51 Things to Do in Phoenix, Arizona

As America’s sixth largest city, Phoenix, Arizona has a long list of great attractions to entertain you during your next visit. One of the fastest growing cities in the nation, Phoenix has entered the same league as other Southwestern cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Dallas/Houston as a convention center and tourist area. Check out these 51 things to do on your next visit to the Phoenix area.

Professional Sporting Events

1. NFL Cardinals – from August to December
2. MLB Diamondbacks – from April to September
3. NBA Suns – from October to April
4. WNBS Mercury – from June to September
5. NHL Coyotes – from September to March
6. ASU Sports via short light rail trip to Tempe – from August to April

Jobing.com Arena, home to the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes.

Rock/Pop Concerts

7. USAirways Center – major, national, and international acts
8. Ashley Furniture Homestore Pavilion – major, national, and international acts
9. Crescent Ballroom – local and regional acts
10. Blue Martini Lounge – live Jazz music, dining, and cocktails
11. The Rhythm Room – local and regional acts
12. Copper Blues – live Blues music, dining, and cocktails

US Airways Center, home of the Phoenix Suns NBA Basketball team.

Performing Arts Centers and Events

13. Phoenix Symphony – year round performances in Symphony Hall downtown
14. Arizona Opera – year round performances in Symphony Hall downtown
15. Ballet Arizona – year round performances in Symphony Hall downtown
16. Arizona Broadway Theater – major touring Broadway and Off-Broadway productions
17. ASU Gammage – theater productions through Arizona State University
18. Orpheum Theatre – stage shows and Ballet Arizona
19. Herberger Theater Arts Center – local, non-profit theater production company
20. Carnival of Illusion – Vaudeville-style magic and theatrics
21. Stand Up Live – national stand-up comedy acts

Gammage Auditorium, Arizona State University. Gammage was Frank Lloyd Wright’s last public commission.

Museums

22. Phoenix Art Museum – major national and international touring exhibits
23. Heard Museum – the art and cultures of Arizona’s Native American heritage
24. Arizona Science Center – interactive and educational exhibits from all disciplines of science
25. Sheer Art Museum – contemporary art exhibits
26. Phoenix Children’s Museum – exhibits designed by and/or geared towards children
27. Musical Instrument Museum – instruments of Native American and Hispanic background
28. Hall of Flame – national firefighters’ museum
29. Pueblo Grande – Native American museum and archeological park

The Hall of Flame Fire Museum

Art Galleries and Events

30. Artlinks First Friday – art walks on Roosevelt Row
31. Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center – Hispanic art and artifacts
32. Me the Artist – local interactive gallery
33. Circle 6 Studios – gallery featuring local artists from Phoenix and ASU

Desert West Park, Skate Park Mural

Indoor/Outdoor Recreation and Adventures

34. Dawn to Dusk Mountain Bike Race
35. Castles ~n~ Coasters – Sky Wire
36. Westworld Paintball Adventures – named Americas Best Indoor Paintball Experience!
37. Scavanger Dash – an urban adventure
38. Extreme Arizona – rentals for outdoor motorcycles, dune buggies, watercraft
39. Hang Gliding Phoenix
40. Civic Space Park – downtown municipal park
41. Octane Raceway – kart racing
42. McCormick-Stillman Railway Park – local theme park
43. Mystery Castle – local theme park
44. K1 Speed – kart racing
45. Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge – bowling at CityScape
46. Phoenix Public Market – farmers market with local goods
47. Dining and Shopping – CityScape
48. Arcadia Ice Arena – year round ice skating and hockey

Featuring “Her Secret is Patience,” a.k.a. Sky Bloom –
Civic Space Park

Nature and Wildlife

49. Phoenix Zoo
50. Desert Botanical Gardens
51. Smith Mountain Park and Preserve

Desert Botanical Garden