Free things to do · Phoenix · United States
7 free things to do in Phoenix
Phoenix without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Yassie, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Phoenix without paying an entry fee: Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, South Mountain Park and Preserve and Papago Park and Hole-in-the-Rock are all free. Hotel and resort prices fall by half or more from June to September; summer resort stays are a local favourite despite the heat.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 2
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- June–August
Free sights and experiences
Nature · Arcadia
1.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.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
Nature · Phoenix Mountains Preserve
2.Piestewa Peak
Go at sunrise on a weekday; parking at the main trailhead fills early on weekends.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
Park · South Phoenix
3.South Mountain Park and Preserve
Drive up to Dobbins Lookout around sunset, then stay to see the city lights spread out below.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- History
- After dark
Park · Papago Park
4.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.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Scottsdale
5.Old Town Scottsdale
Walk the gallery district on a Thursday evening, then have dinner nearby.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Art
- Free
- After dark
Street · Roosevelt Row
6.Roosevelt Row arts district
Visit on the first Friday of the month for the art walk, or on a cooler morning for mural photos.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Photo spot
- After dark
Museum · Downtown Phoenix
7.Arizona Capitol Museum
Pair it with a walk through Wesley Bolin Plaza's memorials across the street.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Arcadia | Camelback Mountain | 2–3 hours |
| Phoenix Mountains Preserve | Piestewa Peak | 1.5–2.5 hours |
| South Phoenix | South Mountain Park and Preserve | 2–4 hours |
| Papago Park | Papago Park and Hole-in-the-Rock | 1 hour |
| Scottsdale | Old Town Scottsdale | 2–3 hours |
| Roosevelt Row | Roosevelt Row arts district | 1–2 hours |
| Downtown Phoenix | Arizona Capitol Museum | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Historic site · Downtown Phoenix
Heritage Square
Combine a Rosson House tour with lunch on the square and the Arizona Science Center next door.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Food
Historic site · East Phoenix
Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park
Visit in the cooler months, as the outdoor trail has little shade; it is a few minutes from the airport.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Kids
More ways to save
- Hotel and resort prices fall by half or more from June to September; summer resort stays are a local favourite despite the heat.
- Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, South Mountain and Papago Park are free.
- Many resorts add daily resort fees; compare total prices before booking.
- Spring-training lawn seats are an inexpensive way to see Major League players up close.
- Book well ahead for February and March, when big events push hotel rates to their annual peak.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Phoenix expensive to visit?
Phoenix is moderately priced for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Phoenix?
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.