Things to do in Phoenix
The unmissables
Most booked
Phoenix: Salt River Kayaking & Wildlife Float★ 4.89 (2,857) · 2h
Top rated
Grand Canyon & Sedona Day Trip from Phoenix: Small-Group Van Tour★ 4.83 (2,580) · 13h
Best value
Phoenix Hot Air Balloon Ride: 45-60 minute flight★ 4.75 (2,164) · 4h
Recommended (7)
ATV Tour near Phoenix: Single-Rider Off-Road in Sonoran Desert★ 4.79 (1,483) · 2hUS$ 108View ›
Grand Canyon & Sedona: South Rim Van Tour from Phoenix★ 4.76 (1,441) · 11hUS$ 226View ›
Phoenix: Sonoran Desert UTV Tour with Bradshaw Trails Ride★ 4.89 (1,300) · 2hUS$ 108View ›
Phoenix: Hot Air Balloon Ride with Champagne Toast & Sunrise★ 4.85 (814) · 4hUS$ 199View ›
Ancient Ruins UTV Tour near Phoenix: Bradshaw Mountains off-road★ 4.96 (770) · 3hUS$ 150View ›
Phoenix: Hot Air Balloon Sunrise Ride Over Sonoran Desert★ 4.87 (767) · 4hUS$ 209View ›
Arizona Sonoran Desert: Guided E-Bike Tour & Scenic Trails★ 4.93 (664) · 2h–3hUS$ 145View ›Top rated (10)
Camelback Mountain tours: Summit Phoenix's highest peakYou climb 1,300 feet of elevation over three to four hours to reach the 2,707-foot summit of Camelback Mountain, the highest peak in Phoenix. Your certified guide provides all water, snacks, sunscreen and gear; the scrambling sections use hands and legs, and the view from the top spans the Sonoran Desert for fifty miles. Plan for a strenuous morning and solid fitness—that's what makes the summit possible.Is it for me?Right for hikers with solid cardiovascular fitness who want the most popular peak in Phoenix with a certified guide handling water, snacks and safety. Expect strenuous climbing and hands-on rock scrambling—that's what gets you to the 2,707-foot summit and the view that makes it worth the effort.
2-Hour Guided Hiking in Phoenix's Sonoran DesertA two-hour guided hike in the Sonoran Desert near Phoenix, Arizona, where you choose the difficulty level and a local Mad Desert Trekking guide leads you up switchbacks to views of the Valley of the Sun, Piestawa Peak and the surrounding mountain range. The guide meets you at the trailhead, provides backpacks, sunscreen, water, snacks and cold beverages after you finish, and tailors the route to your fitness level and terrain preference. Children from age 3 are welcome.Is it for me?You get a real desert hike with views and a guide's knowledge built in, without spending the whole day or carrying your own gear—the two-hour format and included water, snacks and sunscreen mean you can hike hard and still have the afternoon free.
Phoenix Sunrise & Sunset Hiking: Sonoran Desert with GuideYou hike for two hours in the Sonoran Desert at sunrise or sunset, choosing your own difficulty level. Your guide leads you to a viewpoint overlooking the Valley of the Sun and points out the landscape most visitors miss. Water, snacks, sunscreen, and cold drinks are provided, and the group stays small enough that you're not crowded.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see the Sonoran Desert at its best light without figuring out which trail to take or how to pace yourself — the guide and the small group size mean you can focus on the landscape instead of logistics.
ATV Training & Guided Desert Tour near PhoenixThis ATV training and guided tour combo near Phoenix pairs a beginner safety session on The Sidewinder test course with a full afternoon riding deep into the Sonoran Desert, through canyons and over the Bradshaw Mountains. A certified guide leads the whole day, and safety gear, water and instruction are included. The experience runs about three hours of riding after training, and riders must be 16 or older with a valid ID.Is it for me?This tour works best if you can get to the meeting point on your own or arrange a ride—the operator doesn't include hotel or airport pickup. Book an early morning departure if you want cooler temperatures and smaller group sizes; the trails are easier to navigate and the desert is more comfortable to ride in before the heat builds.
Phoenix: Bulldog Canyon Off-Road Tour & Desert WildlifeYou’ll ride deep into Bulldog Canyon’s sandy tracks with a local guide, spotting desert wildlife and rare Sonoran plants along the way. Expect quick hikes for sweeping mountain views above Phoenix, plus cold drinks included throughout your 2-3 hour adventure. It’s not just about the drive—it’s that feeling of being somewhere most people never see.
Phoenix: Musical Instrument Museum Entry Ticket & Audio GuideYou’ll wander through Phoenix’s Musical Instrument Museum with an audio guide in your own language, hearing rare sounds and stories from around the world. Try your hand at real instruments in the Experience Gallery, see pieces played by legends like Elvis and Prince, and refuel with global dishes at Café Allegro. It’s less like a museum visit and more like stepping inside music itself.
Grand Canyon South Rim Day Trip: Small Group & Route 66 StopsYou’ll ride with just a handful of travelers through Route 66 towns and wide-open desert, stand at sweeping Grand Canyon overlooks with time to wander, and browse Navajo art at Cameron Trading Post. A local guide keeps things easy—so you can focus on those moments that stick with you long after.
Sedona and Grand Canyon Full-Day Tour: Small Group of 5A 14-hour guided tour visits Sedona's Chapel of the Holy Cross and Uptown shops, then drives through Oak Creek Canyon to the Grand Canyon's South Rim for a minimum of two major viewpoints. The group stays under five passengers, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Non-U.S. residents may face an extra National Park admission fee; the operator can discuss options like annual passes after booking.Is it for me?Book this if you want both Sedona and the Grand Canyon in a single day with a driver handling the route, or choose a self-drive option if you prefer to set your own pace between stops.
Phoenix: ATV Training Session on Sidewinder Test CourseYou’ll go from nervous to confident as you tackle real desert terrain on your first Phoenix ATV training session. With a certified local guide coaching you through every twist of the Sidewinder course, you’ll pick up skills fast — and maybe surprise yourself along the way.
Phoenix: Single-Passenger ATV Rental Sonoran DesertYou pick up safety gear, get a one-hour orientation and safety briefing, then ride solo for two hours on single-passenger ATV trails through the Sonoran Desert near Phoenix. The whole outing takes three hours. You're 16+ with a valid ID, and you control the speed and route — no guide, no group, no schedule pressure beyond your two-hour window.Is it for me?Book this if you want to ride desert trails on your own schedule without a guide or group — the self-guided format means you control the pace and route, which is what makes two hours of riding feel like your own adventure instead of a tour.
Lowest price (10)
Joshua Tree self-guided audio tour: Explore at your own paceA self-guided audio tour of Joshua Tree National Park that downloads to your phone and plays commentary automatically based on your GPS location as you drive. The tour covers all major highlights—Arch Rock, Keys View at 5,185 feet overlooking the Coachella Valley, Cholla Cactus Garden, Skull Rock, Barker Dam, and lesser-known stops—with suggested itineraries for half-day, full-day, or multi-day visits. You control the pace entirely, start and stop whenever you want, and the tour works offline once downloaded; one purchase covers everyone in your vehicle and never expires.Is it for me?You'll need your own vehicle and phone to use this tour, and you start whenever you arrive at the park—there's no fixed departure time or meeting point. If you're renting a car locally or have your own transportation, this works seamlessly; if you're relying on a shuttle or arriving without a vehicle, you'll need to arrange that separately. The flexibility to pause, resume, and explore at your own pace suits travelers who want to linger at certain stops or combine the tour with their own hiking and photography without a guide's schedule dictating the day.
Phoenix Ghost Hunting Tour: Downtown History & Live InvestigationThis two-hour interactive ghost hunting tour through downtown Phoenix puts you in the investigation instead of on the sidelines. You'll use EMF detectors, dowsing rods, and spirit boxes at select stops to track paranormal activity yourself, and step inside two historic locations—Heritage Square and the city's original Catholic church—for live investigations. Unlike standard ghost tours, you ask the questions and experience the responses firsthand.Is it for me?Book this if you want to actively investigate rather than passively listen—you'll hold the ghost-hunting equipment, interpret the readings, and step inside locations where most tours only point from the street. It suits anyone curious about Phoenix's darker history and comfortable with a relaxed-paced walking tour and standing for short periods.
Phoenix: Inflatable Kayak Full-Day Rental & Desert LakesYou rent a full-size inflatable kayak with pump, paddle, and life jacket from Riverbound's Tempe location, then drive yourself to a desert lake or river section of your choice. The staff demos the setup and suggests launch spots based on what you want to see. You paddle self-guided for the day and return the gear when you're finished.Is it for me?Right for solo paddlers or small groups who want to explore Arizona's desert water at their own pace without a guide or fixed schedule. You'll need your own transportation to the launch site, and a moderate level of fitness to paddle for the day.
Saguaro Lake Kayaking & Paddleboarding: Canyon PaddleYou’ll paddle your own kayak across Saguaro Lake with just enough guidance to get started—gear included and a quick safety intro from locals who know these waters well. Expect quiet moments between canyon walls, glimpses of desert wildlife if you’re lucky, and that feeling when the heat meets cool water. It’s simple, real Arizona.Is it for me?You get paddling basics and safety tips before heading out, so you can explore the lake with confidence rather than guessing where to go.
Kayaking Saguaro Lake: 3 hours on the waterKayak or paddleboard Saguaro Lake in Arizona for 3 hours, starting with mandatory orientation covering basic paddling, water safety and the lake geography, then paddling independently through canyon and cliffside scenery. Single sit-on-top kayaks and paddleboards are available; life jacket and paddle included. Participants must be at least 10 years old, comfortable in the water, and able to manage an unguided excursion on their own.Is it for me?You paddle solo on your own route for the full 3 hours after a brief orientation, which suits anyone comfortable managing the water independently and wanting to set their own pace through the canyons—not a guided tour where someone leads the way.
Phoenix: Roosevelt Row Food Tour & 7 Tastings with Local StoriesYou’ll walk Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row with a local guide, tasting Sonoran tacos, wood-fired pizza, duck fat fries, creamy gelato, and more. Alongside street art and quirky sculptures, you’ll hear real stories behind each bite—and probably laugh more than you expect. Expect bold flavors and small surprises around every corner.
Phoenix: Centipede Desert UTV Rental & Self-Guided RideYou arrive, get fitted with safety gear, receive a safety briefing and paper map, then ride unguided through the Bradshaw Mountains for two hours on your own schedule. The whole visit takes up to three hours, includes water, and you're riding from the property itself — no shuttle, no waiting for a guide to explain what you're looking at. Book an early slot for cooler weather and fewer people on the trail.Is it for me?Right for groups up to four who want to ride at their own pace without a guide, and for anyone who'd rather explore the desert on their own schedule than follow a tour itinerary. The early morning time slots work best if you prefer cooler weather and fewer other riders on the trail.
Saguaro Lake Kayaking & Paddle Boarding Guided TourA guided kayaking and paddle boarding activity on Saguaro Lake in Arizona where you explore canyons and cliffsides under instruction from a live English-speaking guide. The outing runs about three hours and includes your choice of a sit-on-top kayak or paddleboard, life jacket, paddle, bottled water and snacks. Minimum two people required to operate.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and stays with your group throughout, so you follow the instruction and the commentary without strain. Pick this if you want someone leading the route and managing the pace rather than paddling on your own.
Lower Salt River Rafting Tour from Mesa: Wildlife & SwimmingThe Lower Salt River rafting tour is a guided flatwater raft trip departing from Mesa that floats a Class I river through the Sonoran Desert near Phoenix and Scottsdale. You paddle a little, swim when you want, and watch for wildlife—wild horses and bald eagles are regular sightings. The guide steers the boat and teaches the natural history of the area; the whole outing runs about four hours with transport included.Is it for me?Float the Lower Salt River outside Phoenix to swim alongside wild horses and spot bald eagles in their natural habitat—your guide handles the boat while you relax in this beginner-friendly desert oasis.
Apache Trail: Small Group Day Tour & Dolly Steamboat CruiseYou’ll follow the historic Apache Trail from Phoenix in a small group van, wander Goldfield Ghost Town’s dusty streets, grab a cold drink at quirky Tortilla Flat, then cruise Canyon Lake on the Dolly Steamboat — maybe spotting bighorn sheep or eagles if you’re lucky. Expect big desert skies and moments that linger longer than you’d guess.
