Phoenix, AZ

Travel Guide
Camelback Mountain which includes a house, mountains and landscape views
In Arizona’s capital city, discover a lively downtown, many outstanding museums, fascinating Native American historical relics and stunning natural beauty.

Phoenix is a sunny oasis with an equally cheerful atmosphere. Explore Downtown Phoenix on foot to enjoy the warm weather and explore award-winning restaurants, lively nightlife and a charming historic district. Stop at Roosevelt Row to learn about the city’s burgeoning arts and music community.

Discover numerous cultural institutions in Phoenix. Browse through classic and modern art in the Phoenix Art Museum. Learn about the Southwest’s rich Native American history in the Heard Museum. See and play instruments from across the world at the Musical Instrument Museum and learn through interactive exhibits in the Arizona Science Center. The Hall of Flame Fire Museum covers 300 years of firefighting history.

See over 1,000 animals, including many endangered species, in the Phoenix Zoo. Follow themed trails taking you from Arizona, Africa and the tropics to family-friendly farms.

Wrigley Mansion sits atop La Colina Solana, which means small, sunny hill. It certainly lives up to its name. From the stately home enjoy views of Downtown Phoenix, Camelback Mountain and the wider Valley of the Sun.

Find Hole-in-the-Rock on a small sandstone hill in Papago Park. The unique geological phenomenon has been in the works for millions of years and offers stunning panoramic views of Phoenix.

Learn about the Valley of the Sun’s first indigenous residents at Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park. Discover the homes and tools of a Native American Indian tribe that dates back about 1,500 years.

The Desert Botanical Garden shows that even the driest deserts host a wealth of life. In the Sonoran Desert, pick out the iconic Camelback Mountain, which resembles a resting camel. The mountain’s “hump” offers some of the best views in the state.

Use Phoenix as your gateway to the Valley of the Sun and greater Arizona. Visit nearby Scottsdale, home to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Taliesin West, architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert masterpiece. Mesa, Flagstaff and Fountain Hills are also unique destinations worth visiting.

Phoenix Travel Guide Video

Where to stay in Phoenix

Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort
Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort
4 out of 5
11111 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ
The price is $103 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
$103
per night
Jul 6 - Jul 7
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Phoenix. Enjoy free parking, 7 outdoor pools, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,423 reviews)
"The property was awesome, the grounded were beautiful and the front desk was helpful. However we went to the restaurant "Different Pointe of View" and it wasn't the best experience. We had a room at the resort and tried to go to the restaurant but were refused because we didn't have a reservation. ..."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2023

Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort
Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
5 out of 5
2400 E Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, AZ
The price is $223 per night from Jul 5 to Jul 6
$223
per night
Jul 5 - Jul 6
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Phoenix. Enjoy free WiFi, 7 outdoor pools, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the spacious rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (999 reviews)
"Staff was courteous, professional, friendly."

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2023

Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak
Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak
4 out of 5
7677 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ
The price is $115 per night from Jul 16 to Jul 17
$115
per night
Jul 16 - Jul 17
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Phoenix. Enjoy free parking, 4 outdoor pools, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.4/10 Good! (3,056 reviews)
"Clean, quiet and fun. We enjoyed our stay!."

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2023

Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Metro PHX Apartments
Metro PHX Apartments
2.5 out of 5
Phoenix
Stay at this business-friendly apartment in Phoenix. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private pools. Popular attractions Castles N' Coasters and Metrocenter ...
6.8/10 (928 reviews)
Great for the family
"I love that the room are very cozy with cable and wifi"

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2023

Metro PHX Apartments
Scottsdale Camelback Resort
Scottsdale Camelback Resort
4 out of 5
6302 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ
Stay at this 4-star spa condo in Scottsdale. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the comfy rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (501 reviews)
"Exactly what we needed for 2 adults and 5 children. Spacious, clean, fabulous pool area, and really good burgers at Splash poolside grill. Centrally located for the local activities we attended, as well as nearby grocery shopping. Kids said they’d like to go back again and we agree!"

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2023

Scottsdale Camelback Resort
Hotel Scottsdale
Hotel Scottsdale
3.5 out of 5
3275 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Scottsdale. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,032 reviews)
"Very comfortable and quiet and peaceful"

Reviewed on Jun 9, 2023

Hotel Scottsdale
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Phoenix

Renting a car is essential if you want to be able to get the most out of your Phoenix experience, as the city and its surroundings are extremely spaced out and public transportation isn’t always reliable. Pick up a rental car from the airport or the city center. There is a public bus system, the Valley Metro, but this has been designed with commuters in mind, so it isn’t that useful for tourists. Visit the Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority website. Browse Phoenix rental cars.

Best time to visit

Enjoy the Phoenix weather at its most pleasant between November and March, when temperatures should rarely climb above the high 70s F (20s C). From April onwards, expect temperatures to soar as high as a sizzling 106 F (41 C). This means the only way to experience the wealth of fantastic outdoor opportunities available in the city and the surrounding desert is to travel in winter or at the very start of spring.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Phoenix

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
2951
" "5 - Excellent 34.70539809479008%
4 - Good
3740
" "4 - Good 43.98447606727038%
3 - Okay
1501
" "3 - Okay 17.652593202399153%
2 - Disappointing
174
" "2 - Disappointing 2.0463365870869104%
1 - Terrible
137
" "1 - Terrible 1.611196048453487%

5/5 - Excellent

LoriAmberttuex
Jun 5, 2020

I love Phoenix. Trust me, it has it's faults in it's stars but with all that I still LOVE this town.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Jun 4, 2020

As with any city, some areas were very nice and others not so nice. It was very hot there.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 4, 2020

I love Phoenix it’s got lots to do and definitely pool capital of the world.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 3, 2020

Its HOT!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 3, 2020

Was a noce quite trip to visit family

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

Be carefully peopple drive very bad and so fast. they dont respect speed limits.

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Cities near Phoenix