacation.

What can you do in the Grand Canyon National Park? Explore its various trails through the Colorado River Passage. One of the most famous is the Bright Angel Trail, a 13-kilometer trail that descends to the river. Also, you can enjoy the Grand Canyon from the Skywall, a glass-floored overlook that plunges 20 meters into the abyss, located at 1,200 meters above sea level.

Details of interest

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

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

Families with children will enjoy this learning center, but if you are not traveling with little ones, don't worry, at the Arizona Science Center there are experiences exclusively for adults. Science With a Twist is one of them, offering science programs, drinks, dancing and fun for ages 21 and older. The planetarium is world-class and welcomes visitors of all ages.

Details of interest

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

A little more than 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 place on your own, however, native guides add valuable information, avoid losses and make the most of the day.

By joining 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; the Roca Cathedral, with over a millennium of history and; the Chapel of Santa Cruz, a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired church; are must-sees on this type of tour.

Also, the Roca Bell, Mesa Airport, and the Tuzigoot, Underwater Rock and the famous Snoopy Rock are often visited. This expedition should not be missing 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 place famous among those seeking a deep spiritual connection with nature. You can also find Canyon de Chelly, which is part of the Navajo Indian Reservation northwest of the city.

But if you're in the mood to get closer to downtown Phoenix, the Pueblo Grande Museum Archaeological Park is the place to be. This unassuming museum, which was renamed the "S'edav Va'aki Museum," has been a National Historic Land mark since 1929. Inside, 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. While from May-September it is closed on Sundays and Mondays.