Summer is usually the slow time of year on Metro Phoenix, but this is not a typical year. People feel freer to travel as the pandemic recedes and the Phoenix Suns play in their first NBA final since 1993.
That means that there are a lot of people out and about. If you’ve come to the Valley of the Sun to watch the Games, indulge in a stay at a beautiful resort, or use Phoenix as a base for adventures around Arizona, you may be wondering what is there for you. Time visitor to do here.
There are so many options that it can be difficult to choose. We are here to help. Here’s a round-up of the best restaurants, bars, day trips, walking tours, and public art throughout the Phoenix Subway.
The best restaurants and bars on the Phoenix metro Phoenix
If it’s your first time in Phoenix, here are five restaurants that are well worth a visit.
Pizza fans will get their money’s worth at one (or both!) Of these classic Phoenix pizzerias.
The Sonora hot dog – wrapped in bacon and topped with beans, onions, and salsa – is an Arizona classic. Try this Sonoran dog for yourself and decide if it’s worth $ 18.
Do you need a drink to cool off from the heat? Or maybe a libation to celebrate the suns making it to the NBA finals? There are seven new bars in downtown Phoenix to check out. Some are right near the Phoenix Suns Arena.
When it’s not scorching hot here, which it is for most of the year, people here like to take a seat at an outdoor bar and relax. Here’s a guide to the best terrace bars on Metro Phoenix.
Where to hike in the Phoenix Metro
Although summer temperatures in Phoenix are firmly in the three-digit range, hiking doesn’t necessarily rule out hiking as an activity. You just need to be extra smart, secure, and get a super early start. Here’s a guide to popular hikes that can be completed before it gets really hot.
Discover this hiking guide for hikes for all abilities and interests, from super demanding to barrier-free, to get inspiration from one end of the Valley of the Sun to the other.
And if you fancy a leisurely getaway, try one of these easy day hikes on Metro Phoenix.
Art, murals and public gardens
The Valley of the Sun has a robust range of public art. To see the best of it, take a self-guided tour of Phoenix Public Art and Scottsdale Public Art. Tip: don’t miss the iconic “Love” sculpture in Scottsdale and “Her Secret Is Patience” in downtown Phoenix.
The mural scene is just as hot here, with talented artists painting on concrete canvases in cities across Maricopa County. Here’s a round-up of some of the best murals on Metro Phoenix. This mural in downtown Phoenix depicts the original people who lived here. And this mural series will represent Latin American and indigenous artists throughout 2021.
If you prefer to be outdoors, explore the diverse flora in these botanical gardens in the Phoenix area.
Get a hotel day pass, sit by the pool
No need to book a room to enjoy the amenities of the Phoenix and Scottsdale resorts. You can buy a day pass or rent a cabana at popular hotels like the Arizona Grand, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, and the Westin Kierland.
Explore a farmers market
Growers in metropolitan Phoenix and across Arizona bring their crops to farmers markets across the city. You can also support local manufacturers of jewelry, crafts, candy, international food, and more. Here’s a roundup of 15 farmers’ markets in and around Phoenix.
Easy day trips from Phoenix
Do you want to escape the city? These easy day trips from Phoenix offer history, scenic drives, and the chance to explore the great outdoors.
Tortilla Flat is a former stagecoach station on the Apache Trail in the Superstition Wilderness east of Phoenix. Visitors flock there for a meal, souvenirs, and an authentic taste of the Old West. Our guide has directions and the best things to do in Tortilla Flat.
The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, south of Phoenix, protects the largest surviving building from the ancient Hohokam culture. The “Big House” is said to have been built in the 1300s. Visitors can also explore a museum and see other structures on the site. Would you like more ideas? Here are more easy road trips from Phoenix.
When it’s hot outside, locals head to the Salt River for a day on the water. Salt River Tubing offers tubing rentals and a shuttle service. Here are other ways to beat the heat of a Phoenix summer.
You can connect with Shanti Lerner, the Arizona Republic culture and outdoor reporter, by email at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter.
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