Camelback Mountain. Phoenix's iconic 2,704-foot landmark offers two strenuous summit trails — Echo Canyon and Cholla — with 360-degree views of the entire Valley. Both routes involve rocky scrambles with metal handrails near the top; expect a genuine physical challenge and bring at least two liters of water per person.
Desert Botanical Garden. Set inside Papago Park, this 140-acre garden showcases more than 50,000 plants from the world's desert regions, with the Sonoran Desert Loop Trail as its centerpiece. After dark, the seasonal Desert Oasis Garden After Dark event transforms the grounds with 12 immersive light installations.
Heard Museum. One of the foremost institutions dedicated to Native American art and culture in the country, the Heard spans 12 galleries of baskets, pottery, jewelry, textiles, and contemporary works. Native Americans are always admitted free, and the museum offers a Free First Friday program most months.
Roosevelt Row Arts District (First Friday Art Walk). Downtown Phoenix's creative heart spans nearly 100 galleries, murals, boutiques, and restaurants across Roosevelt Row and Historic Grand Avenue. On the first Friday of each month from 6 to 10 p.m., thousands of visitors pour in for a free all-ages art walk that ranks among the largest monthly events of its kind in…
Phoenix Art Museum. The largest art museum in the American Southwest holds more than 20,000 objects spanning fashion, European masters, Latin American modernism, and the American West. Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesdays (after 3 p.m.) and free First Fridays make it accessible to all.
South Mountain Park and Preserve. At over 16,000 acres, South Mountain is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States, laced with 58 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Dobbins Lookout at 2,330 feet delivers a sweeping panorama of the city, and the eccentric Mystery Castle (open October through May) is a…
Papago Park and Hole-in-the-Rock. A natural red sandstone butte with a carved stairway leading through a dramatic oval opening frames postcard-perfect city views and is manageable for nearly all fitness levels. The park also contains the Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Zoo, and a network of easy desert trails.
Scottsdale Old Town ArtWalk. Old Town Scottsdale packs more than 40 galleries, dozens of restaurants, and historic Western storefronts into a walkable square mile. Every Thursday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. the Scottsdale ArtWalk — the longest-running weekly art event in the nation — opens galleries free to the public with free trolley rides…
Top-rated tours & activities in Phoenix
Ancient Ruins Tour - Guided Arizona Desert Tour by UTV — 5.0★ (758 reviews)
Stunning Sunset or Sunrise Guided Hiking Adventure in Phoenix — 5.0★ (366 reviews)
The Shoot House — 5.0★ (121 reviews)
Musical Instrument Museum Self-Guided Tour Ticket in Phoenix — 4.9★ (279 reviews)
Ancient Ruins Tour - Guided Arizona Desert Tour by UTV — 5.0★ (758 reviews)
Stunning Sunset or Sunrise Guided Hiking Adventure in Phoenix — 5.0★ (366 reviews)
The Shoot House — 5.0★ (121 reviews)
Musical Instrument Museum Self-Guided Tour Ticket in Phoenix — 4.9★ (279 reviews)
Epic Camelback Mountain Guided Hiking Adventure in Phoenix, Arizona — 5.0★ (268 reviews)
Outdoor Range - Modern Warfare Package — 5.0★ (48 reviews)
Arizona Desert Guided E-Bike Adventure — 4.9★ (664 reviews)
3-Day Grand Canyon Classic Hike to the Colorado River — 4.9★ (54 reviews)