Rising from the ancient Hohokam canal system that once irrigated this desert basin, Phoenix is a city of light, art, and resilient ingenuity. With more than 300 days of sunshine, the “Valley of the Sun” blends rugged Sonoran Desert beauty with a sophisticated dining and arts scene, and day-trip access to Arizona icons like Sedona and the Grand Canyon.

Across Phoenix and its neighbors—Scottsdale, Tempe, and Mesa—you’ll find world-class museums, cactus-studded trails, mid-century architecture, and a food culture steeped in Indigenous, Sonoran, and Southwestern traditions. Mornings invite hikes among saguaro silhouettes, afternoons call for poolside respite, and golden hours glow across buttes at Papago Park.

Visit October–April for prime hiking weather; summer travel rewards early risers and mid-day museum time. Carry water (lots of it), wear sun protection, and start strenuous hikes at dawn. A rental car is practical, but the Valley Metro light rail connects the airport with downtown Phoenix and Tempe. Expect bold flavors (mesquite, chiles, citrus), excellent coffee, and some of the West’s most interesting cocktail bars.

Phoenix

Think of Phoenix as an outdoor museum ringed by saguaro and cholla, with neighborhoods that each tell a different story: downtown murals in Roosevelt Row, Arcadia’s citrus-era bungalows, and Scottsdale’s gallery-lined streets. The city’s cultural anchors—the Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, and the superb Musical Instrument Museum—pair perfectly with sunrise hikes and sunset viewpoints.

• Top sights: Desert Botanical Garden, Papago Park’s Hole-in-the-Rock, Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, South Mountain’s Dobbins Lookout, Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), Old Town Scottsdale.
• Food & drink highlights: wood-fired pies at Pizzeria Bianco, Sonoran fare at Bacanora, Thai at Glai Baan, barbecue at Little Miss BBQ (sell-out alert), steaks at Durant’s, cocktails at Bitter & Twisted or UnderTow.
• Coffee & breakfast: Cartel Roasting Co. (single-origin espresso), Press Coffee (multiple branches), Matt’s Big Breakfast (downtown classic), The Henry (Arcadia brunch favorite).

Where to stay: Browse vacation homes and pools with desert views on VRBO Phoenix, or compare resorts and downtown hotels on Hotels.com Phoenix. For a first visit, Downtown/Roosevelt Row is great for arts and dining; Scottsdale excels for galleries and spas; Arcadia is central to hiking.

Getting in: Search flights to Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From most U.S. hubs, expect 1.5–5 hours and fares often in the $120–$350 range depending on season. Ride-share to downtown takes ~10–15 minutes; light rail connects PHX to downtown and Tempe.

Day 1: Arrival, Papago Park Glow, and Downtown Flavors

Afternoon: Land, check in, and refresh. Ease into the desert at Papago Park. Stroll the easy path to Hole-in-the-Rock for a gentle introduction to red buttes and wide-angle city views—perfect if you’re acclimating to the heat and time zone.

Evening: For dinner, book Pizzeria Bianco (Heritage Square) for celebrated wood-fired margherita and the Wiseguy (fennel sausage, roasted onions). If wait times spike, Cibo offers crisp Neapolitan pies and a twinkly patio. Nightcap at Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour—order the Thai tai or a seasonal highball; the illustrated menu is half the fun.

Late: Walk Roosevelt Row to see colorful murals after dark. Grab a soft-serve cone at Churn on Central if you want something sweet.

Day 2: Sunrise Balloon, Old Town Scottsdale, Pool Time

Morning: Float above the Sonoran Desert on the Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride in Phoenix with Breakfast. Watch crews inflate the balloon in the blue hour, then drift 2,000–5,000 feet over saguaro forests before a champagne toast and breakfast.

Afternoon: Reset by the pool, then wander Old Town Scottsdale’s galleries and Western storefronts. For lunch, try FnB for market-driven small plates (the local veggie program is outstanding) or Citizen Public House for the Original Chopped Salad (a Scottsdale icon) and seared scallops.

Evening: Continue in Scottsdale: Kazimierz Wine & Whiskey Bar pours deep global lists in a candlelit den, while UnderTow serves a wildly immersive tiki experience in a ship’s-hold setting—reserve ahead. For dinner, Tratto (by Chris Bianco) leans into handmade pasta and Arizona grains; ask about seasonal focaccia and house-made ricotta.

Day 3: Museums, Murals, and a Sunset Lookout

Morning: Coffee at Cartel Roasting Co. (try the pour-over) and head to the Heard Museum for world-class exhibitions centered on Indigenous art and history—don’t miss the Katsina carvings and contemporary installations. If you prefer instruments to art, substitute the Musical Instrument Museum; its "Experience Gallery" invites hands-on play.

Afternoon: Lunch at Little Miss BBQ (Central) for peppery brisket, jalapeño cheddar grits, and pecan pie—arrive early; they sell out. Then explore Phoenix Art Museum’s photography and fashion collections before drifting through Roosevelt Row to spot murals along 1st and 2nd streets.

Evening: Drive up South Mountain to Dobbins Lookout for sunset over the entire Valley. For dinner, book Bacanora (Grand Ave) for mesquite-kissed Sonoran plates—order the carne asada and blistered chiles—or Glai Baan for silky khao soi and Isan-style small plates. Cap the night at Valley Bar (basement lounge) with a desert-sage cocktail and live local music.

Day 4: Dawn Hike and Roosevelt Row Food Tour

Morning: Start at dawn on Camelback Mountain (Echo Canyon) for a steep, boulder-hopping ascent with panoramic rewards; bring 2–3 liters of water per person and avoid mid-day heat. Easier alternative: Piestewa Peak’s Summit Trail offers a steady climb with fewer scrambles. Reward yourself with brunch at Matt’s Big Breakfast (thick-cut bacon and griddle cakes) or The Henry (short rib hash, fresh-pressed juices).

Afternoon: Dive into the local food scene on the Phoenix Food Tour on Trendy Roosevelt Row with 7 Food Tastings. You’ll taste your way through murals and makers—think tacos, artisanal sweets, and chef-driven bites—while learning how this arts district blossomed.

Evening: If you still have room, grab light plates at The Gladly (liver pâté, short rib pot roast, and that famous Original Chopped Salad cousin) or Postino WineCafe for bruschetta boards and a well-priced bottle. Finish with a night-time stroll past the art installations along Roosevelt Row.

Day 5: Wild West Scenery on the Apache Trail (Full-Day Tour)

Trade skyscrapers for saguaros on the Small Group Apache Trail Day Tour with Dolly Steamboat from Phoenix. This guided day includes Goldfield Ghost Town, Tortilla Flat’s quirky outpost, and a scenic cruise on Canyon Lake—keep an eye out for bighorn sheep on the cliffs. It’s a photogenic immersion into the Superstition Mountains with historic lore and plenty of desert panoramas.

Back in town, enjoy a casual dinner: Four Peaks Brewing (Tempe) for Kilt Lifter and green chili pork, or The Vig for patio vibes and a burger. If you prefer something refined, LON’s at The Hermosa Inn is a desert hideaway with mesquite-grilled meats and a glowing courtyard.

Day 6: Grand Canyon and Sedona Red Rocks (Full-Day Tour)

Make memories on the Small-Group or Private Grand Canyon with Sedona Tour from Phoenix. Typically 12–13 hours, this route includes postcard views along the South Rim (Mather Point, Yavapai Point) and time among Sedona’s red rock buttes, often with a photo stop in Oak Creek Canyon. Your guide handles logistics while you soak in geology that spans nearly 2 billion years.

Return in the evening and keep dinner simple: The Arrogant Butcher (downtown) for short rib stew or rotisserie chicken, or Durant’s for a timeless steakhouse experience behind the iconic red door.

Day 7: Gardens, MIM, and Departure

Morning: If you haven’t yet, wander the Desert Botanical Garden. Its Sonoran, Chihuahuan, and Baja plant collections, wildflower loops, and cactus galleries are a perfect goodbye to the desert. Alternatively, visit the Musical Instrument Museum for a quick global tour—its curated headsets auto-play the sounds of each exhibit.

Afternoon: Brunch at The Orchard’s Luci’s (breakfast burrito, cold brew) or The Gladly for a final Phoenix send-off. Grab last-minute desert-themed gifts in Old Town Scottsdale if time permits, then head to PHX. Search return flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com, and start plotting your next Southwest escape.

Optional Adventure Swap (If You Prefer More Paddling Than Driving)

If you’d rather trade one of the long day trips for water time, plan a half-day of easy paddling on the Salt River near Saguaro Lake. Early mornings are best for glassy conditions and wildlife—look for wild horses along the banks. Afterward, lunch at OHSO Brewery (Arcadia) on the canal path and enjoy a relaxed afternoon by the pool.

Where to Book and Stay

• Flight deals and schedules: Trip.com flights | Kiwi.com flights
• Hotels and vacation rentals: Hotels.com Phoenix | VRBO Phoenix
• Signature activities we featured:
  • Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride in Phoenix with Breakfast
  • Phoenix Food Tour on Trendy Roosevelt Row
  • Apache Trail Day Tour with Dolly Steamboat
  • Grand Canyon with Sedona Tour

Local Tips

• Heat safety: Phoenix often restricts or advises against mid-day trail use in extreme heat. Start hikes at dawn, carry electrolytes, and wear grippy shoes.
• Reservations: Book hot air balloon rides, Bacanora, Tratto, and Pizzeria Bianco weeks ahead in peak season (Jan–April).
• Spring Training (March): If visiting in early March, Cactus League games are an easy afternoon add-on around the Valley.

In one week, you’ll taste the flavors that define Phoenix, stand beneath towering saguaro, and gaze into the Grand Canyon’s deep time. From sunrise balloons to sunset buttes, this itinerary balances outdoor adventure, arts, and memorable dining—an irresistible portrait of the Sonoran Desert.