Sightseeing
All humanity loves music of some kind. This museum (MIM) is incredible as it has music and musical instruments from the whole world. You need at least a full day, but may want to purchase a 2-day pass. You can go at your own pace with headphones. There is no other place like this. You will find something for everyone. There is even a room where you can try out instruments. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
652 locals recommend
Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E Mayo BlvdAll humanity loves music of some kind. This museum (MIM) is incredible as it has music and musical instruments from the whole world. You need at least a full day, but may want to purchase a 2-day pass. You can go at your own pace with headphones. There is no other place like this. You will find something for everyone. There is even a room where you can try out instruments. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
What fabulous experiences this Ranch has. The whole family will enjoy it. It is south of Phoenix and will take you about 2 1/2 hours to get there. Totally worth it.
24 locals recommend
Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch
17599 E Peak LnWhat fabulous experiences this Ranch has. The whole family will enjoy it. It is south of Phoenix and will take you about 2 1/2 hours to get there. Totally worth it.
If you like museums, the Heard Museum will not disappoint. It is a world class museum featuring Native American culture, history and art. They have special featured artists and dancers at events. You can check out those dates on their website.
652 locals recommend
Heard Museum
2301 N Central AveIf you like museums, the Heard Museum will not disappoint. It is a world class museum featuring Native American culture, history and art. They have special featured artists and dancers at events. You can check out those dates on their website.
Kids and older folk alike will be enthralled with this large museum. A few fire trucks allow kids to climb on them. We had them choose one interesting thing to share on each aisle to encourage focused looking.
35 locals recommend
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
6101 E Van Buren StKids and older folk alike will be enthralled with this large museum. A few fire trucks allow kids to climb on them. We had them choose one interesting thing to share on each aisle to encourage focused looking.
Meteor Crater is located in the high desert approximately 2 2/3 hours from here. It has been quite windy whenever we have been there. The astronauts trained here and with binoculars you can spot a tiny, but life-size astronaut left there.
101 locals recommend
Meteor Crater Natural Landmark
233Meteor Crater is located in the high desert approximately 2 2/3 hours from here. It has been quite windy whenever we have been there. The astronauts trained here and with binoculars you can spot a tiny, but life-size astronaut left there.
If you are in Arizona and can take a day trip to see the Grand Canyon, please take time to do it. It is a wonder of the world. If you are a seasoned hiker, you may want to take the trail down. Check it all out first. Another tributary of the Colorado is called . The Havasupai. The Native Americans who live here don’t mind tourists and you will see some amazing pools of water.
435 locals recommend
Grand Canyon
If you are in Arizona and can take a day trip to see the Grand Canyon, please take time to do it. It is a wonder of the world. If you are a seasoned hiker, you may want to take the trail down. Check it all out first. Another tributary of the Colorado is called . The Havasupai. The Native Americans who live here don’t mind tourists and you will see some amazing pools of water.
If you are interested in flight, the Titan Missile Museum south of Tucson is worth a trip. Also south of Tucson is the Pima Air and Space Museum. You could do both in one day.
101 locals recommend
Titan Missile Museum
1580 W Duval Mine RdIf you are interested in flight, the Titan Missile Museum south of Tucson is worth a trip. Also south of Tucson is the Pima Air and Space Museum. You could do both in one day.
If you are interested in architecture ,Arcosanti is a projected experimental town (urban laboratory using natural sun and shade) with a molten bronze bell casting 70 mi north of Phoenix. Its arcology concept was proposed by the Italian-American architect Paolo Soleri.
36 locals recommend
Arcosanti
If you are interested in architecture ,Arcosanti is a projected experimental town (urban laboratory using natural sun and shade) with a molten bronze bell casting 70 mi north of Phoenix. Its arcology concept was proposed by the Italian-American architect Paolo Soleri.
Again, if you are interested in architecture, Taliesin West open for tours. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Wright’s beloved winter home and desert laboratory was established in 1937 and diligently handcrafted over many years into a world unto itself. Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. It was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, making it among the most personal of the architect’s creations.
296 locals recommend
Taliesin West
12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright BlvdAgain, if you are interested in architecture, Taliesin West open for tours. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Wright’s beloved winter home and desert laboratory was established in 1937 and diligently handcrafted over many years into a world unto itself. Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. It was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, making it among the most personal of the architect’s creations.
Built on top of a freeway in downtown Phoenix, this amazingly beautiful garden is serene and absolutely lovely. Partnering with a Japanese city, it was built with care and dedication. Tours are available. It was here I learned for the first time that ducks don’t like swans. Swans don’t live in Phoenix, but a decoy floats gently in the water to keep out ducks. The coy fish here are amazing.
183 locals recommend
Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
1125 N 3rd AveBuilt on top of a freeway in downtown Phoenix, this amazingly beautiful garden is serene and absolutely lovely. Partnering with a Japanese city, it was built with care and dedication. Tours are available. It was here I learned for the first time that ducks don’t like swans. Swans don’t live in Phoenix, but a decoy floats gently in the water to keep out ducks. The coy fish here are amazing.
If you go to Meteor Crater, you might as well also see the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert at the same time—especially if you love geology. They are not very far apart and none them take all day to see.
74 locals recommend
Petrified Forest National Park
If you go to Meteor Crater, you might as well also see the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert at the same time—especially if you love geology. They are not very far apart and none them take all day to see.
Not far from the Grand Canyon is the Grand Canyon Deer Farm. A crazy and wonderful place where you can feed and interact with the deer and see and feed other animals too. In the same area Beararizona is great fun as well offering more animals and a self-guided tour through 160 acres of wilderness. Both places are great for kids.
75 locals recommend
Grand Canyon Deer Farm
6769 Deer Farm RdNot far from the Grand Canyon is the Grand Canyon Deer Farm. A crazy and wonderful place where you can feed and interact with the deer and see and feed other animals too. In the same area Beararizona is great fun as well offering more animals and a self-guided tour through 160 acres of wilderness. Both places are great for kids.
Neighborhoods
The Arrowhead area has many restaurants and shopping of every kind. You don’t have to go far to experience great food, theaters, and shopping. It is all here. You are only 11 minutes from anything and everything. Here we are at Cheesecake Factory with a granddaughter.
Arrowhead Towne Center
West Arrowhead Towne CenterThe Arrowhead area has many restaurants and shopping of every kind. You don’t have to go far to experience great food, theaters, and shopping. It is all here. You are only 11 minutes from anything and everything. Here we are at Cheesecake Factory with a granddaughter.
Glendale is not far from here. It has many antique shops and more than 10 tea rooms. Carretas Chocolate Factory and Auntie Em’s Miniatures are also here and such fun to explore.
38 locals recommend
Glendale
Glendale is not far from here. It has many antique shops and more than 10 tea rooms. Carretas Chocolate Factory and Auntie Em’s Miniatures are also here and such fun to explore.
City/town information
Jerome is a mining town on a hill that dug underneath itself! It is an experience just to DRIVE in Jerome. It became a ghost town, but now is filled with artists and places to eat. There is a great museum there and also in nearby Clarkdale. It will take about 3 hours to get there. Sedona is not far from the Clarkdale neighborhood.
475 locals recommend
Jerome
Jerome is a mining town on a hill that dug underneath itself! It is an experience just to DRIVE in Jerome. It became a ghost town, but now is filled with artists and places to eat. There is a great museum there and also in nearby Clarkdale. It will take about 3 hours to get there. Sedona is not far from the Clarkdale neighborhood.
Sedona is world famous for the beautiful red rocks, amazing shopping and the Church in the Red Rock. There are also jeep tours, hot air balloons, and much more to entertain yourself in the Sedona area.
187 locals recommend
Sedona
Sedona is world famous for the beautiful red rocks, amazing shopping and the Church in the Red Rock. There are also jeep tours, hot air balloons, and much more to entertain yourself in the Sedona area.
Sports
State Farm Stadium (The Cardinals) is about a 15 minutes off the 101. Very easy to find and surrounded by shops, movie theater, and places to eat.
Peoria Sports center (Spring Training) is about 10 minutes away.
The Phoenix Open is about an hour but mostly freeway.
This park is visible from the house and you can walk over on a bridge or it is about 5 minutes away by car. It has picnic places, a playground, sand volley ball, a full gym, a climbing wall, a veteran’s memorial, and more. The playground is open but for a small fee you can enjoy the rest.
9 locals recommend
Rio Vista Community Park
8866 W Thunderbird RdThis park is visible from the house and you can walk over on a bridge or it is about 5 minutes away by car. It has picnic places, a playground, sand volley ball, a full gym, a climbing wall, a veteran’s memorial, and more. The playground is open but for a small fee you can enjoy the rest.
Traveler advice
Getting around
If you are not familiar with hiking in the desert…
Go with someone and stay on the trails. Use sunscreen even if it is cloudy. Tell someone where you are going. Have your phone charged and watch out for cactus — in spring/summer occasional people come across rattle snakes. Hurry away from them. There are many great trails around the Phoenix area to enjoy. Hike early in the morning before the weather begins to get hot. Don’t wear sandals. This all may sound scary…it is really just common sense around here to be extra cautious because remember, this is a desert!
Getting around
Transportation in the Phoenix area
The Phoenix area does have buses and public transportation, but the best way to get around is by car because the Phoenix area is so spread out. It is not a hard city to drive in though, because most of it is on a grid. If you don’t have a car, you can use Uber, Lyft, etc. But for longer side trips like the Grand Canyon or Meteor Crater, you will need a car.
Don't miss
Don’t miss out—Always call ahead to verify info
Most of the time a website will be up-to-date, but not always. It can save being frustrated if you make a quick call to verify hours and days open. We have actually bought tickets online before and then when we arrived the place was closed!
What to pack
Carry water and something for your lips
Most people in Phoenix carry water bottles everywhere. They take them to school, on outings, and many times have extra water in the car. IT IS VERY DRY HERE. Lip gloss is also a must and you might also pick up some dry-eye drops. If you are going to be out in the sun a hat or umbrella is useful.
Getting around
Maximize your travel time by mapping sites
Day trips can take awhile so seeing some things that are relatively close together maximizes your time. (like Montezuma’s Castle and Arcosante or the Titan Missile Museum and The Pima Air Museum) You probably wouldn’t want to make separate trips to see them.
Getting around
Dust Storms
Occasionally we will have dust storms. If you are on the road, keep your lights on and go slow. If you can’t see, pull over and turn off your car. These storms usually pass fairly quickly and are actually quite amazing to watch or experience.