How to Plan a Perfect Active Weekend in Phoenix

Welcome to sun-drenched Phoenix, Arizona, a city where the charm of the desert meets the vibrancy of urban life. Phoenix is an annual escape for us, providing relief from the cold, long winter. Join me as I recount a weekend in Phoenix filled with breathtaking hikes, cultural discoveries, and unforgettable culinary experiences. From the rugged trails of Camelback Mountain to the serene waters of Tempe Town Lake and the artistic heartbeat of Scottsdale’s gallery district, each day of your weekend in Phoenix is filled with things to do while enjoying Arizona’s timeless beauty.

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• Day 1: The Artistic Charm of Scottsdale
• Day 2: Adventure Awaits at Camelback Mountain, Phoenix
• Day 3: Exploring Tempe’s Natural and Urban Delights
• Travel Tips for your Weekend in Phoenix
• Hiking Tips for Exploring the Trails around Phoenix
• Travel Resources

Day 1: The Artistic Charm of Scottsdale

Evening: Strolling through Scottsdale’s Art Gallery District

Scottsdale’s renowned Art Gallery District is a great place to kickoff your weekend in Phoenix. Once you settle in to your hotel, head over to the Main Street Arts District. They host various events throughout the year. Thursday night art walks are held frequently, including live music outdoors. You’ll see various artists work displayed on the sidewalks and in galleries, and can often see the artists working.

One good local option for dinner is Karsten’s Grill. Though it is bar food, it is great bar food with an even better atmosphere. An upscale alternative is the Weft & Warp Art Bar inside the Andaz Resort, which has great food, live music on the weekends, and gorgeous views from the patio.

Day 2: Adventure Awaits at Camelback Mountain, Phoenix

Morning: Conquering Camelback Mountain

After fortifying yourself with a good breakfast, head over to Camelback Mountain for a classic Phoenix hike. Camelback is a challenging hike to 2704 ft, whichever trail you choose, and is located only 20 minutes from Phoenix. The 360 degree views of the city from the top of the hump of the camel’s back are a big draw of this hike. There are two main routes for the hike.

Echo Canyon Trail is a 2.5 mile out and back trail, which takes about 2-3 hours to complete. The trailhead is at 4925 E McDonald Dr, Phoenix. This steep and rocky trail has handrails for assistance on the most technical parts. The views from the top are worth the hike.

The Cholla Trail is a 2.6 mile out and back trail, and will take about 2-3 hours to complete. The trailhead is at Invergordon Road. Though it starts out as a traditional hiking trail, it becomes quite challenging, with some climbing required before reaching the spectacular views from the top.

Afternoon: Refueling and Relaxing after the Hike

Carve out some of your weekend in Phoenix to relax and refuel. I’d recommend stopping at Zuzu’s for Brunch (weekend brunch hours are currently 6 am-2 pm). It is close to Camelback, and has incredible breakfast parfaits, veggie omelettes, and more.

After brunch or lunch, head over to Papago Park for a quick hike to the Hole in the Wall. This is a very popular spot for sunset as well. There are a number of hiking trails around Papago Park if you still have some hiking left in you for the day. Otherwise, head over to the Desert Botanical Gardens. In addition to the Botanical Gardens themselves, they have a constant rotation of exhibitions (March to May 2024, it is a Majestic Mariposas exhibition). I’ve included some photos from a few of their past exhibitions as well.

Evening: Outdoor Dining in the Gardens

One of our favorite places to enjoy the evening in Phoenix is outdoors at Gertrude’s, the restaurant within the botanical garden, which serves farm and pasture fresh food. Though they have indoor seating options as well, the outdoors with views over the gardens is relaxing and peaceful. It feels like a real getaway from being in a city. They have space heaters for those chilly evenings.

Day 3: Exploring Tempe’s Natural and Urban Delights

Morning: Hike A-Mountain in Tempe

Hayden Butte (also known as Tempe Butte and A-Mountain) is a roughly 1,500 ft mountain directly in the heart of Tempe. It is a roughly 0.9 mile out and back, taking about 30 minutes to complete. If the parking lot at the base is full, there is a large paid lot next to Tempe Beach Park. You have 2 options for hiking up this one. There is a paved path as well as a dirt path with switchbacks. The paved path is the more commonly used one, and is not technical at all, but it’s steep in parts. The very top of the butte has a bit of clambering to get to the best views over the Town Lake.

If you’d prefer a slightly longer hike, check out the large variety of trails at South Mountain Park.

It is a short walk from Hayden Butte to downtown Tempe. One of our favorite brunch spots in Tempe is Snakes & Lattes Tempe, which not only has great food, but is also packed with a huge selection of board games to enjoy. Arizona State University is adjacent to downtown, and can be a great addition to your walking tour if you have enough time.

Afternoon: Leisure Time at Tempe Town Lake

Tempe Town Lake is a manmade lake, created as part of the Rio Salado Master Plan. This was intended to address flood control, recreation/leisure, and economic development. There are a plethora of opportunities for your afternoon, depending on your preference. Some of our favorites include:

• Rent a bike from the Bike Cellar and bike the 7.5 mile loop around the lake. You can also extend this well beyond the lake if preferred.
• Rent a boat and head out on the lake. Tempe Boat Rentals offers everything from stand-up paddleboards to kayaks, electric boats to donut boats. If you bring your own boat (e.g., paddleboard), you do need to get a permit through the City of Tempe ($10 for a day pass, $50 for a non-resident annual permit).

Evening: Enjoy Tempe’s Culinary Scene

One of our favorite spots to spend the evening in Tempe is the Culinary Dropout. In addition to a huge selection of food, they have live music many evenings, as well as various games (cornhole, etc.). Another option just down the street is The Lodge Sasquatch Kitchen. It has a unique environment, with large sasquatch statues and usually has some live music playing. These two are almost next door to one another in case you’d like to try one for a drink, another for dinner.

A weekend in Phoenix gives you just enough time to explore the unique blend of nature, culture, and urban life. Whether it’s for a weekend or for a week, I’d encourage you to explore the plentiful active and indoor pursuits.

Travel Tips for your Weekend in Phoenix

Where to Stay

Phoenix:

• Luxury: Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel
• Luxury: Royal Palms Resort & Spa
• Mid-Range: AC Hotel Phoenix Biltmore
• Budget: Drury Inn & Suite Phoenix Happy Valley

Scottsdale:

• Luxury: Andaz Scottsdale Resort and Bungalows
• Mid-Range: Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town
• Budget: Aiden by Best Western Scottsdale North

Tempe:

• Mid-Range: The Westin Tempe
• Budget: Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Tempe

Phoenix Weekend Tours

Essential Hiking Tips

• Mountain weather: Always check the forecast before heading out and watch for rapid weather changes. When you see bad weather coming, get below timberline.
• Hydration and Fuel: Bring more water for your day hikes than you think you’ll need. Electrolytes can help you stay hydrated (e.g., Nuun and LiquidIV). Don’t drink water from streams and ponds, unless you are using a LifeStraw or similar. Pack energy-boosting snacks like nuts, fruits, and energy bars.
• Leave no Trace: Preserve the natural beauty by following the Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all trash, stay on designated trails, and avoid disturbing wildlife.
• Wildlife Awareness: Be aware of the wildlife in the area. Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising animals and know what to do in an encounter with local animals.
• Navigation: If you are using a map on your phone, make sure that it is downloaded. Cell service can be unreliable in the wilderness areas. Inform someone of your hiking plan and expected return time.
• First Aid: Carry a basic first aid kit for minor injuries. This should include, at minimum, Band-Aids, antiseptic, aspirin, mirror, matches, and a jack-knife, a whistle, flashlight, and multi-tool.
• Check our post on Day Hike Essentials for a more comprehensive list of items to bring on your day hike.

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