What to do in Downtown Phoenix: an incredible stay

I was honestly surprised by Phoenix.

I don’t know what I expected but it wasn’t this. I thought it would be dry desert but was pleasantly surprised to find the greenest gardens, fuschia flowers and of course the sharp and scenic Saguaro cactuses that are so iconic to Arizona.

It was such an incredible trip, surprising me with a tonne of activities, beautiful landscapes, and of course, some of the best food I’ve ever had. Think fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs. It was incredible!

If you’re in town for a few days or you live in the area, you need to check out the below list!

Quick Facts About Phoenix

Location: Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona, located in the southwestern United States.

How to Get Around: Phoenix is accessible via Valley Metro Rail, buses, Lyft, Uber, and walking, especially in downtown and Midtown areas. A car is not necessary for exploring downtown, but public transportation includes the Valley Metro Rail, buses, and the PHX SkyTrain for airport transfers. You should also definitely check out the Waymo driverless cars!

Transport: The Valley Metro Rail connects key areas, including downtown, the airport, Tempe, and Mesa. Bus services are extensive, and tickets can be purchased at light rail stations or from bus drivers.

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Phoenix is in the cooler months, from November to April, when the weather is more temperate. May, June and July are also good, but just bear in mind that you’ll need to avoid the midday sun – it gets super hot and hikes are best very early morning or late afternoon / evening.

Where to Stay in Phoenix

We stayed in 2 really beautiful places in Downtown Phoenix, and I highly recommend you visit them!

The Scott Resort and Spa

First up there’s the Scott Hotel – it’s a zen vibe. Think an indoor greenhouse, a tonne of hanging vines and plants, some wicker chairs and comfortable sofas, retro art deco styles mixed in, you can’t go wrong. It also has a fantastic pool.

If you’re not in need of a hotel, I recommend visiting the Canal Club for some brunch! It’s the best spot.

The Scott is a vibrant, boutique hotel in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. The resort combines the vibrant colors and comfort of old Havana, the edgy flair of New Orleans, and the sleek style of Bauhaus. It’s a lush retreat right in the middle of the desert with 204 guest rooms and suites.

There are two pools – one with sand, like a beach, that’s great for families, and a main lagoon pool with private cabanas and a pool bar. The iconic lobby lounge bar and the Canal Club restaurant serve up traditional American cuisine with a Caribbean twist. Plus, there’s a full-service spa, La Vidorra, with six treatment rooms offering massages, body treatments, and facials. The Scott also has over 14,500 square feet of indoor meeting space and plenty of outdoor event space.

Hermosa Inn

You may or may not have heard about legendary cowboy artist Lon Megargee built his home and studio? Well, that place is now The Hermosa Inn, and it’s been restored to keep that old charm while adding all the modern comforts you could want. Since the 1930s, this inn has been a top spot in the desert Southwest, offering luxury lodging and some seriously fine dining at Lon’s at The Hermosa. And get this—it’s just 10 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, so you can get there so easily from the airport. Once you arrive, you’ll be surrounded by contemporary southwestern elegance that’ll make you feel right at home.

Good news, use this link to get a 10% discount off your stay!

What To Do in Downtown Phoenix

Overview: Downtown Phoenix is a vibrant area with indie restaurants, live music, sports venues, craft brews, and a thriving cocktail scene. Historic neighborhoods like Roosevelt Row and Grand Avenue mix with modern developments like CityScape and the Phoenix Convention Center. The area is easily accessible via Valley Metro Rail.

Districts: Downtown Phoenix comprises several districts, each with unique attractions and amenities.

Attractions and Activities, a quick overview:

• Sports Venues: Footprint Center (Phoenix Suns and Mercury) and Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks).
• Cultural Spots: Roosevelt Row, museums, theaters, art galleries.
• Entertainment: Rooftop lounges, live music venues.
• Historical Sites: Arizona Capitol & Memorial Museum, Rosson House Museum at Heritage Square.
• Museums: Phoenix Art Museum, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Heard Museum, Arizona Science Center, Phoenix Police Museum, Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center.
• Art and Culture: Murals on Roosevelt Row, Civic Space Park, Alwun House Foundation.
• Festivals and Events: CityScape events, First Friday Art Walk, Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market, M3F music event, Real Wild and Woody Beer Festival.
• Live Music Venues: The Nash Jazz Club, The Van Buren, Crescent Ballroom, Footprint Center, Valley Bar, Arizona Financial Theatre, Bar Smith.

Desert Botanical Gardens

What to do in Downtown Phoenix – this is one of my favourite so it comes in at the top of the list! Home to 50,000 plants and five themed trails. You can learn about desert survival and Native American plant uses. Open until 8 PM, with tickets around $30.

This honestly was a wonder to me! The thousands of plants, cactuses and interesting facts was second to none. And of course, the photo opportunities are endless.

There are also a tonne of cactuses – the famous Saguaro Cactus can be found here in the Sonoran Desert.

Wonderspaces

I went into this space blind, shall we say, not knowing what to expect. And honestly, it’s genuinely a wonder!

There are a tonne of interactive and bizzare exhibits which are honestly FASCINATING. You’ll love it, and you can spend a tonne of time totally mesmerised by the exhibits on show.

Many of the pieces are thought provoking, they evoke emotion, instil calmness and definitely a bit of wonder. I can’t behind to explain how you will feel and you should definitely visit!

Heard Museum

• Founded in 1929, the Heard Museum focuses on American Indian art, featuring contemporary Navajo weavings and 40,000 Native American objects, including Hopi Katsina dolls. It’s definitely worth a visit

FnB Lunch

You’ve gotta check out FnB! It’s got a really cool vibe that sets the stage for an amazing dining experience. Their menu is all about locally sourced ingredients and flavours from around the world. And to top it off, they’ve got a great selection of wines, craft beers, and cocktails to pair with your meal. The wines are locally sourced and the staff were excellent at helping pair the wines with the dishes!

All the food was INCREDIBLY fresh and healthy. I highly recommend it.

Phoenix Art Museum

• The largest museum for visual arts in the southwest, with over 20,000 objects and special exhibits like Ansel Adams. It offers free entry times on specific days.

Wake up to see the hot air balloons

Wake up to see the hot air balloons, or better yet, book a ride on one and the staff will come collect you from your hotel!

Get a Waymo driverless car

Technically you can only order a Waymo in Downtown Phoenix, and honestly it’s a bit of a crazy experience. Futuristic and high tech – such a great way to get around town.

Waymo uses ai, tehcnology, programming systems and a tonne of cameras to identify cars around them on the roads, as well as pedestrians and thing that might be an obstruction. It’s said to be a much safer option than human drivers!

When considering all locations together, compared to the human benchmarks, the Waymo Driver demonstrated: An 85% reduction or 6.8 times lower crash rate involving any injury, from minor to severe and fatal cases.

Definitely a bucket list experience!

Musical Instrument Museum

• Founded by Target CEO Bob Ulrich, the museum showcases 8,000 instruments from 200 countries. Admission ranges from $0 to $27, and it’s recommended to spend at least 2 hours here.

Postino Restaurant, Phoenix

Postino is fresh, crisp and healthy. They’re known for their incredible bruschettas and their interesting prickly pear lemonades.

Their veggie bowl is also to die for – highly recommended! Sit by the window, watch the world go by and enjoy a delicious brunch or lunch out on the town.

Roosevelt Row Murals and Food

• A non-profit program revitalizing the area with murals and supporting local businesses. First Fridays of the month attract up to 10,000 visitors for art and farmers market activities.

Visit a traditional Saloon

This for me is honestly so much fun, I’ve never been to a saloon before and it was about time! I was also so surprised to see how packed it was!

Spa Treatments

• Arizona’s history of sanatoriums has evolved into luxurious spa treatments like vibrational sound healing and prickly pear body treatments. Native American spa treatments are also available.

Native American Experiences in Phoenix

• Experience Native American culture at the Heard Museum, Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park, River Trading Post in Scottsdale, and the Phoenix Indian Center. Festivals in October and November celebrate Native American heritage.

Heritage Square

• Founded in the late 1800s, this Victorian-era square features the Rosson House Museum and restored homes with eateries, galleries, and a coffee bar.

Orpheum Theatre

• A restored historic theater hosting opera, concerts, Broadway musicals, and ballet performances. Built in 1927 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Arizona Science Center

• A 200,000 sq. ft. facility with exhibits like a planetarium, astronaut exhibition, and body science. Offers both self-guided and guided experiences with varying ticket prices.
• It’s very cool, with lots of interactive exhibits and you’ll come out smarter than you went in!

Dobbins Lookout At South Mountain

• Technically, it’s not in downtown, but you have the best views of downtown. Located at South Mountain Park and Preserve, this lookout offers hiking trails and panoramic views. The Holbert Trail is a 3.8-mile moderate hike to the top.

Mystery Castle

• Built by Boyce Gully for his daughter, this castle has 18 rooms and 13 fireplaces, with southwestern antiques embedded in the walls. Open for tours with a touching backstory.

Japanese Friendship Garden & Tea Ceremony

• Established in 1987, this garden offers a tranquil escape and public tea ceremonies between October and June. Be aware of the garden’s etiquette and rules for an enjoyable visit.

Weather in Phoenix

Phoenix has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures often exceed 100°F (38°C), while winter temperatures range between 40-70°F (4-21°C). The best time to visit is from November to April, when the weather is cooler and more pleasant for outdoor activities.

Have a look at the below for each month in the city:

Phoenix Weather in January

• Average temperature: 19°C (66°F)
• Average rainy days: 3
• Average daylight hours: 10
• Average sunrise time: 7:30 AM
• Average sunset time: 5:45 PM

Phoenix Weather in February

• Average temperature: 21°C (70°F)
• Average rainy days: 3
• Average daylight hours: 11
• Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
• Average sunset time: 6:15 PM

Phoenix Weather in March

• Average temperature: 24°C (75°F)
• Average rainy days: 2
• Average daylight hours: 12
• Average sunrise time: 6:45 AM
• Average sunset time: 6:45 PM

Phoenix Weather in April

• Average temperature: 28°C (82°F)
• Average rainy days: 1
• Average daylight hours: 13
• Average sunrise time: 6:15 AM
• Average sunset time: 7:15 PM

Phoenix Weather in May

• Average temperature: 33°C (91°F)
• Average rainy days: 0
• Average daylight hours: 14
• Average sunrise time: 5:45 AM
• Average sunset time: 7:30 PM

Phoenix Weather in June

• Average temperature: 37°C (99°F)
• Average rainy days: 0
• Average daylight hours: 14
• Average sunrise time: 5:15 AM
• Average sunset time: 7:45 PM

Phoenix Weather in July

• Average temperature: 40°C (104°F)
• Average rainy days: 3
• Average daylight hours: 14
• Average sunrise time: 5:30 AM
• Average sunset time: 7:30 PM

Phoenix Weather in August

• Average temperature: 39°C (102°F)
• Average rainy days: 3
• Average daylight hours: 13
• Average sunrise time: 5:45 AM
• Average sunset time: 7:00 PM

Phoenix Weather in September

• Average temperature: 36°C (97°F)
• Average rainy days: 1
• Average daylight hours: 12
• Average sunrise time: 6:15 AM
• Average sunset time: 6:15 PM

Phoenix Weather in October

• Average temperature: 30°C (86°F)
• Average rainy days: 1
• Average daylight hours: 11
• Average sunrise time: 6:45 AM
• Average sunset time: 5:45 PM

Phoenix Weather in November

• Average temperature: 23°C (74°F)
• Average rainy days: 1
• Average daylight hours: 10
• Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
• Average sunset time: 5:15 PM

Phoenix Weather in December

• Average temperature: 18°C (64°F)
• Average rainy days: 2
• Average daylight hours: 10
• Average sunrise time: 7:30 AM
• Average sunset time: 5:30 PM

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