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These Are the Top 10 Things to Do in Phoenix for an Unforgettable Time

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There are Many Things to Do in Phoenix

If you’re ever in Phoenix, it won’t be hard to see that there are a ton of things to do. The largest city in the Valley of the Sun has a huge population to cater to and provides venues for all kinds of entertainment. This list gives you places to start if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the choices. Let’s discuss the top 10 things to do in Phoenix.

1) Arizona Science Center

The interior of the Arizona Science Center's first floor brain exhibit.
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The Arizona Science Center‘s motto is “Never stop wondering,” so if you feel like learning, it’s the place to be. Here, they strive to inspire, engage, and educate anyone with a curious mind. On a daily basis, you can see demonstrations like “Stomach this,” “Dig it,” “Discover DNA,” or “Great Balls of Fire!” You could even dissect a seastar! This three-story center is the perfect place to bring curious children to learn about weather, geology, biology, and electricity. The Arizona Science Center is also home to the Dorrance Planetarium where new shows are scheduled daily. Check before your visit to see what new, exciting events they have planned!

2) Papago Park

The Papago mountains show red under a beautiful blue sky in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Papago Park is one of thirty-three Phoenix Points of Pride. These Points of Pride are designed to showcase the best the city has to offer, to residents and visitors alike. This 1200 acre park is known for the red sandstone formations that are between six and fifteen million years old. Hole-In-The-Rock is the most famous of these features. Be sure to keep an eye out for the desert plants (like the distinct Saguaro cactus),  while you’re enjoying activities like hiking, picnicking, bicycling, and fishing.

3) Hall of Flame Fire Museum

An old fire engine at the Hall of Flame Fire Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Also known as the National Historical Fire Foundation, the goal of this museum is to preserve the historical firefighting equipment from all eras and locations. The museum has 5 different exhibits and also features the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes Gallery. Their fully restored fire apparatus date as far back as 1725 through 1969 and come from places like England, France, Austria, Germany, and Japan.

4) Chase Field

The Arizona Diamondbacks play ball inside Chase Field in Phoenix.
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Chase Field is home to the Major League baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Opened in 1998, this field is the first in the United States to have a retractable roof that covers its natural-grass field. This is necessary, of course, because the average high temperature during baseball season is 99.1 °F! Come visit during the season and catch a game in the climate control!

5) Phoenix Zoo

The entrance sign of the Phoenix Zoo.
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Another Phoenix Point of Pride, Phoenix Zoo has been around since 1962! It’s the largest non-profit, privately owned zoo in the United States. With over 1, 400 animals and 2.5 miles of walking trails, you could definitely spend a day here. Be sure to check out each of their themed areas including The Arizona Trail, The African Trail, The Tropics Trail, and the Children’s Trail. It’s also a great place to learn about conservation.

The Phoenix Zoo hosts a lot of cool seasonal exhibits. For Halloween, they have their Howl-O-Ween event where they light up the night with spooky effects and fun games.

The Phoenix Zoo gets even cooler during Christmas with Zoo Lights: Glow Wild. There are thousands of brilliant lights that dance and perform, a live reindeer polar slide, and much more.

6) Phoenix Art Museum

The exterior sign of the Phoenix Art Museum.
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This 285,000 square foot museum is the Southwest United States’ largest museum for visual art. Here you can find over 18, 000 works of art from places all over the world, like Asia, Europe, and Latin America. There is an interactive space for kids, a photography exhibition, and a landscaped sculpture garden. The museum also hosts tours of art from around the world. Be sure to see what festivals and live performances are being hosted when you visit!

7) Desert Botanical Garden

Cacti and other beautiful plants outside at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.
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The Desert Botanical Garden was founded by the Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society in 1937. There are 140 acres of beauty, where you can find more than 21, 000 plants. A lot of these plants are even rare or endangered! As you might expect, they also have a great collection of agave and cacti. But, collections from other, far-reaching parts of the world, ensure that you’ll be learning about a variety of ecosystems! During the Christmas holiday season, the garden puts on a luminary light show called Las Noches de las Luminarias. Also, musicians and poets are known to perform here every season of the year.

8) Camelback Mountain

Phoenix's Camelback Mountain silhouetted during sunset.
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Named for its unique shape, Camelback Mountain is a view that will quickly become familiar if you visit Phoenix. Found within the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area, people often go here to explore caves, hike, or rock climb. If you’re feeling ambitious and you’ve got a few hours on your hands, take the Cholla Trail or the Echo Canyon Trail up to the peak — it’s about 1,280 feet up.

9) Heard Museum

Kachina dolls behind glass cases at the Phoenix Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art.
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The Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art hopes to educate people on the culture and heritage of native peoples, especially those from the southwest. The cool thing about this museum is that it isn’t simply history! Many of the exhibits feature contemporary art and culture. The Heard Museum has been recognized internationally for its collections and festivals, so you definitely don’t want to miss it! It is an excellent place to learn about the various ancient peoples who first inhabited Phoenix as well as the rest of Arizona.

10) South Mountain Park

South Mountain looking over the city of Phoenix.
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South Mountain Park encompasses a whopping 16, 283 acres, making it the largest municipal park in the United States! It offers 58 miles of cycling, hiking, and horseback riding trails, and is known for its breathtaking lookout points. South Mountain Park also has the distinction of having the highest density of chuckwallas ever reported. These huge lizards call South Mountain home, and if you head over for a visit, there are likely to be plenty of photo opportunities.

More Things to Do in Phoenix

There are many more exciting and interesting things to do in Phoenix. Check back with us for future guides. Also, If you know of some other cool things to do in Phoenix, let us know below in the comments.

Cheyenne Reed was born and raised in Ohio. She recently relocated to rural Wyoming to try out working at an exclusive guest ranch. She graduated from Kent State University with an English degree, and most enjoys writing about travel. If she has free time, you may run into her anywhere, because she is always itching to explore new places. Her personal motto is, "Any day can be an adventure if you make it one!"

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