Phoenix is the capital of Arizona in the United States, known for its versatility and variety of activities to do. The region is a very strong cultural center, so there is no shortage of sights and places to visit. This is reflected in the number of visitors the city receives each year, reaching around 16 million.
Are you thinking of visiting the capital of Arizona during your vacation? Happy Tours has prepared this complete content with information on what to do in Phoenix. Stay with us to check out the travel itinerary we've prepared for you!
1. Desert Botanical Garden
Phoenix is the fifth most populous city in the United States and heat is no stranger there - after all, the climate is intensely desert and arid. It's worth noting that the city has the landscapes of the Sonoran Desert, so cacti are part of the region's characteristic look.
To enjoy this super characteristic view of the region, my first tip is to visit the Desert Botanical Garden, a park with dozens of species of yuccas, cacti and trees. The place is open every day from 8am to 6.30pm, but you have to buy tickets costing around $25 to visit.
It's worth noting that there are specific times of the year when the park holds night-time visits and exhibitions. So keep an eye on the park's official website to check the schedules!
Speaking of nature parks, here are the 17 best nature parks in the Orlando area. Check them out!
2. Heard Museum
The Heard Museum is the ideal place to learn more about the history of the region. If you're looking for things to do in Phoenix and want to learn more about the indigenous communities of the area and the United States in general, this is the right museum to visit!
It was founded in 1929 and features exhibitions from a first-person perspective on Native Americans. The region's tribal communities tell their stories and display their customs through exhibitions of native and contemporary peoples.
In my opinion, the Heard Museum is one of the richest places to learn about and be enchanted by Phoenix! It is open from Monday to Sunday, from 10am to 4pm.
3. Hall of Flame
The Hall of Flame is one of the best things to do with children in Phoenix! The place is a large shed with fire trucks ranging from the oldest models to those in use today.
Children are fascinated by the items on display, after all, the fire department is an enchanting place for little ones. If you're thinking of visiting the Hall of Flame, keep an eye on the opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sundays from 12pm to 4pm.
In addition, tickets cost around $17 for adults, $10 for children aged 3 to 5 and free admission for children under 3.
4. Arcosanti Community
This tour option is further away from Phoenix (about 110 km away), but with the help of a rental car, it's well worth a visit! The Arcosanti community is an ecological city that was created as an experiment to develop environmentally responsible architectural projects.
The buildings developed on the site are truly charming and futuristic, enchanting anyone who passes by. Interestingly, the Arcosanti community is open every day from 9am to 5pm. In addition, some tours are offered from Thursday to Monday at specific times, usually between 9.30am, 11am and 2pm.
The only days the site doesn't receive visitors are on certain holidays, such as Easter, New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Veterans Day.
5. Historic downtown Scottsdale
Scottsdale is a neighboring city to Phoenix that is well worth a visit! The historic center of the city is full of interesting places, such as shops, restaurants, bars and much more. As I mentioned earlier, the indigenous community in the area is very strong, so you'll also find items produced by them there.
It's worth mentioning that the place has an "old west" style, a detail that makes the experience in Scottsdale's historic center even more special.
6. Papago Park
Papago Park is the ideal choice for those who want to do something outdoors. My recommendation is to take the trails available in the park, as they are gentle and without too much elevation, making the walk very pleasant and peaceful.
It's important to note that Papago Park is home to many fun activities, such as the Desert Botanical Garden mentioned above and the Phoenix Zoo. In addition, the park has a picnic area, bike paths, some lakes and iconic views of the city.
7. Phoenix Zoo
As mentioned earlier, Phoenix Zoo is located in Papago Park. It opened in 1962 and has around 1,400 animals on display for all to see. It also has several walking trails that total around 4 km in length.
An interesting fact is that this is the largest non-profit zoo in the United States. And that title is no coincidence! After all, the Phoenix Zoo is divided into different themed areas that can be visited, such as the Africa Trail, the Arizona Trail, the Children's Trail and the Tropics Trail. Each of these places has specific animals and vegetation according to the theme. Cool, isn't it?
8. OdySea Aquarium
Another very charming attraction, this time in Scottsdale, is the OdySea Aquarium. This is the largest marine aquarium in the southwestern United States, with around 7,600,000 liters of water. This attraction is ideal for children and adults alike, as it has more than 65 exhibits, 370 species and 6,000 animals.
In addition, the OdySea Aquarium has unique exhibitions where you can interact with the animals. An interesting fact is that the aquarium is located on the border with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. For this reason, many indigenous people participated in the construction of the site, bringing classic Native American features to the architecture of the place.
Thinking of renting a car to make the most of your trip to the OdySea Aquarium? Then take the opportunity to find out how rental car insurance works in the USA!
9. Goldfield Ghost Town
Have you ever thought about experiencing an authentic western town, just like the ones we see in the so-called "bang bang movies"? That's possible at Goldfield Ghost Town, a fun experience with a Wild West-style gunfight reenactment.
Among the activities available on site are: visiting the abandoned gold mine, strolling through the classic saloon, sifting gold, riding the mini railroad, venturing on the zip line and much more. The site's stores are open from 10am to 5pm and the saloon from 11am to 9pm.
What is the best time of year to visit Phoenix?
As mentioned above, Phoenix is a very hot city with an arid climate. For this reason, the best time to visit the region is from September to November, as the days are not as hot as the rest of the year.
During this period, it's possible to make the trips more calmly and quietly. This makes it more comfortable for people who are not used to the desert heat. It's worth noting that the average temperature during these months is between 30 °C and 20 °C.
You can count on Happy Tours to make your trip more comfortable!
The city of Phoenix has many incredible places to visit, but some destinations can be far away and difficult to reach by cab. That's why the best way to make the most of your trip to Arizona's capital is to rent a car.
Happy Tours is a company specializing in car rental. With us you can get a quote and compare the cost of renting a car from the biggest companies in the United States. All this quickly and conveniently!
Count on Happy Tours to guarantee more comfort and convenience for your trip! Book online and pick up your vehicle directly in Phoenix.
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