20 Fun Things to do in Phoenix Besides Shopping!
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
11. Dine outside in the beautiful fresh desert air
Phoenix offers some of the best outdoor dining in the country. Take advantage of the attractive, mild winter temperatures, perfect for a relaxing meal outside. My favorite places for alfresco dining pre-hike are Scramble (I love the coffee and healthy menu) or Butterfield’s Pancake House (the patio is so pretty). Elements at the Sanctuary at Camelback Mountain is another luxury choice popular with tourists.
12. Take a scenic mountain drive
Anywhere you drive outside of the city is naturally a relaxing place to take your mind off of everything for a while. The desert is an otherworldly and gorgeous place where you can get back to nature without any over commercialization getting in the way. One of the most picturesque routes is the 80 mile long Apache Trail Scenic Drive, an extremely enjoyable ride featuring views of cacti, the Superstition Mountains, and beautiful lakes.
Notable attractions along the way include: Goldfield Ghost town, Lost Dutchman State Park, and beautiful Canyon Lake. Although it’s not quite as scenic as Saguaro Lake, I also recommend a cruise on Canyon via the Dolly Steamboat.
Another really incredible drive is the Salt River Canyon drive, which begins in Phoenix and ends near the New Mexico border. The journey to the canyon and back is about 270 miles, although the scenery is diverse and dramatic enough to warrant a visit.
13. Visit the largest aquarium in the Southwest
The OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale is one of the newest additions to the metro area’s growing list of indoor cultural attractions. This massive 2 floor facility holds over 2 million gallons of water, making it the largest aquarium in the Southwest. It also happens to be one of the newest in the country, having just opened in 2016. Many complain of the steep ticket pricing, although I thought it was a fabulous place with top notch exhibits. And, really you can’t complain as a top notch aquarium in the middle of the Sonoran desert really is a rarity.
Highlights here include the world’s first revolving aquarium exhibit, the best bathroom in the US (you’ll see), a 400,000 gallon shark tank, and a really unique enclosed escalator experience. If you are looking for something to do indoors during the brutal summer and fall season, a few hours gazing at colorful marine life will help cool you off.
14. Take in the beauty of the Sonoran at the Scottsdale McDowell Preserve
The Scottsdale McDowell Preserve is a massive recreational destination, with over 100 miles of beautiful hiking trails. It’s also a great pick for birdwatching and mountain biking. This preserve is home to a diverse range of trails, from easy bird watching strolls to intense climbs. Tom Thumb’s, a steep 8 mile journey, is known as one of the more challenging hikes in the area. I recommend first time visitors to check out the Gateway Loop which is a short but scenic journey. I love the amazing cacti and mountain views on this trail (see pic above).
15. Explore Old Town Scottsdale
This cute Wild-West themed walkable entertainment destination, located within the heart of the city, is home to art galleries, unique restaurants, museums (check out the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art), and local shops (most selling Native American arts and jewelry). It’s a bit touristy, but I love the theme and design. Check out the Scottsdale Art Walk, held every Thursday night. Two local hotspots I recommend checking out are: Cien Agave (good Mexican food in a colorful setting) and Sip (a trendy place where you can drink local beer and coffee).
16. Hike the Dreamy Draw Trail
Dreamy Draw is another great hiking destination in the metro. There is an easy 1.5 mile nature loop here which is great for wildlife watching and a hotspot for wildflowers. What I find even more interesting is that there was a supposed UFO landing here in 1947. As a fan of the unusual and offbeat destinations, this was an extra bonus for me. Read more about this urban legend.
17. Explore Cave Creek
Cave Creek is a cowboy/western themed town about 45 min from Phoenix. I like to do a bit of rustic hiking out here as it is far enough from the metro to escape the strip mall commotion. I like to start my day at the Grotto Cafe – they serve great breakfast and I love the shady patio. Cave Cake Regional Park is a great remote place to hike. I didn’t see any other hikers on The Slate Trail. I got the true feeling of being out in the desert wilderness here.
Also, this town is a great place for antique and southwest shopping. Frontier Town is a recreation of an old west town where you can shop for cowboy apparel and southwest themed gifts and eat at rustic restaurants right out of the Wild West.
18. Tour the Arizona Biltmore
Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic architectural style (including “the Biltmore Block”) served as the inspiration for the Arizona Biltmore, one of the city’s most prestigious lodging choices. This iconic property is a wonderful place to stay, but you can also sign up for a history tour. This resort dates back to 1929 and has attracted many legendary guests over the decades including Marilyn Monroe and Irving Berlin (who was said to write the classic “White Christmas” here).
Learn more about the property and history tours
19. Sign up for a guided night hike
Many of the parks and preserves in the Phoenix region offer guided night hikes. One such option is the Full Moon hikes at Usery Mountain: a perfect opportunity to enjoy some prime stargazing and possible wildlife sightings. Who knows what creepy crawlers you may see when the sun goes down. Bring a flashlight, lots of water, and keep your eyes and ears open for any unusual sights and sounds as you take a casual 2 mile hike under the starry night skies.
20. Enjoy diverse entertainment at the 4 diamond Talking Stick Resort
This 4 diamond, luxury casino resort in Scottsdale offers numerous attractions including a full gaming floor, live entertainment, wonderful dining options (try the top rated Orange Sky), and a top notch spa. When the weather is unbearable, this casino resort offers more than enough opportunities to amuse yourself for a few hours. The resort offers affordable rates, nice rooms, and great on-site amenities.
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