Things to do in Phoenix
Visit November through April for warm, sunny days ideal for hiking and patios. Summer (May to September) is brutally hot, with daytime highs routinely above 105F and frequent triple-digit heat, so plan any outdoor activity for sunrise.
Best months: November, December, February, March, April
What is worth your time in Phoenix
Camelback Mountain (Echo Canyon Trail)Do not miss
Phoenix's signature summit hike, a steep scramble up the iconic camel-shaped peak rewarded by a sweeping valley panorama.
Nature · 3.3 hr4.9
Musical Instrument MuseumDo not miss
A globally beloved museum where wireless headphones play each of thousands of instruments from every country on earth as you approach.
Museum · 3.3 hr4.9
Desert Botanical GardenDo not miss
A world-class living museum of 50,000 desert plants on 140 acres, dazzling at sunrise and during the seasonal Las Noches de las Luminarias.
Park · 2.5 hr4.8
South Mountain Park (Dobbins Lookout)Do not miss
Drive or hike to the highest viewpoint in one of the largest municipal parks in the US for a panorama over the entire valley, magical at sunset.
Viewpoint · 1.8 hr4.8
Heard MuseumDo not miss
The nation's premier museum of American Indian art and culture, with a renowned collection and an acclaimed boarding-school exhibit.
Museum · 2.5 hr4.7
Hole-in-the-RockDo not miss
A short scramble to a natural sandstone window framing the skyline, a Hohokam solar marker and a classic Phoenix sunset spot.
Nature · 45 min4.7
Papago ParkDo not miss
A red-rock buttes park at the city's heart with easy trails, the famous Hole-in-the-Rock, and the zoo and botanical garden at its edges.
Park · 1.5 hr4.7
Phoenix Art MuseumDo not miss
The Southwest's largest art museum, home to Yayoi Kusama's infinity room and strong fashion, Western, and Latin American collections.
Museum · 2.5 hr4.7
Taliesin WestDo not miss
Frank Lloyd Wright's UNESCO-listed desert masterpiece and winter home, a school of organic architecture carved into the Sonoran foothills.
Architecture · 2 hr4.6
Old Town ScottsdaleDo not miss
Scottsdale's walkable Western-meets-chic core of galleries, patios, boutiques, and the Thursday night ArtWalk.
Neighborhood · 2.3 hr
Sonoran Desert Off-Road Jeep Tour
A guided four-wheel-drive plunge into the saguaro backcountry to learn the Sonoran ecosystem and reach views no road delivers.
Activity · 3.5 hr5
Hall of Flame Fire Museum
One of the world's largest collections of firefighting history, a surprising, kid-pleasing browse of gleaming antique engines in Papago Park.
Museum · 1.5 hr4.8
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
A beloved Scottsdale park with a ridable miniature railroad, a 1929 carousel, and shaded picnic lawns for families.
Park · 1.5 hr4.8
Phoenix Mountains Preserve
A vast network of desert trails through saguaro-studded mountains right inside the city, anchored by Piestewa Peak and Dreamy Draw.
Nature · 2.3 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Summer heat is dangerous: hike Camelback, Piestewa, and South Mountain at sunrise, carry far more water than you think you need, and turn back early.
- Greater Phoenix is car-dependent and sprawling; rent a car to reach Scottsdale, the desert preserves, and day trips.
- Carry water everywhere and reapply sunscreen often; the desert sun is intense even in mild winter months.
- Many desert gardens, hikes, and outdoor venues are best enjoyed early morning or near sunset; midday is for indoor museums.
- Standard US tipping applies: 18 to 20 percent at restaurants. Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, so check time differences with neighboring states.