Best Weekend Trips From Phoenix
Living in Phoenix gives you easy access to some of the most fun, relaxing and picturesque weekend getaways in Arizona.
Step out of the ordinary and explore these inviting destinations in the Grand Canyon State.
Prescott, Arizona
The city of Prescott’s Wild West heritage is on display everywhere you turn. Drink and dine at the Palace Restaurant & Saloon (120 S. Montezuma St., Prescott), which has been serving up hearty meals and stiff drinks since the 1870s. Then browse the incredible collection of Western art and photography at the Phippen Museum. Prescott is also the gateway to Prescott National Forest, a vast, untamed landscape with miles of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails.
Route 66
If you're the type who places more value on the journey than the destination, aim your car straight for Route 66. One of America's most iconic scenic highways, Route 66 connected Chicago to Los Angeles starting in the 1920s, and cut a path straight through Arizona along the way. Although the highway was decommissioned in 1985—parts of it were incorporated into Interstate 40—it still offers a beautiful drive through vintage Americana. Points of interest include the ancient Walnut Canyon cliff dwellings, Joseph City's Jack Rabbit Trading Post and the Meteor Crater in Winslow, Arizona.
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson offers some of Arizona's most vibrant nightlife, courtesy of downtown hot spots like Che's Lounge (350 N. 4th Ave., Tucson) and Tap and Bottle (403 N. 6th Ave. #135, Tucson). Other highlights include Old Tucson Studios, an Old West movie set turned theme park, and the historic Fox Tucson Theatre downtown. Throw in top-notch outdoor attractions like Saguaro National Park and the Tucson Botanical Gardens, and you've got yourself one jam-packed weekend.
Sedona, Arizona
Surrounded by sculpted sandstone formations, rugged canyons and pine forests, Sedona is a small city that offers access to some of Arizona's best rock climbing and hiking areas. If the view from the ground doesn't cut it for you, get a bird's-eye view of the landscape courtesy of Red Rock Balloon Adventures. Afterward, indulge in some delicious cuisine at The Heartline Café (1610 West State Route 89A, Sedona), which serves locally sourced pecan-crusted trout and honey-glazed rack of lamb in its charming dining room and lush outdoor patio.
Salt River Lakes
Some of the best weekend trips from Phoenix present a lot of options—enough to keep you busy for a dozen weekends—and the string of lakes along the Salt River fall squarely into that category. This chain of lakes just east of the city offers opportunities to pursue water sports of all kinds, from swimming and fishing to water skiing and paddle boarding. Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake are closest to the city and tend to draw the biggest crowds, so head farther out to Apache Lake or Theodore Roosevelt Lake for a less busy day at the water.
The Grand Canyon
A mile deep, 277 miles long and 18 miles across at its widest point, the Grand Canyon is a natural marvel that constantly defies our ability to describe its beauty. If you find yourself anywhere in northern Arizona, you simply must see it. The South Rim in Grand Canyon National Park is the closest part of the canyon to Phoenix and offers some of the best views. Visit early in the morning or around sunset for the perfect lighting that really brings the red canyon walls to life.
Ready to travel? Find your hotel near Prescott, Winslow, Sedona, Tucson.
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