Things to do in Phoenix for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appAll self-guided activities
Dance, boogie, spin, twirl or simply strut through this amazing museum in Phoenix, Arizona. At the Musical Instrument Museum, you'll get a taste of different cultures via their music, and see more than 6,800 different instruments!
Hoppy the tarantula, Lancelot the snake, Mojave the tortoise – not the cast of a Pixar movie, rather the cast of SEA LIFE Arizona's Critter Canyon. SEA LIFE Arizona isn't just an aquarium, although sharks, rays, and fish are all here! Face your fears around snakes, spiders, and more with up-close encounters. See endangered and rehabilitated wildlife, and watch graceful sea creatures in motion, like seahorses, clownfish, jellyfish, and sea turtles. You can also catch feeding demonstrations!
Let your imagination run wild in Arizona's most kid-friendly amusement center. Legoland Discovery Center Arizona comes jam-packed with dozens of rides, creative workshops, and immersive attractions, all spread across a slew of imaginative themed areas. Take a tour of the Lego factory floor to see how the world's favorite colorful building blocks are made, and catch the famously hilarious Lego movies in a 4D cinema. Flex those creative brain muscles in fun building workshops, and more!
The Hall of Flame features five galleries, the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes, the museum store, a theater, and a restoration shop. There's something here for every flame-thrower or wannabe firefighter! See special fire apparatus, artwork, uniforms and equipment, alarm room equipment, and a huge fire safety exhibit which includes a two room safety house, a mini-theater, and many hands-on exhibits for children. The National Firefighting Hall of Heroes honors American firefighters who've received a national award for heroism, as well as brave American firefighters who died in the line of duty.
Since 1962, the Phoenix Zoo has inspired and motivated guests from across the world to care for the natural world. Nestled on 125 acres within beautiful Papago Park the Zoo is a wondrous place of curiosity, imagination and discovery. There's over 3,000 animals inside, including Bornean orangutans, Asian elephants, Sumatran tigers, Komodo dragons, Masai giraffes, and many more animals — it's like no other place in the Valley! With outdoor cafés, shops, lush gardens, water landscapes, and exciting up-close animal encounters like _Stingray Bay_, your visit will be memorable for the entire family. Other not to be missed activities include the _Safari Cruiser_ and _Endangered Species Carousel_. As a non-profit, the zoo relies solely on admissions, memberships, donations and sponsorships to continue conservation initiatives, educational programs and the care of the animals.
The Museum of Illusions Scottsdale is a unique, engaging, and multi-sensory experience. MOI is filled with more than 60 exhibits, including optical illusions, holograms, and immersive illusion rooms. These exhibits will challenge your brain, stimulate your senses, and ignite your curiosity about science. The museum welcomes guests of all ages for eye-fooling fun.
This self-guided audio walking tour explores the history and legacy of the Phoenix Indian School, a place that shaped generations of Native students and still carries deep cultural meaning today. It will especially interest travelers curious about Indigenous history, public memory, and the layered stories behind Phoenix landmarks. The route begins at Memorial Hall and leads you through key places across the former campus, including the Band Building, the sculpture called The Crossing, the Dining Hall, and the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Bolin Memorial Park. Along the way, you’ll also pass the park pond, the site marked as Discipline, and the Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center, where the story of the school is interpreted in greater depth. The walk ends at the Visitor Center, tying together the campus’s architecture, memorial spaces, and surviving landscape. As you move through the grounds, the most memorable moments come from seeing how quiet buildings and open parkland hold stories of loss, resilience, education, and remembrance in the heart of modern Phoenix.
About Phoenix
The best walking tours to do in Phoenix are:
The best tours to do in Phoenix with kids are:
The must-see attractions in Phoenix for a first visit are:
- Phoenix
- Phoenix
- Phoenix
- Phoenix
- Phoenix
- Phoenix
Insider tips for visiting Phoenix
WeGoTrip Inc is a local guide who has been publishing tours since for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Phoenix on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Phoenix.
When friends ask me about things to do in Phoenix, I always start with an early hike at Camelback Mountain or Piestewa Peak, then a slow breakfast in Arcadia before the heat kicks in. For what to see in Phoenix, I love the Desert Botanical Garden at golden hour, when the cactus trails glow and the light is best for photos. I also recommend wandering Roosevelt Row for murals, coffee, and the local arts vibe that many tours in Phoenix miss. Among the best attractions in Phoenix, Taliesin West stands out for design lovers, and a sunset drink at South Mountain gives you the city at its best.
When I’m deciding where to spend time in Phoenix, I usually send people to Roosevelt Row first for street murals, indie galleries, and First Friday energy. For classic attractions in Phoenix, I like Arcadia—especially around Camelback Road—for great brunch spots, citrus-lined streets, and easy access to hiking. If you’re wondering what to see in Phoenix beyond downtown, I recommend Melrose for vintage shops and mid-century flair, or the Coronado neighborhood for historic bungalows and local cafés. Old Town nearby is often bundled into tours in Phoenix, but I think Phoenix itself feels most authentic in these walkable neighborhoods.
I usually recommend 3 to 4 days in Phoenix if you want a real feel for the city without rushing. In my travel guide Phoenix mindset, that’s enough time for an early desert hike, a slow afternoon in Roosevelt Row, and sunset views from South Mountain or Papago Park. If you plan to visit Phoenix in summer, I’d keep outdoor time to mornings and add more indoor stops like Heard Museum or Taliesin West. For travelers focused only on the main things to do in Phoenix, 2 days can work, but Phoenix opens up more when you give it an extra day for neighborhoods, food, and desert light.
When I visit Phoenix for a night out, I usually head to Roosevelt Row and downtown first. That part of Phoenix has the best mix: cocktail bars tucked into old warehouses, live music, late-night food, and a younger arts crowd. If you want a polished night, I’d choose Arcadia, where the bars and restaurants feel more upscale and busy on weekends. In my travel guide Phoenix notes, Roosevelt Row stands out because you can actually walk between spots and catch murals lit up after dark. For travelers planning to visit Phoenix, it’s one of the most memorable things to do in Phoenix once the sun goes down.
When I want to show someone the best attractions in Phoenix, I usually mix city spots with easy desert escapes. In Phoenix itself, I like Roosevelt Row for murals and coffee, then sunset at the Desert Botanical Garden when the saguaros catch the last light. For what to see in Phoenix beyond downtown, Papago Park is great for red-rock views without a long hike. If you have a car, I’d add a half-day in Scottsdale’s Old Town for galleries and courtyard restaurants, or drive the Apache Trail area for rugged Sonoran scenery. Many tours in Phoenix stay central, but Phoenix is best when you pair neighborhoods with desert landscapes.
In my travel guide Phoenix advice, I usually tell people to rent a car if they want to see more than downtown. Phoenix is spread out, and many of the best things to do in Phoenix—like Papago Park, Taliesin West, or South Mountain—are much easier by car, especially if you want to catch sunrise or stay out after dinner. When I visit Phoenix without driving, I stick to the light rail for downtown, Roosevelt Row, and the museum corridor, then use rideshares for neighborhoods like Arcadia. If you plan to visit Phoenix in summer, having a car also saves you long walks in extreme heat.
When I visit Phoenix for food, I usually split my time between Arcadia, Roosevelt Row, and the Melrose area. Arcadia is where I go for polished brunch, patio dinners, and citrusy old-Phoenix charm. Roosevelt Row feels more casual and creative, with good coffee, late-night bites, and spots tucked beside murals and galleries. In my travel guide Phoenix notes, Melrose stands out for vintage character and a strong mix of local restaurants that feel less polished but more personal. If you plan to visit Phoenix hungry, these neighborhoods easily double as some of the best things to do in Phoenix, especially if you like walking between meals and local shops.