5 days in Phoenix

Day by day

1. Day 1: Desert Botanical Garden and Papago Park and Hole-in-the-Rock

   Desert Botanical Garden, Papago Park and Hole-in-the-Rock and Phoenix Zoo, then South Mountain Park and Preserve in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Desert Botanical Garden

      Visit at opening or in the evening in warmer months; in December, the luminaria nights light the paths with thousands of candle bags. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Papago Park and Hole-in-the-Rock

      Combine an early-evening climb to Hole-in-the-Rock with dinner nearby after a day at the zoo or Desert Botanical Garden. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sonoran hot dog

      Hot dog stands and food trucks across south and west Phoenix, especially in the evening.

   4. Afternoon

      Phoenix Zoo

      Go at opening outside winter; in December the evening ZooLights display is a family favourite. (3 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      South Mountain Park and Preserve

      Drive up to Dobbins Lookout around sunset, then stay to see the city lights spread out below.

2. Day 2: Camelback Mountain and Heard Museum

   Camelback Mountain, Heard Museum and Piestewa Peak, then Old Town Scottsdale in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Camelback Mountain

      Start at first light, carry more water than you think you need and turn back when half of it is gone; the city may close the trails on extreme heat days. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Heard Museum

      Allow time for the boarding school exhibit and the museum shop, which sells work bought directly from Native artists. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Chimichanga

      Sonoran-style Mexican restaurants across the Valley.

   4. Afternoon

      Piestewa Peak

      Go at sunrise on a weekday; parking at the main trailhead fills early on weekends. (1.5–2.5 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Old Town Scottsdale

      Walk the gallery district on a Thursday evening, then have dinner nearby.

3. Day 3: Musical Instrument Museum and Sunrise hot-air balloon flight

   Musical Instrument Museum, Sunrise hot-air balloon flight and Phoenix Art Museum, then Roosevelt Row arts district in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Musical Instrument Museum

      Plan at least half a day; most visitors underestimate how long the geographic galleries take. (3–4 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Sunrise hot-air balloon flight

      Book for early in your trip so there is time to rebook if wind cancels the flight. (3–4 hours including transfers, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cheese crisp

      Old-school Mexican restaurants across Phoenix and Tucson.

   4. Afternoon

      Phoenix Art Museum

      Ask for a timed entry to the Kusama room on arrival; visits inside are short and spaced out. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Roosevelt Row arts district

      Visit on the first Friday of the month for the art walk, or on a cooler morning for mural photos.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Sedona

   About 2 hours by car each way. Getting there: Car via I-17, or a shuttle or tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Sedona

      About 2 hours by car (Car via I-17, or a shuttle or tour); about 190 km.

   2. Day

      Sedona

      Red sandstone buttes, the Chapel of the Holy Cross and trails such as Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock make Sedona the most popular trip from Phoenix. Best for couples, first-timers and quiet stays.

   3. Evening

      Back in Phoenix

      Dinner: try Carne asada tacos.

5. Day 5: Taliesin West and OdySea Aquarium

   Taliesin West, OdySea Aquarium and Heritage Square, then Old Town Scottsdale in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Taliesin West

      Choose a morning tour for the best light on the stone and canvas, and the clearest views across the Valley. (1.5–2 hours, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      OdySea Aquarium

      Combine it with Butterfly Wonderland next door for a full indoor day in hot weather. (2–3 hours, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Carne asada tacos

      Taquerías and taco trucks in south and west Phoenix, and Mexican bakeries selling fresh tortillas.

   4. Afternoon

      Heritage Square

      Combine a Rosson House tour with lunch on the square and the Arizona Science Center next door. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Old Town Scottsdale

      The Valley's main club and bar district, busy on weekends and during big events.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Desert Botanical Garden, Taliesin West and Sunrise hot-air balloon flight before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Downtown Phoenix keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Arcadia ($$$) suits couples, food lovers and quiet stays. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 29–41 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.9 hours in December to 14.4 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Phoenix
• 2 days in Phoenix
• 3 days in Phoenix

Questions travellers ask