Looking for things to do in phoenix arizona beyond a pool day? Think cactus-lined paths, colorful murals and desert views worth putting your phone down for.
These ideas mix city stops with outings around the Phoenix area, including nearby Scottsdale.
You can keep your plans simple or make room for a balloon ride. Pick a few favorites rather than squeezing everything into one trip.
For outdoor days, check heat warnings and trail conditions, bring water and leave room for indoor breaks.
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Phoenix outings worth saving
take a desert hike
We’re starting off with this rocky trail and its gorgeous desert backdrop. The uneven steps lead toward a red-brown formation with a little opening near the top.
Papago Park is one hiking option to consider. Choose a route that suits your ability rather than treating every Phoenix hike as the same kind of walk.
wander between the cacti
How pretty is this winding path? The tall clusters of cacti make the walkway feel almost tucked away.
I love how the curve lets you see just a little of what’s ahead.
For a cactus-focused outing, consider the Desert Botanical Garden. Give yourself time to stop and look at the different shapes rather than rushing through.
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see Hole-in-the-Rock
This natural rock window may just be one of my favorite views here. The orange opening frames palms, paths and greenery below.
Put Hole-in-the-Rock at Papago Park on your list if you like this kind of desert scenery. Wear shoes with grip and enjoy the view from a secure spot away from the edge.
go up in a hot-air balloon
I love the cactus design on this balloon. With orange clouds above and mountains behind it, there’s already so much to look at before you even imagine the view from the basket.
If a balloon ride is on your wish list, check local operators for flight times and weather policies. That colorful sky is inspiration, not something a booking can promise.
explore the Musical Instrument Museum
Music fans, this one is for you. The enormous string instrument in the middle of this gallery is quite the starting point!
Smaller instruments and displays surround it.
Add the Musical Instrument Museum to your indoor plans if you’d like a break from desert trails. Leave yourself room to linger over the exhibits that catch your attention.
walk around Old Town Scottsdale
How cute is this cowboy welcome sign? The oversized hat, coiled rope and red shirt give this street corner plenty of personality.
Head to nearby Old Town Scottsdale for a change of scene from Phoenix. You could build a casual outing around a walk, a gallery stop and somewhere to eat.
plan a Salt River float
Want to swap a walking trail for time on the water? This Salt River scene has green riverbanks, a huge rocky backdrop and bright tubes ready to go.
Check seasonal operations and river conditions before planning a tubing trip. Wear a properly fitted life jacket and arrange your transport rather than assuming you’ll finish where you started.
look closely at desert architecture
If you love interesting buildings, save this idea. The low roofline, angled supports and long reflecting pool give you plenty to notice without a towering skyline.
Taliesin West in Scottsdale is an option for an architecture-focused outing. Check current tour arrangements before going, especially if you want to see more than the exterior.
visit the Heard Museum
The arched entrances and sculpture outside the Heard Museum make a lovely first impression. I especially love the tree shadows across the pale walls.
Make room for the museum’s American Indian art and stories in your Phoenix plans. Check its current exhibitions so you can choose what you most want to explore.
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seek out colorful murals
Is that a cactus with an eye? This mural is so fun!
The giant green shape sits beside a yellow-and-pink sun with blue bands running across the bottom.
Try a street-art walk around Roosevelt Row. Keep an eye out for smaller painted details too, but don’t expect every mural you’ve saved to stay in place forever.
frame a desert-view photo
Here’s another rocky opening, but the view is different from the palm-filled scene above. This one looks across rooftops toward rugged hills, with a dark silhouette against the bright landscape.
If you enjoy photography, look for a safe viewpoint where the rock itself frames the scene. You don’t need to stand on an exposed edge for an interesting photo.
make room for a lazy river
Don’t want every day to involve sightseeing? No problem!
A lazy-river day is another way to spend part of your trip. Those bright pink and green tubes make this scene look especially playful.
Look for an area resort or water park with a lazy river, then confirm access rules before booking. Don’t assume pool access is included for non-guests.
take in Dobbins Lookout
I love how this stone opening frames the distant mountains. The low bench and rough walls give you something to notice even before you look outside.
Consider Dobbins Lookout at South Mountain for a viewpoint stop. Check current park hours and road access before deciding how it fits into your day.
catch baseball in Goodyear
Baseball fans are going to love this idea. The photo shows Goodyear Ballpark with a green outfield, spectators on the grass and tall palms around the scoreboard.
If your trip lines up with spring training, check the game schedule in nearby Goodyear. I’d look at shaded seating options before choosing a ticket.
slow down beside a garden pond
How gorgeous is that reflection? The pavilion, little bridge and surrounding trees appear again in the pond below.
This is a lovely reminder to leave some quieter stops in your plans.
For a garden outing in Phoenix, consider the Japanese Friendship Garden. This photo alone doesn’t confirm the pictured location, so check official photos if you’re hoping to find this exact pavilion.
paddle past rocky cliffs
If you’d rather paddle than float in a tube, save this one. Yellow and red kayaks sit below a jagged wall of rock, with green shrubs along the water.
Look into a guided kayaking outing in the Phoenix area that matches your experience. Confirm the route and conditions with the operator, then follow their life-jacket and paddling guidance.
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enjoy a skyline view
Phoenix isn’t only about close-up cactus photos. I love this wider view of downtown with layers of mountains behind the buildings.
The pink light makes the whole scene especially pretty.
Set aside time for a skyline view from a designated public viewpoint. If you stay for evening light, plan your return before it gets dark.
book a meal with a view
This is one dining idea worth borrowing. The floor-to-ceiling windows look toward a rocky peak while dark tables and blue chairs keep the room simple.
For your own version, look for a Phoenix-area restaurant with mountain views. Ask about window seating when you reserve rather than assuming every table has the same outlook.
find a playful photo spot
How cute are these oversized wings? The overlapping feather shapes stand out against all that greenery, making a fun backdrop without much else in the frame.
Keep an eye out for designated photo displays during garden or attraction visits. The venue isn’t identifiable from this image alone, so confirm the location before making a special trip for these exact wings.
step into a Western-style setting
Last but definitely not least, we have this Western-style scene with a tall cactus, an old tractor and the Mammoth Saloon sign. I love the long porch and staircase across the front.
Consider Goldfield Ghost Town near Apache Junction for this kind of outing beyond Phoenix. Check current opening details and available attractions before heading out.