Phoenix Things To Do

Phoenix has a historic downtown district, with Copper Square the heart of the city. This urban centre is home to a range of architectural styles of building, and a lively entertainment district. There are great shopping centres, small boutiques and antique stores, and restaurants serving up plenty of regional southwest cuisine.     

 

The natural beauty of this desert region is evident throughout, from the iconic cacti to the vast desert landscapes. Tour the region by jeep safari, hot-air balloon or on horseback to experience the stunning terrain of Arizona. Enjoy a Wild West experience by visiting one of the local 'ghost towns', panning for gold, having a cowboy cookout or going to the rodeo.  

 

Attractions in Phoenix include The Zoo, The Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard Museum, the Arizona Science Centre, the Pima Air and Space Museum, the Children’s Museum and the Desert Botanical Garden.

 

A favourite pastime for both residents and tourists, golf can be played everywhere, with Phoenix and the surrounding areas home to over 200 golf courses, and the dry desert air and ever-present sunshine making conditions ideal for the game.  

 

Walking, hiking and biking are popular outdoor activities in Phoenix, especially in the many trails throughout the Sonoran Desert, with horse riding and rock-climbing also available. The regions' lakes and rivers offer water skiing, sailing, tubing and fishing.

 

The city has a rich cultural heritage and a thriving performing arts scene, with opera, ballet, theatres, and numerous art galleries displaying a range of different styles of work. 

 

Home to many luxury resorts and famous hotels, Phoenix offers a number of spas, retreats and day centres, where guests can indulge in both relaxing and invigorating treatments, such as body wraps, massages and exfoliation, as well as regional Native American remedies and practices such as hot stone therapy.   

 

The vast South Mountain Park is one of the largest of its kind in the US, and features desert landscapes with ideal terrain for walking, hiking and biking. The park offers guided tours of its famous 'Mystery Castle', a house built from natural materials and still privately owned and inhabited. Phoenix also has a number of water parks to help people escape from the intense heat, especially in the summer, including Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix which features a number of pools, rides, tubes and a lazy river.