Its been a while since I’ve been to the USA, so I thought I’d ask some fellow travel bloggers to share some awesome free things to do in their favourite North American cities. First up is Kate from Parked in Paradise, with her tips for free things to do in Phoenix Arizona.
I first moved to Phoenix when attending Arizona State University, and I loved it so much that I stayed for years afterward. It is a beautiful city full of culture and amazing food, and there are plenty of free things to do in Phoenix, which is perfect for a young adult just out of college!
While attending school, my friends and I became experts on finding the best things to do for free in Phoenix. Below are some of our favorite free activities to help you visit Phoenix on a budget and still have an awesome time.
Know Before You Go to Phoenix
Before travelling to Phoenix, make sure you book accommodation and popular attractions ASAP as hotels and tickets can sell out.
🛌 MY RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN PHOENIX:
$$ Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Downtown – great location downtown yet close to hiking
$$ Staybridge Suites Phoenix – choose a room with kitchen facilities to make your own meals
$$ Holiday Inn Express & Suites Phoenix Downtown – central location with a fitness centre
🚗 Hiring a car? Find a great deal on car rental prices here.
⭐ TOP 3 PHOENIX ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:
1. Phoenix: Guided Self-Drive ATV/UTV Tour
2. From Phoenix: Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Oak Creek Day Trip
How to Make the Most of Phoenix on a Budget
I love finding free things to do wherever I travel, and you can have an amazing time with a very limited budget. However, some things might be worth paying for if you have the budget. Perhaps by compromising and saving money on some things, you can afford to splurge a little on something you really want to do.
For example, you could save money by staying in cheap accommodations and doing lots of free activities in Phoenix, and then treat yourself to a Grand Canyon day trip or a unique experience like a hot air balloon flight.
While I love saving money, I also love dining out, and there are some incredible places to eat in Phoenix, Arizona. So, if you save so much money on free activities, you can choose a few things worth spending a little more on, like a wonderful meal or some of these cool things to do.
We’ve picked out some of the best cheap places to stay in Phoenix, plus a bunch of free Phoenix activities so you can do just that – and if you have the budget to treat yourself a little bit, these are some of the most popular tours and activities in Phoenix that you might be interested in:
- Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Oak Creek Day Trip
- Hot Air Balloon Flight with Champagne
- Guided Self-Drive ATV/UTV Tour
- Salt River Kayaking Trip
- 3-Hour Guided ATV Tour of Sonoran Desert
Or you can browse more activities and tours in Phoenix on GetYourGuide here. I use GetYourGuide to book tours and tickets as I love how you can choose from a variety of options to find the best for you, comparing prices and reading reviews.
Using GetYourGuide means you also get immediate confirmation once you’ve booked which is perfect for last-minute plans, and when you book in advance you can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity in case your plans change. However, If you prefer to use Viator you can find tours on Viator here.
That said, no matter what budget you have, there is no need to pay for activities in Phoenix if you don’t want to. You can still have an amazing Phoenix vacation without spending a lot of money and have some unique experiences you will remember forever!
Cheap Places to Stay in Phoenix on a Budget
Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or planning an extended vacation, you can find wonderful and affordable accommodations in Phoenix.
If you have a tight budget, the cheapest places to stay in Phoenix are usually motels, which don’t tend to get the best reviews. Read the latest reviews to see what other guests say about their stay, and remember that if you’re going to be out and about having an awesome time in the city, you probably won’t spend much time in your room anyway!
When looking for cheap accommodation in Phoenix, check out Booking.com, where you can sort the results into lowest price first or best-reviewed and lowest price to find the best option to fit your budget.
These are a few of our picks for cheap hotels in Phoenix:
Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley: A great hotel for couples traveling to Phoenix, the Drury Inn & Suites has an outdoor pool, hot tub, and highly-rated, free breakfast. Plus, the option to take your breakfast on the go. Drury Inn & Suites is also only a 25-minute ride from the airport. >>>CHECK PRICES
Best Western North Phoenix Hotel: When you want to go on a weekend getaway with your best friend, consider the Best Western North Phoenix Hotel. Enjoy the outdoor pool and hot tub, and save some money by booking a room with an in-suite kitchenette. This Best Western also includes a free breakfast during your stay! >>>CHECK PRICES
Sonesta Select Phoenix Camelback: Rooms at the Sonesta Select Phoenix Camelback include a work desk and ergonomic chair, making this a great choice for remote workers and digital nomads. While you’re not working, enjoy the heated outdoor pool and BBQ facilities! >>> CHECK PRICES
The Best Free Things to Do in Phoenix
Attend First Fridays
Throughout the summer, Phoenix plays host to one of the largest self-guided art walks in the US. The residents of Roosevelt Row open up their homes on the first Friday of every month to artists, merchants, and exhibitioners – although that is on hold during COVID times.
Normally, you can stroll down the street from 6-11 pm, and you’ll be greeted with live music, performances, and people wearing costumes, so I hope that will start up again at some point. The event is entirely free, but you may want to bring a few bucks for some touristy trinkets.
Drive Up South Mountain
One of the largest parks in the country is South Mountain Preserve. It’s located only 10 miles from Phoenix. This park has over 51 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. It’s rare to find such a huge park right next to a major city.
The thing I love most about South Mountain is that you can completely get away from the crowds with just a short drive. Many people love to hike to the top of the National Trail because you get beautiful city views. There’s also a major lack of bugs in the desert, so you can enjoy the view without swatting away mosquitos.
My favorite part is driving up at night. Arizona consistently has clear skies, which make for amazing stargazing. You could also consider taking a star-gazing tour to learn more about astronomy and check out the night skies with a telescope.
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Hike Camelback Mountain
Less than 30 minutes northwest of Phoenix is Camelback Mountain. This is a well-known hiking destination because when you get to the top, you get a bird’s eye view of the entire valley. The hike itself is only about 3 miles round trip, but it is unexpectedly difficult.
Don’t forget to pack lots of water! Heat exhaustion has led to more than one death on this trail, but if you leave early and take plenty of breaks, you’ll be fine to take on the challenge. The view is worth it in the end.
Walk Through Papago Park
Papago Park is a meandering trail system nearby the campus of Arizona State. This park lies adjacent to the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo. While both of those are paid attractions, you can actually see a number of zoo animals while wandering through Papago.
My favorite lookout is hiking up to Governor Hunt Tomb. From there, you can get a clear view of the giraffe cage. The first time I visited, I was astonished to find giraffes roaming in the desert; as it turns out, that’s the Phoenix Zoo!
If you have some money in your budget, you might like some of these tours in Phoenix:
Free Things to do in Phoenix – ASU Art Museum
Arizona State University has an art museum on campus that is always free. The exhibitions rotate every semester, so it’s something that you can visit time and time again. After visiting the museum, take a walk around the campus. ASU has a beautiful campus with a few cool treasures to search for, such as the secret garden.
Grab A Culture Pass
17 Libraries in the Phoenix area allow you to check out a culture pass if you’re from the state of Arizona. With a culture pass, you gain two free admission tickets to several attractions throughout the city. My favorites are the Arizona Science Center, Desert Botanical Garden, and Heard Museum.
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Attend A Cardinals Open Practice
Arizona’s professional football team, the Cardinals, hold open practices a number of times throughout the summer season. The practices are completely free, and you can bring your own snacks, sit in the stadium, and get some free entertainment. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to grab a few autographs at the end.
Enjoy Some Food at The Farmer’s Market
There are dozens of farmer’s markets that take place throughout Phoenix throughout the entire year. This is the best way to enjoy some local flavors, try out the crops in season, and even get some free samples.
Many of these markets have vendors selling desserts, dog treats, and crafts as well, so it can make for a fun morning activity.
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Visit the Beach at Tempe Town Lake
You might not typically think of beaches when you picture Arizona, but Tempe Town Lake offers sun, sand, and fun. You’ll regularly find people paddleboarding, canoe racing, and even sailing in the lake. Tempe Beach Park is located on the south side of the lake and regularly hosts events and festivals.
On the north side of the lake, you’ll find the sand beach. This is the perfect place for some volleyball or wading in the water. Tempe Town Lake is the best place to catch morning sunrises, in my opinion.
Listen to Live Music At Tempe Marketplace
Tempe Marketplace is an outdoor mall that is highly popular with ASU students. Not only are there a number of bars and restaurants, but every Friday and Saturday night from 7-10 pm, there are free live performances on stage.
Misters keep the venue cool in the summer months, and if you visit Phoenix in the winter, you’ll start to see the heat lamps get lit up. Performances are best enjoyed with frozen yogurt.
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Touring Arizona
Phoenix will always have a place in my heart. For now, my husband and I are traveling the country in a camper van conversion, but we continue to make frequent stops back in our favorite city. If you find yourself in Arizona, don’t forget to visit the one-of-a-kind cities of Sedona and Flagstaff, Arizona.
What do you think? Will you visit Phoenix and check out some fabulous free things to do in Phoenix? If you have any more tips and recommendations, I’d love to hear them. Please leave your comments below.
Phoenix Budget Travel Tips
Now we’ve shared our recommendations for the best free things to do in Phoenix, check out these top travel tips to help you book your Phoenix vacation on a budget:
Getting There
- Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to your destination.
- Public buses are the cheapest ways to get to your accommodation from the airport, but a shared shuttle transfer is quicker and cheaper than a taxi - you can pre-book those on GetYourGuide or Viator
- Try Omio for booking trains and Busbud for buses including Greyhound and Flixbus.
Where to Stay
- For hotels, I use Booking.com to check reviews and find the best deals on hotels and apartments wherever I'm travelling to. Hotels.com is another good site.
- If you're on a tight budget, use Hostelworld to find the best hostels all over the world
Hire a Car
- Get a quote for car hire with Discover Cars who compare car rental deals from many companies so that you can choose which is best for your trip.
Book Tours and Activities
- I use GetYourGuide or Viator to book everything from skip-the-line entry tickets to food tours as I can compare options from several companies and choose the best one for me
- If you're staying in a hostel, check out their tours and activities which are usually free or very cheap - and a great way to meet people!
Get Travel Insurance
- Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. I never leave home without travel insurance, so consider getting insurance for your trip to cover things like adventure sports and activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, stolen items, trip cancellation and more.
- Get a quote for your trip from True Traveller if you're based in the UK, or World Nomads or SafetyWing which both offer travel insurance for backpackers and long-term travellers. Alternatively, use a comparison site like Travel Insurance Master to find the best cover for you.
Check Your Travel Documents
- Don't forget to check the validity of your passport and any other documents for your trip. Use iVisa to check if you need a visa to visit your destination, and get up to date official travel advice from your government, for example on the Department of State website in the US or the UK government website.
Get Cheap Currency
- When travelling abroad, using a travel bank account like Wise means you get great deals on foreign currency - including a fee-free transfer of up to £500 when you use this link to sign up.
Top Money Saving Tip for Backpackers
- Work exchanges are a great way to travel for longer and extend your trip as you can save a ton of money on accommodation. Get an extra $10 discount on Worldpackers here or learn more about work exchanges.
About the Author
Kate has been traveling in a camper van conversion throughout the US and Canada for over two years. She uses her blog ParkedInParadise.com to teach other travelers about van life and RV living. You can also find Parked In Paradise on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
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