A One Day in Phoenix Itinerary

Looking for the perfect Phoenix one day itinerary? Look no further! As a former Phoenix resident, I know all the best things to do and places to see. This itinerary will cover both indoor and outdoor sights so that you can make the most of your time, summer or winter. Here is how to create the best one day trip in Phoenix Arizona!

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Planning a one day trip to Phoenix, but aren’t quite sure what to do? I’ve got you!

I used to live in Phoenix, Arizona and it’s hands-down one of my favorite places in the USA. The Sonoran Desert is a real treat – with tall and goofy saguaro cacti dotting the rugged hillsides and a skyline surrounded by mountains, Phoenix is certainly one of a kind.

This city has loads of outdoorsy and nature-themed activities to offer. It also is home to artsy locales, trendy eateries, and history-filled museums. There are just so many things to do in Phoenix!

This jam-packed itinerary will outline how to spend the perfect day here, You can add or swap attractions as desired. This guide will also cover when to visit, what to pack, and where to eat. And, bonus – there is a customizable map down below. Let’s dive in!

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A One Day in Phoenix Trip Itinerary

Whether you’re an Arizona native or are just passing through, you’re going to fall in love with the city of Phoenix. How could you not?! You’ll find everything from vividly-colored nature to thought-provoking public artwork to a friendly and lively culture.

Phoenix is pretty easy to navigate, and – compared to Los Angeles – is not too large to cover in a small amount of time

Since you only have one day in Phoenix, plan to hit the ground running pretty early in the morning. I promise it’s worth it! And, keep reading all the way to the end where I’ll share more helpful tips, like when to go and where to stay, as well as transportation recommendations.

I can’t wait to introduce you to one of my favorite desert cities!

1. Take a Sunrise Hike at Hole in the Rock

Hole in the Rock is one of the best places to see the sunrise in Phoenix.

Located within Papago Park, this iconic geological feature gives you views straight across the valley. It’s one of the prettiest views in the city! Not to mention, the hole itself is pretty cool.

All throughout Papago Park you will see orange and red sandstone buttes with unique shapes and corves. The buttes themselves are quite steep, but have no fear – even beginner hikers can take on Hole in the Rock.

This hike is super easy, so it can be tackled in both summer and winter. If you do go in summer though, be forewarned – there is a reason we hike at sunrise. Remember to prepare for the heat in advance and bring the proper hiking gear.

The trail is only 1/3 of a mile and for the most part doesn’t force you to do any bouldering or rock scrambling until possibly the very end. Once you climb into the hole, you will get some pretty awe-inspiring views of the surrounding areas – both within Papago Park and farther out.

To learn more about Hole in the Rock, like the exact location, hiking tips, and history, check out this post!

2. Stroll Around the Desert Botanical Garden

If you only have one day in Phoenix, you can’t miss the Desert Botanical Garden. This carefully curated attraction features the most interesting and intense plants from the Sonoran Desert – and beyond!

You’ll get to see various types of cacti, like chollas and saguaros and prickly pears – which of course is my personal favorite display. But also, you will get to explore the colorful Butterfly Pavilion and artwork within the garden trails.

Bonus, the Desert Botanical Garden is within Papago Park, too, just a short drive from Hole in the Rock. Papago Park reminds me a bit of Balboa Park in San Diego, featuring all kinds of different attractions in one place. Don’t skip it!

3. Grab a Bite at Gertrude’s or the Patio Cafe

By now, you’ve got to be hungry – and guess what. You’re in a great brunch spot.

Check out these two eateries located right on the Desert Botanical Garden grounds – Gertrude’s or the Patio Cafe.

We’re not just going here out of convenience, no. Both of these options have delicious highlights that will cater to even picky eaters or specific diets. Try the Prickly Pear iced tea at the Patio Cafe if you want to become one with the desert. Or, the Huevos Ranchers at Gertrudes.

Note that the outdoor Patio Cafe closes in the summer months due to the heat, but Gertrudes is indoors and open year round.

4. Museums a la carte

Let’s continue your one day tour of Phoenix indoors.

Phoenix is home to some pretty interesting museums located around the city. Depending on your personal interest, you might consider one of the following:

• The Phoenix Art Museum for both traditional and contemporary art.
• The Ceramics Research Center at ASU (Arizona State University).
• The Heard Museum which features over 3,000 pieces of American Indian Art.
• The Arizona Science Center is a great option if you’re visiting with children.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but these four museums cover an array of in-depth topics for you to dive into!

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5. Visit the Japanese Friendship Garden

This easy stop is not very robust, but that’s exactly why we are positioning it midday. In the summer, consider it a shorter stroll, and in winter you can enjoy a longer visit.

The Japanese Friendship Garden is a joint project between the City of Phoenix and it’s Sister City of Himeji, Japan. All of the sculptures and lanterns that you see throughout the garden are gifts from the City of Himeji and its citizens.

Learn more about the Garden and partnership below:

The entrance fee is $10 for adults and $7 for children. Children ages 5 and under are Free.

6. Grab a Quick Lunch at Pita Jungle or Green

When I lived in Arizona, two of my favorite lunch spots were Pita Jungle and Green. Nowadays, whenever I’m back in town, I make sure to hit up both of these spots.

Pita Jungle is a delicious and healthy Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. They dole out huge falafel wraps, tasty Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus, wood-fired pizzas, and much much more. With reasonable prices and a trendy interior, this is a cool place to eat.

Green New American Vegetarian (sorry, non-veggies!) is ahhhh-mazing. I used to take my non-veg friends here and it has gotten rave reviews so – take from that what you will. Here you will find everything from Jamaican-inspired salads to vegan chili fries to Indian samosas.

Just writing about these two spots has me eager to return. Let me know if you try them!

7. Tackle the Iconic Camelback Mountain

Confession time. The first time I climbed Camelback Mountain, it was mid-July and I had just moved to Phoenix. I didn’t leave early enough and it was brutal. More than I’d ever expected.

By this point in your Phoenix one day itinerary, it will be midday. So, if you are visiting during the summer months, I recommend you swap Camelback Mountain for another indoor museum or a swim in your hotel pool, instead.

But, if you are here outside of the summer, than you have got to hike this mountain. It is one of those iconic hikes that everyone who lives here has tried!

Camelback Mountain gets it’s name from the shape of the peaks, which – you guessed it – look like a camel’s back. The summit gives you an excellent panoramic view of the city.

Hikers have two trail options, either Echo Canyon or Cholla. Echo Canyon Trail is 2.5 miles and very steep. Cholla Trail is longer at 3 miles, but less steep. Pick your poison.

Side note, I’ve personally witnessed search and rescues here due to heat exhaustion, so be smart! Check out my desert hiking safety rules before you attempt it. If you have to skip this one due to the heat, don’t worry. I have a treat for sunset later.

8. Check Out Street Murals on Roosevelt Row

Next, we’re heading downtown for some fun and colorful street art. Roosevelt Row is a small artistic community within downtown Phoenix that is nothing short of vibrant.

This area is home to so many creative places , like boutique shops, unique eateries, and loud, live bands. But in my opinion, the highlight is the street art.

Up and down Roosevelt Road, as well as tucked into many of the side streets, you will find colorful murals painted on all manner of buildings. The themes, colors, and styles are all across the board, from cartoonish to realistic to surreal.

These are just some of the ones I found on my last visit, but I swear – each time I go I see something new.

9. Watch the Sunset at Dobbins Lookout

Dobbins Lookout is located within the South Mountain Park and Preserve, a huge stretch of natural desert land just outside of the city.

Dobbins Lookout is an observation point that stands over 2,000 feet elevation, towering above the Phoenix skyline. To do your Phoenix day trip justice, you have got to witness a sunset here. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. These views are solid gold.

You can drive all the way to the top of the mountain and park on site, where you’ll find a few stone structures to sit in as well as a telescope looking out into the distance.

Alternatively, if you have any energy left, you could choose to hike there. Take Holbert Trail to Dobbins Lookout, which treks you through desert landscapes and dry brush to the epic viewpoint.

However you choose to get there, you’ll be rewarded with fiery views over the entire valley. And did I mention, Phoenix sunsets are incredible. I don’t know why this is, but Arizona’s sunsets are always the most vibrant pinks and fiery oranges imaginable. Truly, the best I’ve seen.

Bonus note – South Mountain Park and Preserve also happens to be one of the best places to see saguaro cacti in Phoenix.

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10. Have a Wild Night on Mill Ave.

I’m gonna come right out an say it – Mill Ave is not for me. But, if you’re here for one day and are looking for a party, then this just might be the place for you.

A short walk from ASU’s campus, this is where the college crowd hangs. The street features endless bars and restaurants, so you could easily spend the night bar-hopping to your heart’s content.

Be safe and plan ahead though – if you’ve been driving all day, you may want to leave your car at your hotel and Uber here to avoid any trouble later!

Your Phoenix Itinerary Map

If you want ot customize the stops or edit anything in or out, I’ve got you.

Simply click the map below to open the route in a new window. There you can add, remove, or rearrange as you desire. Enjoy!

What to Pack for One Day in Phoenix

Even when you’re in modern parts of downtown, you cant forget that Phoenix is a desert.

Because of that, and because we’ve tackled a number of outdoor activities on our itinerary, I’m going to list out some desert-type suggestions on what to pack and wear.

1. The top priority should be proper footwear. The trails we’ve mentioned here are quite rocky and rough in spots! Check out my favorite trekking sandals of all time, which have traveled six continents with me and are still going strong.
2. If you visit Phoenix in the summer and plan to do all of the hiking, you should really consider a  CamelBak hydration pack. These are handy year round, depending on how often you hike of course!
3. If you want to get to Hole in the Rock’s lookout before sunrise, bring a headlamp. If you go after first light, you should be okay without it.
4. Pack loose and breathable clothing like sheer kimonos and flowy tanks. Keep a backpack in the car so you can swap out hiking gear as you wish.
5. Definitely don’t forget a wide brim hat and sunglasses. Eco friendly sunscreen is a must.
6. A crossbody bag or purse. Store your wallet, phone, and souvenirs with ease. And safety!

How to Get Around Phoenix

Okay, so here is the truth.

Phoanix actually does have reliable public transportation. The metro is clean and fast and even the bus system is reliable.

However, with only one day in Phoenix, taking the time to wait on public transortation schedules is going to waste a lot of time and cause you to cut things from your itinerary.

If you can rent a car or drive your own here, that is the best option for both time and freedom. If you can’t, then you’ll just need to adjust this list as needed and cut out the stops you can live without.

You can absolutely navigate the city using Uber, but it will get pricey!

Where to Stay in Phoenix

The best way to take advantage of a full day in Phoenix is by staying overnight. Whether the night before or the night after (or both), here are a few suggestions.

If you want to be close to Papago Park for your early morning, consider staying at SkySong. This is a newer addition since I moved away from Phoenix, and what a pleasant surprise!

If you want more of that downtown vibe, then the Fairfield Inn & Suites might be for you. it is very close to the Heard Museum, by the way.

Lastly, if you know you will be hitting Mill Ave to close out your evening, then you may want to stay within Tempe to make your trip home a breeze. One of the closest hotels you can choose is the Double Tree by Hilton. If you go during a busy season, it may be a bit pricey, but if you plan to hit the bars then it’s a good choice.

Phoenix is not an incredibly large city, so no matter where you choose it won’t be too bad. Actually, coming back t Phoenix after living in Southern California for so long makes my heart ache for easy drives and minimal traffic.

Phoenix is simply the best.

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I hope you have an incredible one day trip in Phoenix! I have a feeling that this taste of desert, culture, and artwork will have you hungry for more. And trust me – there is more to see. Way more!

Let me know below if you fall in love with Phoenix just as much as I have! Can;t wait to hear how your trip goes.

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