Unique Things To Do In Phoenix: Enjoying The Sun And Warmth Year Round (Approved By A Local Travel Expert)

Dec 17, 2024

Last Updated on: Jul 4, 2025

Travel Blog

Golf, desert weather, long sunshine hours, and the most luxurious resorts! Every travel enthusiast appreciates these things about Phoenix, Arizona. 

Founded by Jack Swilling, the city of Phoenician is called the Valley of Sun. Further, people exploring the unique things to do in Phoenix also love to visit Glendale and Scottsdale. These two neighboring cities have their unique historical and cultural significance.

For example, Glendale was the home to the famous Baskin Robbins. In addition, it always has been at the epicenter of Arizona’s entertainment landscape. Today, it has the headquarters of  The Walt Disney Company and DreamWorks Animation.

Scottsdale, on the other hand, is famous for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. It is the largest natural preserve in the country. You will also love the museums here.

Liam, the local travel expert I consulted, suggested a combined tour of Phoenix, Glendale, and Scottsdale for a unique experience. He said that the package tour would cost around $100 per person each day.

Further, he mentioned how Phoenix is different from Scottsdale and how the places complement each other.  

“Scottsdale is more upscale. You will love its swanky resorts. Scottsdale also has 200+ golf areas. Still, with outdoor trails and a peaceful environment, it is a more tranquil retreat for people.
Phoenix is about everything urban, and it’s high energy.”
Liam, Local Travel Expert, Phoenix

Liam was so passionate about Scottsdale that I had to stop him. Because my sole focus this time was on the unique things to do in Phoenix, and I wanted to get my insights and research approved by him.

Now, this is what I found out about the best activities in Phoenix.

Unique Things To Do In Phoenix, Arizona | Enjoy The Warmth And Sunshine 

Unique Things To Do In Phoenix, Arizona  Enjoy The Warmth And Sunshine

Thanks to the long hours of sunshine and its geographical location, Phoenix has an average highest temperature of 20-42 degrees Celsius. For the lowest temperature, the reading ranges between 7-22 degrees Celsius.

Further, with golf courses, golf clubs, Mountain Park, and natural abundance, Phoenix has been enjoying a rise in its tourism landscape. 

Data from Tourism Economics says that 46.7 million people visited Phoenix in 2023, and among them, 1.6 million were international tourists. 

Moreover, the total economic impact caused by the people of Phoenix in 2023 was $23 billion. This economic impact consisted the following factors.

  • Direct Impact
  • Indirect Impact
  • Induced Spending

Naturally, the unique things to do in Phoenix Arizona have fueled this growth and economic impact of tourism in the city. So, let’s explore them. But before that, let’s quickly learn the operational hours, entry fee and contact details of these places.

Phoenix HotspotAddressContact NumberHours OpenEntry Fee
Desert Botanical Garden1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix+1 480-941-1225Monday-Wednesday: 8 AM to 8 PM
Thursday: 8 AM to 9 PM
Sunday: 5:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Friday-Saturday: 8AM-4 PM, 5:30-9:30 PM
$12–25
The Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix+1 602-257-1880Monday-Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday-Friday: 10AM to 8 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 10 AM to 5 PM
$0-23
Free admission on Wednesday between 3-8 PM
Wildlife World Zoo16501 W Northern Ave, Litchfield Park+1 623-935-94539 AM to 6 PM (Zoo Hours)Below 2 Years: Free
3-12 Years: $28
13+ Years: $49**
Phoenix Zoo455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix+1 602-286-38009 AM to 4 PMAdult (14+): $39.95
Child (3-13): $29.95
Heard Museum 2301 N Central Ave, Phoenix+1 602-252-884010 AM to 4 PM$7–18
Chase Field 401 E Jefferson St, Phoenix+1 602-514-84001.5 Hours before the Game from Sunday to Thursday
2 Hours before the Game from Saturday to Sunday
$26 Onwards

You must carry cash while visiting the Wildlife World Zoo. You will have to pay extra if you use debit or credit cards. 

1. Visiting The Desert Botanical Garden

Visiting The Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden will be the first activity on the list of unique things to do in Phoenix. It will take you on a trip to the Sonoran Desert and the vegetation there. 

The garden has beautiful landscapes with red rocks of the Sonoran Desert. Further, various cacti and plants add to the allure of the place. You will find as many as 50000 species of plants and cacti here.

Moreover, you can collect the best living souvenirs from the plant shop and Garden’s Gift. 

2. Exploring The Phoenix Art Museum

Exploring The Phoenix Art Museum

The Phoenix Art Museum has 20000 brilliant pieces of art by local and internationally acclaimed artists. Further, along with the walled or static artworks, you will find many interactive artworks here. 

Moreover, the museum hosts special exhibitions and events regularly and you must check the museum website before your visit. 

Above all, the Phoenix Art Museum is home to the Firefly Infinity Room. Here, you can enjoy the best visually psychedelic fun. 

3. Meeting Animals At The Wildlife World Zoo

The Wildlife World Zoo is a wonderful hotspot of 215 acres. Meeting the baby animals is the most fulfilling experience at the zoo. During a safari at the zoo, you will also meet rare sea animals and reptiles. 

This zoo is home to 600 species of animals and along with meeting the animals, you can even attend the shows and events.

Moreover, there are scopes for adorable animal encounters. So, you can get up close and personal with capybara, sea lion, and sloth. 

4. Spending Time With Animals At Phoenix Zoo

Spending Time With Animals At Phoenix Zoo

Phoenix Zoo is the largest privately-owned zoo in the USA. From the biggest land mammals to the marine creatures; you will find every variety in the zoo. 

Further, if you are traveling with little ones and want some hands-on fun, you can visit the petting zoo. You will also love the place as an avid birder. 

More than 3000 animals from over 400 species coexist here. Many of these species are also endangered or rare. You will meet African painted dogs, zebras, porcupines, Sumatran Tigers, Asian elephants, komodo dragons, etc. 

5. Explore Native American Art At The Heard Museum 

Heard Museum has the biggest collection of Native American work. So, if you are lover of history and art, you know your go-to destination in the state. 

The displays and presentations at the museum are stunning. Further, the museum curates the indigenous artistic excellence of American Indians and presents them at a global level.

6. Watching A Game At Chase Field 

Home to the Diamondbacks, Chase Field is a beautiful ground. Being air-conditioned, this ground is ideal for watching matches in any season. 

Further, the reasonable ticket prices make it an ideal destination for an outing with family or friends.

Are you looking for more unique things to do in Phoenix? You can try tubing in the Salt River, visit the Arizona Science Center, watch NBA matches at the Footprint Center, or kayak in the Tempe Town Lake. 

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Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!

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BY  Sibashree Oct 13, 2025

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Parent’s Guide To Traveling With Kids:

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Gladiators In Ancient Rome: Blood, Glory, And The Legacy You Can Still Feel Today

BY  Barsha May 27, 2025

Few Roman emblems are more recognizable and evocative than that of the gladiator.  These violent men—half athlete, half captive, half myth—held Roman crowds for centuries in bloody battles that were spectacle as much as they were a matter of conquest.  But who were the gladiators in Rome, in reality? What motivated thousands of onlookers to celebrate their fate in the arena? And where can you still sense the beat of their legacy today?  Further, Rome, the capital of Italy, is about to host the 2025 World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) summit. 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Finished in 80 AD by Emperor Titus, it could accommodate as many as 50,000 spectators and saw colossal games which lasted for 100 successive days at times.  Gladiators drew swords here, man-eating animals from Africa and Asia were brought out, and emperors gained or lost the people's favor in the arena of blood.  So, the Colosseum, an icon of ancient Roman civilization, is more than just an architectural marvel. The use of concrete and innovative techniques in the Colosseum was unique.  However, the more unique aspect of the place is how it witnessed and has carried the history of the gladiators of Rome and a particular way of Roman living over the years.  In other words, the next time you visit the Colosseum, one of the best things to do in Rome, you will have a new perspective as a traveler.  And yet, glorious as the Colosseum stands, its actual history truly comes alive only when viewed in context—through the unseen narratives of the Ludus Magnus (the main gladiator school), the pre-fight rituals, and the political maneuvering behind each bout.  Want to Experience The Legacy Of Gladiators In Rome Like Never Before?  If you're planning a visit to Rome, seeing the Colosseum is a must, but walking around its outer walls is just scratching the surface.  For a deeper, more immersive journey into the world of ancient warriors, book a Colosseum-focused city tour with Golf Cart Tours.  Their small-group, open-air tours are led by expert guides who blend storytelling, history, and modern comfort.  No exhausting uphill hikes or crowded buses. Just an engaging, up-close experience that brings Rome’s gladiatorial past to life.  Your guide will take you beyond the arena to the key sites tied to the games, including Janiculum Hill, Capitoline Hill, and the Forum, sharing insights you won’t find in guidebooks. The best part? The Golf Cart Tours team knows how to make history unforgettable—even for kids and families. You’ll leave not just with photos, but with stories. Life, Death, And The Role Of The Gladiators In Rome  Most of the gladiators, though, were captive males, captives of war, or convicted criminals to be killed in the arena. Yet, not all. Free men also came into the profession of their own free will, attracted by the prospect of fame, wealth, or even salvation.  These volunteers, known as Auctorati, were typically contracted for several years, with service agreements that would make them both legendary and infamous.  In the schools of training (Ludi), gladiators became the machines to kill. They were divided into specialized classes according to combat style and weaponry: Retiarii (net and trident) Murmillones (sword and buckler) Secutores Thraeces, and others.  Despite their cruelty, gladiators were popular. They had girlfriends, they had fans, and they even had political power.  Gladiators' faces were found in mosaics, in graffiti, and even on coins. Some, such as Spartacus or Flamma, even became legends.  The Historical Places In Rome Are Much Beyond The Arena The gladiators themselves are no more, but their legend still towers over the Eternal City.  Each cobblestone street and crumbling ruin holds a tale, and some of the biggest are the ones where the gladiators fought, breathed, and died under the bellow of 50,000 Roman throats.  However, the historical attractions in Rome are beyond the arena. Here are the other crown jewels.  1. Sistine Chapel: The House Of The Last Judgment  The Sistine Chapel in Rome features "The Last Judgment," a famous artwork by Michelangelo. Furthermore, it has breathtaking frescoes.  2. St. Peter's Basilica: The Most Revered Catholic Church In The World Though located in the Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the iconic religious and historical landmarks in Rome.  Furthermore, it is the most important Catholic church, and it is the burial site of Saint Peter. He was one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, and he was the first pope.  Moreover, the Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the church makes it a place of awe and wonder.  3. Piazza Navona You cannot miss a visit to Piazza Navona, which is a public square in Rome. It has palatial buildings and baroque fountains.  So, there is always a lively atmosphere around the square.