Location: Phoenix
Top Things to do in Phoenix
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What to do and see in Phoenix, Arizona (AZ): The Best Free Things to do
Nearly perfect year-round weather and several impeccably designed championship courses have made Phoenix one of the top golf destinations in the world. But there's more to this mild-mannered metropolis than pristine greens and tee times. The greater Phoenix area also offers visitors an array of impressive cultural attractions. Visit the internationally renowned Heard Museum for an in-depth look at Native American history or peruse the fine collection at the Phoenix Museum of Art. Enjoy a ballet performance at the ornate Orpheum Theater or or catch a concert at the state-of-the-art Comerica Theatre. In addition to golf, the city offers access to numerous outdoor endeavors including rock climbing, hot-air ballooning, desert jeep tours and more. Family-friendly attractions, first-rate shopping, dining and entertainment, and spectacular recreational activities make Phoenix a must-visit destination.
Restaurants in Phoenix
1. Uptown Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By PhxMermaid - Phoenix, United States
I am a regular at this farmers market and let me tell you, it is incredible! Great atmosphere with families, singles, couples and lots of dogs! Food trucks are a regular attraction and there's always a local band or musicians of some sort playing. You can find the best organic, locally grown produce, canned pickles, local honey, goat cheese, fresh baked bread and rolls, as well as local vendors such as Homeboy's Hot Sauce, Ava's Kettlecorn, Windmill Farms and others. It's also a great place to pick up gift items such as pottery, aprons, handmade jewelry, etc. During the summer months the market is moved indoors in a large well air conditioned space of the church property. Local restaurants often have cooking demos and give out samples. It's no wonder it was named one of the top 50 markets in the country by Cooking Light Magazine!
2. Arizona Capitol Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 224 reviews
Celebrating Arizona's vibrant cultural heritage through history! Housed in the restored Capitol Building, this museum presents programs and exhibits about the government of the Arizona Territory and the early days of statehood. Always FREE Admission Open: Monday through Friday 9am - 4pm
Reviewed By robbygc - Toronto, Canada
The people of Phoenix were happy. They had made the bill of rights at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Park. They put their rights on obelix's, with their rights. Everybody could look at at the obelix and get to know the rights. It seems it was great! Worthwhile to see!
3. South Mountain Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,302 reviews
This, the largest municipal park in the world, is a popular hiking, biking and horseback riding trail area.
Reviewed By michiganpete7 - Muskegon, United States
On our first full day in Phoenix, we chose to hike the Hidden Valley Trail via Mormon Loop Trail, which we found highly rated on the AllTrails app. A 5+ mile hike that took us 2.5 hours, as we’re ‘moderate’ hikers, it was a lot of fun. Bring plenty of water, backpack, sun screen, lip balm and a hat. The low ‘50’s temps were perfect mid-morning, feeling warmer than that as the sun was out. Hard sole shoes or boots will greatly help your hike!
4. Hole in the Rock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,027 reviews
Reviewed By jesseo582 - Jackson, United States
Close to the zoo and botanical gardens, this is a an extremely accessible and fun park! And, in early November, there were few people enjoying it. I was especially glad to read interpretation here that the rock had Native astronomical significance. For many it’s a place to scramble. But the picnic facilities, cacti, birds and rabbits I found were most enjoyable.
5. Papago Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 832 reviews
This park offers runners both paved and dirt trails.
Reviewed By kendra612 - Minneapolis, United States
This was a great starter hike. The views were amazing and it is very close to the zoo and botanical gardens. It can get busy at The Hole in The Rock, so be prepared for a crowd.
6. Burton Barr Central Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
A library for the space age, this five-story cube of steel and glass is clad in ribbed copper sheeting and sunshine.
Reviewed By abqsage - Fort Myers, United States
An architect who recently visited this library told us how impressed he was with it, and encouraged us to visit, so we did- and we're glad we did. It's an amazing building with many special features. It's a tall building with a central atrium that goes to the ceiling, and glass elevator that connects the floors, A staircase that ascends over a large water feature, Poles which seem to support the ceiling, but actually leave a gap because it is a floating ceiling, special rooms for teens and children, and many study desks to accommodate hundreds of those reading and studying. There's a lot to see there, and it was so impressing to see hundreds of young people there reading books and studying. We're glad we stopped by and would encourage others to do the same.
7. Phoenix Mountain Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
Offers more than 23,000 acres crisscrossed with trails.
Reviewed By bpred754 - Phoenix, United States
I have lived in Phoenix my entire life and have never really given much thought about the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. Well, that has changed! I hiked to Piestewa Peak, and wow, was it beautiful! It was also a very good workout! I can't believe the amount of hiking that is available in the preserve right in the middle of Phoenix! I definitely recommend checking out the assortment of trails the preserve offers. It is pretty large, so if you need help finding preserve amenities like drinking fountains, restrooms, ramadas, etc., the app, Avem, is very helpful!
8. Camelback Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,520 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Camelback Mountain is to Phoenix, Arizona, what Lake Michigan is to Chicago or the Golden Gate Bridge is to San Francisco or the Gateway Arch is to St. Louis. It is a distinctive feature that is associated with the city. Camelback is a mountain whose English name is derived from its shape, which resembles the hump and head of a kneeling camel. It is a prominent and unmistakable landmark of the Phoenix metropolitan area, located in the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area between the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix and the town of Paradise Valley. It also is a popular recreation destination for hiking and rock climbing. Not to mention photo ops. A cave discovered on the north slope of the mountain indicates that it was once used as a sacred site by the prehistoric Hohokam Culture before they abandoned the area in the 14th century. The mountain features two hiking trails that ascend 1,280 feet to its peak. The Echo Canyon Trail is 1.14 miles in length while the Cholla Trail covers 1.4 miles. Both are considered strenuous with steep grades, requiring a round trip time of 90 minutes to three hours. For rock climbers, the Praying Monk is a red sandstone rock formation on the northern slope that rises about 100 feet. The mountain lends its name to a major east-west street in the Phoenix area called Camelback Road that starts in Scottsdale and goes about 34 miles west past the West Valley suburbs of Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
9. St. Mary's Basilica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 263 reviews
St. Mary’s Basilica, named The Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin is the oldest Catholic parish in Phoenix and was the only Catholic parish in Phoenix until 1924. It holds a unique place in the history of the Church and in the Diocese of Phoenix. On September 2, 1985, Pope Saint John Paul II solemnly proclaimed the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary to be a Minor Basilica. At that time, for historical, cultural, artistic, and spiritual reasons, St. Mary’s became the 32nd basilica in the United States. While on his American Visit, Pope Saint John Paul II visited St. Mary’s knelt in prayer in the center aisle and then spoke to the crowd from the balcony on September 14, 1987. St. Mary's Basilica is a parish of the Franciscan friars of the Province of Saint Barbara. The first Franciscan came to the area in 1539.
Reviewed By 501leew - Lenexa, United States
The Bishop's basilica... should be a very nice place and this one does not disappoint. We enjoy our annual (when my family gathers in Phoenix for a week) Sunday worship at this beautiful church.
10. Brass Armadillo Antique Mall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
The Brass Armadillo Antique Mall in Phoenix is home to over 600 antique dealers, the largest number of antique dealers under one roof in the entire desert valley. As you explore our aisles full of millions of antiques and collectibles, you'll discover antiques of every kind, including an especially large collection of Depression glass, crystal, china and pottery; including Roseville and Rookwood.
Reviewed By yuenj2020 - Phoenix, United States
Antique, collectibles, vintage, steampunk, repurposed and local made items. I always go to Booth 117 and Case 12 for unique daily stock items.
