Fun Things to Do in the Valley

Here are some of our favorite must-do things:

Heard Museum

Every major city, and most minor ones, have museums. The Heard Museum is unique, however, not only in the exhibits that are displayed, but the style and grace with which it displays them. I never tire of visiting the Heard Museum, with its more than 32,000 pieces of cultural and fine art. There are permanent exhibits, like the famous Barry Goldwater collection of Kachina Dolls, as well as special exhibit year-round. Some of the special annual events include the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest which is held each February, and the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market each March. There's a METRO light rail station nearby.

Chase Field

Chase Field was the first baseball facility in the world to combine a retractable roof, air conditioning, and a natural turf field. Chase Field's retractable roof can be closed in less than 5 minutes, in case we get one of those rare days of inclement weather. If you are a baseball fan, a visit to this state-of-art facility will be a special treat. There are also trade show, religious events and concerts held at Chase Field. If you aren't that interested in going to a game, or when isn't scheduled when you'll be in town, you can still see it. Just go to lunch or dinner at Friday's Front Row Sports Grill. It is located in the left-field corner of the Ballpark. Friday's Front Row is open 363 days a year. If the Arizona Diamondbacks are playing that day, you have to call them to buy tickets to eat there. Fifty percent of the ticket price is credited to your food and beverage bill. Chase Field is located in downtown Phoenix. There's a METRO light rail station nearby.

Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden has one of the world’s finest collections of desert plants. It is one of only 44 botanical gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums. At the Desert Botanical Garden you will find 50 acres of beautiful outdoor exhibits. Home to 139 rare, threatened and endangered plant species from around the world, there is no finer place to enjoy desert beauty than the Desert Botanical Garden. The Garden is located in Papago Park in Central Phoenix.

Climb Piestewa Peak or Camelback Mountain

Piestewa Peak, formerly known as Squaw Peak, is part of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. The elevation of Piestewa Peak is 2,608 feet; the total elevation gain for the Summit Trail is 1,190 feet. That might not sound high, but hikers of all levels can get a great workout climbing this mountain, and get a great view of the city when they get to the top. If you decide to hike the Summit Trail, though, you won't be alone. According to the City of Phoenix. it is one of the most heavily used trails in the nation with 4,000 to 10,000 hikers per week. Dogs and bicycles are not permitted on the Summit Trail. Camelback Mountain has two major trails. Neither one is especially long, but they are considered moderate to difficult hikes. Echo Canyon is the most popular, and is steeper. Cholla Trail is not as steep, but rockier.

Scottsdale Art Walk

There are more than 100 art galleries in Scottsdale. You can enjoy Scottsdale ArtWalks every Thursday evening, year-round (except on Thanksgiving) from 7 - 9 p.m. Each week, Scottsdale Gallery Association members host special exhibits - many with artist receptions - and join together for an informal come-and-go “open house” throughout the district. Casual and eclectic, it’s a great time to visit the galleries and learn about featured artists. Several times per year, the Scottsdale Gallery Association holds Special Event ArtWalks with live music along the streets and special themed events.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

The Boyce Thompson Arboretum brings together plants from the Earth's many and varied deserts and dry lands. Approximately 3,200 different desert plants can be found within the arboretum, and most of them can be seen along the 1.5 mile main trail. During wildflower season, the Boyce Thompson Arboretum is especially beautiful, displaying all the wonderful colors of the desert. Are you a bird lover? More than 250 species of birds have been recorded at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse Rawhide has got to be the best place to take kids from back east that want to be cowboys and cowgirls. At Rawhide you can experience gunfights, stunt shows, stagecoach rides, desert train rides, enjoy the petting ranch, bull riding, gold panning, camel rides, see a working blacksmith, shop in western shops, play games, and go horseback riding. Many of the activities at Rawhide require an admission fee of between $2 and $5. There are also plenty of holiday western-themed events here. Of course, you could just go to Rawhide for the dinner and show, and leave the kids at home.

Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo is one of the younger zoos in the country. Not only is it a successful zoo, but it is a privately owned, nonprofit zoo. That means that it operates strictly without any government funding. The Phoenix Zoo is totally supported by donors and private organizations. Recognizing the important role that zoos must play, the Phoenix Zoo has been very active in wildlife conservation programs. The Phoenix Zoo is open every single day of the year, including December 25th. In the summer it is advisable to get there as early as possible, since many animals head for shade and hide during the heat of the day.

Drive Apache Trail

The Apache Trail will be one of the most memorable drives you'll ever take. Your adventure will begin in Apache Junction, about 25 miles east of downtown Phoenix. The 46 miles between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Lake provides not only the most scenic part of the trip but also the most challenging driving. Please don't close your eyes! Along the way, you'll pass (or you can stop) at the Lost Dutchman State Park, Goldfield Ghost Town, Saguaro Lake, the Canyon Lake Recreation Area, the Theodore Roosevelt Dam site, and the Tonto National Monument. The Apache Trail has been designated a USFS Scenic Byway by the U.S. Forest Service, as well as an Arizona Scenic Historic Byway. It's a great day trip! Seriously -- if you are a nervous driver or passenger, this drive might not be for you.

South Mountain Park

At over 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park and Preserve often is considered the largest municipal park in the country. There are more than 50 miles of trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. Dobbins Lookout, at 2,330 feet, is the highest point in the park accessible by trail. If you aren't into hiking, biking or riding, you can simply drive to Dobbins Point to get a fantastic view of the Valley of the Sun. It's just over 5 miles from Central Avenue to Dobbins Lookout.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West

A few miles northeast of Scottsdale, Arizona there is a living memorial to a great American architect. Nestled in the foothills of the rugged McDowell Mountains and surrounded by the spectacular Sonoran Desert lays a sprawling complex called Taliesin West. It was designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright. Taliesin West today houses The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, The Frank Lloyd Wright Memorial Foundation, and The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. To get the full impact and understanding of the project and the man, I recommend you take one of the tours.

Whether you are traveling to the Phoenix area for a vacation, relocating to Arizona, or are a native of Arizona and are just looking for something new to do this weekend, we hope you enjoy the list of 101 Things to Do in the Phoenix, Arizona Area: