Visiting Phoenix, Arizona: A guide to must-see attractions
Thinking of visiting Phoenix? Great idea! The city brings together culture, history and nature in a single journey… From its iconic museums to its unmissable natural attractions.
Thinking of visiting Phoenix? Great idea! The city brings together culture, history and nature in a single journey… From its iconic museums to its unmissable natural attractions: discover what to see and do in the capital of Arizona and its surroundings - including the Grand Canyon…
Essential neighborhoods to visit in Phoenix
Roosevelt Row
The neighborhood of Roosevelt Row (nicknamed RoRo) is the beating heart of Phoenix's artistic scene. Lined with art galleries, restaurants, bars and independent shops, this district features numerous street art works to discover as you stroll through the city.
Another highlight? Every first Friday of the month, since 1994, Roosevelt Row hosts the First Friday Art Walk festival. The event—which attracts about 15,000 visitors—offers exhibitions, performances, and the chance to meet local artists.
CityScape
Located in downtown Phoenix, the vibrant CityScape neighborhood is an essential destination in the city. Shops, bars, restaurants: this district is highly sought after for its lively atmosphere. You can get around on foot, by bike or on a hoverboard.
Also popular for its cocktails (at reasonable prices), CityScape attracts many visitors thanks to its daily events—such as outdoor cinema. To enjoy its buzz, opt for a weekday rather than the weekend, as the neighborhood is fairly quiet on Saturdays and Sundays.
The city's cultural and architectural heritage
Phoenix Art Museum
The Phoenix Art Museum is the largest art museum in the southwestern États-Unis—with a collection of more than 18,000 works covering American, Asian, European, and Latin American art! Among its pieces, you can admire works by Georgia O'Keeffe, Claude Monet and Diego Rivera.
Phoenix Heritage Square
Phoenix Heritage Square is a late 19th-century historic neighborhood that offers a glimpse into the city's Victorian era. It is home to several remarkable buildings, such as the Rosson House. Located in downtown Phoenix, this district (preserved from modern construction) offers a genuine journey through time…
Phoenix Basilica of Saint Mary
Founded in 1881, the Basilica of Saint Mary is Phoenix's oldest Catholic parish. As the city's only Catholic basilica until 1924, this building is an emblematic monument for residents. Visitors particularly enjoy its organ concerts!
The S'edav Va'aki Museum (formerly Pueblo Grande Museum)
The S'edav Va'aki Museum is a major archaeological site in Phoenix. Dedicated to Hohokam culture, it displays and exhibits remains from a prehistoric village, including irrigation canals and reconstructed houses. Reopened in October 2024 under its new name, the former Pueblo Grande Museum showcases Native American artifacts.
Natural attractions and parks
Camelback Mountain
About twenty minutes from downtown, venture out to discover Camelback Mountain. This mountainous area (designated a municipal park in the late 1960s) owes its name to two peaks resembling a camel's humps (camelback in English).
The site features two hiking trails, which can be explored on foot or by mountain bike. Both are considered difficult and require good fitness levels, due to their terrain (steep sections, rocky and uneven landscapes, etc.), as well as the intense heat—averaging around 40°C in summer.
Echo Canyon
The climb is quite steep and requires using your hands on several sections. Once you reach the summit, Echo Canyon offers a 360° panoramic view. Note that the descent is even more challenging than the ascent. A tip? Wear good hiking shoes and bring plenty of water for the excursion. Allow 2-3 hours round trip.
Cholla
The beginning of the trail presents no particular difficulties, but after about a kilometer, the trail becomes tougher and requires climbing several sections until you reach the top. The summit offers panoramic views of Scottsdale and Phoenix. The path is quite slippery due to the presence of many rocks… Be careful on the descent! Allow 2-3 hours round trip.
In addition to the panoramic views, both trails are also a chance to discover local fauna and flora. During your walk, you may spot tortoises, Chuckwalla lizards, saguaro cacti and possibly even hear rattlesnakes…
These two hikes should preferably be done early in the morning (around 6-6:30 am), as the heat makes ascending them very difficult. During heat waves, trails may be closed from 11 am to 5 pm.
Papago Park
If you want to recharge in peace just a stone's throw from the city, don't miss Papago Park. The site allows for numerous activities, including:
Hole in the Rock
This natural formation, sculpted into the stone, promises an original walk. With its cracked walls, it offers several spectacular viewpoints through the rock. According to legend, these holes in the stone were created by the ancient Native American Hohokam people to track the sun's movements. Be aware that this is a very touristy site. For more tranquility, schedule your excursion in the morning.
Phoenix Zoo
Spanning nearly 51 hectares, Phoenix Zoo can be explored via a specific route (Africa trail, Arizona trail, Tropic trail, Children's trail) or via a zoo tour, which provides more insider knowledge.
Lasting 30 minutes, this type of tour (limited to 10 people) allows you to watch animal care or feeding. This is an opportunity to see Asian elephants, pink flamingos or a rhinoceros up close. The type of visit is to be selected at the site entrance.
Desert Botanical Garden
The botanical garden in Papago Park features a superb collection of native plants specific to the arid and desert territories of the region. This 57-hectare area houses over 50,000 plants. The Desert Botanical Garden regularly organizes activities (to be discovered on the official website).
South Mountain Park and Preserve
South Mountain Park and Preserve is a reserve located just steps from downtown. It is one of the largest municipal parks in the États-Unis. The site is dotted with three mountain ranges (Guadalupe, Ma Ha Tauk and Gila), which offer a hundred kilometers of hiking trails.
South Mountain can be explored via several trails, on foot, by mountain bike or by car (using Summit Road). This last option allows you to easily reach the highest viewpoint in the reserve, called Dobbins Lookout (allow about 2 hours to reach this vantage point on foot).
What to visit around Phoenix?
Sonoran Desert National Monument
Sonoran Desert National Monument is a protected natural site located about 60 km south of Phoenix. Easily accessible by car in less than an hour, this part of the Sonoran Desert is renowned for:
its famous saguaro cacti (symbols of Arizona),
its historic and archaeological sites,
its three mountain ranges (Table Top, Maricopa and Sand Tank).
The mountainous areas are home to numerous hiking trails, which allow you to discover local fauna and flora, as well as breathtaking landscapes. Among the most popular trails: Table Top Mountain Trail (difficult), Sonoran Desert National Monument Big Horn OHV Trail (easy), etc.
Regardless of the difficulty level of the trail, opt for a morning hike to avoid extreme heat—temperatures hover around 43°C in the middle of the day. Likewise, bring plenty of water to stay hydrated during your excursion. A tip? Preferably avoid the two rainy seasons, in winter and late summer.
The town of Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale
Just 20 minutes' drive northeast of Phoenix, discover Scottsdale and its famous historic center, worthy of the greatest westerns! As you stroll, you'll feel like you're visiting a film set, thanks to the 19th-century buildings that stand proudly in the old town.
A museum-like, upscale town
Scottsdale is a cultural hub, with its many museums and art galleries. The town even has a program called Scottsdale Public Art. Its goal is to integrate art and design projects at the heart of Scottsdale. A one-hour tour (Scottsdale public art walking tour) allows you to discover the ten main artworks in the city.
This affluent town in Maricopa County is also a golfing destination (for a local experience, don't hesitate to try one of the many courses!). You'll also find numerous resorts and restaurants there.
Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture residence
During your stay, don't miss Taliesin West, the former winter residence of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Located 20 minutes' drive from downtown, this residence is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019.
While the main section was built between 1937 and 1942, the house continued to evolve over time until the renowned architect's death in 1959. During your visit, you can admire the artist's modernist concepts and the view of the Scottsdale mountains. It is recommended to book your visit on Taliesin West's official website.
Arcosanti ecovillage by Paolo Soleri
North of Phoenix, 1 hour 15 minutes' drive away, stands the ecovillage of Arcosanti. Created in the late 1960s by Italian architect Paolo Soleri, this prototype utopian city embodied the concept of arcology—a portmanteau invented by the architect, combining the terms ecology and architecture. Through his project, Soleri wanted to create a harmonious alliance between the two…
This unfinished city today hosts artists in residence. It is possible to visit it alongside the president of the Arcosanti foundation. An opportunity to admire the spaces (such as the amphitheater) as well as artists at work.
Note: This is a very interesting visit. However, if you're not passionate about architecture or your stay in Phoenix (and its surroundings) is quite short, the ecovillage is not an unmissable attraction.
Visiting the Grand Canyon from Phoenix
Thanks to its road network, international airport and numerous accommodations (accessible to all budgets), Phoenix is a starting point for many excursions...
The city has the advantage of being located near the Grand Canyon—an exceptional chasm 30 km wide and 455 km long! From Phoenix, it's possible to reach three rims of the Grand Canyon, after 3.5 hours, 4 hours or 5.5 hours of driving:
South Rim (3.5 to 4 hours, via I-17 North to Flagstaff, then US-180): this is the rim that boasts the finest panoramic views. Ideal for family visits (thanks to accommodations and amenities in Grand Canyon Village) and hiking enthusiasts.
West Rim (4 hours, via US-93 North): this section of the Grand Canyon is home to the famous Skywalk glass bridge, offering a vertiginous view over the void… This area also allows you to meet the Hualapai tribe (who live self-sufficiently in this part of the territory).
North Rim (5.5 hours, via I-17 North, then US89A): less touristy than the other two rims (only 10% of visitors), this section of the Grand Canyon is also the most wild (and coolest). It is recommended for hikers and campers. Be aware that this rim can be closed in winter due to snow.
Spotlight on the 'Phoenix Lights' On March 13, 1997, strange lights captured the attention of thousands of Americans in the Arizona and Nevada sky. These celestial light phenomena, which occurred from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm, were visible for nearly 500 kilometers… Witnesses described a triangular formation of lights moving silently, as well as stationary luminous points above Phoenix. Although the military attributed these appearances to aerial exercises, this explanation remains controversial—fueling theories about extraterrestrial visits. This mystery is explored in the documentary The Phoenix Lights: We Are Not Alone. |
How much time should you plan for visiting Phoenix?
Endowed with a rich historical heritage, emblematic neighborhoods and sites, as well as superb natural sites less than an hour from the city, the capital of Arizona ideally requires a 3-day stopover.
If you only have two days: dedicate one day to the city's must-see attractions, then a second to one of its main nearby attractions (from where you'll continue your journey).
Just one day? Schedule two cultural visits in the heart of the city, and stop by the artistic (and must-see) Roosevelt Row neighborhood!
How to get around Phoenix?
Thanks to numerous metro and bus lines, it's easy to get around Phoenix (for the metro, there's a day pass available). You can also travel by taxi (available 24/7) or rental car. Be aware that the driver must be at least 21 years old.
Frequently asked questions
Ideally, plan 3 days to visit Phoenix and its surroundings. With 2 days, dedicate one day to the city's must-see attractions and another to an excursion (Scottsdale, Sonoran Desert). In a single day, focus on 2 cultural visits and the artistic Roosevelt Row neighborhood.
The best time to visit Phoenix is fall (October-November) and spring (March-April), when temperatures are mild (between 20 and 28°C). Summer is not recommended due to intense heat that can exceed 40°C, making hiking particularly difficult and even dangerous.
From Phoenix, the Grand Canyon is accessible via three rims: the South Rim (3.5 to 4 hours' drive), the West Rim with the famous Skywalk (about 4 hours) and the North Rim (5.5 hours), which is wilder but closed in winter. The South Rim is the most popular for its exceptional panoramas and family-friendly facilities.
Yes, Phoenix has a metro and bus network that allows you to reach the main sites. A metro day pass is available. Taxis are also available 24/7. However, to explore the surroundings (Scottsdale, Sonoran Desert, Grand Canyon), renting a car is strongly recommended. The driver must be at least 21 years old.
Phoenix offers several iconic hikes. At Camelback Mountain, two challenging trails are available: Echo Canyon (360° view) and Cholla (panoramic views of Scottsdale and Phoenix), taking 2 to 3 hours round trip each. South Mountain Park offers a hundred kilometers of trails. For easier options, Papago Park with Hole in the Rock is ideal. Always hike early in the morning to avoid the heat.
Just 20 minutes' drive from Phoenix, Scottsdale is worth the trip for its Old Town with Far West charm, its many art galleries and the Scottsdale Public Art Walking Tour (1 hour). Don't miss Taliesin West, the former residence of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019.
