Local

Things to Do and See: Having Fun in Phoenix

There are many tourist attractions in the Phoenix area, so there are lots of things to do in Phoenix even if you live here. Theatre, sports, enjoying the outdoors, festivals, attending special events--something for everyone!

- Annual Events and Festivals
This is a list of events in the metro Phoenix area that occur every year. The festival list includes brief descriptions, dates and contact information.

Aerobatic Adventure Flights in Mesa, AZ
Learn about the aerobatic adventure flights and Top Gun combat flights that are offered at Fighter Combat International in Mesa, Arizona. If extreme flying or stunt flying is your interest, these aerobatic flights are for you.

Apache Trail Scenic Drive
A drive on the Apache Trail takes you on winding roads along the path of the Salt River, past three man made lakes, canyons, incredible desert views, Tortilla Flat, and an adventurous experience in driving. Here's a photo tour with tips about a scenic drive on the Apache Trail.

Arizona Antique Market
Read an overview of the Arizona Antique Market in Scottsdale, AZ. It takes place several times each year.

Arizona Jazz Festival
Get the schedule and details about the Arizona Jazz Festival, held west of Phoenix in Litchfield Park, Arizona. This festival was formerly known as the Desert Ridge Jazz Festival.

Arizona Cocktail Week
Get the details about Arizona Cocktail Week. Check out cocktail-related events all over the state, with special emphasis on the Phoenix area.

Arizona Challenger Space Center
See a photo tour of the Arizona Challenger Space Center. The Arizona Challenger Space Center is located in Peoria, Arizona, northwest of Phoenix.

Best Things to Do in Phoenix - Top Phoenix Attractions
Here are my picks for the top attractions in the Phoenix area. If you only have a short time to get to know Arizona, here are the first three of my choice for places not to miss.

Arizona Science Center
See photos and learn about what happens at the Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. The Arizona Science Center is a great place for kids to enjoy science in a hands-on environment.

Cave Creek Wild West Days
Cave Creek Wild West Days is the place to get that genuine old west attitude! It happens each year in Cave Creek, Arizona just north of Phoenix.

Big Bugs at Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix
A Big Bug exhibit, artwork by David Rogers, will be on display from September 2011 through January 2012. Get the details, ticket information, map and more.

Get the details about the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Championships, a professional tennis tournament held in Surprise, Arizona.
Get the who, when, where, what and how about the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Championships, a professional tennis tournament held in Surprise, Arizona.

Coupons and Discounts
Here are some of the best resources for getting online coupons or discounts for Arizona businesses and services: groceries, restaurants, attractions, golf and more.

Best Free Things To Do and See in Greater Phoenix
You can spend a great deal of money shopping, attending concerts of big-name performers, going up in hot air balloons and taking desert jeep tours. Even in a metro area as large as Phoenix, there are still some great things to do and see that are free (or very cheap). Here are some of my favorites. In addition to these well-known free...

Discount Tickets in Phoenix
Find out which events in Phoenix are scheduled. Buy discount tickets, including discount theater tickets, for Phoenix events.

Desert Belle Boat Tour on Saguaro Lake
For a leisurely and informative scenic tour, try the Desert Belle boat tour on Saguaro Lake near Mesa, AZ. Here is how it works, and some things to know before you go.

Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona
Located in Papago Park not far from downtown Phoenix you'll find a local treasure, actually declared a Phoenix Point of Pride. It is the desert Botanical Garden. You'll be amazed at the beauty and colors of the desert!

Dolly Steamboat
Find out about Dolly Steamboat cruises on Canyon Lake in Apache Junction, Arizona. Dolly Steamboat offers daytime narrated cruises and twilight dinner cruises.

Everything Kids Fest
Get the details about the 2012 Everything Kids Fest, a huge family expo in Scottsdale, Arizona with vendors, interactive activities, character performances and more.

Ironman Arizona
Details for both participants and spectators for the Ironman Triathlon in Tempe, Arizona including the Ironman Expo Village.

El Dorado Hot Spring
A visit to El Dorado Hot Spring will help you escape from everyday life. Here are some details and tips about visiting El Dorado Hot Spring.

Fiesta Bowl Parade - Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade
Each year we line the street to watch the beautiful Fiesta Bowl Parade. The Fiesta Bowl Parade is held on December 31 of each year.

Fountain Hills: The Fountain
Find out about the famous Fountain in the Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona and see a photo.

Frank Lloyd Wright and Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona
Frank Lloyd Wright built his winter home in Scottsdale, Aizona. It is called Taliesin West. Visitors to Scottsdale can tour the Frank Lloyd Wright property and learn about his role in architecture and Arizona.

Hell City Tattoo Festival
Hell City is a tattoo festival that comes to Phoenix, Arizona each summer. Find dates, tickets, activities and see photos of the Hell City Tattoo Festival.

Free or Cheap in Scottsdale
Find free or cheap attractions and activities in Scottsdale, Arizona.

How To Have Fun (With Kids) For Free
There are wonderful things to do with kids in the Phoenix area. Sometimes, though, budget may be an issue. Here are some free activities that will keep the kids happy.

Ghost Towns
There are seventeen ghost towns discussed here which are all within a day trip of the Phoenix area.

Hot Air Balloon Ride
Hot air balloon rides are popular in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Because we have such great weather most days of the year, you can take hot air balloon flights all year long.

Make Meaning
Create your own art projects at Make Meaning in Scottsdale, AZ. Keep them for yourself or give them as gifts.

It's a Parade!
There are so many parades in the Phoenix area! Here are a few photos of each of the parades that you can attend all over central Arizona.

Kentucky Derby Celebrations in Phoenix and Scottsdale
Even though you live in Arizona, you can put on your best hat and seersucker suit and attend a special party on the day of the running of the Kentucky Derby.

Lucky Strike
Lucky Strike is a lounge, cafe, bar and bowling alley all rolled up into one destination in downtown Phoenix at a development called CityScape.

Maricopa County Fair
Every year Central Arizonans anticipate the coming of the Maricopa County Fair, where the emphasis is on education and fun, with a particular focus on agriculture.

Native Trails
Native Trails is a free event in Scottsdale taking place over several weeks each winter.

Octane Raceway Indoor Kart Racing
Have you ever been to an indoor kart racing facility? Whether you are experienced or a novice, Octane Raceway is a place for speed and fun.

Mighty Mud Mania
Get the schedule, ticket info, and details about this year's Mighty Mud Mania in Scottsdale, AZ.

Mystery Castle
In south Phoenix there's a very unusual home built by a man named Boyce Gulley. His daughter still lives there, and you can take a tour. Two-for-one discount coupons for Mystery Castle are often available through the Entertainment Book. (Buy Direct)

National Day of Unplugging
The National Day of Unplugging is one day to leave the phone and tablet on off and connect with your family, friends and community. Can you do it?

Parada del Sol Parade
The Parada del Sol Parade takes place each February in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Parada del Sol Parade is known as the World's Largest Horse Drawn Parade.

Parada del Sol Rodeo - 2012
Get all the details about the Parada del Sol Rodeo in Scottsdale, AZ. The Parada del Sol Rodeo is held at WestWorld. See pictures, too.

Pump It Up
Find out what happens at Pump It Up. This indoor bouncing franchise has locations in Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale and Tempe, Arizona.

Phoenix Zoo Coupons
Are there ever any coupons or discounts offered at the Phoenix Zoo? If you are looking for a Phoenix Zoo coupon, here's your answer.

P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon
Get the details about the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon. The P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon is held in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe each January.

Phoenix Zoo
Learn about the Phoenix Zoo in Phoenix, Arizona. Get tips about visiting The Phoenix Zoo.

Railfair
Every year train enthusiasts young and old gather at Railfair at the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, Arizona. Get the schedule, details, directions and see pictures.

Pioneer Living History Village
Read an overview of the Pioneer Living History Village, located about 30 miles north of downtown Phoenix.

Scottsdale Trolley Tour
You can take a free trolley tour of downtown Scottsdale, Arizona. The Scottsdale Trolley Tour introduces you to downtown Scottsdale districts, history and trivia.

RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup - 2012
The RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup golf tournament is played in Phoenix, Arizona. Professional women golfers play to support charitable donations in this Phoenix golf event.

Rawhide at Wildhorse Pass
Get all the details about Rawhide attractions and events. Rawhide is a replica of an 1880s western town.

Sonoran Sunset Series
Once each month on a Thursday you can hear performances by local musicians at the Chandler Environmental Education Center.

Segway Tours
Take a ride on a Segway on a tour of Tempe Town Lake. You can learn how to ride a Segway while you take a scenic Tempe tour.

Spring Break Activities
Here are ten ideas for things to do with Phoenix area kids while they are out of school for Spring Break.

Tattoo Shows/Conventions
A tattoo show is a great place to meet a variety of tattoo and piercing artists all in one place. You can get a tattoo or just browse and enjoy the people and the entertainment.

Ticket Brokers - Hard to Find Tickets
Ticket scalping in Arizona is legal, with certain restrictions. Here are suggestions about how to find those tough tickets.

Spring Training Baseball
Affectionately referred to as the Cactus League, nine Major League Baseball teams come to the Phoenix area and three go to Tucson in March to get their workout before the real season begins.

Stratum Lasertag
Stratum Laser Tag in Mesa has a large laser tag arena. Laser tag can be played by both children and adults.

Summer Camp
Find the pefect summer camp for your children in the Phoenix area. All price ranges, all interests, day camps and sleep away camps.

Summer Splash Tour
Get the details about the Summer Splash Tour, a free admission event in June at various locations in the Phoenix area where kids can play in water.

Sunday A'Fair
On Sundays in Scottsdale you can attend a free concert, take a free museum tour and take a public art tour at Sunday A'Fair.

Tempe Boat Rentals
Rent a kayak, paddle boat, hydrobike, pontoon boat and more at Tempe Boat rentals. Tempe Boat Rentals is located at Tempe Town Lake, just a few minutes from Phoenix.

Train Rides For Kids
Looking for things to do with kids in the Phoenix area? Everyone loves riding on a train! These trains in Greater Phoenix are specially designed for kids to enjoy.

Waste Management Phoenix Open
One of the first PGA tournaments of the year comes to Scottsdale, Arizona each winter. The Waste Management Phoenix Open (formerly known as the FBR Open) has been dubbed the "Greatest Game on Grass" and is the best attended golf tournament in the world.

PING Golf Factory Tour
See pictures and get details about the free factory tours of PING Golf in Phoenix, Arizona. Karsten Manufacturing makes PING golf clubs in Phoenix, and offers a limited number of free tours throughout the year.

Turf Paradise
Quick facts and important details about Turf Paradise. Includes directions, ticket info, and and other details about live horse racing in Phoenix, AZ.

World Championship Hoop Dance Contest
The Heard Museum World Championship Hoop Dance Contest in Phoenix takes place each winter. Pictures, details, admission, location.

Orpheum Theatre Tour
You can take a docent-led tour of the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix, AZ.

Discuss in my forum