Phoenix

Eco-friendly travel guide to Phoenix advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America.

Phoenix Downtown at night

Air quality: 3.5 / 5

Exploring by foot: 2.8 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 4 / 5

Public transportation: 3.9 / 5

Parks: 4 / 5

Outdoor activities: 5 / 5

Locals' English level: 4 / 5

Safety: 3 / 5

Accommodation: US$15 - $750

Budget per day: US$80 - $900

Responsible Travel

Phoenix is referred to as one of the best tourist destinations in the United States of America, it merges with neighboring cities to form Phoenix Metropolitan Area, and it's situated in the Sonoran Desert at an elevation of 335m. Phoenix is one of the largest cities in the country and it's the capital of the state of Arizona. Ahwatukee, Camelback East, North Phoenix, West Phoenix, Downtown, and Midtown are the most popular districts of Phoenix and they receive more attention than any other places in the city. Phoenix offers an opportunity for tourists to visit the famous football and basketball teams, sports lovers to spend their time to enjoy the tennis courts and golf courses, and shoppers to enjoy great shopping offers as they enjoy the pleasure of the city's plentiful tourist attractions.

Understanding the uniqueness of Phoenix

One thing you should know is that Phoenix is not like most other cities in the country. It has a very business-friendly environment, a large range of hotel options, and about two hundred and fifty different golf courses. It's a hotspot for business conferences, it's renowned to be one of the cleanest cities in the United States of America with its beautifully kept highways, and it's designed for tourists. Another thing to take note of about phoenix is its surrounding cities which is one of the things that make Phoenix such an exciting location. While the surrounding cities are known for many different things, Phoenix is known for business, hiking, shopping, food, and golf. Known as the East Valley, Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, and Scottsdale consists of the cluster. And Glendale, which is also a favorite suburb of the city is said to have started to have more amenities. Scottsdale is known for golf, food, and shopping on a luxury scale and as it's repleted with different kinds of high-end places to eat, it's renowned to be a fine place for fine dining. Howbeit, take note that Phoenix has a style of its own, the cleanliness of Singapore, the business accommodations of New York City, the quietness of a sleepy town in Wyoming, and its own unique diversity of culture. It's built for golfing, hiking, eating, shopping, and you shouldn't look forward to a major downtown urban experience when you visit this city.

Understand the city's climate to travel around conveniently.

Compared to other metropolitan cities in the United States of America, Phoenix is reputed to have the highest temperature during summer. The winter season is mild and the city's climate is arid with hot and long summer. There's a possibility of facing the problem of fog and humidity through the year but April is the most ideal month for tourists to visit the city, and the winter in the city is not as cold as other American cities.

Pack accordingly. While winters demand sweaters and jackets, summer months call for shorts and cotton shirts. Throughout the year, especially during the summer, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are pretty necessary. As you plan to go around and enjoy outdoor activities in the city, do well to carry loose, casual, and comfortable clothes with you. Phoenix's climate is determined by precipitation and temperature. More so, drink plenty of water because of the city's desert climate which means the air is hot and dry. Every year, the Phoenix area sees more than 300 days of sunshine, and it's no wonder why it's referred to as the Valley of the Sun. Avoid getting burned by applying sunscreen regularly, and take regular breaks if you're hiking or biking in the mountains.

Transportation

Without much effort, you can always arrive at your location conveniently as you travel throughout the day by taking pass to travel. Getting around the city is easy via the local and express bus. There are several bus points throughout the capital, even though Phoenix is a car-centered city. Phoenix is well connected by road transportation.

Find the proper form of transportation. There are a series of transportation options you can oblige to in this city, it's up to you to opt-in for one that's best suitable for you. With stops throughout the Phoenix metro area, buses and light rail are in abundance, and you can always enjoy traveling via local transportation. Rent a car and enjoy the interstate highways while driving and you can as well plan a road trip with your friends. To include, Phoenix is connected to over 100 cities via the Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport.

Understand the languages. Although English is the primary language spoken in Phoenix, you're likely to frequently come across people speaking in their local dialects. Spanish and some tribal languages are spoken here and this can be attributed to the plenty of Hispanics and Mexican-Americans that reside in the city plus the city's proximity to the border. Thus, learning a couple of Spanish words could be helpful, or perhaps, pick up a translation book.

Put safety into cognizance. Safety first! As you move around, keep valuables hidden from plain sight, and make sure you lock your car doors always. Taking extra precautions is pertinent even though crime rates are not excessively high in the city. Phoenix is a constantly expanding metropolis, and it warrants that one takes precautions.

Air Quality and Pollution

Phoenix experiences a number of unhealthy ozone and PM2.5 days; despite its clean air quality on annual and monthly averages, and its air quality on average is rated “good.” In Phoenix, December and November are the most polluted while May and June are the cleanest months annually on an average level. The city tends to have more polluted air in the winter and experiences cleaner air in the summer. Ozone pollution is the greatest challenge to Phoenix's air quality however, the city did experience cleaner air in 2019, compared to that of 2017 and 2018. For both PM2.5 and ozone pollution, Phoenix's air quality has been on the decline in recent years but there seems to have been some improvements.

Respect the Culture

With more than 22 Native American tribes residing in the state, this beautiful state of Arizona has a rich history and heritage. The city of Phoenix is home to a couple of tribal areas that give you the opportunity of experiencing some of the distinct cultures and customs that permeate the city. Howbeit, it's important you take note that there are some places in the city that have some cultural and sentimental significance attached to them, and it's important that you understand this, and as well pay the utmost respect to their rules.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Phoenix is a charming capital city of Arizona and it's one of the most beautiful places in the United States of America. Narrowing down all the major points of interest in the city into a concise list may be somewhat hard-pressed because this beautiful city of Phoenix is teeming with a wide array of natural and man-made tourist attractions, and it's as well famous to be the gateway to the Grand Canyon. If you love to be outdoors, you'll definitely find something to suit your tastes in Phoenix; whether you'd prefer to explore the local art scene or keen on going for a hike in the desert.

Phoenix is popular for its diverse choice of things to see and do, unique wedding venues, and beautiful desert scenery. Hoping to catch a great time in this city? You can go on a scenic hike, explore free attractions, taste delicious cuisine, or visit the city’s science, history, and art museums. The Children's Museum of Phoenix, the Arizona Science Center, and the Phoenix Zoo are some of the fun places families can visit and there's the Musical Instrument Museum music lovers can head to for a wonderful time. Whichever way, we present you our top 10 best places to visit in Phoenix;

Phoenix Zoo: If you're coming here, do well to buy tickets in advance for a discount and take note that some attractions will require additional prices. There's free entrance for kids aged two and below, it's $14.95 for child admission and $24.95 for adult admission. The gift shop, picnic spots, eateries, the carousel ride, and the 4D theater are some worthy spots of note in the zoo. You can enjoy a narrated safari tour if you like for through the Red Barn petting zoo, there's an opportunity to engage in more up-close fun with animals. Sumatran tigers, Galápagos tortoises, giraffes, baboons, Komodo dragons, and Asian elephants all prowl enclosures and exhibits. It's one of the top 10 tourist locations in the city and it's home to many different animals. Its grounds are well-maintained. Whether you're coming with kids or you're an animal lover, you'll love coming to this Phoenix Zoo in Arizona’s Papago Park.
Arizona Science Center: This place isn't to be missed, it's one of the best things to do in downtown Phoenix. No-one is too old to learn about any aspect of science, the planetarium is up to world-class standards, and many exhibits have no age limit. Those over 21 can have a great time enjoying science programming, drinks, and dancing by checking out the special Science With a Twist program. Children have a lot to pick up and discover in the center, especially at the learning hub, which is designed to be kid-friendly. Exhibits are often provided in interactive manners, aviation IT, electricity, magnetism, weather, biology, the solar system, gravity, and demonstrating friction. It spans four floors and it's a very hands-on science center. It's a great source of excitement for tourists for it's right close to Heritage Park. It's widely considered the greatest in the state and it's a public science museum.
Castles N’ Coasters: From miniature golf and a drop tower to a giant arcade, go-karts, bumper boats and cars, and a swinging Viking ship, this place offers so much to do. The Patriot offers a less extreme ride and with fearful zombies in a horror-themed fiesta and the XD Dark Ride gets adrenaline rushing. Your heart will be sent racing with roller coasters like the Desert Storm and there are as well water rides, like the log flume Splashdown — a number of great rides are available here! This place is enough to fill a whole day as it's packed with enough exciting rides. It's situated in the northwestern part of the city and it's a fun point of interest that matches the description of a theme park.
Desert Botanical Garden: While children aged 2 and younger can enter for free, admission is $12.95 per child, and $24.95 per adult. From 7 a.m to 8 p.m from May to September and from 8 a.m to 8 p.m from October to April, its gardens are always open. From demonstrations of a culinary variety to outdoor concerts, it occasionally hosts events. The Desert Botanical Garden is one of the best and prettiest tourist attractions in Phoenix and its many tours, eatery, and garden shop add to the appeal. Ranging from flowers to trees to cacti, it's packed with a shocking 50,000 species of flora.
The Musical Instrument Museum: You can get to play instruments yourself at the Experience Gallery where you'll find virtually everything. Once you're here, make sure you check out the Steinwig piano, it's one of the notable instruments you'll find here. Here, you can enjoy listening to music in their original, authentic contexts, and as well view music instruments of folk, ethnic, or tribal variety for a more historical twist. Instruments of Johnny Cash, Carlos Santana, Taylor Swift, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, and many more famous musicians can be found here. You can genuinely hear how the instruments originally sounded and as well observe each showcased instrument. It displays more than 15,000 artifacts, exhibits, and instruments, and it's the only musical instrument museum on the planet.
Camelback Mountain: If you want to enjoy hiking here, come in the early morning or late afternoon for this is when the heat will not be too intense. There are several beginner-friendly trails you can consider and inquire about but a more popular one here is the Bobby’s Rock Trail, those who seek something less arduous will find this one appealing. There are several climbs here but none of them is for the faint of heart nonetheless. The 1.5-mile climb that only gets steep as you approach the summit is the Cholla Trail and a very popular one here is the Echo Canyon Trail but it's quite difficult, although it offers quite an amazing view. There are a number of different trails to try here and this mountain is a mystery to many geologists. It offers free entry to all, it's located in Echo Canyon Park, it's one of Phoenix's most beautiful and most scenic site seeing and hiking spots, and it's rising 2,700 feet above the ground.
Pueblo Grande Museum and Cultural Park: From auctions and markets to talks, demonstrations, and workshops, this museum is home to many other activities, and to check out the recovered artifacts, you can duck into the museum. Tourists have an opportunity of stepping back into the past by wandering down an interpretive trail, and this museum is repleted with historical sites.
Japanese Friendship Garden: If you desire to experience Japanese culture in Phoenix, here's where you need to be. There are distinct Japanese dancers, artists, and food featured at some of its many events and, the summer jazz nights, summer jazz nights, craft workshops, and the garden arrange various tai chi and flower arrangement classes. If you would love to go for a genuine Japanese tea ceremony, drop by here. Designed by the Himeji architects, its handcrafted landscape is decorated with koi fish, and it's filled with lush plants. Established in 1987 to connect Phoenix with Himeji, it's a Japanese-themed sea of tranquility, and this 3.5-acre large tea garden is worth visiting.
Phoenix Symphony: You can always catch their shows in time for they have a list and corresponding dates of all their upcoming performances. Thus, do well to first check out their online calendar before you drop by. It aims at helping the children and the community at large to develop musical skills and as well facilitate their participation. It also offers a variety of musical events and educational programs. From family and pop programs to chamber and classical, it offers all sorts of performances and shows, and it's armed to educate and inspire. It's Arizona's biggest performing arts organization as it has grown to be a full-time symphony orchestra for it was originally a part-time orchestra. Phoenix Symphony may just be up your alley if you’re the more classy sort.
Biltmore Fashion Park: Sitting side by side and all within easy reach are brands like Sephora, L’Occitane, and Ralph Lauren, which means that there's a shopper’s paradise for those coming here to enjoy. This mall used to be a fine place to spot all sorts of celebrities and A-listers when it was established in the year 1963.

Phoenix Symphony

Explore

Phoenix has an outstanding selection of resorts and hotels, abundant dining and shopping opportunities, historic neighborhoods, cultural attractions, and plenty of arts. Those who desire to escape the snow and cold during the winter months will find this place to be a worthwhile location and sun lovers will fancy the city's warm, dry climate. Opportunities for climbing, camping, biking, and hiking abound in this city, and golfing is noted to be one of the top things to do in this city.

Actually, a large chunk of people who visit this city mainly come to have a great taste of the outdoors and once you're in Phoenix, you can even do a trip to the Grand Canyon if you're up for a big day, and there are plenty of nice towns like Jerome, Prescott, and Sedona that are within easy reach. So, you might want to buy the idea of doing some day trips from Phoenix if you know you'll be spending more than just a few days in the city. Cities like Scottsdale and Mesa with Phoenix inclusive form the Phoenix Metropolitan Area and it could be a great idea to extend your exploration to these places for the metro area covers a large area and it's quite spread out.

City Parks

Phoenix should be a top choice for a scenic and fun park trip in the United States for it's brimming with gorgeous natural scenery, exciting biking trails, and astonishing petroglyphs. Stunning, spacious, and historical park areas are in good quality and quantity in this city and there's undoubtedly no better place to enjoy a ramble in some of the country's best parks than where sultry warmth prevails all year round. Phoenix!

Papago Park: If you come here, you'll be spoilt for choice with activity possibilities as it's home to the popular Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix Zoo, and several other world-class attractions. Those who desire to bask in the vivid colors of a glorious Arizona sunset will find this park to be blissful for the rocks provide a perfect spot for that and you can get a view of the skyline of Downtown Phoenix by easily climbing the sandstone. There's a historical formation here, a white pyramid at the top of one of the hills, and you can enjoy wandering around Hole in the Rock and Hunt’s Tomb. This park boasts stunning scenic views of the monumental red sandstone formations.
South Mountain Park: There are tons of spots for relaxation in this incredibly picturesque area with verdant spaces, BBQ grills, and a plethora of picnic tables. There are archaic stone structures dotted around the site and gorgeous ancient petroglyphs carved into the rocks by Hohokam Indians. You can enjoy gorgeous vistas of the city and horizon as South Mountain is situated here. Biking and trekking activities have been made easy here with the presence of places like Superstition Mountain and Camelback Mountain. This park takes pride in being a space brimming with adventure and history and it's the largest municipal park in the United States; it encompasses 17,000 acres.
Civic Space Park: This place is kept both clean and visually compelling with its sustainable design features and it's elevated as a modern and fun urban space. There are live music performances often hosted here and its entire area is often bustling with locals and chatty students. It has a vibrant local art space and it's home to the A.E. England Building Gallery. This park is a cool spot for a quiet lunch and a fine place to escape to for some peace and quiet in the city. It's in Downtown Phoenix.

The beautiful Papago Park pond during sunset

National Parks

Phoenix is one of the top cities in the United States of America that attracts outdoor enthusiasts because of Its favorable winter, year-round sun, and plenty of outdoor opportunities. Phoenix's location is one of its appeals as it shares a close proximity to some of the finest national parks in the country and it's as well home to a few;

Phoenix Mountains Preserve: If you want to roam around the entirety of the park, there are horse stables around where you can rent out horses. This park is renowned for its natural beauty and it houses several parks which include the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve, North Mountain and Shaw Butte Preserves, Lookout Mountain Preserve, Camelback Mountain Park, and Piestewa Peak. It is a group of parks and it's a great place to spend your entire day in if you are on the lookout for a one-stop destination.
Dobbins Lookout: If you want to get the essence of the entire place, explore around the entire spot. However, take precautions if kids are with you and keep a close eye on them because safety is paramount as it's situated high up in the mountains. Providing a complete panoramic view of the city, it's a perfect spot to spend some alone time in, and it's situated around the South Mountain viewpoint. If you don’t want to hike through the steep mountains, lazy bums like you will feel relaxed here.
North Mountain Park: The view at the end of the trail is too good to be true and it can actually be an amazing experience if you are traveling with friends. However, do well to put safety into cognizance while climbing up because the trails in the backend of the mountain park seem to be somewhat rockier. This place is an amazing option to look into if you seek a national park around the city to work those thighs and glutes. Its steep and adventurous trails make it popular among the locals.

A view of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve in Phoenix

Beaches

Although there are no beaches in Phoenix, within a few hours of the valley, there are some favorite high country swimming holes. You'll find a few water parks in the city but the closest beaches are in Los Angeles, San Diego, or down in Rocky Point. The beach in Rocky Point is fabulous, it's about two or three hours away, and you can get to rent a fairly inexpensively house there. Most locals in this city who crave some nice beach time tend to drive hours to Rocky Point Sonora Mexico or Puerto Penasco.

Landmarks

Mystery Castle is one of the most popular landmarks in Phoenix. On Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 3:30 pm, tours are offered here. Kept together by a mix of concrete and goat's milk, it's made of petroglyphs, automotive parts, adobe, and stone. It was finished in 1945 as a three-story building. This property is preserved for the purpose of sharing the past and magic with future generations. It's the winner of the phoenix award and it's enlisted on the historical register in Arizona. It's an incredibly unique building with an exciting story and there's some impressive architecture and engineering you can enjoy viewing here as you take pleasure in the old history of Phoenix.

Arizona Capitol Museum is another popular landmark in Phoenix. It has a shop that features some of Arizona's most exceptional items, it houses more than 20 display spaces, and it contains four floors. There are exhibits of revolving art and history guests can enjoy here, this place addresses landmarks at the Wesley Bolin Plaza and the Capitol Mall, and since 1979, it has held various capacities in the Old Capitol building. It affords free admission and it offers access to the history of culture, society, politics, and government as it provides unique educational experiences.

You shouldn't pass the Rosson House Museum by if you're checking out some of the best landmarks in the city. Convenient parking is available for all and children under five years and heritage square members have free admission to enjoy here. Offering a unique insight into the colorful past of Phoenix, there's a coffee house, a bar, three restaurants, a shop, a museum, and a free gallery show at the visitor center. It's home to elegant museums and several award-winning restaurants. It gives tourists a look into a new Phoenix family lifestyle and the house contains all living areas. It's a house museum that observes Phoenix's history and it's fully renovated.

Museums

Phoenix is home to plentiful world-class museums that are capacitated to thrill, surprise, excite, and inspire visitors. From Americana and contemporary art to military jets and race cars, the city is home to several museums that collectively span a variety of interest, and you're likely to find a museum that catches your fancy in Phoenix;

Arizona Museum of Natural History: You'll find several galleries and exhibits that are dedicated to ancient Mesoamerican cultures and history here and they're worth checking out. In the museum’s Paleo Dig Pit, you can try your hand at unearthing fossils and bones if you're a budding archeologist, and you can as well take your little ones with you to see and touch life-sized casts of the dinosaur skeletons. Featuring a three-story waterfall, a Mesozoic Era exhibit; the museum’s multilevel Dinosaur Mountain, should not be missed. This museum is famous for its dinosaur exhibits, it was founded in 1977, and it's situated in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
Heard Museum: If you want to maximize your trip as well, it's best to join one of the free tours. Before checking out the gift shop, do well to explore the museum’s exhibits and galleries, and you can put aside at least half a day for that. Pre Colombian and modern Native American art and artifacts are some of the award-winning exhibits it features. It was founded by Maie Bartlett Heard and her husband in the year 1929, and it's situated north of the city of Phoenix. It's one of the top museums in the United States when it comes to Native American history and artifacts.
Phoenix Art Museum: For details on what’s on and when, check its website. It hosts many traveling exhibitions to complement its extensive permanent collection. It's in possession of an expansive collection of renowned pieces from the Renaissance and it features works of art that emphasize on modern, Latin American, European, Asian, and American art. It was founded in 1959, it's one-of-a-kind, and it's the largest museum for visual art in the southwestern United States.

Mystery Castle is a landmark located in Phoenix

Eat

During your visit to this city, Rusconi’s American Kitchen and Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana are must-try. In Phoenix, the southwestern flavor tends to dominate the plate, and Arizona generally is known for its Mexican fusion dishes. Phoenix is best known for its Mexican eateries, it's a great destination for foodies, and it's home to hundreds of restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world.

Traditional Local Restaurants

Some of the popular traditional local restaurants in Phoenix are:

Country Boys Restaurant
Aunt Chiladas Squaw Peak
Dick's Hideaway
Juan's Authentic Mexican Food
Buffalo Wild Wings

Vegetarian and Vegan

Whether you're searching for plant-based dining options or you're a vegetarian or vegan, you'll find an array of places in Phoenix where you can enjoy some pretty good meat-free meal:

Nami: It's affiliated with Green vegetarian restaurant. It has gluten-free options, offers brunch on Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm, and breakfast food from Monday to Saturday till 10:30 am. It offers sweets and soft serves and it's a vegan bakery.
Green New American Vegetarian: It also operates Phoenix's Nami and it offers brunch on Sundays. It serves house-made veggie burgers, ice cream, and many more with vegan softs. Sweet treats are made with unrefined organic ingredients and there are different cultures and cooking styles influencing its menu. Offering American comfort food, it's a vegan restaurant worthy to visit.
Pomegranate Cafe: It has pastries, cakes, and cookies made at its in-house bakery and visitors can enjoy fair trade coffee, smoothies, and fresh juices here. With choices ranging from raw options and tacos to nachos, pizza, burgers, and pancakes, it boasts a varied menu. It's been doing its thing since 2010; serving vegetarian, vegan, and raw food.
Vegan House: It offers weekday lunch specials, wrap and a dessert selection, several sandwiches, mock meats, and Thai food dishes with spaghetti — this is what its menu mostly consists of. It offers many types of meat alternatives in downtown, it was established in the year 2015, and it's a vegan Thai restaurant.
Loving Hut: Fried wontons, coconut curry soup, lemongrass chickn, mock shrimp, pad thai, claypot dishes, sandwich with fries or onion rings, dumplings, and fried rice are some of its sample items. It serves a large variety of non-alcoholic beverages, ice cream, vegan cakes, and vegan food. It has several locations that are individually operated as it's a part of an international chain of vegan restaurants. It was an International Vegetarian House when it was established in the mid-2000s.

Green New American Vegetarian

Street Food

There are nice burritos and nacho chips to be enjoyed at some of the famous street stalls' and you can as well enjoy some pretty good street eats at any of these food trucks:

SuperFarm SuperTruck
3Sixty Kitchen
Grateful Joe
Mr Wonderfuls C & W AZ
Taqueria Las Palmas
Chicken Coop
Tacos Tijuana Surprise
Rocco’s Cheesesteaks

Drink

Phoenix is a city that's quite spread out and it has a nightlife that's considered to be quite impressive, especially the metro area. However, in Arizona generally, there are a few areas where alcohol is banned, not too many places though but speaking of drinks, bottled water and lemonade seem to be more popular in this state.

Tap-water

The tap water in Phoenix shouldn't cause you any harm per se because it meets all of the standards set by the EPA. Although Phoenix tap water is technically safe to drink, it's said that the water contains some chemicals and contaminants which could be somewhat harmful so, it's advised that you take precautions.

Organic Cafés

Organic cafés and restaurants are plentiful in Phoenix:

True Food Kitchen
Pomegranate Cafe
Maya's Farm
Chakra 4 Vegetarian Restaurant
Urban Cookies
Laughing Giraffe Organics
Persian Garden Cafe

Breweries

In this city, craft beer is usually close at hand no matter where you are in the Valley because you can find a brewery or taproom at virtually all the neighborhoods in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Sitting outside on a brewery’s patio with a glass in hand, soaking the sun, is such a pleasant feeling, and without mincing words, nothing tastes better than a cold, craft beer when it’s hot in Phoenix. Narrowing down the best breweries in Phoenix could be somewhat herculean because the city is home to some of the nation's very finest — all thanks to the city's quality booming craft beer scene.

Helton Brewing Company
Huss Brewing Company
OHSO Brewery + Distillery
Wren House Brewing Company
Pedal Haus Brewery
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co

Activities

Golfing is a popular outdoor activity in Phoenix and you can as well enjoy hiking and biking in this city as there are lots of places that provide a perfect opportunity for outdoor and fitness enthusiasts to enjoy these recreational and rejuvenating activities. Howbeit, here are some of the things you can do outdoors in Phoenix;

Have an open-air picnic in an urban park
Find tranquility and peace at the Japanese Friendship Garden
Get acquainted with the downtown arts districts and murals
Get reacquainted with the Phoenix Art Museum
Take a leisurely stroll in the Desert Botanical Garden
Hit the drive-thru, but not the fast-food type
Go on an urban hiking adventure or scenic bike ride
Piestewa Peak
McDowell Mountain Regional Park
South Mountain Park & Preserve
Camelback Mountain
The Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt
Dine outside and support Downtown Phoenix restaurants

The beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden

Yoga and Retreats

There are lots of people practicing yoga in Phoenix and this makes yoga popular in Phoenix'. Those who seek to indulge in some yoga moments or perhaps go on a yoga retreat in Phoenix can hit up any of these places:

Live Healthy Retreats
Urban Yoga
Desert Song Healing Arts Center
Surya Yoga
Elevate Yoga & Wellness
Metta Yoga
Yoga Pura

Accommodation

Business travelers, as well as leisure travelers, have a number of numerous resorts and hotels in Phoenix to choose from. If you're not on a budget trip, you can opt for a luxury resort, and if you know you're traveling light on cash, there's a budget stay for you. There are lots of nice accommodation options available in Phoenix and as a matter of fact, there is no shortage of options when it comes to accommodation in this city. Hyatt Regency, Double tree suits, Hilton Phoenix suits, Hojo airport hotel, and Sky Harbor are some of the popular hotels in Phoenix and most of them are pretty close to the airport.

Green Hotels

The Clarendon Hotel & Spa by GreenTree is one of the best green hotels in Phoenix. It's lit with electricity-efficient fittings, it's a fine choice of stay in all aspects, and it's a four-star boutique property.

Other nice green hotels in Phoenix are:

Homewood Suites by Hilton Phoenix-Biltmore
Westin Phoenix Downtown
Hyatt Regency Phoenix
Arizona Grand Resort

Hostels and Guest Houses

There are lots of nice hostels and guest houses in Phoenix, here are some of the popular ones:

Phoenix Hostel
Budget BnB at South Mountain
Raz Inn Central Phoenix
Happy Valley House

Apartments

Apartments are plentiful in Phoenix and there are several websites where you can find one. Airbnb is also available in the city and you can as well talk to the locals around you who may probably be knowledgeable of good deals around where you want to stay.

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is a great accommodation idea, especially for those who have little to spend on accommodation. It's also a fine way to experience a more authentic side of Phoenix but then, finding a host might not be a smooth or easy process because the hosts tend to be picky but whichever way, never say never, you may be lucky to find a host easily.

Camping

If you would love to camp in Phoenix whether for accommodation or recreational purpose, here are some spots in the city you can trust for that:

Phoenix Metro RV Park
Desert Shadows RV Resort
Paradise Valley Ranch MHC & RV
Phoenix Forestry Information
DEER VALLEY RV PARK

If it's in the Phoenix area, here are some of your best options:

Coon Bluff Campground
Estrella Mountain Regional Park
Lake Pleasant Regional Park
White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Cave Creek Regional Park Campground
McDowell Mountain Regional Park
Lost Dutchman State Park
Usery Mountain County Park

How to Get There

Flying directly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the best way to get to Phoenix. Another option, but with way fewer commercial flights, is the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in the East Valley.

Air

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the main air gateway to Arizona.

Other alternative airports are:

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport

Bus

Long-distance bus lines and van shuttles serve Phoenix from Culiacán, Puerto Peñasco, Hermosillo, and Nogales in Mexico, and Yuma, Flagstaff, Sedona, Tucson, El Paso, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles in the United States.

Metro bus in Phoenix

Train

Amtrak passenger train service to Phoenix has been discontinued.

Hitchhiking

It is legal to hitchhike in Arizona while off the traveled portion of a roadway.

Others

US-60, Interstate 10, and Interstate 17 are the three main routes that enter through Phoenix, and they can be accessed by people who are driving in from nearby cities.

Moving Around

Phoenix is a very car-centered city and you'll probably need a car if you plan to visit any of the cities in the metro area. If you're planning to take day trips to nearby hot spots, a car will come in handy, and you can as well enjoy reaching the spread-out attractions in the city conveniently. All-in-all, the best way to get around Phoenix is by car.

Walk

Phoenix is not much of a walkable city but then, nothing stops you from taking a stroll around whenever you feel like.

Bicycle

You can enjoy exploring the city by biking with the bike-share program in the city and there are some areas in the city that can be viewed on two wheels, even though you can't get around the whole of Phoenix by bike.

Electronic Vehicles

You should be able to rent an electronic vehicle at one of the car rental companies around.

Public Bus

With $4 for an all-day pass and $2 per ride, Valley Metro operates city buses in the city.

Tram, Train and Subway

There's a Metro light-rail system in the city. With fares costing $4 for an all-day pass and $2 per ride, it's a cheap way to get into downtown Phoenix.

Sustainable Shopping

Shopping sustainably in Phoenix is not in any way herculean as there are lots of eco-friendly shops in the metro area.

Food Markets

Here are some of the best food markets in Phoenix:

Roadrunner Park Farmers Market
Gilbert Farmers Market
Open Air Markets at Phoenix Public Market
Ahwatukee Farmers Market
Uptown Farmers Market

Flea Markets

There are lots of nice flea markets in Phoenix:

Phoenix Park 'n Swap
Phoenix Flea
Thieves Market
Phoenix Marketplace
Lincoln Market
Melrose Vintage Market

Second Hand Stores

Maggie's Thrift, Arizona Humane Society Thrift Store, and Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Sunnyslope Thrift Store are some of the popular thrift stores in Phoenix.

Eco-Fashion

For sustainable fashion in the Phoenix area, you can trust any of these places:

Everlane
Pact
ThredUp
AlternativeApparel
Thought Clothing
KOTN

Recycling

The city of Phoenix offers a weekly recycling collection.

Waste

Just like curbside recycle container pick-up, landfill containers are picked up weekly on the same day.

Work and Study Abroad

Phoenix is the country's fifth-largest city and it's a great location for work and study abroad.

Exchange Student

Most of the universities and colleges in Phoenix offer student exchange programs.

Au Pair

Going online to make researches can help you get more offers as an au pair in Phoenix.

Volunteering

There are lots of organizations you can volunteer for in Phoenix:

Janice's Women's Center
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley
Teen Lifeline Inc.
Arizona Disabled Sports
Almost There Foster Care
Rainbow Housing Assistance Corporation
Life2Orphans, Inc.
Andre House
HandsOn Greater Phoenix
Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona