Phoenix, AZ

Travel Guide
Camelback Mountain showing landscape views and a sunset

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 showing street scenes and a small town or village as well as a family

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
Millionaire's tacos with a view of the ceviche station. LOVED dinner at Deseo

Paradise Valley Village

While visiting Paradise Valley Village, you might make a stop by sights like Kierland Commons and Orange Tree Golf Course.

Paradise Valley Village
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 Starfire Golf Club at Scottsdale Country Club and Scottsdale Ranch Park.

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 $127 per night from Jun 3 to Jun 4
$127
$182 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 3 - Jun 4
Book a stay at this spa resort in Phoenix. Enjoy free parking, 6 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.4/10 Good! (3,330 reviews)
"Fantastic amenities"

Reviewed on May 12, 2024

Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak
Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
4 out of 5
8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway, Phoenix, AZ
The price is $131 per night from May 23 to May 24
$131
$232 total
includes taxes & fees
May 23 - May 24
Book a stay at this spa resort in Phoenix. Enjoy 6 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,421 reviews)
"Great and comfortable place to stay."

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
Talking Stick Resort
Talking Stick Resort
4 out of 5
9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ
The price is $159 per night from Jun 4 to Jun 5
$159
$206 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 4 - Jun 5
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Scottsdale. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,889 reviews)
"Our visit to Talking Stick was amazing!"

Reviewed on May 10, 2024

Talking Stick 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.
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 ...
6.4/10 (1,830 reviews)
"The loft is extremely spacious giving you the comfort of being in your own home with its 2 bedroom 2 bath full kitchen amd upstairs downstairs floorplan. Its the perfect room choice for a family!"

Reviewed on May 11, 2024

Metro PHX Apartments
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. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,308 reviews)
"Nice hotel"

Reviewed on May 10, 2024

Hotel Scottsdale
Metro Tempe Apartments
Metro Tempe Apartments
4 out of 5
2301 E Southern Ave, Tempe, AZ
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Tempe. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.2/10 Good! (821 reviews)
"Will come back anytime I need to! Peaceful!"

Reviewed on May 1, 2024

Metro Tempe Apartments
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
Jun 5, 2020

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
Jun 4, 2020

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 4, 2020

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 3, 2020

Its HOT!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 3, 2020

Was a noce quite trip to visit family

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

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

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