With its striking desert landscape, vibrant sunsets, and distinctive landmarks, Phoenix makes for postcard-worthy — or in this case Instagram grid-worthy — photos. Whether you’re capturing the urban skyline or a Sonoran wildflower bloom, Phoenix is a visual feast. Get your camera ready for these can’t-miss spots. 

Restaurants & Bars

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Carry On 

2 N. Central Ave. #101, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Step into the golden age of air travel at Carry On, a cocktail bar designed like a swanky 1970s jet airliner. Every detail — from the plush retro seating to the vintage-inspired glassware — begs for a photo op. The globally themed cocktail menu takes you on a stylish sip-around-the-world, with each drink tied to an iconic destination.

The Churchill 

901 N. 1st St. Phoenix, AZ 85004

Step into The Churchill, Phoenix’s most photo-ready courtyard oasis built from repurposed shipping containers in Roosevelt Row. The open‑air space is framed by sleek industrial-chic architecture, lush greenery, and a communal vibe that’s perfect for cool snapshots. Visit one of the local businesses that combine retail, food, and drinks with arts and music in an ever-changing mix.

Théa at The Global Ambassador Hotel 

4360 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018

Step into Théa, the chic rooftop sanctuary atop The Global Ambassador Hotel. With sweeping Camelback Mountain vistas, sun‑warmed Mediterranean décor, plush lounges, and a vibrant DJ pulse, it’s pure photo‑worthy ambiance. Share colorful mezze platters and sip handcrafted cocktails or one of the U.S.’s largest rosé collections designed for capturing every moment at sunset.

Bacanora 

1301 NW Grand Ave, Unit 1 Phoenix, AZ 85007

Step into Bacanora, the Grand Avenue spot from James Beard Award–winning chef Rene Andrade. This homey space filled with warm vibes and moody lighting oozes with desert cool. The bar backdrop of stacked bottles and hanging greenery sets the scene, while cocktails like Cantarito and Paloma add flavor and flair, perfect for sharing alongside wood‑fired Sonoran dishes that give you a taste of home.

The Great Outdoors

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Papago Park

625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008

The distinctive red butte formations of Papago Park make for incredible views (and photos) of the mountains and Phoenix skyline, especially at sunset. Take the Hole-in-the-Rock Trail to a sandstone chamber where you can savor the view of the city and snap as many pictures as you like. 

Desert Botanical Garden 

1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008

The Desert Botanical Garden is a nature photographer’s paradise, featuring over 50,000 desert plants across five scenic trails that showcase stunning desert landscapes, wildflowers, and the rich connection between plants and people.

Lost Dutchman State Park 

6109 N. Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85219

Tucked into the Superstition Mountains 40 miles east of downtown Phoenix, Lost Dutchman offers a variety of hiking trails, campsites, and picnic ramadas and makes for incredible views of the towering Superstitions, a sea of saguaro cacti, and blooming wildflowers in the spring.

Japanese Friendship Garden 

1125 N. 3rd Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003

Phoenix’s Japanese Friendship Garden may only be a petite 3.5 acres, but it packs a ton of serene photo opportunities into its winding paths. It features a tea garden, tea house, koi pond, 12-foot waterfall, stone footbridges, and more than 50 plant varieties.

Architecture & Culture

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Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West

12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259

Iconic architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence can be seen throughout Phoenix, but nowhere is it more present than his winter home and desert laboratory, Taliesin West. Part experiment, part art project, part ode to the Sonoran Desert, the house is a mid-century marvel. For architecture aficionados, check out our full list of Wright’s designs around Phoenix. 

Marlen Grove Neighborhood

Between 10th and 11th Street from Bethany Home to Montebello Road

Wander through master architect Ralph Haver’s “Haverhood,” marked by the homes’ original low-sloped roofs, block construction, and more contemporary funky design features and pops of color. Explore more of Phoenix’s mid-century neighborhoods.

Arizona Biltmore

2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85016

The Arizona Biltmore is a glamorous, art deco oasis in the desert. Whether you’re lounging at the pool, admiring the lush gardens and striking 1920s architecture, or enjoying a cocktail at the gilded Wright Bar, your Instagram photos will take you back to Hollywood’s Golden Age. 

Wonderspaces Arizona

7014 E. Camelback Rd., Ste. 584, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Wonderspaces in Scottsdale was basically built to be photographed. It’s a modern-day museum with an ever-evolving slate of immersive and interactive art installations, plus a full bar, offering endless Instagrammable moments. 

The Scott Resort & Spa

4925 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251

You’ll find people snapping pictures all over The Scott, a greenery-filled, Mission-inspired boutique hotel that brings together the vibrancy of old Havana with the coolness of New Orleans. Lounge by the lagoon pool or grab a drink at their playful, Caribbean-style restaurant, The Canal Club.

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