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Best Things to Do in Phoenix (2026 Guide)

Phoenix is the desert metropolis of the American Southwest — a sprawling city of 1.6 million set in the Sonoran Desert, ringed by saguaro cactus, mountain preserves, and some of America's finest spa resorts. The Desert Botanical Garden, Camelback Mountain's summit hike, the Scottsdale arts scene, and Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West are the city's cultural highlights, while Sedona (2 hours north) is one of the most dramatically beautiful landscapes in America. This guide covers the best things to do in Phoenix and its surroundings.

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The unmissable in Phoenix

These are the staple sights — don't leave Phoenix without seeing them.

1
Apache Trail
#1 must-see

Apache Trail

📍 Phoenix, Arizona
🕐 Mon–Sun Open 24h
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2
Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
#2 must-see

Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix

📍 1125 N 3rd Ave, Phoenix, Arizona, 85003
🕐 Mon Closed · Tue–Sun 9 AM-7 PM
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Attractions in Phoenix

More attractions in Phoenix

Apache Trail 1
#1 must-see

Apache Trail

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📍 Phoenix, Arizona

The Apache Trail traces a route through the Superstition Mountains and along the chain of Salt River lakes east of Phoenix that has been called one of the most scenic drives in Arizona — a designation requiring context to appreciate, given how competitive that category is in a state defined by dramatic landscapes. State Route 88 follows a path through terrain that shifts from saguaro desert to sheer canyon walls to reservoir shoreline within a few miles, and the unpaved central section narrows to a single lane clinging to cliff edges above a several-hundred-foot drop.

The route begins near Apache Junction and runs roughly forty miles to Roosevelt Dam, passing through the small settlement of Tortilla Flat — a historic stagecoach stop with a restaurant and small store that serves as the last services before the unpaved section. Canyon Lake and Apache Lake sit along the route, both offering boat rentals and basic facilities. The unpaved segment, about twenty miles of rough graded dirt road, is passable in a standard vehicle under dry conditions but inadvisable in wet weather. Roosevelt Dam, completed in 1911 as the first major federal reclamation project, marks the eastern end of the scenic corridor.

The drive is most comfortable in spring and fall; summer heat is extreme. Allow three to four hours for the full route without extended stops. The route can be driven in either direction, though the unpaved section is somewhat easier navigated east to west.

The Apache Trail’s combination of desert mountain scenery, reservoir lakes, historic infrastructure, and a genuinely challenging road surface gives it a character distinct from Arizona’s other scenic drives — less polished, more demanding, and rewarding in proportion to the effort required.

Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix 2 💎 Hidden Gem by Locals
#2 must-see

Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix

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📍 1125 N 3rd Ave, Phoenix, Arizona, 85003

In the middle of a Phoenix neighborhood a few blocks from the downtown core, the Japanese Friendship Garden occupies 3.5 acres with a density of carefully composed detail that makes the surrounding city recede almost immediately upon entering. The garden was established as a symbol of the sister-city relationship between Phoenix and Himeji, Japan, and draws on traditional Japanese garden principles — borrowed scenery, the integration of water and stone, deliberate framing of views — applied to a desert climate requiring considerable horticultural adaptation.

A koi pond forms the garden’s central feature, its shoreline edged with stone lanterns, ornamental plantings, and a traditional covered pavilion. Pathways wind through plantings that blend Japanese maples, bamboo, and ornamental cherries with desert-adapted species, creating microclimates of shade and moisture. A waterfall feeds the pond from a constructed rocky hillside, its sound providing acoustic privacy from the surrounding streets. Seasonal changes include cherry blossom flowering in late winter and autumn color in the Japanese maples.

The garden is open Tuesday through Sunday and charges a modest admission fee. Morning visits offer the calmest atmosphere and the best light on the water features. The site is compact enough to cover in an hour, though the design rewards slower exploration — different compositions reveal themselves from different positions along the path, and the koi pond is best observed from multiple vantage points. The location near Heritage Square makes it a natural addition to a downtown Phoenix cultural day.

Within Phoenix’s park system, the Japanese Friendship Garden provides a quality of contemplative experience that the city’s larger desert preserves do not — an enclosed, intentionally composed landscape where scale and detail matter as much as panoramic scope. Its existence in a city better known for sprawl reflects a civic commitment to cultural exchange that the sister-city relationship with Himeji has sustained across several decades.

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The best things to do in Phoenix begin with the Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park — 145 acres of desert plants from the Sonoran and other desert ecosystems, extraordinarily beautiful when the saguaros bloom in April-May. The Heard Museum on Central Avenue is one of America’s finest Native American art and culture museums, with exceptional collections of Hopi, Navajo, and other Southwest Indigenous works. Camelback Mountain (two trails: Echo Canyon, 2.4 km with 450 m elevation gain — one of the Southwest’s most popular urban hikes) dominates the skyline between Phoenix and Scottsdale. Taliesin West — Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and architecture school in Scottsdale, built from 1937 — is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most important modernist architectural complex in Arizona. The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in north Phoenix has the world’s largest museum of musical instruments, with 6,000+ instruments from 200 countries.

Best time to visit

October-April is Phoenix’s best season — temperatures are comfortable (20-28°C), the desert is green from winter rains, and outdoor activities are enjoyable. November has brilliant blue skies and low humidity. The Phoenix Open golf tournament (February, one of the PGA Tour’s largest, with 500,000+ spectators) and the Barrett-Jackson car auction (January) are major annual events. May-September is genuinely brutal: summer temperatures routinely exceed 40°C, reaching 47°C in extreme heatwaves. The July-August monsoon season brings dramatic afternoon thunderstorms and occasional dust storms (haboobs) but also relieves the heat temporarily. Sedona and the Grand Canyon’s South Rim are accessible year-round but require more planning in summer.

Getting around

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the main Southwest hub, served by all major US carriers and several international routes. The PHX Sky Train connects terminals to the Rental Car Center and the Metro Light Rail (44th St/Washington station, free Sky Train). The Valley Metro Rail covers Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa along a 45-km east-west corridor; a car is essential for Scottsdale, North Phoenix, and day trips. Uber and Lyft are reliable throughout the metro. The I-10 and SR-51 are the main Phoenix highways; the SR-51 (Piestewa Freeway) reaches Scottsdale in 15 minutes from downtown.

What to eat and drink

Phoenix and Scottsdale have developed one of the Southwest’s most interesting restaurant scenes. Binkley’s Restaurant in Cave Creek (Kevin Binkley’s tasting menu, frequently cited among Arizona’s best) and Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley (Southwestern fine dining) represent the high end. For Mexican: Barrio Café on 16th Street (award-winning modern Mexican by chef Silvana Salcido Esparza), La Santisima on Camelback Road (traditional Oaxacan), and the Tamale Store at the Central Avenue Mexican markets. The Scottsdale Fashion Square area has a concentration of resort-driven upscale dining. Postino Wine Café (multiple Phoenix locations) is the city’s most popular wine bar. For craft beer: Four Peaks Brewery in Tempe (in a 1892 ice house, excellent Kilt Lifter Scottish Ale) and SunUp Brewing in Phoenix.

Areas to explore

Scottsdale Old Town — The Arts District has 80+ galleries on one small walkable grid. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), First Friday art walks, and the Thursday evening ArtWalk are the key events.

Camelback Mountain — Echo Canyon Trailhead (most popular, steeper) and Cholla Trail (longer, more gradual). Arrive before 8am in cooler months; the summit books up quickly. Spectacular sunrise views.

Desert Botanical Garden / Papago Park — The Desert Botanical Garden’s trails through saguaro, cholla, and prickly pear. The adjacent Papago Park has the Phoenix Zoo, the Hole-in-the-Rock geological formation, and accessible hiking. 20 minutes from downtown.

Tempe (Arizona State University) — Mill Avenue’s restaurants and bars, Tempe Town Lake, and the ASU Art Museum. The Tempe Arts Center is the city’s most active independent arts venue.

Taliesin West (Scottsdale) — Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter studio and home, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guided tours run hourly. The Desert Shelter Tour is the best for architectural exploration.

Sedona (day trip) — Two hours north on I-17 and AZ-179. Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Airport Mesa (the best 360° panoramic view), and the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Sedona’s red rock canyons are among the Southwest’s most photographed landscapes.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best things to do in Phoenix?

The best things to do in Phoenix include the Desert Botanical Garden, the Heard Museum of Native American art, hiking Camelback Mountain, visiting Taliesin West, exploring Scottsdale's Old Town arts district, and day-tripping to Sedona's red rock country. Phoenix's outdoor and cultural offerings are consistently underappreciated.

How many days do I need in Phoenix?

Three to four days covers Phoenix and Scottsdale's main attractions. Add a full day for Sedona, a half day for the Grand Canyon (3.5 hours north), and a day for the Apache Trail scenic drive through the Superstition Mountains. Five to seven days allows a comprehensive Arizona experience from Phoenix as base.

Is Phoenix safe for tourists?

Phoenix's tourist areas (Scottsdale, Tempe, the resort districts) are very safe. Downtown Phoenix requires normal urban awareness. The desert environment itself is the main safety consideration: heat, dehydration, and sun exposure are genuine risks on any outdoor activity, even in winter.

What is the best time to visit Phoenix?

November-March for the most comfortable outdoor conditions. April for Desert Botanical Garden cactus blooms. Avoid May-September for outdoor-focused travel — temperatures are extreme.

How do I get around Phoenix?

A rental car is strongly recommended — Phoenix is extremely car-dependent. The Light Rail is useful for downtown-Tempe-Mesa trips. Sky Harbor Airport connections by Sky Train to the Light Rail are convenient.

Is Phoenix expensive?

Phoenix has excellent-value accommodation outside peak season (October-April). Scottsdale resort rates are very high in winter. Summer rates drop dramatically. Dining ranges from $10 Mexican street food to $200+ resort tasting menus.

What are hidden gems in Phoenix?

The Musical Instrument Museum in north Phoenix is one of America's most extraordinary and overlooked museums. The Smoki Museum in Prescott (90 minutes north of Phoenix) has a remarkable collection of Native American artefacts. The Apache Trail (AZ-88) east of Phoenix through the Tonto National Forest, past Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flat, is one of Arizona's most dramatic scenic drives and almost entirely missed by Phoenix visitors.