The city of Phoenix is sometimes referred to as Los Angeles without the ocean. This is because the city offers high-end shopping and a robust restaurant scene. If you are more of a resort type of person, you will find plenty of choices for relaxation in the red rocks of the Sonoran desert outside of the city. This city, home to long boulevards lined with cacti, has become so popular it is now the fifth most populated city in the United States.
The city of Phoenix does offer public transportation. Even with that, because the city is so vast geographically, having a rental car in Phoenix is almost a must when you visit here. If you are visiting as a couple, a premium sedan is a great choice for a romantic weekend. If you have brought the family or are traveling with a group, maybe an SUV would be a better choice while you were here.
- 1. Desert Botanical Garden
- 2. Phoenix Art Museum
- 3. Heard Museum
- 4. Phoenix Zoo
- 5. Musical Instrument Museum
- 6. Camelback Mountain
- 7. Papago Park
- 8. Arizona Science Center
- 9. Children’s Museum of Phoenix
- 10. OdySea Aquarium
- Best Places to Eat & Drink in Phoenix
Must-see attractions in Phoenix
1. Desert Botanical Garden
This garden can be found in the desert just to the east of downtown Phoenix. The garden covers about 140 acres and is home to around 50,000 plants. Quite a few of the plants you’ll find here are native to the area. The garden is well known for its collection of both cacti and agave plants.
Address: 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 hour
2. Phoenix Art Museum
This is the largest museum of visual art in the southwestern United States. You will find the museum conveniently located right in downtown Phoenix. Inside its walls, you will find roughly 18,000 different pieces of work from all over the world. The museum also hosts quite a few festivals, independent films and live performances.
Address: 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
3. Heard Museum
The Heard Museum is dedicated to the cultivation and curation of American Indian art. It strives to present the stories of the American Indian experience and attempts to do so from a first-person perspective. The museum has also been designated a Phoenix Point of Pride.
Address: 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
4. Phoenix Zoo
This zoo is the largest privately owned, not-for-profit zoo in the United States. The zoo has a location just a short drive to the east of downtown Phoenix. The zoo has roughly 1400 different animals on display. There are also about 2.5 miles of walking trails inside of the zoo for visitors to enjoy. There are four different themes of trails. One is a children’s trail that offers a petting zoo.
Address: 455 N. Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2 to 4 hours
5. Musical Instrument Museum
The Musical Instrument Museum is only a short drive to the north of downtown Phoenix. It’s the largest museum of its type anywhere in the world, containing over 15,000 different musical instruments coming from over 200 different countries and territories. The museum also contains a concert venue that features several live performances per year.
Address: 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
6. Camelback Mountain
If you would love to experience some of the rugged nature of the Phoenix area, Camelback Mountain is a convenient location. You will find the mountain just a short drive to the northeast of central Phoenix. This mountain is a prominent landmark of the Phoenix metropolitan area, and makes a great place to go for a hike. Just make sure to bring plenty of water, especially on hot summer days.
Address: 5421 E. Valle Vista Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Entry fees: Free
Hours: 24/7
Time required to see the attraction: 2 to 4 hours
7. Papago Park
This is a municipal park serving the cities of both Phoenix and Tempe. You will find it just a short drive to the east of downtown Phoenix. Inside the park is Hunt’s Tomb, which has a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, hiking trails, the Phoenix Zoo and much more.
Address: 625 N. Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Entry fees: Free
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
8. Arizona Science Center
This science center has a great location right in the center of Phoenix. It features several daily science demonstrations as well as the Dorrance Planetarium and a five-story IMAX theater. This makes a great place to bring kids because of all the hands-on exhibits that will teach them about many scientific principles.
Address: 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
9. Children’s Museum of Phoenix
If you have brought your kids with you to Phoenix, this is a great place to spend an afternoon. The sprawling complex features several exhibits and things for kids to climb on and explore. On the third floor, you’ll even find an area that is set up exclusively for small children and toddlers.
Address: 215 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85034
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
10. OdySea Aquarium
While you may not think of the desert as a place to have an aquarium, this location will certainly surprise you. In fact, this is the largest aquarium you will find in the southwestern United States. There are roughly 6,000 different creatures that call this aquarium home, with 370 different species in around 65 exhibits.
Address: 9500 E. Vía de Ventura Suite A-100, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours
Best Places to Eat & Drink in Phoenix
The only thing that is more abundant than the amount of sunshine you will find in Phoenix is the variety of restaurants you will find here. The choices run the gamut from Tex-Mex to upscale fine dining and amazing brunch spots.
Sottise: This location offers a very sumptuous feel right when you walk in the door. Their menu is French-inspired and offers many shareable plates. This is also a great spot to head for happy hour or a late-night visit when poppy tunes set the mood for the location.
Clever Ramen: This restaurant offers a fast-casual approach with counter service. When you eat here you will build your own ramen bowls. There are also quite a few unique side dishes. Once you have put your meal together, you can enjoy it to go or you can eat it on their patio.
Wren & Wolf: This is a luxurious place that screams of opulence and culture. As a visitor to this restaurant, you will feel like royalty when you sample things like caviar offered in Faberge eggs and a bread service that they call a tower of carbs. The decor features plenty of ambient lighting and large-scale murals created by local artists.
