Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Phoenix?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Phoenix?
Many travelers spend one to three days in Phoenix during their visit. After all, the desert city has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the hiking, and the restaurant scene.
Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona. It's filled with spa resorts and sprawling golf courses, but visitors will also enjoy the many botanical gardens and the impressive hiking trails. The city is often overlooked by tourists, but there are a huge number of beautiful parks in the area that are worth experiencing.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Phoenix? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Phoenix?
Three days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Phoenix at your own pace to experience the famous sights and museums, the hiking, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife scene. Then you can use this city as a convenient base for venturing into smaller destinations nearby where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
How to spend 3 days in Phoenix
Perhaps the most famous place in Phoenix is Desert Botanical Garden, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Old Town Scottsdale Food Tour ($92)
- Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class ($75)
- Scottsdale Waterfront Food Tour ($95)
This city offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Sedona with Jerome and Montezuma Castle One-Day Van Tour ($165)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Pedal Bar Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale ($55)
- Scottsdale Bar Hunt: Scorching Scottsdale Bar Crawl ($12)
Known for it's hiking, Phoenix sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Stunning Sunrise or Sunset Guided Hiking Adventure in the Sonoran Desert ($125)
- Camelback E-Bike & Hike Tour - 2.5 Hours ($135)
- Hole in the Rock Hike & Bike ($75)
Is 4 days enough time in Phoenix?
With four days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Phoenix has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Phoenix as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the famous sights and museums, the hiking, and the restaurant scene at your own pace, as this medium sized city offers a variety of fun activities for . We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
Phoenix, Arizona
How to spend 4 days in Phoenix
With 4 days in Phoenix, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Shopping in Phoenix is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.
Is 5 days enough time in Phoenix?
Five days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Phoenix, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. The famous sights and museums, the hiking, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife scene on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Phoenix as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding areas.
How to spend 5 days in Phoenix
If you have more than 5 days in Phoenix, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
After you've explored most of Phoenix, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Apache Trail Day Trip Including Dolly Steamboat ($235)
- Sedona Day Trip from Phoenix ($240)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Phoenix, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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