Phoenix what do to

Don't give in. Exploring our city and finding things to do in Phoenix's desert horizons will broaden yours. Autumn is on the way and with it will come pumpkin spice everything and fun festivals happening all…. From museums to outdoor excursions, here are the details on what's open in Greater Phoenix for the…. Known as a top destination for golf, Greater Phoenix offers nearly golf courses for your next…. With more than days of sunshine each year, Greater Phoenix sets the bar on water experiences and….

Learn some fun facts about the iconic desert plant, and check out spots like Desert Botanical…. Serene desert gardens, one-of-a-kind museums, award-winning dining and more: Make sure these can't-miss spots are on your Phoenix to-do list. Check out the Instagram pics below then get the details on the top Phoenix attractions. Desert adventures, urban exploration, family fun, and more: Find attractions and things to do that suit your vacation desires in the categories below.

Your trip, your way. Find inspiration for your Phoenix vacation with four-day itineraries created by our travel experts and loyal locals. Explore our most popular itineraries below or check out the full series. Savvy spenders can enjoy the best of Phoenix without breaking the bank with these activities and….

The home went through renovations when Wright returned annually, working with his students to carry out his design. The home is a true and unique work of art. It took me almost a dozen years of living in Phoenix to see Taliesen West. It is everything I hoped it would be and it was really amazing to see. It is open daily from to This unique museum is my favorite in the valley and it is one of my top five favorite museums in the world. It is the only global musical instrument museum in the world and is so beautifully and thoughtfully curated.

The museum brings instruments from around the world to life in such an interesting way. You get a headset when you purchase your ticket. Then, walk around the rooms representing the continents and areas around the globe so you can read about the people, learn about the instruments while having the opportunity to watch them being played, and seeing them on a video as you read.

It is such a fascinating experience! It is located at E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ This scenic observation point offers the best views of the Phoenix area. It is the highest point you can drive to, with an elevation of over 2, feet.

It is located in South Mountain Park and Preserve, which is one of the largest municipal parks in the country. On any given day you will see people hiking and biking on more than 51 miles of trails in this scenic desert park.

If you want to see some other amazing hikes in and around Phoenix, scroll on down to 6 or click here. There are a ton of mountains in and around the valley offering a wide range of hikes and views. There is no cost to see it and you have the option to drive to the top of the mountain or hike up. If you do drive, there is a short, uneven walk to get to the Lookout.

The park is open from 5 a. Please check the South Mountain Park website for any information about road closures before you go. When you think of the desert, chances are you think of sand and shades of brown. The Desert Botanical Garden is there to debunk the myth that there is little or no green in the desert. You can walk the tranquil paths through the garden, attend fun events, dine at their restaurants, and learn about life in the desert.

The Desert Botanical Garden is located at N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ It is open daily from 8 to 8. You may or may not know this, but Arizona has two relatively large and award-winning wine regions less than 3 hours away from Phoenix. The good news is that many of the wineries in that region also have tasting rooms located in Phoenix, or Scottsdale to be more precise. The best news? The wineries in Scottsdale can all easily accessed on foot, making visiting multiple locations in one day very easy!

They are all within a small area in the quaint Old Town Scottsdale neighborhood. If you will be winery-hopping in the Phoenix area , be sure to drink plenty of water and eat before, during, and after your visits to keep it classy! Most of the tasting rooms offer small plates of food and others have full menus to keep your stomachs full. There is ample hiking in and around the Phoenix area in many state and local parks.

The parks are a nice representation of the beauty of the desert. There are a lot of beautiful cacti and desert plants throughout and after the spring rains, you can see a beautiful canopy of green and wildflowers coat the ground. And nothing is more rewarding than when you climb a peak and see a gorgeous view of the entire area. The Havasupai Hike is an incredible experience.

I wrote a guide to the Havasupai hike that tells you everything you need to know to have a great time. The Phoenix area is really popular for golfers and there are an astounding golf courses in the Phoenix metro area. With over days of sunshine and no snow, it very well may be the perfect place for it. The Phoenix Open is a popular gathering for golf enthusiasts and non-golfers alike for the festive atmosphere and festive parties. But, golf is an almost year-round celebration for those that enjoy the sport.

There are some incredible private courses and the public ones are pretty impressive as well. Some of the best, according to golf aficionados are:. Stroll Mill Ave. There are a lot of great ethnic restaurants on Mill and nearby to choose from including Irish, Ethiopian, Lebanese, Greek, and others.

Visit Tempe Town Lake to enjoy kayaking, sailing, rowing, jogging, fishing or picnicking. There are also many festivals and events at Tempe Beach Park throughout the year that are a lot of fun. And Gammage Theater is right off of Mill Ave with Broadway-style shows throughout the year as well as other performing arts shows.

The heart of Mill Ave. They are open from 10 to 6 Saturday through Thursday and are closed on Friday. Before some of the national movie theaters were offering adult beverages in their theaters, FilmBar was doing it. This small one-theater establishment offers some really fun and interesting movies on a wide range of topics including documentaries, s classics, foreign films, and others.

Movie time varies but you can get the latest information about what films are currently playing and what is coming up on their website. Stop by to have a beer or a great glass of wine and watch a film.

This garden provides a beautiful and relaxing break from the Phoenix desert. Where the Desert Botanical Garden celebrates the desert and indigenous plants, the Japanese Friendship Garden transports you to an authentic Japanese garden in the middle of Phoenix. The 3. It was created through a joint project between Phoenix and Himeji, its Japanese sister city. If you are seeking a break from the desert landscape, this is a peaceful place to enjoy. The Japanese Friendship Garden is located at N.

Well, I aim to rectify that now! A few years ago they an exhibit about Frieda and Diego and works by them which was pretty amazing! There is a lot of modern art at this museum with some really fun displays. This stunning mansion is a landmark of Phoenix. It was built in by chewing gum personality, William Wrigley Jr. It is located on top of a hill with amazing views of the city and the mountains. It is open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.

Tours are also offered for those curious to know more about the history, as well as the ghost stories, told about it. Tours are offered from Tuesday through Saturday at 10 a.

The Heard Museum is dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art. It has a massive collection with more than 40, pieces of Native American art. Some of the key collections include Navajo textiles, Hopi katsina dolls, Zuni and Navajo jewelry, ceramics throughout the ages, and woven baskets. This museum offers a distinct perspective about art and does highlight the Southwest and North America. The museum spans three floors and a surprisingly 48, square feet, with all sorts of exhibits and play experiences for children between the ages of infancy and ten years old.

Examples of some exciting exhibits are a noodle forest, a place for fort-building, a miniature market, a kiddie cafe, Pedal Power, the Schuff-Perini Climber, and BlockMania. Yet another one of the most fun and kid-friendly attractions to visit in the city of Phoenix, Arizona, the i. It provides exciting play for young kids while making sure each activity is full of education regarding basic concepts, including those for practical, motor, and scientific skills.

Exhibits at this Phoenix museum are largely interactive, and some appeal directly to many different children, such as a showcase of cartoon monsters delivered in a friendly, non-frightening way , plenty of hands-on bits and bobs, and a look into comic book characters of history. Kids aged below one year old get to go in for free to the i.

Well, the cumulative result is thanks to a big team of planners, fabricators, engineers, lighting designers, and architects, working together with colored lights, galvanized steel, and polyester twine netting to shape this huge work of art. Essentially, the ranch offers programs and schedules where you get to ride through the harsh Phoenix desert or other places.

There are a variety of different tour lengths, and you get a lot of information and education for your time. This interesting Phoenix, Arizona location has its main attraction: the Butterfly Pavilion, which is a huge indoor enclosure that features thousands upon thousands of butterflies that happily and freely fly about.

Some lucky visitors who get there at the right time even get to see some of these vibrant and pretty insects break free from a chrysalis.

Butterfly Wonderland features a sideshow of poisonous critters from the desert, like scorpions and spiders. There is also a freshwater aquarium called OdySea in the Desert, a honey bee showcase, an exhibit of reptiles, and a 3D theater!

The Superstition Mountain Museum primarily contains information about the mysterious Lost Dutchman Mine, which no one has been able to locate since the passing away of the Dutchman. Many have studied maps drawn by the Dutchman himself and have even gone on expeditions across Phoenix to find it, but none have succeeded.

One of the more somber Phoenix attractions and a top option for the patriotic, the Anthem Veterans Memorial is only visible in its complete glory once a year — and for only one minute a year, at that! Within the Circle of Honor on the Phoenix, Arizona monument, you can read the many names of the brave men and women who have served their country. The pavers on the Circle of Honor, made from brick, are colored in red, while the pillars are white, and the sky above is blue to symbolize the colors of the American flag.

Well, it was created with something known as a fixed azimuth, which is essentially a horizontal angle noted down at the correct time, according to Jim Martin, the chief engineer behind the memorial.

Originally called the Phoenix Comic Fest, this comic convention is definitely at the peak of the list of what to do for pop culture nerds! This event saw its beginnings back in when it was just a small gathering held at the Ahwatukee branch of the Best Western Hotel. Now, it needs a whole convention center and brings in famous guests and speakers and over , fans per year! South Mountain Park and Preserve first began being plotted back in the s, and it now has more than 16, acres to its name, consisting of 60 trails and plenty of stunning desert panoramas to take in.

The World Championship Hoop Dance Contest is an extremely fascinating event that is basically the top competition of its kind across the globe.

Audience members get to see an interesting form of art where dancers use hoops in order to make various symbols, backed by upbeat and thematic music. The two-mile lake is located in the middle of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, formed as a result of the damming of the Salt River. This Phoenix, Arizona spot is one of the most beautiful places to see, especially within such arid desert. The road is paved for all manners of travelers, and you can walk, jog, cycle, or skate your way through — or, perhaps, you could sign up for a segway tour!

P Hunt, the first governor of Arizona. This is likely why he decided that his final resting place would be this luxuriously white-tiled pyramid, true to the symbol of the freemasons. For fans of cars and the fun, competitive sport of racing, the Penske Racing Museum of Phoenix, Arizona is nothing short of a must see. Have you ever been to the Sabino Canyon? Well, apart from that, here are some awesome things to do in Tucson! The Enchanted Island Amusement Park , located in the middle of Encanto Park, is a small and simple theme park that has a decent selection of things that a family can enjoy.

Huntington train and a carousel, and a small but reasonable number of snack and game stalls. In the summer, there is a splash zone, too, and there are pedal-boats that you can hop onto in order to view the rest of Encanto Park. It can be odd to think about a school specifically for driving, but since its conception in the year , the Bondurant High Performance Driving School has received nothing but impeccable praise.

The school was opened by Bob Bondurant and now contains over different vehicles that are all race-ready. Those who get a chance to try out their racing skills at the Bondurant High Performance Driving School will be able to rush around a 1. For those who prefer a slower pace, they can tour the facility, which spans 60 acres and meet multiple world-class teachers. Address: S.

Maricopa Rd. Arizona has a history of being a winter getaway for the rich, and Talking Stick Resort owes its existence to that history. Located on the border of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation, the resort is a luxurious escape only a short drive away from the city of Phoenix.

The resort itself combines a luxury hotel, two golf courses, and a massive casino filled with over 50 table games and hundreds of slot machines. Guests to this hotel will have the entrance privilege to an entertainment schedule that includes celebrity names like Foreigner and Jay Leno.

Phoenix is a fun city to be in — but considering its location in the desert, it should come as no surprise that it gets incredibly hot. With three floors and over tenants, Scottsdale Fashion Square makes its name in Phoenix as the largest shopping mall in Arizona. The last 60 years have seen it undergo several expansions and renovations, allowing it to keep up with the times in both size and design.

While both World Wars saw the contributive efforts of many Native American tribal members, the encryption specialists are well known now as the Navajo Code Talkers. Dedicated to the Code Talkers and their invaluable service, the Navajo Code Talkers Tribute is a giant sculpture of a young boy in traditional grab situated prominently in midtown Phoenix. Designed and sculpted by Vietnam War veteran Doug Hyde, the sculpture is a quiet reminder of the sacrifices made by Native peoples during the World Wars.

Arizona is undoubtedly full of beautiful sights, but its desert landscapes can get unbearably hot — especially during summer afternoons. So it only makes sense to try ducking out of the blazing midday heat into someplace cool and shady — like the Desert Ridge Marketplace! After a shopping spree, visitors can check out the screen cinema, or dine in at one of the plus options available at the shopping mall.

If you drop by on a weekend, you may be able to enjoy one of the many street performances in the general location! The place is home to a bustling nightlife too, with live comedy shows, band performances, and nightly DJ sets. Located in downtown Phoenix is the Phoenix Art Museum — a world-class establishment best known for its dedication to the preservation and exhibition of both classical and contemporary art.

The art museum traces its history back to , just after Arizona joined the fledgling United States. It has grown since then, and finally saw inauguration in as a proper museum and is now renowned for its art collections.

The real star of its collections, however, is their Latin American cache containing works, decorative pieces, and furniture from artists like Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.

Families can also enjoy the Thorne Miniature Rooms, which are meticulously period-accurate rooms scaled down to their original size. So if you happen to be traveling through Arizona and are close to Phoenix, consider dropping by the coolest art house theatre in the city to watch all sorts of indie films on your list of activities!

Here, film buffs can munch on a tamale or some popcorn while watching documentaries and indie films. The Phoenix Bat Cave may just be the answer you seek. Rather, it is a flood control tunnel that is regularly taken over by 10, to 20, Mexican Free-Tailed bats in need of a temporary home.

Arriving at dusk is ideal, as it is when these bats fly out and fill out the sky as they feed on bugs and insects. For the most part, the bats are seemingly unafraid of humans — so do watch out for some near misses as they swoop right past you! Just make sure to keep quiet while watching these spectacular creatures in action, and to follow the instructions laid out on signboards in the vicinity.

A must do while in Phoenix is certainly the Taste It Tours. This food-based tour takes its participants on a gastronomical adventure through the city, where you will be introduced to a memorable experience — some of the greatest culinary hotspots in the local food scene!