Best Things to Do in Phoenix, Arizona: Top Outdoor & Cultural Activities

A 140-acre living museum in Papago Park showcasing more than 50,000 desert plants, including rare and endangered species from around the world. Seasonal exhibits like Garden After Dark and Super Bloom make it worth repeat visits.

The highest peak in metro Phoenix and one of the nation's most iconic — and strenuous — hikes, with sweeping Valley views from the summit. Managed by Phoenix Parks and Recreation; check trail status before heading out.

The largest visual-art museum in the Southwest, with more than 18,000 works spanning American, Asian, European, Latin American, and fashion design collections.

A private, not-for-profit museum dedicated to American Indian art, told from a first-person Indigenous perspective, with more than 40,000 items in its permanent collection.

At more than 16,000 acres, the largest municipally managed park in the United States, with 50+ miles of trails through three mountain ranges. Dobbins Lookout offers one of the best sunset views in the Valley.

The world's largest museum of its kind, with wireless-headset exhibits covering instruments from nearly 200 countries, plus a 299-seat concert theater hosting touring artists.

Get the full, regularly updated events and attractions calendar from Phoenix's official tourism bureau to build out the rest of your visit.