Arizona First Time Visitor's Guide
Updated: Jul 6
Let me be your digital tour guide where I can help you scout out the best activities and places to visit around the Valley, offering great recommendations of the local hidden places. Rest assured, I will make sure you have a top-notch experience and only the best Arizona has to offer.
Read this blog for 8 must-do, must-see experiences in the Phoenix area.
Photo Credit: Raychel Sanner
1. Arizona Boardwalk
Voted Arizona's #1 Best Family Entertainment for many years in a row, the Arizona Boardwalk has it all. Located in Scottsdale, you can spend the whole day here at the attractions and it's definitely a fun activity to entertain your guests of all ages. Here's what they have to offer:
ODYSEA AQUARIUM
BUTTERFLY WONDERLAND
UFO EXPERIENCE
RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT
LASER + MIRROR MAZE
MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS
PANGAEA LAND OF THE DINOSAURS AND CYBER QUEST
Videos capturing my FULL experience of Odysea Aquarium and Butterfly Wonderland are hyperlinked and shown on my Instagram, so you'll want to give me a follow to access that content @azfomo :-)
2. Sporting Events
Many people travel to attend Arizona's very popular sporting events, from the electric atmosphere of an Arizona Cardinals NFL game to the thrilling matchups of the Phoenix Suns in the NBA offers an unforgettable experience for any sports enthusiast (or, if you're like me, you can just go for the vibes).
Photo Credit: Dave Adamson
Arizona Cardinals - NFL Football
September thru January
Home Stadium: State Farm Stadium, Glendale
Phoenix Suns - NBA Basketball
October Thru April
Home Stadium: Footprint Center, Downtown Phoenix
Arizona Diamondbacks - MLB Baseball
March Thru October
Home Stadium: Chase Field, Phoenix
Arizona Coyotes - NHL Hockey
October Thru April
Home Stadium: Mullet Arena, Tempe
3. Farmer's Markets
Here in AZ, we love to support & shop local! Farmer's markets are a great Saturday morning/afternoon activity to go grab some hand-crafted coffee or fresh pressed juice while you get some organic produce and check out local vendor products. Below I have listed many farmer's markets that are open weekly even, so you don't have to wait around for the season to start. They'll be there waiting!
Photo Credit: Judy Beth Morris
Click here to see a fun vlog I filmed of my day at the Uptown Phoenix Farmer's Market and thrifting at pop-ups!
These markets are open every Saturday, ALL-YEAR long, rain or shine:
Uptown Phoenix Farmer's Market
Gilbert Farmer's Market
Downtown Phoenix Farmer's Market
This market is seasonal:
Downtown Chandler Farmer's Market
Saturdays, October thru May
This is an Arizonian's fan favorite:
First Fridays, Downtown Phoenix
On the FIRST FRIDAY of every month
Food trucks, art walk, live music & more vendors
4. Take A Hike
"But it's okay because it's a dry heat!" nervously laughs Okay, but seriously, the best (safe) months for hiking are October thru April. You don't want to hike if it's over 80 degrees F, trust me. Plus, the city of Phoenix banned any and all hikes with your dog once it's 100 degrees F. It's recommended to go hiking in the early morning (our sunrises are arguably one of the best) or closer to evening time to avoid high temperatures.
There is so much beauty in the desert, and it's not so flat and boring like they say! Hikes can be a great activity for exercising and rejuvenating your mind. Check out these pretty awesome trails near Phoenix. I have an even more impressive list if you're willing to drive some. I will be posting a blog for roadtrips and some amazing scenery soon.
I recommend using the mobile app AllTrails (not sponsored) to find the best hikes near you and even have an offline map while you hike. It's very useful!
Camelback Mountain
Oh, Camelback. This is a popular scenic hike but it is NOT for beginners. While it is only 2.6 miles roundtrip, it can be very steep (2,704 ft elevation) and very rocky. I love this hike but do not recommend doing it in the dark at all for safety reasons since there are many loose rocks. The view at the top is breathtaking!
"A" Mountain (Tempe)
Here's one practically anyone can do (but not your fur babies since dogs are not allowed, unfortunately)! Right by ASU, this short trail is paved and has stairs for safety. It has an absolutely surreal view of the city lights at the top, and I highly recommend going at sunrise or after dark for the best and most relaxing experience. Since it is paved, as long as you use a flashlight, it is perfectly safe to go up at night as do people all the time.
Hole in the Rock
This is also a cool spot for beginners. It is practically just a walk up to this spot in Papago Park, Phoenix. It's a great view and nice for photos, too. This spot can be incredibly busy with people and their dogs alike, so keep that in mind.
It's also right by the Phoenix Zoo, which is a great day activity! This zoo is "one of the largest non-profit zoos in the U.S., caring for over 3,000 animals with nearly 400 species represented, including many threatened/endangered species." - phoenixzoo.org
North Mountain, Phoenix
I love all the trails here, they all are a beautiful view and it doesn't take long to get to the top. Well, that's probably because what we call "mountains" are actually "hills." Hey, we take what we can get, okay?
There is a range from beginner to advanced trails, and I do recommend using AllTrails to find the perfect hike for you at North Mountain.
Take A...Stroll?
Walks count as exercise for the whole month..right?? Take a stroll through the beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden in Phoenix. You can enjoy the serenity of the mini waterfalls and decorative structures as well as the teagarden and teahouse. Admission is only $12 and you can take some pretty great photos here with a photographer, or, your mom.
5. Unique Tours
I had to do some deep-diving for this.. I found the most unique local tours you can take for your educational entertainment! Perfect to make a whole day out of. I've included my favorite ones first, so enjoy!
City Brew Tours Phoenix
A unique experience for beer lovers 🍻 I experienced a tour through City Brew Tours Phoenix for the first time & booked a private tour for my friends & I. Tours are offered public or private.
In this tour you will:
Learn about how beer is made & stored
Visually see and tour the manufacturing room at 1 or more breweries
Taste up to 13 different styles of beers
Learn how to identify the flavor profiles
Get intimate time to hang out with your group Full video experience & a discount code for booking shown here.
Olive Oil 101
Located at Queen Creek Olive Mill (Arizona's only operating olive mill and producers of extra virgin olive oil), you can learn so much about how olive oil is made and the health benefits of using it in your day to day life. You can also tour the estate among the olive trees in this 45-minute long class/tour. Tickets are only $8, or $12 if you want to add a glass of prosecco (which is an absolute steal!). I thought this tour was very educational and interesting when I went on it. This place is also great for a day trip. It is an hour or so outside of Phoenix, but there is a retail store, restaurant and other great events occurring throughout the year to entertain you and your guests for the day!
Taste It Tours
Calling all foodies! These walking tours are offered in Scottsdale, Phoenix or Gilbert for a 2 - 3 hour tour with 4+ stops! Plus, Trip Advisor's favorite for 10+ years..
Taste local dishes
Learn about Arizona's history
Get your steps in!
Delicious, Informative & Fun
Cerreta Candy Company Factory Tour
Cerreta's is located in Glendale, but you're going to feel like you're in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory when you get to come behind the scenes! This is such a unique tour, and for less than $15 you get to try 3-4 samples, learn about the factory and chocolate making and do a hands-on activity. This is great for kids, or if you're a chocolate lover like myself.
6. Get Pampered
It's common knowledge that it's difficult to find good beauty technicians and salons we trust. ESPECIALLY if you want to treat yourself while you're on vacation. I'm here to point you in the direction of the best local places to go get pampered between salons and resorts alike.
Photo Credit: Adrian Motroc
Herbal Nails Chandler Village
You're on your trip and you want to have a spa day and get pedicures? Your nail broke?? You FORGOT to get your nails done for your big event? Do not fear, Herbal Nails is here. I myself struggled to find a good nail salon for some time when I first moved to Arizona. It's as if I NEED my nails done just like I need my morning coffee to survive. In a nail tech, the things I value the most are (1) Quality of work & the length of time my nails will last without breaking (2) Artistic ability, the ability to replicate a design from a photo and put it on my nails.
And let me tell you, they deliver, and that's the reason why I've gone to them for over a year now. Herbal Nails are a franchise, owned separately with separate practices so you'll want to make sure you go to the Chandler location. I made a video of the time I recreated Hailey Bieber Nails and showing what an experience is like at this salon here.
I love it here so much that I was able to get you guys a discount code to use. If you mention AZFOMO, Monday thru Friday you will get a whopping 20% off! Definitely take advantage of this offer. Here's another photo of the time my mom & I visited together and got matching nails! Too cute.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
A luxury resort, spa & golf? Peaceful, sparkling pools and a 5 star restaurant and bar? What more could you possibly want on vacation, actually? This is one of the most luxurious resorts you can go to, with Arizona's touch of palm trees and sunsets. The Fairmont also has some great events around the holidays I suggest going to! This is even great for a staycation and a weekend getaway if you're an Arizona local wanting to feel like you're on vacation without even leaving the state! The Fairmont's hospitality makes for an unforgettable experience.
Castle Hot Springs
Soak in Arizona's natural hot springs within the mountains. These are not common, but are found at Castle Hot Springs resort where you can allow earth's natural minerals to rejuvenate your body. These natural hot springs, the original spas of the world, have provided relief from aches and pains for millennia with their warm, mineral-rich waters. Allow yourself to be transported away into this desert oasis as you relax your mind and body.
7. Shopping
We all agree that retail therapy is a thing, right? Indulge in Arizona's premier shopping destinations, where you can explore an array of high-end boutiques, trendy shops, and unique local stores, ensuring a satisfying shopping experience.
Scottsdale Fashion Square
This mall has it all.. "It is the largest shopping mall in the state, with approximately 2 million square feet (190,000 m2) of retail space, and is among the top 30 largest malls in the country." -wikipedia.org
You can find practically anything you are looking for here; Scottsdale Fashion Square even has your luxury brands, too, plus a great food court, restaurants and a movie theater surrounding it. This is my go-to indoor mall, especially when I am gift-shopping.
Arizona Mills
The mall that has an AQUARIUM and a LEGOLAND? Say no more! This is a great destination for indoor entertainment as you have access to many stores and food as well an IMAX theater and a new Crayola experience for the youngsters. It is conveniently located in Tempe, just 10 minutes south of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
Two Outdoor Malls You Can Drink At?
Because who doesn't want to have a little buzz while they're shopping, right? These two malls only recently got licenses to allow shoppers to have open alcoholic beverages in the outdoor mall plazas while you shop! Definitely vacay vibes.
Desert Ridge Marketplace (Phoenix)
Tempe Marketplace
8. Indoor Entertainment
I saved the best for last.. This was hard because I have sooo many good recommendations, but for the sake of this designated blog I'm only going to recommend a few. I will have other blogs posted that will be more specific with plenty of entertainment and activities. Indoor entertainment is great because you can do them no matter the time of day! Also, these especially make for some great nighttime activities.
Photo Generated With AI
Andretti Karting & Games Chandler
Even though this place just opened, it is already Chandler's ultimate entertainment attraction! You can do Andretti's famous 2-story go kart racing, laser tag, arcade games, virtual reality, bowling and so much more! This is something all age groups can have fun with!
Stand Up Live Comedy Club
Who DOESN'T need a good laugh? Located in Downtown Phoenix near CityScape, this is my favorite comedy club venue to go to! They always have great performers here as well as drinks and food served to your table which makes for a great experience.
Châm Pang Lanes
Grab a ball, and grab a bowl. Introducing the 21+ bowling alley and bar that is so aesthetic you'll want to come here just for your Instagram pictures. Happy hour is their middle name, and they have live performances, dances, drag brunch, you name it! This place is so cute but it does get very busy and lively on the weekends.
That's It For Now.
I wanted to make this blog post short & sweet, helping to summarize the best spots to start with. I have many other blog posts to come, please comment below which ones you want to see! Until then, don't get FOMO! Follow me on Instagram: @azfomo to see all of my adventures in Arizona and to find the best entertainment around! I am always up to something.
P.S. If you're coming to visit Arizona and DON'T want to plan your whole trip and spend all that time doing research, I've got a solution for you.
Hire me to plan a custom itinerary for your next trip to Arizona. I will provide a full schedule of events for your trip based on your interested and will hook you up with discount codes to save you money! Fill out this form & we'll get in touch.
If you made it this far, thank you for reading :-)
Until next time, FOMO Friends!
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