How to Spend the Perfect Day in Phoenix, Arizona
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Phoenix has grown exponentially over the last decade, making it one of the top travel destinations in the United States. It’s known for its desert landscapes, giant Saguaro cacti, and amazing food scene, and its’ central location can’t be beaten. Scottsdale neighbors Phoenix and is just a short 25-minute car ride away, with popular Sedona being just 2 hours away. On top of that, the Grand Canyon’s South Rim is only about 3.5 hours away, making it a great day trip option from Phoenix. This central location is exactly why I chose Phoenix as my home base for a long weekend exploring Arizona, but Phoenix also makes for a great day trip from any surrounding cities!
Phoenix itself can be explored in one to three days depending on how much you want to pack in each day. And aside from the stunning desert backdrop, you may be wondering, is there anything cool to do in Phoenix or the greater Phoenix area? The answer is easy: yes! There are so many fun things to do in Phoenix! Depending on the time of year you’re visiting, you’ll want to plan out your day accordingly. The Summer months can be brutally hot so make sure you stay hydrated and plan plenty of indoor activities! With so many options for both indoor and outdoor activities in Phoenix, I’m sharing exactly how I spent my perfect day in Phoenix, and further down I’ve listed out the top ten best things to do in Phoenix!
How to Spend One Day in Phoenix
Start your day off by leaving your hotel early in the morning and going on a sunrise hike at Camelback Mountain. Park your car at the Echo Canyon Trailhead and hike the moderate-hard 2.5 mile trail for beautiful views overlooking the city with desert mountains surrounding it. This hike is steep in some areas and typically takes about two hours to complete. By now you’ve worked up an appetite so head over to Fàme Caffe in the Uptown neighborhood for a delicious farm-to-table breakfast. They open daily at 7am and it’s highly recommended to arrive before 10am to avoid a long line. Try one of their specialty coffee drinks, like the Carmelito, to pair with any of their breakfast dishes and you’ll be in for a treat. I had the Breakfast Wrap which consists of two farm eggs, chorizo, and roasted potatoes served with a homemade salsa and it was so good! The portions here can be large so opt for sharing to leave room for more yummy food later in the day. After breakfast, head over to nearby local boutiques, such as Local Nomad and Frances, to browse some of the best curated items from clothing to jewelry, pottery, gifts, and more. Now is the perfect time for a little rest & relaxation and the perfect place in Phoenix for that is poolside! Grab a day pass for the Lylo Swim Club at Rise Uptown Hotel and catch some rays or sip one of their refreshing cocktails under the umbrellas. The Dole Whipped can’t be missed; it’s your favorite Dole whipped treat but boozy! You can either order a bite to eat at Lylo Swim Club for Hawaiian style eats or freshen up and head to Culinary Dropout for a late lunch of mouthwatering comfort food at a gastropub style environment. The Roasted Salmon at Culinary Dropout is one of my favorites! It’s cooked to perfection and served with butternut farro risotto and crispy brussels sprouts, drizzled with a light garden herb pesto (*chef’s kiss)!
To end your perfect day in Phoenix, pick up a rented paddleboard from No Snow Stand Up Paddleboard Shop in Mesa. This shop is absolutely amazing and the owners are so nice! You can pre-book beforehand or rent the day-of and the shop owners will make sure you have everything you need and even help you strap the board to your car and accommodate after-hours returns. Not to mention, the rental prices at $40/day cannot be beat! Once you have your board, drive about 20 minutes Northeast to Saguaro Lake Recreation Site. This boat & kayak launch is located inside Tonto National Forest so you can purchase a day pass or use the America the Beautiful Pass at the entrance. If you’re an avid National Parks or Forest visitor, or even if you just plan on checking off a few on your list in one year, I highly recommend purchasing the National Parks Pass. It gets you into all National Parks and Forests for a full calendar year and basically pays for itself if you visit three. Once inside the park, set up your paddleboard, hop on, and prepare yourself for one of the most beautiful sunsets you’ve seen. I visited in September and the sun set around 7pm so I arrived at the lake a little after 5pm which gave me ample time to paddle around before it got dark. When paddling at Saguaro Lake, make sure you stay around the perimeter of the lake to avoid any accidents with boats who mainly drive around the center of the lake. The canyons that surround the lake are so beautiful and it’s a fantastic sight to see them change colors as the sun goes down!
Any of the above activities can easily be swapped out for places or tours that are on my list below of top ten things to do in Phoenix, but this was what my perfect day in Phoenix looked like and I hope it helps give you an idea of what your time in Phoenix would look like! This city is filled with history, delicious food, and exciting outdoor activities – there’s really something for everyone to enjoy in Phoenix.
Top 10 Things to do in Phoenix
Desert Botanical Gardens - One of Phoenix’s top attractions, this 140-acre botanical garden should be high on your list. You can discover over 4,000 different plant species as you make your way through the many trails and ecosystems within the Desert Botanical Garden. There are water bottle filling stations throughout the garden, a Patio Café and fine dining option on site, as well as a spectacular gift shop located near the entrance. If you’re visiting in December, be sure to check out the garden at night for live music during Las Noches de las Luminaries!
Pueblo Grande Museum - Learn about the native people who lived in Phoenix years before us at this museum and archeological site. Discover how the Hohokam tribe lived and built intricate irrigation systems throughout the Phoenix area and see the ruins of the Pueblo Grande village that was settled around 500 AD. This site is located near the airport so it’s a great place to stop right when you land in Phoenix or on the way to the airport.
Echo Canyon Trail at Camelback Mountain - This trail is one of the most popular in the Phoenix area. It’s a 2.5 mile trail with about 1,400 feet of incline and some rather steep areas. Hike this trail early in the morning to beat the heat and catch a beautiful sunrise over the Phoenix skyline.
Downtown Phoenix - It seems like there’s always something fun happening in Downtown Phoenix! Spend an evening or even a whole day in this area and listen to live music, catch a show at the theater, or stroll through an art museum. You can also find funky shops, award-winning breweries like woman-owned Greenwood Brewing, and popular food joints.!
Saguaro Lake - This breathtaking lake is surrounded by canyon walls and is situated inside the Tonto National Forest in the Sonoran Desert. It’s a great spot to paddleboard or kayak and there are boat launches here as well. You’ll need a Tonto Pass which is $8/day and a watercraft sticker on top of that. There are also trails here if you can’t get out on the water. This lake is a perfect place to watch the sunset whether you’re on the Saguaro cacti-studded shore or on the water!
See wild horses along Salt River - The Salt River is a 200-mile river that cuts through Phoenix and is a great place to cool off in the warmer months. There are tons of launch points scattered along the river making it the perfect place to kayak or paddleboard. - you can even go tubing in the river during the day. One of the most magical things about the river is that you can catch a glimpse of the extraordinary wild horses along the edge of the river around dawn and dusk!
Catch the sunrise from a hot air balloon - Looking for a unique activity in Phoenix? Book a hot air balloon tour and even help the crew inflate the balloon before you ride in it! This 3.5-hour tour has a sunrise option that begins at 6am or an afternoon option starting at 2:45pm. Take in the stunning desert views from above and then end your tour with a glass of champagne - there’s no better way to start your day!
Old Town Scottsdale - This town oozes Southwest charm and style. You’ll find tons of trendy restaurants & bars, shops of all kinds, and lots of art galleries and museums. It’s a quick 25-minute drive from Downtown Phoenix and is a great place to spend some time in.
Shop locally owned boutiques - Phoenix has great, perfectly curated boutiques in the Uptown and Downtown neighborhoods. Whether you’re looking for something for yourself or need to pick up a few gifts, you’re bound to find something! Check out Frances, Local Nomad, and Cosas for great local finds!
ATV Tour through the Sonoran Desert - Be adventurous and off-road on an ATV in the Sonoran Desert on this 3-hour guided tour! This tour has it all. During your ride, you’ll be able to spot wildlife and learn about which types of animals are native to this region, as well as learn the history of the Native people of this area, and how the climate plays a huge role in the beauty of the desert.
Happy travels!
- Tess
Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!