How to Plan Your Perfect Itinerary in Phoenix

Are you heading out on vacation to Phoenix this year? How fun! Planning a trip is always exciting, but it can come with challenges, too. You want to make sure you’re hitting up the classic activities that your destination is known for, but you also want to see some hidden gems and experience off-the-beaten-path attractions. It can be hard to pack everything into your itinerary!

Lucky for you, we’re experts in planning the perfect Phoenix itinerary. Whether you’re here for a long weekend, 4-5 days, or more than a week, there are plenty of thrilling activities to partake in during your trip here. Let’s explore how to plan the perfect Phoenix itinerary!

Spend a Long Weekend Trip in Phoenix!

Phoenix is a great place to spend a long weekend! You can pack a lot into just a few days.

If you’re visiting in the late winter/early springtime, you can’t miss attending an Arizona spring training baseball game while you’re here. There are several spring training stadiums right here in Phoenix!

The 13,000-capacity Camelback Ranch is home to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox, so if you’re a fan of those teams, you’ll want to catch a game there. Another Phoenix spring stadium, American Family Fields of Phoenix, is the place to be if you’re a Milwaukee Brewers fan. You don’t have to be a superfan of either team to have a great time, though! Grab a hotdog and a cold drink, sit back, and enjoy the sunshine at one of these spring training stadiums—it’s the perfect start to your long weekend in Phoenix!

On the second day of your trip, check out one of Phoenix’s many museums! There are many options to choose from, depending on what you want to explore while you’re here.

If you’re traveling with children, the Arizona Science Center is a great stop. They have all kinds of interesting science exhibits, from fascinating physics demonstrations to films on dinosaurs and the intricacies of the human body! Little ones will also enjoy the Children’s Museum of Phoenix—and activities like their Toddler Time will give you a little break as well! It’s a win-win.

Don’t worry; there are plenty of other museums in Phoenix to visit without kids, too! The Musical Instrument Museum is perfect for musicians, music lovers, and casual fans. See instruments played by famous musicians, or even try your hand at some of the eclectic options here! Another great Phoenix museum, the Heard Museum, showcases gorgeous Indigenous American art. Take in breathtaking handwoven baskets, carefully crafted beadwork, and impressive drawings and prints here, all while celebrating Native American culture!

For the last day of your long weekend, we must recommend visiting the Desert Botanical Gardens (pictured above). These beautiful outdoor gardens span 140 acres and showcase over 50,000 desert plants. You can easily spend hours perusing the grounds here! Witness desert wildlife, plant species, and incredible views from the many garden trails. Plus, there’s a restaurant on-site with delicious American cuisine (Gertrude’s!), and it’s close to the airport. If you can spend your last hours in Phoenix inside beautiful botanical gardens, why wouldn’t you?

4-Day Itinerary in Phoenix

Planning a four-day itinerary in Phoenix is similar to our long weekend itinerary (with an added day, of course!) If we had one more day in Phoenix, we’d have to recommend checking out the Phoenix Zoo. It’s one of the largest non-profit zoos in the country and cares for over 400 species! You never know what fascinating animals you could see there.

If you’d rather spend the day learning about history, check out the Arizona State Capitol. Admission is free, and you can explore exhibits on Arizona’s political history and artifacts from the famous USS Arizona.

For Those Staying Longer…

If you’re staying in Phoenix longer than 4 days, that’s great news! There’s plenty more to explore in our city and beyond.

We would be remiss not to recommend visiting the Grand Canyon during your time here—you did travel all the way out to Arizona, after all! Depending on which part of the basin you visit, it’s about a 3-4 hour drive from Phoenix. That may seem long, but it’s well worth it to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World! If you’re in Phoenix for a week or more, you should plan a few days for your Grand Canyon trip. You can see so much while you’re there!

There are plenty of other activities to add to your Phoenix itinerary if you have a few extra days. Consider checking out one of Arizona’s Ghost Towns while you’re here! Ghost towns are a popular tourist destination here; it’s fascinating to step back in time and see the ruins of what were once booming mining towns.

Each town has unique attractions, but you’ll have a blast at any of them! Vulture City is only a little over an hour’s drive from Phoenix and features educational tours, stories of paranormal activity, and entertaining wild-west-themed shows. The ghost town of Goldfield is only 45 minutes away and offers its own set of exciting activities, including a Superstition Zipline!

Where Are the Best Places to Eat During a Phoenix Vacation?

You know all the best things to do in Phoenix, but what about where to eat? No need to stress; we haven’t forgotten this essential detail in your itinerary planning.

Check out our guide to the best restaurants in the Phoenix Valley for ideas on where to eat during your time in Phoenix! Here are just a few of our favorites:

Late Night Dining: Welcome Diner

Mexican Food: Barrio Café

Italian Food: Cibo Pizzeria

Fine Dining: Steak 44

Seafood: Ocean 44 (sister restaurant to Steak 44!)

Vegan: The Coronado

Sweet Treat: Check out our blog on the Best Ice Cream in Phoenix, or head to Essence Bakery Café if you’re craving something besides ice cream!

Book Your Trip to Phoenix Directly with Arizona Elite Vacation Rentals!

We hope you feel well-equipped to plan your Phoenix itinerary now, whether you’re staying for a long weekend or a couple of weeks! One of the most important steps to planning your Phoenix vacation is deciding where you will stay.

You can’t go wrong when you book your Phoenix vacation with Arizona Elite Vacation Rentals! When you book your trip directly with us, you can experience all the joys of working with a local company here in Phoenix and avoid unnecessary third-party fees from companies like Airbnb or VRBO.

Our Phoenix vacation rentals are top-notch! Whether you’re looking for a rental with a pool, a hot tub, or want a dog-friendly property where you can bring your pet along, we have you covered with our broad catalog of rentals. Browse our available vacation rentals now and book your next trip to Phoenix directly with Arizona Elite Vacation Rentals!