10 Best Outdoor Activities and Attractions to Explore in Phoenix, AZ
Are you ready to explore the desert beauty surrounded by the year-round Sun of Phoenix?
Despite being a desert Phoenix boasts many lush green plants; isn’t it exceptional? It has many varieties of palm trees which were majorly imported in the twentieth century. The city holds pretty much unusual characteristics. It is no surprise to see Phoenix boasting as one of the most visited locations in Southwest America.
Phoenix features a desert landscape and plenty of mountains with 300 days of Sun. You can explore it all while enjoying lots of adventure outdoors. It is a family-friendly city that can also make you fall in love with its attractions. This post will help you find the places to visit and things to do in Phoenix Az.
And if you ask what is the best way to explore the city then we’ll say renting a car. Renting a car on a vacation especially in cities like Phoenix can give you an up close and personal experience of exploring a place like a local. For your next trip to Phoenix renting a car Via Economy Booking will prove to be one of your best decisions during your trip. This way you can make decisions where you want to go and make stops where ever you want and with such great deals on Economy Booking who would say renting a car is a bad decision?
But before you pack your bags for the travel expedition don’t you want to have a picture of how your trip to Phoenix Arizona will be? When reaching Phoenix and getting the best deals on hotels Kayak alone can get it done for you. It is more than a metasearch site and a one-stop solution for your travel needs.
While Kayak and Economy Booking is the solution to your travel needs this blog post will do the part of planning your trip. From attractions and outdoor activities it will walk you through places to visit and things to do in Phoenix AZ.
1. Hiking Near Phoenix Trails
It can take a short drive from Great Phoenix to reach the hiking trails. These are exceptional trails and can bring you the sights of saguaro cacti the aromas of creosote and some creatures like lizards jackrabbits and javelina sitting on your way. You can also come across some waterfalls and even lakes. You can find Pinnacle Peak and Mormon Trail which will mesmerize you with its beautiful sight.
The ideal time to hike in most valleys is from September to May some other trials are even worth enjoying in summer. Don’t miss out on visiting Peralta Butcher Jones and McDowell Mountains Regional Park.
Distance from Phoenix:
- Peralta: 60 minutes
- Butcher Jones: 45 minutes
- McDowell Mountains Regional Park: 55 minutes
2. Mountain Biking at Papago Park
Do you know that many see Papago Park as Phoenix’s bunny slope of mountain biking? And why not? It has easy mountain bike trails and thus is the easy mountain bike trail. While cycling you can enjoy the stunning sights of Tempe Town Lake South Mountain Preserve and Phoenix to the west. It also offers small and long loops giving you unlimited options. It is one of the must-do things to do in Phoenix Arizona.
You can also find many breweries restaurants and even shops nearby which you can visit after spending your day biking. There is the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo in Papago Park. You can reach out to mountain bike rentals and embark on your mountain bike expedition.
Distance from Phoenix: 16 kilometers
3. Air Tours
What if the next name in attractions in Phoenix Arizona will help you know about the nook and cranny of the city? You won’t say no but register for one of the Aerial tours over there right? You take off to the skies of Phoenix and the encompassing area of the Sonoran desert. You can soak up the picturesque sights while riding with clouds around you.
Plenty of companies offer hot air rides and might even have different timings. Depending on your preference you can pick from ballon rides in the morning evening sunrise and sunset. Some even offer return transfers from your accommodation or a bottle of champagne to make it special.
The Duration of Hot Ballon Ride: 45-60 minutes
4. Outdoor Shooting
It is a misconception that shooting ranges are only for enthusiastic and expert users such as those in hunting military training or police. You can even visit there for special times date nights or a good time. When you visit a shooting range you can have a team of professionals to guide you with the activity.
Your next attraction in Phoenix Arizona can eventually be one of the shooting ranges available. The public areas offering some of the shooting experiences are Baldy Mountain Church Camp Road and Saddleback Mountain. Here is a quick picture of their distance from Phoenix:
- Baldy Mountain: 66 kilometers
- Church Camp Road: 62.76 kilometers
- Saddleback Mountain: 66.46 kilometers
5. ATV Tour
The adventure and excitement of being on an ATV ride are known to all but did you know that it can feel like same as a physical and mental workout? And it’s not just about workouts but ATV rides on trails and racing areas can be one of the best things to do in Phoenix. That is because it is an easy activity than you think can allow you to take the back roads and lets you explore outdoors without many rigorous activities.
As William Wordsworth said you can take the less traveled road with your ATV tour. ATV travel rides can be money-saving and offer ease of being around. Some of the finest off-road trails to travel in Phoenix are:
- Montana Mountain: 28.9 miles long
- Bulldog Canyon: 13.3 miles long
- Walnut Canyon: 14.1 miles long
- Reymert-Mine: 8.9 miles long
Attractions to Visit
Let’s get you started with the places to visit in Phoenix Arizona:
1. Arizona Science Center
Are you an inquisitive mind or traveling with someone who is? If that’s a yes Arizona Science Center is a must-visit place. Regardless of your age group you can find the source of entertainment learning and even education here. It has seven galleries present interactive exhibits a planetarium and an I-Max theatre. It has a beautiful blend of hallways ramps terraces and galleries.
Once done visiting Arizona Science Center you can visit many other attractions nearby. That is because the areas like Heritage Square the PHX Arena Chase Field and even Phoenix Conventional Center are nearby.
Address: 600 E Washington St Phoenix.
2. Hall of Flame Fire Museum
Here comes the next one among the places to visit in Phoenix Arizona! Hall of Flame Fire Museum is a tribute to firefighters who sacrificed their lives while performing their duties. It is the largest firefighting museum globally presently over a hundred steamers fire trucks and hand pumpers along with reinstated pieces of fire apparatus from 1725 to the early 2000s.
Even though the focus is on firefighting history in America don’t be surprised by seeing the exhibits from Japan and Europe. The hall sponsors more National Heroes in firefighting who dedicated their lives to heroism. You can find a gallery for names dedicated to the tales of wildland firefighting.
Address: 6101 East Van Buren Street
3. Musical Instrument Museum
Musical Instrument Museum is one of a kind and has a collection of over 6800 instruments from over 200 nations and territories. It is the home to a 300 seater music theatre and well-recognized cafe. The theatre hosts many concerts giving the stage to nearly 200 artists annually.
You can visit the museum for five permanent galleries. These include the Artists Gallery Geographical Gallery the STEM Gallery the Mechanical music gallery and the experience gallery. Also the only global musical instrument music MIM features many traveling exhibitions and signature events. Don’t miss out on one of the must-visit places to visit in Phoenix Arizona.
Address: 4735 E. Mayo Boulevard
4. Old Town Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale is one of the most visited places in Phoenix giving you more reasons to be there. The vibrant location features souvenirs art jewelry boutique shopping and others. For those looking forward to enjoying the nightlife there are plenty of clubs restaurants bars and lounges.
If you are fond of artistic work you can explore the finest galleries presenting the amazing work of famous artists. It is an easy-to-walkable area and features unique shops western-styled walkways and many kinds of trinkets. You can even look for accommodations nearby with hotels on kayak.com.
Address: The alignment of North Scottsdale Road and East Main Street.
5. Heard Museum
Like other attractions chosen and presented even Heard Museum attracts many visitors toward it. They might be allured by American Indian Art and history. Over there you can find many displays of basketwork jewelry pottery textiles and many Kachina dolls.
The museum can also speak about the hard times lived by Native American children. This can include times when they had to get a haircut were forcibly sent to boarding school and were made to unsee their culture. You can also come across a few exhibits presented at any hour. Wondering how to reach this attraction? Like hotels kayak.com also offers car rental services for you to visit the city at your pace.
Address: 2301 North Centre Avenue
Calling it a Wrap
When planning to visit the land of the Sun you can expect a beautiful urbanscape plenty of outdoor adventures and many attractions to visit. Over here you have come across a list of attractions and activities to help you explore the city better. You can hike the trails or visit a shooting range for some adventure the options are many.
With plenty of adventure and places options to explore you can’t delay your trip to Phoenix. You can prepare right with the metasearch site Kayak. From the best deals in hotels to travel needs it will stay by your side. It can also come in handy for preparing an itinerary and reaching places you have planned.