{"id":589,"date":"2022-04-13T10:13:56","date_gmt":"2022-04-13T17:13:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adventuringdreamers.com\/staging1\/?p=589"},"modified":"2024-03-26T20:31:01","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T03:31:01","slug":"24-hours-in-phoenix-one-day-itinerary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuringdreamers.com\/staging1\/24-hours-in-phoenix-one-day-itinerary\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Spend 24-Hours in Phoenix (The Ultimate One-Day Phoenix Itinerary)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How to Spend 24-Hours in Phoenix (The Ultimate One-Day Phoenix Itinerary)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Phoenix is the largest US city by population, so it\u2019s 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\u2019re 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, let\u2019s dive into it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A quick note: this Phoenix itinerary was written with the idea that you\u2019re 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\u2019re going to need a quick way to get around town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(If you’re staying in Phoenix for longer than 24 hours, then you might want to check out my 5 days in Phoenix guide<\/a> 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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019re going to start our adventure immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n

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24-hours in Phoenix Itinerary\u2014 What to do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Morning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>, 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, \u201cThe best breakfast I\u2019ve ever tasted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019re stuffed, head over to the Musical Instrument Museum<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Afternoon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I recommend having lunch either at the MIM\u2019s award-winning Caf\u00e9 Allegro<\/a> or at the Flower Child<\/a> 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 \u201cForbidden\u201d Rice Bowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After lunch, head down to Tempe to visit the Desert Botanical Gardens<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Evening<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s full of art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and bars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recommend planning one to two hours to window shop and explore the galleries. Then, when you\u2019ve had your fill of Scottsdale culture, try out The Cornish Pasty<\/a>, Culinary Dropout<\/a>, or Diego Pops<\/a> for dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After dinner, make your way to downtown Phoenix for your final adventure of the night. It\u2019s time for after-dinner drinks and a bit of nightlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UnderTow<\/strong><\/a>: 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don Wood\u2019s Say When Rooftop Lounge<\/strong><\/a>: 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Valley Bar<\/strong><\/a>: 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last Exit Live<\/strong><\/a>: This grungy little bar in Phoenix\u2019s warehouse district is the perfect hole-in-the-wall location to discover local Arizona Indie bands. It\u2019s a cozy bar with a dance floor that will make you feel close and personal to the artists on their red curtain stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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24-hours in Phoenix Itinerary\u2014 Where to sleep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s be honest, you\u2019ve only got 24-hours in Phoenix. You\u2019ve had a busy day and you\u2019re leaving in the morning. You\u2019re going to want someplace to sleep that is clean, comfortable, affordable, and close to your last excursion. These hotels fit the bill. They\u2019re all in Downtown Phoenix and are pretty close to the airport so you can easily take off in the morning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n