Phoenix: Explore & Delight
Food scene
Festive environment, popular on weekends, and holidays. Small but delicious menu, the Taco Chelo Salad is a fave.
31 locals recommend
Taco Chelo
501 E Roosevelt StFestive environment, popular on weekends, and holidays. Small but delicious menu, the Taco Chelo Salad is a fave.
Lots of seating and periodic events. Connected to Pedalhaus Brewery, Sake Haus Sushi and Sake, and Phoenix General, an apparel and gift shop.
8 locals recommend
Kahvi Coffee + Cafe
214 E Roosevelt StLots of seating and periodic events. Connected to Pedalhaus Brewery, Sake Haus Sushi and Sake, and Phoenix General, an apparel and gift shop.
Enchanting outdoor seating, loaded wine list, local ingredients, and great service.
95 locals recommend
Ocotillo Restaurant
3243 N 3rd StEnchanting outdoor seating, loaded wine list, local ingredients, and great service.
Indoor and outdoor seating. Cozy vibes. Fresh flowers. Light food and drinks. Central location.
24 locals recommend
Roland's Cafe Market Bar
1505 E Van Buren StIndoor and outdoor seating. Cozy vibes. Fresh flowers. Light food and drinks. Central location.
Authentic, delicious Thai street food. Plan and make an RSVP; they're always busy. Not a bad thing on the menu. Get drinks in the plaza next door at REWINED Beer & Wine Bar and play every board game imaginable while you wait.
66 locals recommend
Glai Baan
2333 E Osborn RdAuthentic, delicious Thai street food. Plan and make an RSVP; they're always busy. Not a bad thing on the menu. Get drinks in the plaza next door at REWINED Beer & Wine Bar and play every board game imaginable while you wait.
Awesome ramen and memorable beverage program. If on a wait, grab a drink at Across the Pond next door.
83 locals recommend
Clever Koi
4236 N Central AveAwesome ramen and memorable beverage program. If on a wait, grab a drink at Across the Pond next door.
Charming farm-to-table property with farm retail, event space, and 3 eateries: casual breakfast (Morning Glory Cafe) and lunch (Farm Kitchen) restaurants, and a fine dining dinner (Quiessence) restaurant. Come to eat and linger outside.
73 locals recommend
The Farm at South Mountain
6106 S 32nd StCharming farm-to-table property with farm retail, event space, and 3 eateries: casual breakfast (Morning Glory Cafe) and lunch (Farm Kitchen) restaurants, and a fine dining dinner (Quiessence) restaurant. Come to eat and linger outside.
Urban locally-owned retail, eateries, and bars in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Saturday sidewalk artisan markets, periodic yoga, and special events. Freak Brothers Pizza is delish.
70 locals recommend
The Churchill
901 N 1st StUrban locally-owned retail, eateries, and bars in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Saturday sidewalk artisan markets, periodic yoga, and special events. Freak Brothers Pizza is delish.
Quirky, local retail, food trucks, and music in an enchanting winding maze on the lawn of a historic landmark home.
38 locals recommend
Pemberton PHX
1121 North 2nd StreetQuirky, local retail, food trucks, and music in an enchanting winding maze on the lawn of a historic landmark home.
Long-time establishment in the city with locally sourced ingredients. There's often busy! Go early!
227 locals recommend
Matt's Big Breakfast
825 N 1st StLong-time establishment in the city with locally sourced ingredients. There's often busy! Go early!
Garden Bar Phx
Charming bar in a house with a creative beverage program and friendly vibes.
Sightseeing
One of the most beautiful places in the city. Check for events and special exhibits like the beautiful glass-blown plants of Chihuly in the Desert.
1231 locals recommend
Desert Botanical Garden
One of the most beautiful places in the city. Check for events and special exhibits like the beautiful glass-blown plants of Chihuly in the Desert.
Great place to see all of Phoenix on the mountaintop of South Mountain. Go at sunset for the best pictures.
50 locals recommend
Dobbins Lookout
Great place to see all of Phoenix on the mountaintop of South Mountain. Go at sunset for the best pictures.
Great place for pictures and views of Tempe and Phoenix. Sunrise and sunsets are the best.
543 locals recommend
Papago Park
625 N Galvin PkwyGreat place for pictures and views of Tempe and Phoenix. Sunrise and sunsets are the best.
People watch, rent a scooter or paddleboat, ride a bike, jog, rollerskate, or walk on the wide paved path that encircles the lake. Have a picnic on the lawn or play volleyball on the sand court, then walk to Mill Ave, Tempe's main strip.
453 locals recommend
Tempe Town Lake
620 N Mill AvePeople watch, rent a scooter or paddleboat, ride a bike, jog, rollerskate, or walk on the wide paved path that encircles the lake. Have a picnic on the lawn or play volleyball on the sand court, then walk to Mill Ave, Tempe's main strip.
Exhilarating hikes to amazing views of Phoenix. Popular on weekends, expect to make friends.
489 locals recommend
Piestewa Peak
Exhilarating hikes to amazing views of Phoenix. Popular on weekends, expect to make friends.
Go for the workout (both trails will get your heart rate up and legs activated) and connect with the beauty surrounding Paradise Valley. A popular place with locals and tourists alike.
1752 locals recommend
Echo Canyon Trail and Recreation Area
East McDonald DriveGo for the workout (both trails will get your heart rate up and legs activated) and connect with the beauty surrounding Paradise Valley. A popular place with locals and tourists alike.
The largest art museum in Arizona with world -class exhibitions and galleries featuring Asian, American, Latin American, Western American, contemporary, and fashion design. Wednesday admissions are donation-based and First Fridays are free.
686 locals recommend
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N Central AveThe largest art museum in Arizona with world -class exhibitions and galleries featuring Asian, American, Latin American, Western American, contemporary, and fashion design. Wednesday admissions are donation-based and First Fridays are free.
An amazing place to learn about the history of musical instruments with thousands of examples from six continents. Plus there's a music theater there with various concerts throughout the year.
652 locals recommend
Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E Mayo BlvdAn amazing place to learn about the history of musical instruments with thousands of examples from six continents. Plus there's a music theater there with various concerts throughout the year.
Pemberton PHX
A fun outdoor spot to mingle, enjoy drinks, and bites.
Peaceful 3-acre environment to stroll. Sign up for a traditional tea ceremony as well.
183 locals recommend
Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
1125 N 3rd AvePeaceful 3-acre environment to stroll. Sign up for a traditional tea ceremony as well.
Downtown Phoenix Farmer's Market happens every Saturday approx 8am-1pm, times vary slightly based on the season. An easy start to a day of downtown strolling.
30 locals recommend
Open Air Market
720 N Central AveDowntown Phoenix Farmer's Market happens every Saturday approx 8am-1pm, times vary slightly based on the season. An easy start to a day of downtown strolling.
City/town information
About an hour and a half south, Tucson is Arizona's second-largest city. It has a different personality than Phoenix with a slower pace, slightly cooler climate, great for hiking and camping while Phoenix has more in terms of cultural events and sports.
108 locals recommend
Tucson
About an hour and a half south, Tucson is Arizona's second-largest city. It has a different personality than Phoenix with a slower pace, slightly cooler climate, great for hiking and camping while Phoenix has more in terms of cultural events and sports.
A forest-rich mountain town about 2 hours north of Phoenix. Perfect for hikers with Mt. Humphreys, Arizona's highest mountain. Flagstaff has 4 four seasons, all of which are beautiful in the alpine setting. Lots of breweries and cute local shops. Home to Northern Arizona University.
330 locals recommend
Flagstaff
A forest-rich mountain town about 2 hours north of Phoenix. Perfect for hikers with Mt. Humphreys, Arizona's highest mountain. Flagstaff has 4 four seasons, all of which are beautiful in the alpine setting. Lots of breweries and cute local shops. Home to Northern Arizona University.
Amazing hiking and views. An hour and a half drive north and an easy day trip from Phoenix. Averages about 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix year round. Drive through the town of Oak Creek for the perfect entrance into this majestic area.
883 locals recommend
Sedona
Amazing hiking and views. An hour and a half drive north and an easy day trip from Phoenix. Averages about 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix year round. Drive through the town of Oak Creek for the perfect entrance into this majestic area.
A more upscale city in the East valley. Old Town Scottsdale is a tourist mecca with art galleries, shopping, museums, bars, and a western feel. Scottsdale neighbors McDowell Sonoran Preserve, a beautiful natural habitat. Also home to legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright's home, Taliesin West.
385 locals recommend
Scottsdale
A more upscale city in the East valley. Old Town Scottsdale is a tourist mecca with art galleries, shopping, museums, bars, and a western feel. Scottsdale neighbors McDowell Sonoran Preserve, a beautiful natural habitat. Also home to legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright's home, Taliesin West.
15 minutes from Phoenix, Tempe is a popular college town, home to Arizona State University. The best area to check out is around Tempe Town Lake, with shops on Mill Ave, Tempe Beach Park, and Tempe Performing Arts Center.
106 locals recommend
Tempe
15 minutes from Phoenix, Tempe is a popular college town, home to Arizona State University. The best area to check out is around Tempe Town Lake, with shops on Mill Ave, Tempe Beach Park, and Tempe Performing Arts Center.
Traveler advice
What to pack
Essentials
A canteen/water bottle. Always remember to hydrate in the desert. The very dry climate can catch some off guard. Have a canteen with you like you would your keys to always have water accessible. Having electrolytes is helpful too.
Sunscreen. Obvious but often forgotten and regretted.
A hat. Helpful in near-constant sunshine!
Layers. The desert often fluctuates 20-30 degrees from morning to night year-round.
Getting around
Cars are the fastest way to get around.
It's hard to get lost in Phoenix since it's a grid system. Avenues are to the west of Central Ave, and streets are to the east.
Ride-share services like Uber and Lyft are easy to access all over the valley.
Rental bikes and scooters are available in pockets around the city.
The Valley Metro rail runs a 30-mile stretch and serves Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa.
The Phoenix Public Transit bus service runs 7 days a week.