Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in the States. Most people choose to visit it in the winter because temperatures are milder and hotels offer great deals. But it can be great in summer too, if you are a heat freak. However, there is so much more to the Valley of the Sun than great climate. There is an abundance of things to do in Phoenix AZ, see and taste. It’s easy to organize and enjoy as much as possible when you are planning a long holiday.
But you are really in a pickle if you have limited time. How to choose the best things to do when you only have a couple of days or even hours? In the following lines we choose the greatest things to experience to do in Phoenix AZ when you can’t spare many days to stay.
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Visit a musem- do in Phoenix AZ
When traveling to Phoenix, or anywhere else for that matter, you shouldn’t skip the opportunity to learn at least a bit about the history of the place. The best way to do this is by visiting a popular museum. It’s not easy to choose just one because of your limited time, but here’s our top 3 picks, and you can choose one, closest to your own affiliations.
If you are a diehard history fan, you should not miss the Museum of the West. It is called the Western spirit and here you will learn not just about the state of Arizona, but as the name suggests, about the past of the 19 Western American states. As for its location, the Old town Scottsdale, it’s a historical place itself since this is where the town was originally created. Another thing for a history lover not to miss, at least for a glance.
For those who prefer more ancient history and nature, the true gem is the Arizona Museum of Natural History. This is an amazon place to learn about dinosaurs. If you have your little ones with you, for sure you don’t want to miss it. But then again, we are all children at heart, so it’s recommended to all ages. It’s location is former Mesa city hall and it’s inside the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Phoenix Art Museum has to be a stop for those who love art. Let’s just say there you can see works of great artists like Frida Kahlo and other classic and contemporary art gems. It’s also a great place for a family visit, since they often host interactive exhibitions. It’s located in DownTown Phoenix, which makes it pretty easy to find.
Go on a shopping spree – Things to do in Phoenix AZ
Even on limited time, some quality shopping can be done in Phoenix. After all, Arizona is the home of some of the greatest shopping malls that are still very much popular. There’s Scottsdale Fashion Square as well as Biltmore Fashion Park, both with great offers and plethora of different stores for every pocket.
If you think a trip to a mall is too time consuming, we suggest considering what it is exactly that you want to buy. If you would just like a couple of souvenirs, we suggest something edible or drinkable. Why? Because local sweets like cactus candy or hand-made chocolate, local beer and wine can be found in most of the supermarkets around the city. This way you won’t lose time and you will take a part of the place with you, that you can eat or drink later.
If you are into some shopping that will stay in your memory as the time you bought quality for a great price, you should consider buying some jewelry in Phoenix. There are great stores that offer stunningly-curated selection, from engagement rings to amazing watches. If you are into having one-of-a-kind things from unique places, jewelry is the best kind of purchase for you.
Enjoy some great outdoors
Even if you are visiting just Phoenix, you should not forget that you are in the Grand Canyon state. What we mean to say is that you are in the state of some of the greatest outdoors and most amazing deserts that call this state their home. That’s why we strongly recommend that you plan visiting some of these beautiful nature sights. Even if that means you won’t have time for anything else.
Number one choice is the Desert Botanical Garden. It’s an oasis in the famous Sonoran Desert. In the garden you can see around 50,000 species, from flowers to of course cacti, and not just from Arizona, but from all over the world. It will be a feast for your eyes. You should know that it only takes around 15 minutes to get there from DownTown Phoenix, but the visit itself might take up to two hours, so plan accordingly.
Those who love hiking should not miss Camelback Mountain. The origin of this mountain is still a mystery, as it consists of a mixture of sandstone and granite of incredibly different age. Also, you won’t have to pay for entrance here, which is always a plus. And, just like in the case of Desert Botanical Garden, it’s not a long trip from Phoenix to the Camelback, it might take up to 20 minutes. But the hike is around three hours.
In a nutshell
Phoenix is a place you want to stay longer at, we promise you. There are just so many things to do and see. But, many things can be experienced in a limited time, you just need good organization. We hope this article helps you with that.
