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Phoenix Arizona Vacation
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So why would anyone want to visit?
Because a Phoenix Arizona vacation offers all the perks of a city along with Native American and Old West history and some of the best the desert has to offer.
Phoenix is the Arizona state capitol and the 5th largest city in the United States.
It’s in the middle of the scenic Sonoran Desert - a landscape famous for its stately, many-armed saguaro cactus, rugged mountains, year-round sunshine and mild winter temperatures.
The city of Phoenix is surrounded by several other communities, collectively referred to as the "Valley of the Sun."
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| Downtown Phoenix |
This entire area sits in a broad valley ringed by mountain ranges and fed by two major river systems – the Salt River and the Gila River.
Once a sleepy farming community, Phoenix is now an "up and coming" technological hub, a flourishing arts and cultural center and a major tourist destination.
With a newly revitalized downtown that’s home to residential lofts, a cutting edge contemporary arts scene and hip nightlife, Phoenix has become a major urban center.
As the cities of the Phoenix basin – which include Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Tempe, Glendale and Mesa - have sprawled far and wide, it’s hard to know where one ends and the next begins.
However, sheer size has created a diverse mix of cultures and neighborhoods offering a wide variety of activities and amenities for a Phoenix Arizona vacation including:
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| Chase Field in downtown Phoenix, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team |
- lavish resorts and spas
- more than 200 golf courses
- gourmet restaurants
- All of the major sports including NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and Major League Baseball Spring Training
- Phoenix Art Museum - the largest art museum in the Southwest
- diverse cultural events and attractions including Native American and Hispanic festivals, rodeo, opera and jazz concerts
- outdoor adventure of every type, from rock climbing and boating to horseback riding and hot air ballooning.
Because Phoenix is in the center of the state, the city is also a good starting point for visiting other Arizona vacation destinations such as Sedona, Tucson, Flagstaff, the White Mountains and the Grand Canyon.
Cool pine forests, trout-filled lakes and streams and red rock canyons are less than a day’s drive away.
There’s a lot to see and do when you vacation in Phoenix Arizona.
Below, we’ve listed some of our current favorite Phoenix resorts, restaurants and attractions to help you plan your Phoenix Arizona travel.
Where To Stay In Phoenix
Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa
Reflecting a rich history and an Art Deco refinement, the Arizona Biltmore is the kind of resort that makes you feel like you live in the lap of luxury. Beautiful grounds, many amenities and a relaxing atmosphere make the Arizona Biltmore one of our favorite Phoenix Arizona resorts.
This sprawling, Phoenix resort offers plenty of activities and its own 6-acre water park, making it perfect for a family friendly Phoenix Arizona vacation. With a highly rated golf course, kid friendly spa, tennis and seven restaurants, you’ll never wonder what to do next.
Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa
Wild Horse Pass is unique because it resonates with the rich spirit and culture of the Pima and Maricopa tribes. It also has wonderful resort amenities such as beautiful pools, fine Native American-inspired dining, a great spa and even boat trips down a river to the casino.
For more Phoenix Arizona vacation resort recommendations, see our Arizona Resort reviews.
Need some spa time during your Phoenix Arizona vacation? Check out our Arizona spa reviews.
Where To Eat In Phoenix
Cooper'stown Sports Bar and Grill
Yes, Cooper'stown is owned by Alice Cooper, the famous rock star, local resident and sports fan. Located downtown near sports venues, it’s popular with athletes, coaches and fans. Rock memorabilia, live music, great food and the distinctive Alice Cooper atmosphere make for one interesting eatery!
Located at Wild Horse Pass Resort, Ko’sin has a Southwestern style menu that emphasizes locally grown ingredients and Native American cuisine. Artfully presented dishes and excellent service make this one of our favorite Phoenix restaurants.
Latitude 30°, at Pointe South Mountain Resort, offers a unique menu blending ingredients and techniques from Asia, California and beyond to create a delicious and diverse fusion cuisine. Parents will love that this fine dining restaurant is family friendly too.
Pizzeria Bianco in downtown Phoenix is a mecca for pizza lovers. Fans of Chef Chris Bianco's traditional Italian pizzas, made with quality ingredients and cooked in a wood-fired oven, will wait hours to get a table. Bianco makes every pizza himself, which is why his place is small and there's no takeout.
What To Do in Phoenix
Have you visited the desert and wondered what that spiky cactus was called? This is the place to find out. Part garden, part nature preserve, it has one of the world’s largest collections of desert plants. This is one of our favorite Phoenix Arizona vacation stops with its unique plants, birds and views.
The Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
Kids young and old will love this tribute to firefighters and their equipment. They have a huge, impressive collection of fire trucks, from as old as 1725 up to the present. The many displays include helmets, badges and gear and even a real fire truck that kids can climb on.
This museum is on our top ten Phoenix Arizona vacation list. It features the arts, crafts and life ways of the Southwest’s Native American tribes, presented in exquisite, dynamic exhibitions of pottery, jewelry, basketry, kachina dolls, weaponry and textiles.
This large zoo has animals from around the world in naturalistic habitats. It makes a great all day family outing with its petting zoo, carousel, picnic areas and water sprayground. You can even go boating on one of the lakes
Looking for a great workout with amazing views during your Phoenix Arizona vacation? Do what the locals do and hike to the top of the peak. This 2,608-foot mountain has a spectacular 360-degree view from the top and an elevation change of 1,200 feet in just a 1.2 miles!
Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park
Did you know that Phoenix is built upon the remnants of an ancient civilization? The prehistoric Hohokam people lived here and engineered hundreds of miles of canals. See the remnants of their complex culture at this 102-acre park with its 800-year old platform mound and reproductions of homes.
Another locals’ favorite, this is the largest municipal park in the world. There are about 17,000 acres of cactus-filled desert, 58 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, ancient petroglyphs and animals such as coyotes, javelinas and roadrunners.
Phoenix Area Day Trips
One of the best scenic drives in Arizona is the 48-mile, historic Apache Trail, east of Phoenix. This beautiful, winding route passes through some of the most gorgeous desert landscapes in the state, past lakes, a ghost town, an old stagecoach stop and a park named for the legendary Lost Dutchman Mine.
Arizona's largest botanical garden is tucked away in central Arizona's rugged, Old West mining country. The arboretum’s 360 acres has a spectacular array of cactus, succulents, colorful wildflowers and a lake. It’s also a great place to see animals such as bighorn sheep and a famous flock of turkey vultures.
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