9 Things to Do in Phoenix on Your First Arizona Trip
Phoenix gets written off as a place you fly into on the way to the Grand Canyon. That’s a mistake. It’s a big, sunny, surprisingly interesting city, and the desert starts right at the edge of the neighborhoods.
In this guide
- 1. Walk the Desert Botanical Garden
- 2. Hike Camelback Mountain
- 3. Spend a morning at the Heard Museum
- 4. See the Musical Instrument Museum
- 5. Catch sunset at Hole-in-the-Rock
- 6. Tour Taliesin West
- 7. Wander Roosevelt Row
- 8. Drive up South Mountain at night
- 9. Eat Sonoran food
- Where to stay
- When to go
- A simple two-day plan
- Common questions
If it’s your first trip to Arizona, here are nine things worth your time. Most are within a 20-minute drive of downtown, and you’ll want a car for this one.
1. Walk the Desert Botanical Garden
This is the best introduction to the Sonoran Desert you’ll get anywhere. The Desert Botanical Garden covers about 140 acres in Papago Park, with easy trails past giant saguaros, barrel cactus and wildflowers you didn’t know grew in the desert.
Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light is soft and the heat is lower. Tickets aren’t cheap, but it’s the one place on this list I’d never skip. In winter, the evening luminaria nights are lovely.
2. Hike Camelback Mountain
Camelback is the hike everyone in Phoenix talks about, and it’s tougher than it looks. The Echo Canyon trail is only about 1.2 miles each way, but it climbs steeply, with handrails and some scrambling over boulders near the top.
Start at sunrise, bring more water than you think, and wear shoes with grip. The view from the summit covers the whole valley. FYI, the city closes the trail during the hottest hours on extreme heat days, and parking fills up fast on weekends.
3. Spend a morning at the Heard Museum
The Heard Museum, open since 1929, is one of the best museums of American Indian art in the country. It’s in a beautiful Spanish-style building with shady courtyards and fountains.
The galleries cover the cultures of the Southwest, from Hopi kachina dolls to modern painting and jewelry. The exhibit on the boarding school era is hard to read but important. Give it two or three hours, and save time for the gift shop, which sells real work by Native artists.
4. See the Musical Instrument Museum
This one surprises people. The Musical Instrument Museum, in north Phoenix, holds thousands of instruments from around 200 countries. You get a headset, and as you walk up to each display, you hear the instruments being played.
There’s also an Experience Gallery where you can bang on drums and try a harp. It’s easy to spend half a day here. If you only have time for one museum, it’s a tough call between this and the Heard. Honestly, do both.
5. Catch sunset at Hole-in-the-Rock
Hole-in-the-Rock is a red sandstone butte in Papago Park with a big natural opening in it. It’s a short, easy walk up, maybe 10 minutes, and it’s one of the best free sunset spots in the city.
Sit in the opening and watch the sky turn orange over the city. It gets busy around sunset, so arrive a bit early. Since it’s right next to the Botanical Garden, you can pair the two in one afternoon.
6. Tour Taliesin West
Taliesin West was Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and studio, built from 1937 on the edge of Scottsdale. He used desert stone, wood and canvas to make buildings that look like they grew out of the ground.
You can only visit on a guided tour, so book ahead. Even if you’re not into architecture, the setting is stunning and the guides tell great stories about Wright and his students. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with several of his other buildings.
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7. Wander Roosevelt Row
Roosevelt Row is downtown Phoenix’s arts district, a few blocks of murals, small galleries, coffee shops and old bungalows turned into restaurants. It’s very walkable and very photogenic.
If you’re in town on the first Friday of the month, the First Friday art walk brings out food trucks, music and crowds. Any other day, it’s a relaxed place for a coffee and a stroll.
8. Drive up South Mountain at night
South Mountain Park is one of the largest city parks in the country, and it has hiking and biking trails for every level. But the real reason to go is Dobbins Lookout.
Drive up around sunset and stay until it’s dark. The lights of the whole valley spread out below you. It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s a great way to end your first day.
9. Eat Sonoran food
Phoenix is close to the Mexican border, and the food shows it. Try a Sonoran hot dog, wrapped in bacon and topped with beans, onions and salsa. Look for family-run taco spots and don’t skip the carne asada.
And yes, some of the best pizza in America is in Phoenix. Pizzeria Bianco has a cult following. The wait can be long, but it’s worth it.
Where to stay
For a first trip, stay in downtown Phoenix or Old Town Scottsdale. Downtown is cheaper and close to Roosevelt Row and the museums. Scottsdale has more restaurants and nightlife. Resorts with big pools are everywhere, and prices drop a lot in summer.
When to go
October to April is the sweet spot, with warm days and cool nights. Spring brings wildflowers and baseball spring training. Summer is brutal, often above 110°F, so plan everything for early morning if you go then.
A simple two-day plan
Day one: hike Camelback at sunrise, then cool off with a late breakfast and a long, lazy morning at the Heard Museum. Spend the afternoon at the Desert Botanical Garden and walk up to Hole-in-the-Rock for sunset, since they’re right next to each other.
Day two: start at the Musical Instrument Museum when it opens, then drive across to Taliesin West for an afternoon tour. Finish with tacos on Roosevelt Row and a drive up South Mountain once it’s dark. That’s a full, varied first trip, and you’ll have barely touched the casino-resort side of the city, which, honestly, is fine.
One more tip: drink water constantly, even in winter. The desert air is dry enough that you won’t notice you’re sweating, and dehydration sneaks up on first-time visitors fast.
Common questions
How many days do I need in Phoenix?
Two or three days covers the highlights. Add a few more for a trip to Sedona or the Grand Canyon.
Do I need a car?
Yes. There’s a light rail, but most of these sights are spread out.
Is Camelback hard for beginners?
It’s steep and rocky. Fit beginners do it, but start early and turn around if you’re struggling.
How far is the Grand Canyon from Phoenix?
The South Rim is about a three-and-a-half-hour drive north.
Is Phoenix worth visiting in summer?
Only if you love pools and early mornings. The heat is dangerous for hiking in the middle of the day.
