Phoenix, Arizona is one of the best places for tourists to get a taste of the magnificent desert of the western United States. This iconic city is visited by millions of tourists every year, enticing visitors with a unique blend of urban and natural attractions. Whether you are planning on taking a budget vacation after scoring a cheap, last-minute flight to PHX, or you want to shell out big bucks for the desert vacation of your dreams, you are guaranteed to have a memorable trip. From mountain hiking adventures, to rich cultural exploration, we’ll be breaking down what a vacation in Phoenix looks like and why you should consider one.
Best Time to Visit
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Arizona is a worthwhile destination no matter the time of year, so the best time to visit will depend on your personal preferences. In the summer months, the temperature can reach as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the winter months will bring lows in the 40s. The cooler months from November to April tend to be the most busy, so look for higher prices during those times. The shoulder season period then falls around the end of April and into May, as well as after labor day and before Thanksgiving. During these times, you will have more temperate weather than in the summer, but better prices than in the winter. If you can stand the high temperatures of summer however, that will be your best bet to get good deals on flights and hotels.
Cheap Lodging and Camping
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A trip to Arizona is sure to be filled with outdoor adventures and city exploration, so there isn’t much point to spending much on a hotel. Picking a 1 or 2-star hotel or Airbnb can be a good way to save on your vacation, especially when many attractions are free or very low cost, meaning travel will be your biggest expense. But even better than a cheap hotel, Phoenix offers many places nearby where you can pitch a tent for a small fee and camp underneath the stars. It may be a tall order to pack all your necessary camping gear on a flight, but if you can manage that, you can save a lot more money on lodging while also getting the full Arizona experience!
Top Attractions in the City
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The city of Phoenix offers plenty to take in during a vacation, from hiking trails to art museums. The Desert Botanical Garden sits in the middle of the city and offers a look at the exotic and wondrous plant life of the desert. The Heard Museum houses an expansive collection of indigenous artifacts and artworks and teaches about their history through exhibits and cultural programs. The Phoenix Art Museum boasts a reputation as the largest art museum in the Southwestern United States and displays art from all across the world. If you are looking to explore the history, culture, or natural world of Arizona, you won’t even have to leave the city of Phoenix to do so!
Outdoor Adventures
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Just a little ways outside the city’s borders, you will find enough of outdoor adventures to sate any nature lover’s appetite. To the north in Scottsdale, you will find Camelback Mountain, which offers challenging hiking trails and a panoramic view of the surrounding cities. To the south, you will find South Mountain Park and Preserve, one of the biggest urban parks in the country, which is a great place for mountain biking and horseback riding. To the northeast, you will find Lake Pleasant Regional Park, where you can go boating, fishing, camping, hiking, and picnicking. The Arizona desert and mountains provide plenty of activities for anyone looking for outdoors adventure, with very little cost to consider!
