Top 7 Day Trips from Phoenix, Arizona

4 min readAug 28, 2018

To be completely honest, spending a whole month in Arizona’s capital wouldn’t be enough to experience everything it has to offer. You must keep in mind that this is a large and very diverse city, which can make planning for day trips from Phoenix could be a little be tricky.

So, now the important questions come in. Where to go? What to see? How do you get there? How can you make the most of your time? In this article, we will do our best to answer these questions for you.

There will be some overlap in this itinerary, but we will try to give you all the important things you should not miss. Whether you are visiting Phoenix only for a day with your friends or a solo traveler, you are certain to have an exciting experience that will make you discover the city’s history and lifestyle.

Is one day enough for Phoenix?

So, is sparing a day to explore Phoenix enough? Of course, not! However, you can surely make the most of it. Stuffing all the best places to go and best things to do in one day would certainly not be enough! However, not getting to truly experience the beauty the place has to offer doesn’t mean you are not going to have fun on a day trip. Adding 4 to 5 attractions in your itinerary would be enough for you to truly enjoy your day.

How to make the most of your day trip?

To truly enjoy your Phoenix experience, you must try to visit the attractions at the right time to avoid the heavy flow of tourists. It is also best to plan your trip accordingly and know the distance between each destination to know which ones to do first. If you are not traveling alone, ask your companions about their interests and preferences to make sure that all of you are going to have fun on your trip.

Attractions in Phoenix

The biggest city in Arizona and the 9th biggest city in the United States, Phoenix is in the Salt River valley in a dry river basin called The Valley of the Sun. As mentioned earlier, this place has a lot to offer. But don’t be afraid to get out of the city and check out some amazing options for day trips from Phoenix. Below are some of the most top-rated attractions you can visit from Phoenix. Check them out and see which ones best suit your interests.

1. The Grand Canyon

One of the most popular attractions in North America, The Grand Canyon, is in Arizona. Coming from Phoenix, you can take a full-day trip by car to this famous attraction. But even though it is a long drive, you will surely enjoy the trip as it offers scenic views along the way.

The best route to take if you are in for some scenic road trip to the Grand Canyon is the Highway 17, having a brief stopover at Highway 179 to 89A where you can see Sedona’s red rock scenery. After that, you can drive through picturesque Oak Creek Canyon going to Flagstaff. You must be aware, though, that the Oak Creek part is quite steep and narrow paved street, with switchbacks. It gets super busy during weekends and holidays seasons.

2. Saguaro National Park, Tucson

Looking for some adventures? Well, if you are a hiker or just someone, anyone who loves the desert scenery, then you will surely be going to love the idea of visiting Saguaro National Park, close to Tucson.

Approximately 2-hour trip from the city of Phoenix, you will have scenic trips to the park, which offers gorgeous views up the cactus-filled slopes. You can also find hiking paths that offer an opportunity to enjoy the desert’s tranquility and meet some of nature and foliage up close and personal.

Going to the eastern part of Tucson, located in the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro, which have a cemented road and some easy hiking trails. Going to the western part of Tucson, you will find the park’s Tucson Mountain District. It also features the beautiful scenery of the Sonoran Desert, which is a more primitive loop of dirt road, and quick and easy hiking trails. Not too far is Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum that is also a great stop on the way.