How to Spend 24-Hours in Phoenix (The Ultimate One-Day Phoenix Itinerary)
How to Spend 24-Hours in Phoenix (The Ultimate One-Day Phoenix Itinerary)
Only got 24 hours to spare and want to make the best of your trip to Phoenix, Arizona? Check out this 24-hours in Phoenix Itinerary.
Phoenix is the largest US city by population, so it’s no surprise that this desert oasis has a plethora of restaurants, bars, museums, and other exciting attractions to choose from. While it is known for being a retirement hub for seniors who love golf, Phoenix is also home to one of the largest universities in the country, Arizona State (shout out to my alma mater!). With a diverse population of people of all ages, Phoenix has developed a wide range of activities to enjoy, even if you’re only visiting for a day. So, how do you narrow your options down to create a 24-hour Phoenix Itinerary? Don’t worry, I’ve already done it for you.
So, let’s dive into it
A quick note: this Phoenix itinerary was written with the idea that you’re flying into Phoenix Sky Harber International Airport and are renting a car to get around the valley. Phoenix covers more than 500 square feet of Sonoran Desert, and, in order to make the most out of your 24 hours in Phoenix, you’re going to need a quick way to get around town.
(If you’re staying in Phoenix for longer than 24 hours, then you might want to check out my 5 days in Phoenix guide where I break down all the best things to do in Phoenix for anyone who’s got two to five days to spend in town).
Plan your flight to Phoenix to land as early as possible in the morning because there is so much to see and so little time! Once you pick up your car rental, go ahead and stuff your bags in the trunk. We’re going to start our adventure immediately.
24-hours in Phoenix Itinerary— What to do
Morning
We’re going to start this Phoenix itinerary with the most important meal of the day, breakfast! From the airport, drive up to North Phoenix for breakfast at OBH, the Original Breakfast House. Here, you can enjoy reimagined American classic breakfasts like deep-fried French toast. Their food is phenomenal, and even my roommate (who is a professionally trained chef) claims their breakfast is, “The best breakfast I’ve ever tasted.”
Once you’re stuffed, head over to the Musical Instrument Museum. The MIM is the only musical history museum that focuses on musical instruments played by people every day worldwide. You can self-explore the museum, take a guided tour, enjoy a coffee at their coffee bar, or attend a concert. The average person spends about three hours at the museum and entrance fees start at $20 a ticket.
Afternoon
I recommend having lunch either at the MIM’s award-winning Café Allegro or at the Flower Child nearby. The Flower Child is a Fox Restaurant Concepts restaurant, a local Arizona brand that prides itself on making their best food even better. If you go there, I recommend the “Forbidden” Rice Bowl.
After lunch, head down to Tempe to visit the Desert Botanical Gardens. This is a gorgeous park blossoming with desert plants and there are plenty of trails to explore. The park is open year-round, but the best time of year to visit is in the spring when the desert plants are in peak blooming season. Most people plan for around two hours exploring the park and the entrance fee starts at $24.95 a person.
Evening
Old Town Scottsdale is a great place to wander in the afternoon when the hot Arizona air begins to cool. Old Town is where the first Scottsdale settlers began to build the city in 1888. Now, it’s full of art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and bars.
I recommend planning one to two hours to window shop and explore the galleries. Then, when you’ve had your fill of Scottsdale culture, try out The Cornish Pasty, Culinary Dropout, or Diego Pops for dinner.
After dinner, make your way to downtown Phoenix for your final adventure of the night. It’s time for after-dinner drinks and a bit of nightlife.
There are some great choices downtown to grab a cocktail. Choose one option or visit them all in your own version of a pub crawl. Here are just a few of my favorites:
UnderTow: Transport yourself out of the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and into the belly of a pirate ship. The UnderTow is a nautical-themed speakeasy that serves tiki-style drinks. This is a drinks-only bar and requires a reservation in advance. Note that there is a limit to how long you can stay on board.
Don Wood’s Say When Rooftop Lounge: This rooftop lounge is located at the top of Rise Uptown Hotel. The penthouse is decked out in a 1960s and 70s theme. Here, you can sip your Old Fashioned cocktail next to a firepit while looking out at the Phoenix skyline.
Valley Bar: This classic bar is a go-to for Phoenix locals. Any night of the week you can find stand-up comedy, live music, billiards, skeeball, and of course, really good drinks.
Last Exit Live: This grungy little bar in Phoenix’s warehouse district is the perfect hole-in-the-wall location to discover local Arizona Indie bands. It’s a cozy bar with a dance floor that will make you feel close and personal to the artists on their red curtain stage.
24-hours in Phoenix Itinerary— Where to sleep
Let’s be honest, you’ve only got 24-hours in Phoenix. You’ve had a busy day and you’re leaving in the morning. You’re going to want someplace to sleep that is clean, comfortable, affordable, and close to your last excursion. These hotels fit the bill. They’re all in Downtown Phoenix and are pretty close to the airport so you can easily take off in the morning.
Or, if none of those suit your fancy, click here to search hundreds of other hotel options available in the Phoenix area.
More things to do in Phoenix, Arizona
If you find you’ve got a little more time to spend in Phoenix, or if you want to swap out something from the itinerary above, here are a few more excursions that I highly recommend you try out while you’re in town.
Horseback ride through the desert
Some of my best memories are on a horseback riding through the desert in Phoenix. It’s such a cool way to explore the nature that surrounds the city. Even if you’ve only got a short time in town, booking a guided horseback tour is a great way to let your inner cowboy out. Check out Cave Creek Trail Rides to learn more.
Tour Wrigley Mansion
This one’s for the history buffs. The Wrigley Mansion is a historic landmark in Phoenix and was built in 1932 by chewing gum extraordinaire, William Wrigley Jr. It was later purchased by the Hormel family and turned into a premier fine dining and event venue. Guided tours will teach you about two of Phoenix’s most prominent families, but watch out— the mansion might be haunted!
Hot air balloon ride
See Phoenix in a way that hardly anyone ever has— from 3,000 feet up in the air! 365 days a year, you can hop on a hot air balloon ride in North Phoenix and watch either the sunrise or sunset from a stunning bird’s eye view. Learn more with Rainbow Ryders, one of the hot air balloon companies in town.
Take a hike on Camelback Mountain
Phoenix is completely surrounded by mountains, so it’s a fantastic place to take a hike. There are more than 200 trails to choose from in the Phoenix Valley alone, but one of the most recommended hikes is Camelback Mountain.
Walk down Roosevelt Row on First Friday
One of the best experiences in Phoenix is the First Friday extravaganza held on Roosevelt Row on the first Friday of every month. Every month, the art district of Phoenix lines with rows and rows of booths from local artists showcasing their work. Street performers and entertainers line the streets, and there’s a food truck on every corner. If you’re in Phoenix on the first weekend on the month, I highly recommend checking out Roosevelt Row and the spectacle that is First Friday.
If nothing on this list suits your fancy, explore more things to do in Phoenix and book your adventures here on Get Your Guide.
Was this itinerary useful? Check out some of our others here:
- The Perfect Day Trip To Sedona— How To Maximize Your Time
- Perfect Day Trip to Portland, Maine: The Best 1-Day Itinerary
- Perfect Day Trip to Portland, Maine: The Best 1-Day Itinerary
Additional Resources:
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Here are a few helpful services:
Booking.com | Find a comfy place to lay your head after a full day of adventuring.
Vrbo | If you’re looking for a more homey vibe, these rental homes might do the trick.
Expedia | Whether you’re looking for some wheels or a flight, you can find a way to get to your destination here.
Get Your Guide | Find local attractions and tours and book tickets to your excursions.
TSA | If you’re flying, check out the TSA page to make sure that you pack to TSA regulations.
Arizona Travel Guides:
If you’re visiting Phoenix for longer than a day, here’s my 5-Day Phoenix Travel Guide to help you plan your stay.
Visiting Sedona? You might want to check out my Day Trip to Sedona Guide to help jumpstart your itinerary.
Need help figuring out what to pack? Here is my Arizona Packing List Essentials for Every Time Of Year Packing Guide.
If you’re staying in Phoenix but want to spend a little time in the desert, these 9 Little-Known Hikes in Phoenix will help you get that nature connection.
Click Here to see more from the Adventuring Dreamers Resources.
