Phoenix, AZ

Travel Guide
Phoenix featuring art and interior views

Phoenix Travel Guide Video

In Arizona’s capital city, discover a lively downtown, many outstanding museums, fascinating Native American historical relics and stunning natural beauty.

Phoenix is a sunny oasis with an equally cheerful atmosphere. Explore Downtown Phoenix on foot to enjoy the warm weather and explore award-winning restaurants, lively nightlife and a charming historic district. Stop at Roosevelt Row to learn about the city’s burgeoning arts and music community.

Discover numerous cultural institutions in Phoenix. Browse through classic and modern art in the Phoenix Art Museum. Learn about the Southwest’s rich Native American history in the Heard Museum. See and play instruments from across the world at the Musical Instrument Museum and learn through interactive exhibits in the Arizona Science Center. The Hall of Flame Fire Museum covers 300 years of firefighting history.

See over 1,000 animals, including many endangered species, in the Phoenix Zoo. Follow themed trails taking you from Arizona, Africa and the tropics to family-friendly farms.

Wrigley Mansion sits atop La Colina Solana, which means small, sunny hill. It certainly lives up to its name. From the stately home enjoy views of Downtown Phoenix, Camelback Mountain and the wider Valley of the Sun.

Find Hole-in-the-Rock on a small sandstone hill in Papago Park. The unique geological phenomenon has been in the works for millions of years and offers stunning panoramic views of Phoenix.

Learn about the Valley of the Sun’s first indigenous residents at Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park. Discover the homes and tools of a Native American Indian tribe that dates back about 1,500 years.

The Desert Botanical Garden shows that even the driest deserts host a wealth of life. In the Sonoran Desert, pick out the iconic Camelback Mountain, which resembles a resting camel. The mountain’s “hump” offers some of the best views in the state.

Use Phoenix as your gateway to the Valley of the Sun and greater Arizona. Visit nearby Scottsdale, home to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Taliesin West, architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert masterpiece. Mesa, Flagstaff and Fountain Hills are also unique destinations worth visiting.

Where to stay in Phoenix

Downtown Phoenix which includes signage and night scenes

Downtown Phoenix

3.5/5(2,458 area reviews)

A true urban neighborhood, Downtown Phoenix boasts major sports venues like Chase Field and Footprint Center, as well as cultural attractions such as the Arizona Science Center and Phoenix Art Museum. Easily accessible via Valley Metro Light Rail, enjoy walkable streets, friendly cafes, and local businesses.

Downtown Phoenix
Old Town

Old Town

Old Town is known for its popular shops, and you can see some sights in the area like Scottsdale Waterfront and Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West.

Old Town
Papago Park featuring desert views as well as a small group of people

Camelback East

4/5(1,116 area reviews)

Adjacent to Paradise Valley and Scottsdale, Camelback East Village boasts two main cores and sits between Piestewa Peak and Camelback Mountain. Explore the vibrant 24th Street and Camelback Road or 44th Street and Van Buren Street areas.

Camelback East
Downtown Scottsdale which includes a river or creek

Downtown Scottsdale

If you're spending some time in Downtown Scottsdale, Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West and Scottsdale Waterfront are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Scottsdale
Deer Valley showing landscape views and a small town or village

Deer Valley

3.5/5(888 area reviews)

Nestled in northwestern Phoenix, Deer Valley boasts the Adobe Dam Regional Park, offering a sports complex, golf course, and kart racing track. Explore the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve, home to over 1500 petroglyphs, for a unique experience.

Deer Valley
Sunset in the desert #nofilter

Central Scottsdale

4.5/5(275 area reviews)

While visiting Central Scottsdale, you might make a stop by sights like Scottsdale Ranch Park and Scottsdale Fiesta.

Central Scottsdale
Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak
Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak
4 out of 5
7677 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ
The price is $182 per night from Aug 12 to Aug 13
$182
includes taxes & fees
$162 per night
Aug 12 - Aug 13
Book a stay at this spa resort in Phoenix. Enjoy free parking, 6 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Biltmore Fashion Park and Camelback ...
7.6/10 Good! (3,341 reviews)
"Nice family facility. Kids love the water park. Easy to get to the airport."

Reviewed on Jul 23, 2024

Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak
Talking Stick Resort
Talking Stick Resort
4 out of 5
9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $206 per night from Jul 30 to Jul 31
$206
includes taxes & fees
$184 per night
Jul 30 - Jul 31
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Scottsdale. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the comfy rooms and the property condition ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,221 reviews)
"Friendly staff and cleanliness"

Reviewed on Jul 25, 2024

Talking Stick Resort
Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
4 out of 5
8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway, Phoenix, AZ
The price is $222 per night from Aug 11 to Aug 12
$222
includes taxes & fees
$198 per night
Aug 11 - Aug 12
Book a stay at this spa resort in Phoenix. Enjoy 6 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the comfy rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,617 reviews)
"We absolutely loved the water park, the staff was friendly, the room was perfect, and the restaurants were centrally located providing golf carts made it easy to get around."

Reviewed on Jul 26, 2024

Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hotel Scottsdale
Hotel Scottsdale
2 out of 5
3275 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Scottsdale. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Talking Stick Resort Casino ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,348 reviews)
"I perfectly understand that they are under renovation and I am fine with it. I actually like the room that I got."

Reviewed on Jul 25, 2024

Hotel Scottsdale
Metro PHX Apartments
Metro PHX Apartments
3.5 out of 5
Phoenix
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Phoenix. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
6.6/10 (1,971 reviews)
Awesome stay
"Our stay was amazing Nikki in front office was awesome"

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2024

Metro PHX Apartments
Scottsdale Camelback Resort
Scottsdale Camelback Resort
4 out of 5
6302 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ
Stay at this 4-star spa condo in Scottsdale. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (850 reviews)
3 nights stay
"Great place to stay. The parking spaces were extremely narrow. The resort was 10-15 minutes from restaurants."

Reviewed on Jul 23, 2024

Scottsdale Camelback Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Phoenix

Renting a car is essential if you want to be able to get the most out of your Phoenix experience, as the city and its surroundings are extremely spaced out and public transportation isn’t always reliable. Pick up a rental car from the airport or the city center. There is a public bus system, the Valley Metro, but this has been designed with commuters in mind, so it isn’t that useful for tourists. Visit the Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority website. Browse Phoenix rental cars.

Best time to visit

Enjoy the Phoenix weather at its most pleasant between November and March, when temperatures should rarely climb above the high 70s F (20s C). From April onwards, expect temperatures to soar as high as a sizzling 106 F (41 C). This means the only way to experience the wealth of fantastic outdoor opportunities available in the city and the surrounding desert is to travel in winter or at the very start of spring.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Phoenix

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
2951
" "5 - Excellent 34.70539809479008%
4 - Good
3740
" "4 - Good 43.98447606727038%
3 - Okay
1501
" "3 - Okay 17.652593202399153%
2 - Disappointing
174
" "2 - Disappointing 2.0463365870869104%
1 - Terrible
137
" "1 - Terrible 1.611196048453487%

5/5 - Excellent

LoriAmberttuex

I love Phoenix. Trust me, it has it's faults in it's stars but with all that I still LOVE this town.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

As with any city, some areas were very nice and others not so nice. It was very hot there.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

I love Phoenix it’s got lots to do and definitely pool capital of the world.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Its HOT!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Was a noce quite trip to visit family

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Be carefully peopple drive very bad and so fast. they dont respect speed limits.

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