WHAT TO DO. WHEN TO DO IT.
Seasonal things to do in and around Phoenix, including day trips within 250 km (155 miles): explore activities, festivals and outings by season, distance and type, with sources and dates on Chronopin.
Oct 29 · Fall. Seasonal windows; check the organizer for opening hours and exact dates.
20 activities within 155 mi (250 km) of the city center · straight-line distances
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Central Phoenix· Festivals· 1.8 mi / 2.9 km from Phoenix
Thursday-through-Sunday fair with rides and concerts.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Arizona State Fairgrounds · Oct 1 – Nov 1 · until Nov 1
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Midtown Phoenix· Arts & culture· 4.5 mi / 7.2 km from Phoenix
The Southwest's largest art museum, with rotating exhibitions, fashion design, Western American art and family programs.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Phoenix Art Museum · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Papago Park· Family· 7.3 mi / 12 km from Phoenix
Trick-or-treating and Halloween animal fun.
Phoenix Zoo · Oct 28 – Oct 30 · until Oct 30
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Central Phoenix· Outdoors· 7.3 mi / 12 km from Phoenix
A steep 1.2-mile climb to a 2,610-foot summit with sweeping Valley views, popular at sunrise in the cooler months.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Piestewa Peak / Dreamy Draw Recreation Area · Oct – Apr · until Apr 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Arcadia / Paradise Valley· Outdoors· 8.2 mi / 13 km from Phoenix
Strenuous desert summit hike, sunrise to sunset.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Camelback Mountain, Echo Canyon Trailhead · Oct – Apr · until Apr 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Tempe· Sports· 8.3 mi / 13 km from Phoenix
Big 12 football in Tempe under the Sun Devil Stadium lights, with tailgating near Tempe Town Lake.
Mountain America Stadium · Sep – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Scottsdale· Arts & culture· 12 mi / 20 km from Phoenix
Tour Frank Lloyd Wright's desert winter home and architecture school, built from local stone and sand in the McDowell foothills.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Taliesin West · Oct – May · until May 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Downtown Mesa, 20 mi east· Arts & culture· 14 mi / 23 km from Phoenix
Four theaters and five art galleries host touring music, theater, dance and exhibitions through the year.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Mesa Arts Center · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· North Phoenix· Arts & culture· 17 mi / 28 km from Phoenix
Wander galleries of instruments from nearly every country, with headphones that play each one, plus a concert hall with a touring lineup.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Musical Instrument Museum · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Litchfield Park, 25 mi west· Family· 22 mi / 35 km from Phoenix
Feed giraffes, see hundreds of species and ride a safari train at an Arizona zoo that combines an aquarium and open-air park.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Wildlife World Zoo · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Apache Junction, Superstition Mountains, 40 mi east· Outdoors· 34 mi / 55 km from Phoenix
Walk desert trails at the foot of the Superstition Mountains, with wildflower blooms and big sunsets in the cooler months.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Lost Dutchman State Park · Oct – Apr · until Apr 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Coolidge, 55 mi southeast· Family· 44 mi / 71 km from Phoenix
Visit the towering Hohokam 'Great House' built in the 1300s, shielded by a modern roof, with a visitor center and short walking loop.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Superior· Outdoors· 53 mi / 86 km from Phoenix
Fall plant sale and Halloween bash at the arboretum.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum · Oct 17 – Nov 1 · until Nov 1
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Roosevelt Lake, 75 mi east· Outdoors· 57 mi / 92 km from Phoenix
Climb to 700-year-old Salado cliff dwellings above Theodore Roosevelt Lake along the Apache Trail region.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Tonto National Monument · Oct – Apr · until Apr 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Pine, 90 mi northeast· Outdoors· 70 mi / 113 km from Phoenix
Hike down to the base of one of the largest travertine bridges in the world and peer into a cool, tree-lined gorge.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Camp Verde, 95 mi north· Family· 81 mi / 131 km from Phoenix
See a Sinagua cliff dwelling about 900 years old, tucked into a limestone alcove above Beaver Creek.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Montezuma Castle National Monument · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Clarkdale, 100 mi north· Outdoors· 91 mi / 147 km from Phoenix
Explore the hilltop ruins of a Sinagua pueblo overlooking the Verde River valley, a good stop on a Verde Valley wine and history day.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Tuzigoot National Monument · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Sedona, 115 mi north· Outdoors· 105 mi / 169 km from Phoenix
Slip down natural red-rock water slides in Oak Creek and picnic under the canyon walls; the swim area is the main draw in warm months.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Slide Rock State Park · Apr – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Tucson, 115 mi southeast· Sports· 107 mi / 172 km from Phoenix
Take in a Big 12 college football Saturday on the University of Arizona campus.
Arizona Stadium · Sep – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhoenix· Tucson edge, 115 mi southeast· Outdoors· 117 mi / 188 km from Phoenix
Drive the Cactus Forest Loop and hike among giant saguaros; the cooler months are the best time to be out in the desert.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Saguaro National Park East · Oct – Apr · until Apr 30 · typical season