This was my first time in Arizona, and boy was it wonderful! The layout of the city of Phoenix is carefully curated and beautiful. Who knew the United States had such nature-driven, diverse cities? As a girl who grew up on the east cost, the terrain and climate of Phoenix shocked me. I was like a little kid on Christmas morning when I saw a cactus for the first time, and little did I know that I would see thousands of different types of cacti everywhere in Phoenix. Everything is easily accessible by car, and it is a massive city with tons of things to do. I am an outdoor adventure lover, and mostly every hike and outdoor activity was free! I visited a friend who has lived his whole life in Phoenix, so he really knows the cheap, niche things to do there. I will impart his wisdom with you all, because this trip barely cost me anything (besides the flight). Keep reading for tips on how to maximize your time in this extraordinary city.
Travel Tips
My flight was in early June, and cost ~$200 from PIT –> PHX with one stop in between. I took a red eye on the way home and booked a month in advance for reference. I think that is a dang good price to fly across the country for four days. The red eye was definitely worth it. Tip: go on an incognito browser and search google flights to find the cheapest flights.
You will definitely need a car in Phoenix. The city is huge and spaced out. Thankfully, my friend has a car but if you aren’t visiting a friend or know anyone with a car you can use, I’d recommend renting one.
I stayed at my friend’s house in Phoenix, but if you are renting an airbnb or looking into a hotel, I’d recommend the Old Town Scottsdale area. There are tons of bars and aesthetic restaurants, and I felt very safe when we were walking around there.
Activity Tips
For once, it felt so good to have someone else plan everything. My friend’s knowledge of the fun things to do in Phoenix was astounding. I’m so grateful that he grew up in Phoenix because he really knows the non-touristy, adventurous things to do that don’t cost anything.
It can be overwhelming trying to choose a hike to go on since there are so many to choose from, but my friend chose Tom’s Thumb for us and I think it was a great choice. Warning: this hike is 4 miles total and although that seems easy, the first 1.5 miles are basically straight uphill. The elevation gain and intense 100 degree heat had my heart rate at 200 BPM for a good while. But after that difficult first 1.5 miles, it was fun. I had never seen mountainous, uninhabited terrain like it before, and the desert vibes were unmatched. The view from the top is insane too. I’d recommend doing this hike first thing in the morning when it isn’t too hot, and don’t do it if you’re already tired from other hikes. You definitely gotta have fresh legs to successfully complete this one.
Walk around Scottsdale Old Town and Roosevelt Street Arts District. The Old Town in Scottsdale is scattered with Native American jewelry shops, line dancing in Saloon bars, and funky restaurants. It is a great place to spend a night because there is a lot to take in and the western aesthetic is unique. We got dinner in the Roosevelt Street Arts District one night and I was delighted to find adorable coffee shops and bookstores promoting local artists. It is a very walkable area, and the street art on every corner adds to its appeal. It is very hipster, much like most places in Phoenix, and I enjoyed walking around very much.
Another free activity is to go to the rope swing in Needle Rock River. This river oasis was completely unexpected and crazy exhilarating. The rope swing and fallen trees are super fun to jump off of into the river. The water is a beautiful greenish clear, but the current is intense so be careful. We went on a Monday morning and were the only two people there. Also, the water is freezing, but on a 107 degree day it felt pretty darn good!
Go view sunset at Dobbins Lookout one night. You drive up this insanely gorgeous mountain to get to a lookout point where all of Phoenix sprawls underneath. Ideal golden-hour photo ops. Tip: the drive is free but the gates close ~7 pm so make sure you get up there before then! One thing about Arizona that really surprised me was how early the sun sets, even in the summer!
This last activity isn’t accessible for everyone, but I had to share because it’s so darn cool. My friend’s dad is a search and rescue pilot in Phoenix, and he surprised me with a trip in the helicopter at sunset. Safe to say I’ll never do anything like this again in my life and it was an experience I will never ever ever forget. The sharp ridged canyons and golden-hour mountain silhouettes held such grand beauty that I felt teary-eyed in the air. Phoenix seems even bigger when looking through a bird’s eye view.
We also camped in Sedona for a day, but I wrote a whole other article on that place because it was insanely beautiful and I have a lot to say about it. Check out Gracie’s Guide To A Day Trip In Sedona, Arizona ( On A Budget ).
Food Tips
Nami’s vegan ice cream. I got Clunky Monkey which had banana, pecans, banana syrup and chocolate syrup. It cost ~$6 which seems like a lot for ice cream and it kind of is but this was worth it because it was seriously delicious. I don’t even have a dairy intolerance and I still really enjoyed it. The vibes inside and outside are great too.
Next is JoJo’s Breakfast Restaurant in Scottsdale Old Town. The aesthetic in this restaurant is chill and serene which I loved. They have super cool coffee flights where you can test out 5 different coffees to see which you like best. I got the breakfast tacos for $13, and they SMACKED. Literally so good. I talked to everyone else and it seemed like mine was the best, so get them if you go there. Yes this place is a bit pricey, but I thought it was super delicious.
Taco Chelo in the Roosevelt Arts District. This was our second taco choice after Two Hippies Beach House was closed on Mondays, but I still really enjoyed it. They have mini quesadillas that you can order which is a fun idea, but I ended up getting the fish taco and carnitas taco for ~$7 total. Tip: get extra green salsa, it was soooo delicious. I preferred the carnitas taco, but both were yummy.
In-N-Out. Duh. If you aren’t from out west, you gotta go here at least once. It is an iconic symbol of the west coast, one that I was always curious to try. The burger that I had was delicious. Tip: They call the special sauce ‘spread,’ so ask for more of that because it is soooo good.
Ah, Arizona. So different than any place I’ve every visited. Dare I say I am a west coast gal now? Phoenix has so many fun, cheap things to do. Go visit if you love the outdoors and want to see a different part of the world. I stayed for four days and I believe that is a great amount of time to explore this wonderful city. Shoutout to my friend who showed me everything so that I can share it with you all! But beware if you aren’t from a hot climate: the heat will get to you, but if I can persevere, so can you! Bring water, a hat, & sunscreen with you wherever you go and you’ll be just fine.
xx Gracie
Check out my other travel blogs if you enjoyed this one:
Gracie’s Guide To Asheville, North Carolina (On A Budget)
Gracie’s Guide To Salzburg And Innsbruck, Austria (On A Budget)
