Our most recommended things to do in Phoenix Metropolitan Area

Phoenix: Hot Air Balloon Ride with Champagne and Catering

1. Phoenix: Hot Air Balloon Ride with Champagne and Catering

Enjoy a 45-60-minute hot air balloon ride above Phoenix, Arizona. See the expansive mountain ranges and desert wildlife below as your hot air balloon reaches heights of 3000 feet. During the flight, your pilot will point out different landmarks and points of interest. See Downtown Phoenix, Camelback Mountain, Lake Pleasant, and State Farm Stadium from the air. Upon landing, enjoy a catered fare prepared by the award-winning Vincent’s on Camelback restaurant, right in the heart of the desert. A traditional balloonist’s ceremony follows with commemorative flight certificates to take home.

From Phoenix: Grand Canyon Tour with Sedona and Oak Creek

2. From Phoenix: Grand Canyon Tour with Sedona and Oak Creek

Take a trip to one of the 7 wonders of the natural world on this day tour of the Grand Canyon National Park. You will be collected from selected hotels or apartments in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, or Mesa Arizona. The journey north takes you through amazing views of the Saguaro Cactus in the Sonoran Desert. You will travel through the Ponderosa Pine Forests of Flagstaff where the Lowell Observatory is located. Stop among the Red Rocks of Sedona for time to take in the breathtaking scenery and lots of pictures. Travel through Oak Creek Canyon famous the world over for its spectacular scenery. In the afternoon be taken to the Grand Canyon National Park. Stop for pictures of the Red Rocks of Sedona. Make several stops along the South Rim for picture taking and enjoying the incredible views. See the El Tovar Lodge, a former Harvey hotel. Have the afternoon to explore the sublime park and see many of its ecological wonders and natural beauty. Your professional guide will be able to inform you of the history and stories behind this ancient wonder.

From Phoenix: Grand Canyon with Sedona Day Tour

3. From Phoenix: Grand Canyon with Sedona Day Tour

Experience the Grand Canyon National Park during this guided tour, entry tickets in. Explore the canyon rim with its panoramic views and visit Sedona along the way. Experience the stunning red rocks of Sedona. Photograph the famous location and take the opportunity to gaze upon the stunning sights of Arizona. Spend approximately 3 hours within the National Park marveling at the beauty that is the Grand Canyon. Discover historic El Tovar Lodge and Hopi House in Grand Canyon Village. Visit the South Rim and take in the dramatic views, ideal for photographers. Enjoy some shopping, walk the rim, or relax at one of the many viewpoints.

Phoenix Zoo: One Day General Admission Ticket

4. Phoenix Zoo: One Day General Admission Ticket

Pick up a ticket to the Phoenix Zoo, one of the largest non-profit zoos in the U.S. nestled on 125 acres within the beautiful Papago Park. Explore the home of over 3,000 animals with nearly 400 species represented, including many threatened and endangered species. Discover over 2.5 miles of walking paths, divided into Arizona, Africa, Tropics, and Children’s trails, each taking about 1 hour to complete. Admire a variety of inhabitants, including Bornean Orangutans, Asian Elephants, Sumatran Tigers, Komodo Dragons, Masai Giraffes, African Lions, and more. Learn about the threats that endanger many of the species and wildlife you encounter and discover interesting facts about Jurassic ecosystems with animatronic dinosaurs and installations.

Phoenix: Kayaking Trip to Foxtail

5. Phoenix: Kayaking Trip to Foxtail

There is no better way to escape the summer heat than to go kayaking on the Lower Salt River. As you cruise below cliffs and past beautiful desert scenery, look out for native wildlife. The sit-on-top kayaks are very stable and easy to maneuver; after a 15-minute orientation, you'll be ready to go.  UNGUIDED kayaking experience. While this is primarily a scenic float there are sections of swift water and kayakers often tip out- so be prepared to get wet. At the end of the route, staff will be waiting to gather the kayaks as you board an air-conditioned van to return to the ranch.

SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium General Admission

6. SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium General Admission

Explore the magical underwater world at SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium. Come see thousands of creatures including sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Touch a sea star or walk through the incredible 360-degree ocean tunnel. Marvel at over 30 unique displays and encounter these amazing creatures from the graceful jellyfish, the beautiful seahorse, or the clever sea turtle. Get up close and personal with the local residents of Arizona’s Salt River at the freshwater exhibit. Come see the Shoaling Ring and watch as hundreds of barred flagtails swim around you. Discover the Bay of Rays and be mesmerized by the happy and smiley rays. Escape to the Temple of the Seahorse and see these mythical creatures up close.  Escape to a kaleidoscope of color at the Coral Reef exhibit. The Coral Reef is bustling with their underwater cities teeming with fish that come in every shape, color, and pattern you can imagine. Visit the Conservation Cove exhibit and learn about how SEA LIFE Arizona works to develop a system of care and best practices to protect the oceans and its creatures.

Sonoran Desert: Sunset Jeep Tour with Tonto National Forest

7. Sonoran Desert: Sunset Jeep Tour with Tonto National Forest

Experience a world-famous Arizona sunset on a low-speed, off-road sightseeing tour of the Sonoran Desert via the Tonto National Forest. Your professional tour guide, a certified off-road driver, will tell you about the Sonoran Desert flora, wildlife, Arizona history, and Native American ethnobotanical practices. Hop aboard the Jeep and cruise past the Pass by Pinnacle Peak Park, a scenic 3,169-foot granite summit located in North Scottsdale, and Reata Pass, the last standing buildings of an old western town. Hear about these locations and their significance. At sunset, stop at a panoramic lookout point that overlooks the historic Great Western Trail. Feel free to exit the Jeep and walk around the scenic lookout. Whether you're interested in a couple of group photos or a full Instagram shoot with your camera, your guides are also great photographers willing to help. Depending on cloud conditions, the sky typically changes to various shades of pink, red, orange, and purple, all within the backdrop of the stunning Sonoran Desert.

Phoenix: Lake Pleasant Sunrise or Sunset Kayak Tour

8. Phoenix: Lake Pleasant Sunrise or Sunset Kayak Tour

Step away from the stress of daily life and enjoy the tranquility of Lake Pleasant at the best time of the day. Come up close with local wildlife as you paddle along bays and islands on a guided kayak tour. Take in amazing views of lush nature, just a few miles out of Phoenix. Meet your guide at the waterfront with all the necessary gear for your adventure. Paddle away from the shore to explore the most beautiful corners of Lake Pleasant, located in the Northwest Valley, about 45 minutes from Downtown Phoenix. Surround yourself with 10,000 acres of natural landscapes. Take advantage of sit-on-top kayaks with a backrest for relaxing and effortless navigation. Enjoy the activity in the company of your partner, family, or friends, and be inspired by the vibrant colors of the sunset from the water.

From Phoenix: Apache Trail & Dolly Steamboat Day Trip

9. From Phoenix: Apache Trail & Dolly Steamboat Day Trip

Come join us on an adventurous tour along the Apache Trail and into the Sonora desert, then take a cruise on Dolly Steamboat through Canyon Lake. Driving into the Superstition Mountains, you will visit Tortilla Flat, a quaint Arizona town with a population of 6! Next, relax on a 90-minute cruise over picturesque Canyon Lake, with its magnificent desert surroundings. Don't forget your camera, as this is the ideal platform from which to snap postcard-perfect landscape photos. Your guide will then lead you into the desert for an explanation of the local flora, including the majestic Saguaro cactus and Arizona's state tree, the Palo Verde.

Phoenix and Mesa: Kayaking Trip to Granite Reef

10. Phoenix and Mesa: Kayaking Trip to Granite Reef

What better way to beat the Arizona heat than in the cool waters of the Lower Salt River? Kayak out into the beautiful wilderness of the Tonto National Forest. Keep your eyes peeled for native, desert wildlife. On the Granite Reef float, you'll witness the confluence of the Salt and Verde Rivers and the majestic Red Mountain. The sit-on-top kayaks are very stable and easy to maneuver; after a 15-minute orientation, even beginners will feel safe and comfortable in the water. This self-guided float is the most convenient way to kayak the Lower Salt River. Park your car at Saguaro Lake Ranch — no Tonto Pass required — and launch from a private kayak beach. Enjoy the 4.5-hour float. At the end of the route, staff will be waiting to gather the kayaks as you board an air-conditioned van and return to the ranch.

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What people are saying about Phoenix Metropolitan Area

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 956 reviews

This tour was awesome! All the guides had very fun personalities. The balloon set up was effective and interesting to watch. Our balloon was one of the last to go up, so it was really interesting to see everyone load-up first. When we took off, everything felt safe. Our guide, Phil, appeared to be very skilled. We believe we had one of the best rides of the night. The landing was the scariest part, but it was still incredibly fun!

Eric, our guide, was great! He is very knowledgeable and accommodating! Doing both Sedona and Grand Canyon is a day is the best way to see Arizona if you have limited time.

We had a beautiful ride and learned a lot from our awesome driver Earl! He was fun, informative and personal! An overall great experience!

I enjoyed listening to Kim pointing out things to see on the way. Every stop she had history to point out and helped us with pictures.

Our guide Chris was very good, knowledgeable and caring. It was a great day