Get your Salt River drip on with our Salt River t-shirt and reversible bucket hat! Perfect for your next river adventure 🏞️👕     Check it out

Story Ideas

Need story inspiration? Peruse the following story teasers below, and let us know if something piques your interest. Phoenix has many stories to tell, and we’re happy to assist with developing yours.  

For additional inspiration, see our Phoenix trip ideas for itineraries tailored for outdoor adventurers, sports lovers, fun-seeking families, and more.

Phoenix Rising

Back to Top of List

Greater Phoenix is a destination that is evolving, rising, and creating deeper, richer travel experiences. Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the U.S., and the fourth for its hotel pipeline (123 projects/16,198 rooms) according to Lodging Econometrics’ U.S. Construction Pipeline Trend Report 2024. The city has seen its visitor experience transform with 22 new hotels (2,793 rooms) and over $220 million in renovations (2,594 rooms, plus 404 including current renovations) since January 2022. 

Restaurateur turned hotelier Sam Fox opened The Global Ambassador Hotel in December 2023, a resort in the heart of Phoenix’s up-and-coming Arcadia neighborhood featuring top-notch amenities and five restaurant concepts, including an 18,000 square foot Mediterranean rooftop with views you can only get in Phoenix, where the city meets the mountains.  

Opened in March 2024, Caesars Republic Scottsdale is a new lifestyle-hotel experience and the first non-gaming hotel from Caesars Entertainment in the United States. The property’s location is adjacent to the premiere luxury shopping at the Scottsdale Fashion Square and includes two restaurant concepts by Chef Giada De Laurentiis.  

Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, The Wigwam, The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, and Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch all unveiled multi-million-dollar renovations in 2023 and 2024. In addition to the new resort openings and renovations, Phoenix has also welcomed several new restaurants, some that are already receiving recognition and accolades, and with more to come in 2025. 

For brands, destinations, and personalities driving the travel industry forward, Waymo is a ride-hailing service app that launched in the Greater Phoenix area in December 2022 with a fleet of fully autonomous Jaguar I-PACEs electric vehicles. Their total service area as of July 2024 is 315 square miles of the Greater Phoenix area. The Waymo app services Phoenicians and travelers that are looking for a different take on rideshare that is quick, inclusive, sustainable, and innovative. It also offers the first and only autonomous vehicle airport service in the world. 

Redefining Luxury Travel

Back to Top of List

Phoenix hosts bespoke experiences that redefine luxury. With an abundance of history, majestic scenery, and around 300 days of sunshine per year, the Greater Phoenix area is a desert oasis. The city sets itself apart with ventures that visitors can only enjoy in Phoenix, and nowhere else.  

In addition to the new resorts Phoenix is welcoming to its hotel portfolio, the city is also home to historic gems that utilize the restorative properties of the Sonoran Desert. Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, recently underwent a $150 million renovation and stands out because of its bold Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced architecture, unparalleled hospitality, and storied history.  Tucked into the Bradshaw Mountains, guests will find the lush and magical oasis of Castle Hot Springs. This resort experience allows guests to unwind in the hot springs or go on an adventure in the Sonoran Desert, taking them on a memorable journey of rejuvenation.  

There are several ways to honor the Sonoran Desert and the Indigenous peoples who paved the way for what Phoenix is today. Established in 1929, Heard Museum is one of the nation's top preservers and advocates of traditional Native American art.  Within are the most beautiful and vibrant sculptures, jewelry and other historic artifacts from both past and present. The Heard Museum proudly hosts the annual Hoop Dancing World Championships where each hoop dancer has their own unique style that honors their sacred history, where they can use up to 50 hoops in manipulated designs combined with creative choreography to make a performance that is unlike any other.  

Kai at Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, Arizona’s only AAA Five Diamond award and Forbes Five-Star award-winning restaurant, takes guests through a journey of Indigenous cuisine using native ingredients and cooking methods. Each course is a narrative of flavor, innovation, and elegance. Their esteemed wine program is procured by James Beard nominee Darren Greenspon and offers unique pairings with the traditional prepared cuisines.   

Tierra Luna Spa at Arizona Biltmore offers signature rituals including an Alchemy Mud & Crystal Wrap that incorporates Indigenous mud and has the option to add on an expert astrologist experience. 

Visitors can shop at all the top brands at Scottsdale Fashion Square, with more than 240 specialty stores and restaurants, or Biltmore Fashion Park. Native Art Market in Old Town Scottsdale is another great shop for visitors looking for something handmade by Indigenous artists and designers. 

The Phoenix Compass: Landmarks in Greater Phoenix

Back to Top of List

Greater Phoenix is home to both natural and historic landmarks that serve as modern-day must-sees, while offering a glimpse into the region’s past. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West is an incredible story of architecture that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Camelback Mountain is a Phoenix staple. Seasoned hikers can choose from two challenging trails that ascend 1,420 feet to the summit, which offers 360-degree views of the surrounding city. Sunset is the perfect time for the Instagram-worthy desert shots. 

Another landmark is Hole-in-the-Rock Trail at Papago Park, which climbs 200 feet in 1/10 of a mile to an intriguing formation that is thought to have been used by the ancient Hohokam civilization to track the position of the sun through a hole in the  "ceiling."  And the park’s 2.3-mile Double Butte Loop for those who want a deeper exploration of the desert. Experienced hikers can also venture on the Holbert Trail at South Mountain Park and Preserve for petroglyph sightings and to connect to Dobbins Lookout, a popular spot for panoramic views of the city. 

Piestewa Peak is another popular area where Phoenix locals and visitors alike can escape to nature. Located in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, Piestewa Peak has the second highest peak in Phoenix. The Summit Trail is rated ‘extremely difficult’ but is also extremely rewarding with a 360-degree view of Phoenix waiting for hikers at the top. The mountain was named after the first known Native American woman to die in combat in the U.S. Military, Army Spc. Lori Ann Piestewa.   

Chefs Elevating the Food and Beverage Scene

Back to Top of List

Greater Phoenix has seen an influx of new, elegant restaurants. From celebrity chef concepts to local gems, indulge in the elevated flavors and character of the Sonoran Desert ingredients.  

Bacanora is an intimate space of 36 seats that sells out of their reservations monthly, and for good reason. This restaurant offers diners mesquite-cooked Sonoran Desert fare and an extensive list of cocktails each with their own Mexican flavor, including those with the restaurant’s namesake agave spirit, Bacanora. Chef Rene Andrade is the 2024 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Southwest. 

A renowned restaurant located in the heart of Phoenix’s Melrose District, Valentine is a modern farm-to-table experience, where locally sourced ingredients are creatively incorporated into thoughtful dishes. The restaurant celebrates the vibrant flavors of the Sonoran Desert and boasts an outstanding pastry menu spearheaded by 2024 James Beard finalist Crystal Kass. 

Chilte is Chopped Chef Lawrence Smith’s newest brainchild. Short for chiltepin, meaning small but mighty, the concept started in a pop-up tent and has aimed to disrupt the industry at every level. Chilte was named one of the hottest new restaurants in 2023 by Bon Appetit, Esquire, and Mashed. 

Chef Ivan Jacobo reinvents hospitality at his fine-dining restaurant in downtown Phoenix, Anhelo. Using his Mexican roots and Phoenician experience, he combines Hispanic flavors with American classic dishes while also offering an extensive wine list. The cuisine is just the vessel for Chef Jacobo. His real mission with Anhelo is to bring communities together and give them an experience tailored to them. 

Century Grand is a multi-bar concept in which each location has its own significant theme and individual twists. Grab a ticket to board Platform 18, a 1920’s themed bar train car with virtual windows that transport visitors into an entirely new atmosphere. Dive into Undertow, an oceanic themed bar that specializes in rum cocktails with tropical ingredients and flavors. Journey to Grey Hen Rx, a mid-1800s New Orleans apothecary. Platform 18 made the 50 Best Discovery List and won Best Cocktail Bar in the U.S. by Tales of Cocktail Foundation in 2023. 

In June 2024, The Spirit of Phoenix Cocktail Competition announced the winner of The Phoenix, the official city cocktail, made by local mixologist Nicole Long. Long crafted a unique cocktail recipe that was selected as the most representative of Phoenix. The cocktail features homemade Chiltepin mesquite honey syrup, prickly pear fruit, and lemon juice from lemons hand-picked by Nicole. The cocktail can currently be tasted at Santo Arcadia.   

A Multi-Generational Travel Destination

Back to Top of List

Offering bucket list experiences, outdoor adventure for any skill type, and golf excursions for any age, Greater Phoenix is the perfect destination for multi-generational travel. 

Several museums in Phoenix cater to a multi-generational travel dynamic. The largest of its kind, the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) includes a mesmerizing display of musical instruments and is perhaps the most educational museum in the Phoenix area. Over 15,000 instruments from 200 countries garner the walls of the museum in an endless display of musical history. For the kids, MIM has an experience gallery where kids and their families can play some of the instruments on view in the museum. For adults and concert lovers, MIM also boasts an acoustically superb theater that hosts over two hundred concerts a year.  

Desert Botanical Garden is a great way for the entire family to enjoy the outdoors with a mesmerizing display of 50,000 desert plants that are nestled amongst the red Papago Buttes, featuring vibrant wildflowers, Sonoran-desert specific plants, world-class art exhibits, and educational classes that feature the Garden’s knowledge and conservation efforts.  The Garden is fully wheelchair accessible with most trails being stroller accessible. Scooters are also available for rent. 

When family-friendly meets luxury, Phoenix presents the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. The resort offers an on-site spa, championship golf at Wildfire Golf Club, five pools, a lazy river, two new restaurant concepts, 17 world-class pickleball courts, a renovated wellness area, and the recently reimagined AquaRidge Waterpark. Celebrity Chef Angelo Sosa opened Kembara and Tía Carmen at this resort, bringing a stark contrast between the two concepts that make for a dynamic experience for resort dining. Kembara has a dark, neon ambiance that resembles the Asian street food culture that its menu pays homage to. Tía Carmen exudes a bright, warm ambiance that welcomes guests into tía’s kitchen while also celebrating the local landscape, farmers, and community of the Southwest. 

On top of the several top-rated golf courses in Greater Phoenix like Troon North Golf Club at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale or Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’s TPC Scottsdale, the whole family can join in on the golfing fun with mini golf courses like Puttshack, Popstroke, or the golfing simulator from Bushwood Sims at W Scottsdale

Some other outings for the whole family include Phoenix’s many adventure activities. Soar above the desert in a hot air balloon ride with Hot Air Expeditions, traverse desert washes with Stellar Adventures or explore the flora and fauna on horseback with KOLI Equestrian Center

The Phoenix Bucket List

Back to Top of List

What are some of the must-see neighborhoods, restaurants, activities, and landmarks in Greater Phoenix? Check out Visit Phoenix’s curated bucket list for visitors and locals alike. 

Visit the Melrose District, a 1-mile stretch that is home to some of the best antique shops, art, dining, patio dining, and dancing. Also known as “The Curve” for its winding nature in an otherwise grided city and the “gayborhood” thanks to its high concentration of LGBTQ+ bars and rainbow flags perched outside allied businesses, this neighborhood is an absolute must for a sense of this city's pride as well as its midcentury roots. 

Grab a pizza at Pizzeria Bianco for a taste of the best pizza in the country. Started by James Beard Award Winning Chef, Chris Bianco, in 1988 and recently featured on Netflix’s “Chef’s Table,” Pizzeria Bianco is known for their artisanal pizzas made with intentionally selected ingredients from local farmers.   

Take a trip to Cosanti, an imaginative dwelling and cultural treasure located in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Dating back to the late 1950s and early 1960s, Cosanti is listed on the Arizona Registry of Historic Places and was built by Italian-born architect, urban designer, and philosopher Paolo Soleri. Including Cosanti, less than ten of Soleri’s projects have survived. Ancient concepts influenced Soleri’s thoughts on how humans can create a built world to live in that is in balance with nature. He called this idea “arcology,” a blend of architecture and ecology. Guided tours at Cosanti are currently unavailable, but guests are still welcome to visit and shop at this astounding architectural feat. Live bronze pours take place Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. during normal weather conditions. 

Catch a Spring Training Game during the spring season at one of the ten Cactus League stadiums around the Greater Phoenix area. Phoenix is one of two destinations in the U.S. that holds a Spring Training season hosting 15 Major League Baseball teams like the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers, and more. 

Go tubing on the Lower Salt River for the serene desert views. Tubers might even catch a glimpse of the wild horses that roam the area or a bald eagle soaring above them. 

Phoenix’s Coloring Book: The Arts and Culture of Phoenix

Back to Top of List

On the first Friday of every month, downtown Phoenix's Roosevelt Row comes alive with live painting, music and cultural performances as well as vendors and pop-up art installations. Indulge the senses and get a glimpse of Phoenix's nationally recognized Art Walk. Restaurants and museums also take part in the celebration of art by hosting galleries and offering free admission to experience the exhibits, including the ones inside the Phoenix Art Museum. The Phoenix Art Museum displays modern and contemporary art, photography, fashion design and more. The museum is the largest of its kind in the Southwest and has over 25,000 pieces of art spanning various time periods, genres and cultures. Any day of the month, Phoenix has a vibrant and diverse arts and culture scene that extends far beyond the picturesque murals of Roosevelt Row. Such hotels as FOUND:RE Phoenix and Cambria Downtown Phoenix Convention Center have integrated murals and installations by local artists as a part of their identity.  

The city is also home to a wide variety of performing arts groups and venues. The Black Theatre Troupe (BTT) has a mission of educating and entertaining a diverse community, with an emphasis on people of color. The BTT was established amid the racial tensions of the 1970s and today serves to enlighten Phoenix communities with shows that highlight African American experience and culture. The Herberger Theater Center is a leading force in cultivating the growth of the performing arts scene in Phoenix. This performance and arts venue has contributed to the cultural and educational development of the city with vibrant performances, diverse art experiences and the ability to connect others to art. 

There are also many places around Phoenix to catch the hottest nationally touring and local artists.  In the downtown area there are eccentric smaller venues such as Valley Bar, Crescent Ballroom, and the Van Buren that host musicians, comedians and other various performers. The city also hosts fun and exciting music festivals such as the charitable M3F Festival, featuring a melting pot of genres and performers. The city also hosts fun and exciting music festivals such as the charitable M3F Festival, featuring a melting pot of genres and performers. The returning VIVA PHX festival, bringing in a mix of musical acts while integrating the culture and cuisine of Phoenix. 

Championship Valley: A Dream Destination for Sports Tourism

Back to Top of List

With Super Bowl LVII recently hosted for the third time in Phoenix, alongside a robust lineup of annual sporting events and local professional teams, the excitement for sports in the area is set for years to come. Cherished local traditions such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open and Cactus League Spring Training attract visitors from across the globe for multiple weeks in the Spring.  In the Fall, Phoenix hosts other marquee sporting events such as the NASCAR Championship Weekend, the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, and the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale collector car auction. Fitting to the Championship Valley moniker, the Greater Phoenix area has previously hosted the Super Bowl, NCAA Men’s Final Four, and WNBA All-Star game with the 2026 NCAA Women’s Final Four and the 2027 NBA All-Star Game.  

Phoenix is also building on its abundance of sporting activities available for visitors. Golfing enthusiasts in Phoenix are indulged in lush resort courses that are designed by some of the legends of the game. The Wildfire Golf Club at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa is a true golf getaway featuring the Nick Faldo championship course with large greens and over 100 bunkers.  A cohesive 18-hole course showcasing the unique beauty of the Sonoran Desert, The Phoenician Golf Course is designed to provide a natural rhythm and flow. The course plays to a par 71 and offers four sets of tees, ranging from 4,575 yards from the forward tees to 6,518 yards from the players’ tees.  

Greater Phoenix is home to several major professional sports teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks who are fresh off their 2023 National League Championship. In the fall, the Arizona Cardinals take the field at State Farm Stadium, and the Phoenix Suns start their 57th NBA season at the recently renovated Footprint Center. Also at the Footprint Center are the Phoenix Mercury, the three-time WNBA champions. The 2023 USL Champions Phoenix Rising FC play their home games at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium.  

There are also several sports attractions available for fans to enjoy between games and events. Families visiting the Greater Phoenix area can enjoy go-karting at the new Andretti Karting Center, see the historic car collection at the Penske Racing Museum, or ride high- speed ATVs through the Sonoran Desert with Stellar Adventures. Adult visitors can enjoy sports books such as the DraftKings Sportsbook at TPC Scottsdale featuring 2,700 square feet of video screens, a beautiful outdoor patio, VIP cabanas, fire pits, and more. Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Field  is a multi-level facility that is ideal for pregame bets before Arizona Diamondbacks games or visit the 17,000 square foot BetMGM Sportsbook at State Farm Stadium while attending Arizona Cardinals games and concerts at the facility.  

An Educational Playground

Back to Top of List

Phoenix is a destination where visitors can leave with a greater appreciation for culture, history, and science. Several attractions within the city are not only unique and exciting for visitors, but also educational and notable for their cultural and historical significance. 

The Arizona Boardwalk is a multi-purpose entertainment complex that includes the OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, and several other exhilarating attractions suited for the whole family. OdySea Aquarium is a 200 square foot, scientific journey that is home to over 6,000 sea animals including over 300 distinct species spread amongst 70 exhibits. Butterfly Wonderland is the largest butterfly conservatory in the country and is also home to many other majestic animals to watch such as rainforest birds and reptiles. A Phoenix staple since 1962, the Phoenix Zoo is a 125-acre facility dedicated to the preservation and education of exotic wildlife.  The zoo offers unparalleled experiences and tours that allow guests to get up close and personal with the animals, whilst learning about their backgrounds, habitats, and more. The zoo features over 3,000 animals such as Asian elephants, Sumatran tigers, and Komodo dragons whilst also featuring outdoor cafes, shops, gardens and interactive animal encounters.  

A historical location for visitors to see is the S’edav Va’aki Museum, where visitors can explore a 2/3-mile outdoor trail featuring a prehistoric va’aki, replica native houses, art, and other indigenous archeology. 

There are several other attractions in Greater Phoenix that provide an exciting activity and educational experience. The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is an excellent place for the entire family to enjoy interactive games and special activities, with over 48,000 square feet of space dedicated to stimulating creativity, exploration, and learning amongst young visitors. Visitors can also learn more about the history of our emergency first responders at the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting, where they showcase one of the world's largest collections of firefighting equipment and memorabilia. Guests can also learn more about Arizona’s state significance at both the Arizona Capitol Museum and the Arizona Museum of Natural History.