Travel in Phoenix and its Surroundings

♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA

General

The city of Phoenix, the capital of Arizona and the largest city in the state, is located in central Arizona at the edge of the Sonoran Desert.

Desert landscape enthusiasts will especially celebrate here thanks to the charming look of giant cacti scattered over the hills, reminiscent of Wild West movies.

 

 

The city's population is about 1.6 million, the second largest in the Western US after Los Angeles. Together with the nearby cities Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, and Mesa, this metropolitan area has about 4.7 million residents. The city's economy is based on the high-tech industry, government jobs, and tourism including golf, off-road trips, hot air balloons, water sports in nearby lakes, casinos, and of course museums, theaters, restaurants, shopping, and sports events, as befits any large tourist city.

In winter, the average daytime temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius, making it very attractive for domestic tourism from states that are freezing in winter.

Booking recommended tours and guided trips in and around Phoenix

Tours from GetYourGuide.com:

 

A marina with boats and jet skis in one of the lakes near Phoenix:

Weather in Phoenix

Due to its proximity to the Sonoran Desert, the weather in Phoenix is desert-like and arid. The summer temperature is above 38 degrees Celsius on average. It has about 300 sunny days a year and only about 200 mm of rain on average per year. July is usually the wettest month. In winter, the average temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius. Rarely does the temperature drop below zero. Humidity is low throughout the year – 36% on average, with June being the month with the lowest humidity, dropping even below 10 percent!

Temperature and Precipitation Table

When to visit Phoenix?

Due to the hot desert weather, the best season to visit Phoenix is in autumn and spring, although the peak tourist season for American tourists is in winter, when prices for accommodation and attractions are at their highest. Flower lovers will especially enjoy visiting in spring when the desert vegetation is in full bloom.

♦ Recommended Hotels in Phoenix

Near the Airport

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Phoenix Tempe/Airport

A 3-star hotel, part of the Marriott chain, with rooms for 4 and suites for up to 5 guests. Free internet and parking, plus free airport shuttle. Breakfast, pool, gym.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Phoenix Airport South

A 4-star suite hotel with a fully equipped kitchen. The hotel has one-bedroom suites and studio units for 4-5 people, as well as two-bedroom suites for up to 9 guests. Free airport shuttle. Pool and gym. Free internet and parking.

Hampton Inn & Suites Tempe/Phoenix Airport

A 3-star hotel with rooms and suites for 2-4 guests. Refrigerator and microwave. Private parking for an extra charge, pool, gym. Free internet.

In Scottsdale:

Luxury Resorts:

JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

A wonderful 5-star luxury resort with rooms and suites of various sizes, lovely pools, and everything is immersed in desert vegetation and surrounded by mountains scattered with many cacti. Spa, bar, restaurants. Bicycles, parking, and internet are free.

 

Four Seasons Resorts Scottsdale at Troon North

A magical luxury resort with a 5-star atmosphere. Two outdoor pools. 3 restaurants and a bar. Gym and spa. Tennis courts. Free internet and parking.

The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale

A wonderful and spacious 5-star luxury resort. 9 pools including a children's pool with a slide. Golf course, 8 restaurants, and a bar. Gym and spa. Internet and parking for a fee.

Excellent Suite Hotel:

Residence Inn by Marriott Scottsdale Salt River

A recommended 3-star Marriott suite hotel with spacious suites designed for 2-5 people, all including a fully equipped kitchen. The price includes breakfast. Free internet and parking.

4-Star Resort:

Scottsdale Plaza Resort

A 4-star hotel with 5 pools and a spa. Lit tennis court and gym. Restaurant, bar. Free internet and parking.

Destinations and attractions for travelers in and around Phoenix

Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona are very impressive and highly recommended! They feature several hiking trails among cacti, some in bloom (depending on the season), some giant with a dramatic backdrop of towering red cliffs, as well as animals for whom these cacti serve as a hotel and restaurant, such as a wealth of birds, rabbits, squirrels, and more.

The main cactus species in the gardens and throughout the region is the Saguaro, which has a tall central trunk with several arms growing upwards from the middle.

Another species is the Organ Pipe Cactus, where almost all its arms grow from the bottom like pipes without branching.

The gardens have many other beautiful cactus species of various sizes.

 

 

It is recommended to arrive early in the morning before it gets too hot and dedicate at least two hours to the place. There is also a quality restaurant in the gardens.

The gardens are located in East Phoenix at: N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008, United States

 

Cactus sundial:

Musical Instrument Museum

The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, is the largest of its kind in the world. It is a modern museum divided into continents, and each continent into countries. In each country, you'll find its typical instruments and screens where you can hear and see the most famous and representative singers/players/performances.

 

 

You walk with headphones and every time you approach one of the hundreds of screens, you hear the music matching that screen where the performance is shown. Of course, Israel also has respectable representation with Ofra Haza and Chava Alberstein alongside Hasidic music and many Shofars, an Arab singer, Zubin Mehta, and the Philharmonic.

 

Israel wing in the Musical Instrument Museum:

 

In addition to all the countries and continents, the museum has a wing for guitars, brass instruments, and the most famous companies that manufacture pianos, violins, and more.

A very impressive, interactive, and unique anthropological musical experience. Music lovers can spend an entire day here, but even those who aren't big music fans will enjoy it very much.

The museum is located in North East Phoenix at: E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050, United States

Australia wing in the Musical Instrument Museum:

The City of Scottsdale

Scottsdale is a city adjacent to Phoenix in the northeast, where most of the area's tourist sites are actually located. It has a charming Old Town that is one of the must-visit destinations in the area. Old Town spans three main streets, the central one being Main Street. The place is full of galleries, art shops, restaurants, cafes, and a Wild West atmosphere. Shopkeepers and gallery owners are welcoming. A perfect place for a few hours of walking. A guided bike or Segway tour in Scottsdale is also recommended.

Order recommended tour from Viator:

♦ Guided Electric Bike Tour in Scottsdale and the Greenbelt

Scottsdale Greenbelt E-Bike 20 Mile Ride

Gallery in Scottsdale Old Town:

Segway Tour in Scottsdale

An excellent way to get to know a destination comfortably and with explanations is on a guided Segway tour: Scottsdale Segway Tours - 2 Hours

The first quarter hour is dedicated to training and learning how to ride the Segway. The guide distributes wireless headphones to travelers so they constantly hear explanations about the destinations they pass without having to stop all the time, including restaurants, galleries, and markets along the way. During the tour, you pass by City Hall, the Civic Center, the library, parks, various statues, and continue to the Old Town for the gallery and shopping area.

 Stopping for a drink and refreshment. Continuing to the newer area where the largest shopping center in the area is located, passing by water canals. It's surprising to discover that in this entire arid area, there are ancient water canals still active that provided water to the city back in the days of the previous tribes who lived in the area.

Arizona Boardwalk

A perfect new place for families of all ages in Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona Boardwalk. It has cool museums like a Selfie Museum, Dinosaur Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not, a recommended aquarium, butterfly gardens, simulators, and other attractions, all indoor and air-conditioned, suitable for the hot Phoenix weather. In addition, there are cool shops and restaurants like a giant candy store and a dinosaur restaurant. Tickets can be purchased for a single attraction or packages for two, three, or more activities.

Located in Scottsdale, adjacent to Phoenix from the east on Route 101.

Address: East Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256, United States

Shopping in Scottsdale:

In Scottsdale is Arizona's largest shopping center, called Scottsdale Fashion Square. It is a luxury mall with more than 240 shops and restaurants, featuring branches of all brands like Victoria's Secret, Prada, etc. There is even a Tesla car dealership and, of course, a luxury food court.

Located in the center is also a small and special interactive museum called Wonder Spaces (to which, like almost every site and attraction in the US, you must book in advance) with several rooms featuring impressive and unique displays that activate the senses and imagination, as well as VR (virtual reality). An interesting place to spend an hour or two. Address of the shopping center: E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, United States

Hot Air Balloon Flights

The Phoenix area is popular for hot air balloon flights. There are a variety of companies offering hot air balloon trips and the prices are relatively inexpensive. There are flights in the morning, evening, and afternoon.

♦ Booking a hot air balloon flight through Viator:

Lakes in the Phoenix Area

Arizona is not just desert. It has lovely lakes, for swimming, sailing, and touring. Very refreshing in the desert heat and pleasing to the eye.

Lake Pleasant

Lake Pleasant is a large, impressive lake, excellent for swimming and water sports/recreation. Located only about 45 minutes north of Phoenix, it's a recommended day trip for families and water lovers. A true oasis surrounded by cactus-covered hills.

The lake is very indented with many spots to enjoy recommended swimming beaches. A popular place, especially on holidays and weekends, but thanks to the lake's large size and wealth of beaches, crowding isn't felt. Visitors bring tents, floaties, coolers, boats, jet skis, and more, spending the whole day here. The water is pleasant, slightly cool, 22-23 degrees.

The lake has two marinas: Scorpion Bay Marina and Pleasant Harbor Marina where you can rent jet skis, SUPs, boats, and more. On weekends, rental boats should be booked well in advance.

Address: Lake Pleasant, Arizona

Watson Lake Park

About a two-hour drive north of Phoenix, near the town of Prescott, lies a particularly photogenic lake in a park named after the lake: Watson Lake Park. The lake is surrounded by rounded red-brown-white cliffs and is ideal for kayaking and SUP.

Around it is a recommended hiking trail encircling the entire lake, but you can of course do just part of it. The trail reaches the water's edge in some places and overlooks the lake from above in others. The lake water is not suitable for swimming because there are many algae and the water is still, with no flow or exchange. It is very popular to rent boats, kayaks, and SUPs at the marina located in the southern part of the lake.

Address: Watson Lake Park Rd, Prescott, AZ 86301, United States

Lakes East of Phoenix

East of Phoenix you can find 5 more lakes which also have marinas with boats, some for rent, where you can sail around the lakes and enjoy various water sports.

Lakes east of Phoenix include:

Saguaro Lake - Saguaro Lake

Located about 40 miles from Phoenix. The lake has a marina and is good for fishing, sailing, and water skiing.

It is recommended to book the following cruise from Viator which starts at Saguaro Lake and goes into the Salt River:

♦ Guided Kayak Tour on the Salt River among beautiful desert landscapes:

 

Bartlett Lake - Bartlett Lake

Located 45 miles from central Phoenix. It is the second largest lake in the area. There is a marina where you can rent boats of various sizes and jet skis.

Canyon Lake Canyon Lake

 50 miles east of Phoenix, it has a marina, is good for water sports, camping, and hiking trails. You can rent boats here and there are shaded areas and grass for camping. It's recommended to book in advance. There is a designated swimming area for bathers.

Roosevelt Lake - Roosevelt Lake

Located 80 miles northeast of Phoenix. This is the largest lake outside the Phoenix area. There is a marina where you can enjoy various water sports. Its shoreline is very long, about 110 miles, and everyone can find a quiet spot to their liking.

Apache Lake - Apache lake

Located about 120 miles from central Phoenix. You can rent boats and fish. The site has a motel, restaurant, and campground.

 

Additional attractions outside of Phoenix and nearby:

In and around Phoenix are many other attractions, including active recreation such as: jeep tours, horseback riding, and hot air balloon flights. It also naturally has a wealth of other museums alongside clubs and nightlife, plenty of shopping, casinos, and more.

Book recommended guided off-road tours in the Phoenix area from Viator:

The Towns of Jerome and Prescott

On the way from Phoenix to Sedona, it's recommended to visit two charming and historic towns: Prescott, about 1:40 hours from Phoenix, and Jerome, about two hours north of Phoenix.

The Town of Prescott

Prescott is the larger of the two. The main attraction here is the beautiful lake nearby, Watson Lake (see above).

Prescott has an Old Town featuring its impressive historic courthouse: an old white building surrounded by gardens with statues, and in front of it a floor with a table of historic dates in the life of the place from ancient times to today. The main street in the town is called Whiskey Row with galleries, restaurants, shops, and even an old hotel.

The Town of Jerome

Jerome is a small and unique town located on a mountain with impressive views. Formerly a recommended copper mining town. At its peak, about 15,000 people lived there. After copper mining stopped, it was abandoned and became a ghost town until various artists arrived and revived the place; today it's an artist town with galleries and also known for its wines. It also has restaurants, cafes, and wineries where you can taste quality wines. You can also tour the ancient copper mine. The route between the two towns is scenic and impressive, taking about 45 minutes.

Recommended travel itinerary including Phoenix:

Below is a sample itinerary; there are other wonderful and varied options, depending on the season, driving duration, and personal preferences.

You can go on a trip between Phoenix and Las Vegas that includes some of the most beautiful nature parks in the US. A short route can include Sedona and its surroundings, the amazing Grand Canyon, the photogenic Page and Lake Powell with Antelope Canyon, the stunning Bryce Canyon, and Zion Park. A longer route includes all these parks and reaches the town of Moab, including Arches Park with its giant natural arches and Canyonlands Park, which is no less beautiful than the Grand Canyon.

 

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