Things to do in

Phoenix

Nestled on 125 acres within the beautiful Papago Park, the Phoenix Zoo is a wondrous place of curiosity, imagination, and discovery. The zoo is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the U.S., caring for over 3,000 animals with nearly 400 species represented, including many threatened and endangered species. It features over 3,000 animals, including Bornean Orangutans, Asian Elephants, Sumatran Tigers, Komodo Dragons, Masai Giraffes, and more. It's a great place to create memories that will last a lifetime. Other animals include the African Lion, Giraffe, Zebra, Mexican Gray Wolf, Ringtail, Golden Eagle, Sloth, Cotton-Top Tamarin, Dalmatian Pelican, Orangutan, Asian Elephant, Jaguar, Cheetah, Coyote, and Komodo Dragon. The Zoo features approximately 2.5 miles of walking paths and is divided into Arizona, Africa, Tropics, and Children’s trails. Usually, the Africa and Tropics Trails take about an hour each and the Arizona and Children’s Trails take about half an hour each. It is recommended that you take approximately three hours to see the entire Zoo, depending on the size and ages of your group in addition to how fast you walk.

Glide over the Arizona desert on a hot air balloon ride and admire the desert landscape and mountains from above. Toast to your experience with a glass of champagne once you land. The experience begins even before you rise into the sky. Help the crew inflate the balloon for a real "hands-on" adventure, or just relax and take a few pictures as the gentle giant comes alive. Once you gain altitude, enjoy vistas you have to see to believe as you float over the Arizona landscape. Phoenix lies beneath you while desert stretches to the distant mountains. The pilots are FAA-licensed and experienced in navigating with your safety and enjoyment in mind. Your pilot will also answer questions and identify points of interest during your flight. A chase crew will follow on the ground and meet you at the landing site. From there a van takes you back to the launch site. Upon your return, enjoy a celebratory toast of Champagne to cap your unique airborne adventure. You'll also be presented with a flight certificate.

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.

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.

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.

Witness the stunning scenery of Arizona and see both Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Join this Sedona and Grand Canyon day tour from Phoenix and soak up the breathtaking views along the way. Start your tour in Sedona at Bell Rock Vista and head to the Chapel of the Holy Cross for truly spectacular views. After, have free time in the rustic, old-west district of Uptown to shop, enjoy local cuisine, or visit some of its numerous art galleries. After departing Sedona, relax and take in the scenery on one of Arizona's most scenic drives as you pass through Oak Creek Canyon. Arrive at the majestic Grand Canyon South Rim National Park and stand at two of the most rewarding viewpoints of the Canyon. Enjoy a guided tour at one of the overlooks and free time on your own at the other.

Experience the Grand Canyon National Park during this guided tour. Explore the canyon rim with its panoramic views and visit Route 66 with your guide. Start your tour at Route 66. Experience the historic highway in the town of Williams, the last town passed by I-40. As you explore this famous location, you have the opportunity to purchase lunch in Williams or Grand Canyon. Spend approximately 3 hours within the National Park marveling at the beauty that is the Grand Canyon. Don’t forget to visit the historic El Tovar Lodge and Hopi House in Grand Canyon Village. Visit the South Rim and take in the dramatic views — ideal for photographers. Stop into the shop or enjoy your lunch and relax with the best seat in the house.

Explore the extreme northeast corner of Florence, Arizona on board a thrilling All Terrain Vehicle (ATV). Located halfway between Tucson and Phoenix, the Box Canyon and Pinal Mountains make for an ideal day out from both cities. The dirt trail that will set you blood racing is about 40 miles long, and you will have 3.25 hours to play. Once your guide has equipped you with all necessary safety equipment, you received a short training, and you are comfortable with your 4-wheel bike, head off along dirt trails that twist and turn and bump up and down the Pinal Mountains. Climb up and over the front range of the mountains while your guide points out Indian petroglyphs left behind by the ancient Native Americans. Another point of interest is an old adobe building that served as a way station for the Butterfield Overland Stage Coach Company during the 1860s. For a short time it also serviced the Pony Express on what was know as the "Butterfield Route." The real highlight of the tour is Box Canyon. You'll be in the canyon for about 6 miles. Get set for the drama of the middle 3 miles, a slot canyon with walls only about 10-20 feet apart and 900 feet high on both sides!

Discover the history of downtown Phoenix on a walking tour through its haunted streets. Experience chills as you hear stories of the city’s dark past. Meet outside the historic Hotel San Carlos and learn about the spirits that inhabit this inn. Continue to St. Mary’s Basilica, where ghosts have been seen in the archway doors. Pass Nobuo at Teeter House, and hear the tragic tale of Melinda’s Alley. Let your knowledgeable guide share spooky stories as you walk the city streets.

Cool off and explore the beautiful Sonoran Desert with a guided Salt River rafting trip on the Lower Salt River in the Tonto National Forest. Arrive at 7:30 AM at the local supplier's office in North Scottdale, then travel 35 minutes to the start point just outside the eastern metro area. Get kitted out with all necessary equipment then head out onto the water.  The Salt River is a scenic, Class I (the easiest rating on the international scale of river difficulty) waterway which provides some of the best wildlife and bird watching opportunities in the Southwest. The water flow on the river varies seasonally, based on this your guide will choose from a number of put‐in/take‐out locations in order to ensure guests have the best river rafting experience. Whilst light paddling is required, your experienced rafting guide will do most of the work, so you can sit back and enjoy the view. Water temperatures are in the 60s in the winter and rise to low 80s in the summer months. Swimming is possible year‐round, but the water may be chilly in January. Tours typically last about 4 hours and water and snacks will be provided for the duration of the tour.