Things to Do in Phoenix

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Phoenix Tourism Guide

Destination Info
  • IATA Code PHX
  • Airport Name Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
  • Airport Address 3400 Sky Hbr Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85034, United States
  • No. of Runways 3
  • Airport Enquiry No. +1 602-273-3300
  • Official Site https://www.skyharbor.com/
  • Country Code +1
  • Currency USD
  • Ideal Duration 3 to 5 Days
  • Visa Required Not Required for Domestic Traveller
  • Best Time to Visit November through April
  • Airline Serving Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines
  • Attractions Phoenix Zoo, Musical Instrument Museum, Papago Park, Desert Botanical Garden

List of 10 Things to Do in Phoenix

  • 1 Visit Papago Park
    Visit Papago Park

    Papago Park is a municipal park in the cities of Phoenix and Tempe. It is a hilly desert park, covering 1200 acres in its Phoenix extent and 296 acres in its Tempe extent. This park is designated as Phoenix Point of Pride and is known for its distinctive geological formations. Besides, you will also be able to dive into a wide variety of typical desert plants in this major attraction of Phoenix. This park features the Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Zoo, picnic areas, several small lakes, hiking trails, and bicycle parks. The Fire Museum is another attraction here. Along with it, this park is also home to the tomb of the first governor of Arizona, George W.P Hunt. This historical spot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • 2 Explore the desert ecosystem at Desert Botanical Garden
    Explore the desert ecosystem at Desert Botanical Garden

    Phoenix is best known for its desert ecosystem and Phoenix City things to do. It is worth viewing at its Desert Botanical Garden, located in Papago Park. This botanical garden presents a collection of arid plants from the deserts of the world. It consists of more than 50,000 desert plants. These plants are displayed in 5 thematic trails that illustrate topics such as conservation, desert living, plants and the people of the Sonoran Desert, and desert wildflowers. Their thousands of species are spread across 55 acres in Phoenix, Arizona. Some of these plants from less extreme climate conditions are protected under shade houses. Whereas, all of these plants are included from regions such as Australia, Baja California, and South America.  You can visit this park either during the day or at night. 

  • 3 Feel the Music at Musical Instrument Museum
    Feel the Music at Musical Instrument Museum

    The Musical Instrument Museum is the largest museum of its type in the world. It was established in April 2010. This museum showcases a huge collection of 15000 musical instruments and associated objects. These collections are gathered from nearly 200 countries and territories. Their displays are mainly from countries such as the United States, Mexico, India, China, and Brazil. The musical instruments in these museums are divided into subsections. These subsections are for different types of music, such as ethnic, folk, and tribal. Visiting this museum is one of the finest things to do in Phoenix. If you are a music freak, then you should visit this museum. You can visit this museum either during the day or at night and feel the vibe of your favorite music. 

  • 4 Get Back to Nature at South Mountain Park
    Get Back to Nature at South Mountain Park

    South Mountain Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the U.S. It is also one of the largest urban parks in North America. This park is designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride because it preserves native desert vegetation in the mountainous area. It was originally called Phoenix Mountain Park, which is located in the South of Central Phoenix. 50 miles of trails for cycling, hiking, and horseback riding are some of the features of this park. It also includes a variety of flora and fauna, with the elephant tree as one of the most notable flora. This tree consists of multiple contorted trunk architecture. You should visit South Mountain Park to explore its wide desert flora and fauna. Visiting South Mountain Park is one of the fun things to do in Phoenix.

  • 5 Learn Indian American Art at Heard Museum
    Learn Indian American Art at Heard Museum

    The Heard Museum is one of the best things to do in Phoenix. This is a private, not-for-profit museum that allows you to learn about Indian American art. You will be presented here with the stories of American Indians from a first-person perspective. It exhibits traditional American Indian artists and influences you with their art. The museum collaborates with these artists and Indian tribal communities to complete the mission- “World’s preeminent museum for the presentation, interpretation, and advancement of American Indian Art, emphasizing its intersection with broader artistic and cultural themes.” Thus, it is dedicated to the advancement of American Indian Art. This museum is a medium to connect you with the diverse culture and history of India. A tour of this beautiful museum is worth planning during your trip to Phoenix. 

  • 6 Remember the U.S. Firefighters at The Hall of Flame Fire Museum
    Remember the U.S. Firefighters at The Hall of Flame Fire Museum

    One of the best things to do in Phoenix is take a trip to the Hall of Flame Fire Museum. It is also known as the National Historical Fire Foundation. This museum is dedicated to the historical preservation of firefighting equipment used through the years. It is a medium to pay tribute to the U.S. firefighters who have died in the line of duty. Video theatre, the National Firefighting Hall of Flame Heroes, and five large exhibit galleries are some of the features of this museum. The galleries are named as:
    Gallery One- Hand and Horse Drawn ((1725–1908)
    Gallery Two-Motorised Apparatus ((1897–1951)
    Gallery Three: Motorised Apparatus ((1918–1968)
    Gallery Four: Motorised Apparatus ((1919–1950)
    Gallery Five: Wildland Firefighting

    All of these galleries present exhibits that are related to its name.

  • 7 Hike at Piestewa Peak Park
    Hike at Piestewa Peak Park

    Hiking at Piestewa Peak Park is also one of the fun things to do in Phoenix. You can climb here at 2,610 feet to the second highest point in the Phoenix Mountains after Camelback Mountain. It is a recreation area within Phoenix Mountain Preserve, located in the Piestewa Peak. During hiking, you will explore that much of its area is composed of old rocks, mainly schist. Its area includes all varieties of Arizona cactus, such as saguaro, barrel, and hedgehog. Wildflowers are abundant in the early spring, including Mexican gold, brittlebush lupine, desert globemallow, and scorpionweed. You will also find different species of reptiles, mammals, and birds in this region of Piestewa Peak. Thus, Piestewa Peak is one of the best places for hiking. You can climb here thousands of miles per week. 

  • 8 Plan Your Trip to Camelback Mountain
    Plan Your Trip to Camelback Mountain

    Camelback Mountain is another popular destination for hiking and rock climbing. Its Cholla Trail and Echo Canyon Trail are the two most difficult trails for hiking. Hiking in this beautiful destination will still be worth it. During your hike, you will explore native species of animals such as the desert tortoise, chuckwalla lizard, cottontail rabbits, and rattlesnakes. You will also be able to witness some of the rare plant species, such as saguaro, cholla, and prickly pear cacti. Some native trees are also present here that you can notice. Camelback Mountains include these unknown species of plants, trees, and animals. Its shape resembles the hump and head of a kneeling camel. That is why it is named after its shape. 

  • 9 Explore the Wide Species of Animals at Phoenix Zoo
    Explore the Wide Species of Animals at Phoenix Zoo

    Phoenix Zoo is one of the greatest attractions in Phoenix. This zoo, established in 1962, is nestled on 125 acres of land within Papago Park. Because of its wide area, this zoo is known to be one of the largest non-profit zoos in the U.S. It features over 3000 animals, including Bornean Orangutans, Sumatran Tigers, Komodo Dragons, and Masai Giraffes. The trails of this zoo are divided into four main themes The Arizona Trail (American Southwest Flora and Fauna), the African Trail, the Tropics Trail (residents of rain forests), and the Children’s Trail. The recommended time to visit this zoo is during this day. At this time, you will be able to enjoy the view of most of the animals of the desert region.

  • 10 Experience Visual Art at Phoenix Art Museum
    Experience Visual Art at Phoenix Art Museum

    Phoenix Art Museum is the largest museum for visual art in the U.S. This museum hosts international exhibitions of a great collection of art. Its collection includes more than 18000 works of art from the Southwest United States. Not only this region, but the art from Asia, America, Europe, Latin America, Western America, modern and contemporary are also displayed here. Besides exhibitions, the museum also hosts festivals, live performances, independent art films, and educational programs. Taking a tour of this museum is one of the fun things to do in Phoenix.  This museum features an interactive space for children and creative photography. Its creative photograph feature is partnered with the Centre for Creative Photography. Thus, this museum is worth visiting if you are in Phoenix. 

Phoenix Monthly Temperature

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Low 46°F49°F56°F62°F68°F80°F85°F84°F78°F66°F54°F46°F
High 69°F72°F80°F87°F93°F106°F107°F106°F101°F90°F77°F67°F

FAQs About Things to Do in Phoenix

1 Is there much to do in Phoenix?

The state of Arizona offers several fun things to do in Phoenix. Phoenix is it’s one of the best cities, with vibrant city life, top-class museums, art galleries, festivals, concerts, and a day trip to the Sonoran Desert. Thus, Phoenix consists of interesting spots that are worth exploring. 

2 Why is Phoenix so popular?

Phoenix is one of the popular destinations in the U.S. that are worth visiting for a holiday. You can also plan to settle down here. This city boasts excellent warm weather, job opportunities, large settlements, and a strong local economy. It is a famous spot among young professionals as well as the retirees. 

3 Is Phoenix a friendly city?

Phoenix is a friendly city for tourists because of its warm climate. Its desert region is responsible for this climate. You will see a vast species of animals, plants, and trees here. It has a huge collection of these species from deserts all around the world. You will have flora and fauna from continents such as Asia, America, and Europe. That is why it is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations. 

4 Is Phoenix a beautiful city?

Phoenix is a beautiful city in the state of Arizona that is situated on the northeastern reaches of the Sonoran Desert.  It is a wide desert land that represents thousands of animals and plants that are thriving in its warm climate. Because of this reason, thousands of tourists flock here to witness some of its rare species.