Things to Do in Phoenix Arizona: 25 Ways to Explore the Valley of the Sun

Planning a trip to the desert? You’re in luck, because the list of things to do in Phoenix is as vibrant and diverse as the Valley of the Sun itself.

From hiking Camelback Mountain to strolling through art-filled museums, you’ll find things to do in Phoenix Arizona that match every mood and travel style. Families can spend the day at the Phoenix Zoo, while thrill-seekers can venture out on off-road tours or day trips to the Grand Canyon.

Food lovers won’t leave hungry either, thanks to world-class pizza, Sonoran Mexican flavors, and fine dining with a view. Seasonal events like ZooLights and cultural festivals add extra sparkle to your itinerary.

With so many things to do in Phoenix and nearby adventures worth the drive, the only hard part is choosing where to start. Keep reading to uncover 25 best things to do in Phoenix Arizona that you won’t want to miss!

Nature and Outdoors: Desert Trails, Mountain Views, and Sunset Magic

Camelback Mountain

Camelback Mountain isn’t just a hike—it’s a Phoenix rite of passage. Echo Canyon Trail is a short but steep grind, while Cholla Trail stretches longer with a steadier climb, both ending in sweeping desert and city views. Go early to catch the sunrise painting the sky and to avoid the midday heat.

Will your legs burn? Absolutely. But standing on that summit with the Valley of the Sun spread out below you makes every step worth it.

Desert Botanical Garden

Where else can you wander among towering saguaros, vibrant wildflowers, and glass-blown art installations that shimmer against the desert backdrop? The Desert Botanical Garden is 50 acres of beauty that changes with the seasons—spring bursts with blooms, while fall brings festivals and concerts under the stars.

Don’t skip the butterfly pavilion, where hundreds of delicate wings surround you in a kaleidoscope of color. Time your visit for sunset and the whole place glows like a desert dream. Isn’t it wild how alive the desert really is?

South Mountain Park and Preserve

Spanning more than 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park and Preserve is massive enough to swallow up a dozen Central Parks. With over 50 miles of trails, it’s a haven for hikers, bikers, and even horseback riders.

The Summit Road offers an easier way to enjoy the view if you’re not up for the climb, but catching the skyline from the Pima Canyon Trailhead feels like a reward you’ve earned.

Stick around for sunset—this is one of those spots where the city truly glows. Ever seen Phoenix turn pink and gold all at once?

Papago Park

Papago Park looks like a set from another planet with its massive red butte formations, and its most famous landmark, Hole-in-the-Rock, is an easy climb with a killer view. Families love it because you can pair a quick outdoor adventure with a visit to the Phoenix Zoo or Desert Botanical Garden, both inside the park grounds.

Pack a picnic, climb up the rock, and watch the city melt into desert hues around you. Sometimes the simplest spots are the ones that surprise you most.

Phoenix Zoo

Home to more than 3,000 animals across 125 acres, the Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the country. Each of its themed trails—Arizona, Africa, Tropics, and the Children’s Trail—feels like stepping into a different world.

Families flock to Monkey Village and the lakeside carousel, while adults can enjoy Stingray Bay or relax on the Safari Cruiser. Visit in the winter and the entire zoo transforms into a glowing wonderland during ZooLights. Few places mix wildlife, conservation, and pure family fun quite like this.

Arts, Culture and History: Museums, Music, and Meaningful Moments

Heard Museum

The Heard Museum is widely recognized as one of the nation’s premier destinations for Native American art and culture. Visitors encounter detailed Hopi katsina dolls, handwoven textiles, and contemporary pieces that highlight living traditions.

Exhibits on the history of Native boarding schools add a sobering layer to the experience, balancing artistry with education. Seasonal festivals fill the grounds with live music, artisan markets, and opportunities to meet Native creators directly.

Musical Instrument Museum

At the Musical Instrument Museum, more than 15,000 instruments from nearly every country in the world are on display. Each is paired with video screens so visitors can watch and listen to the instruments in their cultural settings.

The Experience Gallery allows hands-on play, giving both kids and adults the chance to experiment with sounds from around the globe. An intimate performance theater also brings international musicians to Phoenix, tying the exhibits back to live performance.

Japanese Friendship Garden

The Japanese Friendship Garden, a 3.5-acre oasis tucked near downtown, offers winding stone paths, a koi pond, and a traditional tea house. Designed in authentic Japanese style, it’s a calming escape from the desert bustle.

Seasonal programs, including the Otsukimi Moon Viewing, transform the garden into a cultural event filled with lanterns, music, and traditional performances. Whether you come for quiet reflection or photography, the garden blends beauty with cultural depth.

Orpheum Theatre Phoenix

Restored to its 1929 glory, the Orpheum Theatre Phoenix dazzles before the first note or line of dialogue even begins. Its Spanish Baroque Revival design features ornate ceilings, painted murals, and sweeping staircases that showcase a bygone era of elegance.

Over the decades, the stage has welcomed vaudeville, Broadway, and concerts, leaving behind a layered history of performance. Today, it continues as one of Phoenix’s premier cultural venues, hosting everything from touring productions to community events.

Phoenix Art Museum

Inside the Phoenix Art Museum, you’ll find everything from Renaissance masterpieces to bold contemporary installations. Special exhibits rotate regularly, while permanent collections feature fashion, Latin American art, and photography.

Whiteman Hall, the museum’s theater, often hosts Candlelight Concerts that transform classical and modern tributes into an immersive, glowing experience. As the largest art museum in the Southwest, it delivers both scale and variety in one place.

Family Fun and Entertainment: The Valley’s Best for All Ages

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

All aboard at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, where kids can climb into vintage train cars, ride the miniature railroad, and whirl around on a 1950s carousel. The wide green lawns are perfect for family picnics, while playgrounds keep younger ones busy between rides.

Seasonal events like holiday light displays transform the park into a glowing wonderland, adding even more magic to the experience. It’s an easy mix of history, play, and nostalgia that keeps families coming back year after year.

Children’s Museum of Phoenix

Three floors of hands-on exhibits turn the Children’s Museum of Phoenix into an all-day adventure. Kids can climb through the massive “Climber” structure, whip up pretend meals in the play kitchen, or get messy in the art studio.

Even toddlers have their own safe play zones, so no one feels left out. With more than 300 play experiences, it’s the kind of place where kids don’t want to leave—and parents secretly wish they could join in.

Stand Up Live

Family fun doesn’t always mean playgrounds—sometimes it’s about giving adults a night out. Stand Up Live is one of Phoenix’s top comedy clubs, bringing in big-name comics and up-and-coming talent for high-energy shows.

Grab a table, order from the full menu, and settle in for laughs that range from sharp wit to outrageous stories. After a day of family activities, it’s the perfect spot for grown-ups to recharge with laughter.

Painting with a Twist

At Painting with a Twist, art meets entertainment in a relaxed, social setting. Guests follow along with an instructor to create themed canvases—everything from glowing moonlit landscapes to playful pop-culture designs.

It’s part date night, part creative escape, and part comedy show thanks to the upbeat energy of the instructors. Bring your favorite drink, let loose, and leave with a piece of art you’ll actually want to hang at home.

Food and Drink: Savor the Flavors of the Sonoran Desert

Different Pointe of View

Perched high above the city at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, Different Pointe of View delivers dinner with a panorama. The menu leans upscale American—think seared scallops, prime cuts, and elegant desserts—all elevated by sweeping views of the Valley glittering below.

Time your reservation for sunset and you’ll get the full effect: golden light spilling across the desert while your first course arrives. It’s one of those dining experiences that feels like both a splurge and a memory in the making.

Chelsea’s Kitchen

With its canal-side patio, Chelsea’s Kitchen makes everyday dining feel like a mini getaway. The menu mixes hearty American comfort food with modern touches—burgers stacked high, tacos grilled over mesquite, and weekend brunches that pull in a lively crowd.

On cooler evenings, the fire pits outside add just the right amount of cozy. It’s the kind of place where you linger longer than planned, especially once the churros hit the table.

Pizzeria Bianco

Pizzeria Bianco isn’t just another pizza joint—it’s the spot that put Phoenix on the national culinary map. Chris Bianco’s wood-fired pies are legendary, with perfectly blistered crusts and fresh, simple toppings that taste anything but ordinary.

Lines can be long, but sliding into your seat and taking that first bite of a margherita or the famed Wiseguy is worth every minute. Few places manage to feel both laid-back and iconic at the same time, but this one nails it.

Original Breakfast House

Bright, cheerful, and always packed with locals, Original Breakfast House takes morning dining seriously. The menu covers the classics—fluffy pancakes, perfectly crisp bacon—but also throws in surprises like deep-fried French toast or inventive daily specials.

Portions are generous enough to fuel a full day of exploring the city. If brunch is your travel ritual, this spot belongs at the top of your Phoenix list.

The Arrogant Butcher

In the heart of downtown, The Arrogant Butcher buzzes with energy before sports games, concerts, or just a lively night out. The menu leans toward upscale comfort food—think juicy steaks, giant soft pretzels, and hearty seafood dishes.

A sleek bar anchors the space, making it just as good for happy hour as for a full dinner. It’s stylish without being stuffy, the kind of place where you can toast with craft beer or a martini and feel right at home either way.

Adventure and Tours: Day Trips You’ll Brag About Later

Apache Trail Day Adventure

Dusty ghost towns, towering mountains, and a steamboat ride across a desert lake all come together on the Apache Trail Day Adventure. Goldfield Ghost Town offers a taste of Old West life, complete with restored buildings and shops.

From there, the tour winds through the Superstition Mountains, a rugged landscape steeped in legend, before boarding the Dolly Steamboat for a 90-minute Canyon Lake cruise. Between history, scenery, and storytelling, it’s a day that packs Arizona’s frontier spirit into every stop.

Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour

Sunrise pickups set the tone for the Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour, a 13-hour journey into landscapes that look straight out of a dream. First stop is Antelope Canyon, where a Navajo guide leads you through narrow passageways glowing with surreal shafts of light.

Then it’s on to Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado River sweeps dramatically around a sandstone curve 1,000 feet below. With narration, lunch, and snacks included, this tour balances adventure with ease, giving travelers two of Arizona’s most iconic sights in a single unforgettable day.

Montezuma Castle, Jerome and Sedona Day Tour

Ancient dwellings, mining history, and red rock beauty all combine in the Montezuma Castle, Jerome and Sedona Day Tour. Explore Montezuma Castle, a cliffside home of the Sinagua people, followed by Tuzigoot, a sprawling pueblo ruin with panoramic Verde Valley views.

Jerome, once a copper mining hub, adds color and character with its hillside shops and restored buildings. Sedona closes the day with breathtaking vistas and galleries, making this 10-hour tour a blend of culture and scenery.

Advanced Hummer Off-Road Experience

Imagine powering over 22-inch vertical walls and crawling up 60-degree slopes in a military-grade H1 Hummer—this is the thrill of the Advanced Hummer Off-Road Experience. Guided drivers take you deep into the Sonoran Desert, where rocky trails, sandy washes, and steep inclines keep the adrenaline flowing.

Along the way, you’ll hear about the unique wildlife and desert ecosystems that thrive in this rugged terrain. Complimentary snacks, water, and photos round out the experience, but the memory of conquering impossible trails is what lingers longest.

Tombstone/Bisbee Sightseeing Tour with Saguaro N.P.

Cowboy showdowns and mining history come alive on the Tombstone/Bisbee Sightseeing Tour with Saguaro N.P.. In Tombstone, you’ll catch a staged gunfight at the O.K. Corral and stroll historic Allen Street lined with saloons and shops.

Bisbee follows with its quirky vibe and well-preserved copper town architecture. The adventure ends in Saguaro National Park, where towering cacti stretch across the desert in a landscape that defines Arizona.

Grand Canyon and Sedona Day Adventure

Two world-famous destinations headline the Grand Canyon and Sedona Day Adventure, a 13-hour excursion that delivers nonstop scenery. Sedona’s red rock formations and artsy downtown are the warm-up before you continue north to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

With three hours to explore inside the park, you’ll visit two of its most renowned viewpoints and spend time at Grand Canyon Village. A comfortable ride, included lunch, and expert narration turn this into a seamless way to check off Arizona’s biggest bucket-list spots.

Ready to Discover More in the Valley of the Sun?

The list of things to do in Phoenix goes far beyond the ordinary, blending desert landscapes, cultural gems, and one-of-a-kind adventures. With so many options, it’s easy to see why travelers keep asking: what is there to do in Phoenix that makes it unforgettable?

When you’re ready to turn your travel dreams into reality, Tripster’s vacation packages help you secure the best deals on phoenix attractions, shows, and hotels all in one place. Planning your getaway through us means stress-free booking, more savings, and more time to explore.

From bucket-list day trips to hidden gems, the variety of things to do in Phoenix Arizona guarantees every trip is unique. Don’t just imagine the adventure—go live it now!

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