4-Day Phoenix Getaway

Day 1 You'll See:

Day 2 You'll See:

Day 3 You'll See:

Day 4 You'll See:

On this exciting, educational, and extremely memorable 4-day Phoenix trip your group will be able to explore some of the finest attractions in the southwest! Your group will explore the area's most popular museums, education centers, shopping centers, and natural recreation areas, making memories and learning all along the way.


Day
1

Arizona Science Center

The Arizona Science Center has been named one of the premier science centers in the nation, the 4-story museum boasting a state of the art onsite planetarium, 3D theater, and countless interactive experiences and live science demonstrations throughout. There are several regularly changing exhibits in the museum, as well as a handful of permanent exhibits that include Flight Zone, The W.O.N.D.E.R Center, Evans Family SkyCycle, Get Charged Up, Forces of Nature, and more. As we mentioned before there are also other options for learning and entertainment while here including the Dorrance Planetarium, one of the largest and most technologically advanced in the United States, the Irene P Flinn Theater, and the always exciting CREATE Makerspace.

Roosevelt Row

This nationally-known arts district boasts one of the finest scenes of art, culture, and cultural events in the southwest, the district fondly called 'RoRo'. There are over 100,000 new visitors to this creative district each year, the district itself extending from 7th Avenue to 16th Street. During your visit to the district, your group will be able to find unique gifts, delicious meals, trendy outfits, and, of course, plenty of art, the 'creative pulse unlike anywhere else' everywhere you look. Visit Roosevelt Row Merchants, Hot Box Galleries, Roosevelt Row Market, and so much more!

Heard Museum

Welcome to Phoenix's Heard Museum, the local art and culture museum that holds exhibits devoted to Native American Civilizations and Southwest Art. Dedicated to the advancement of American Indian Art, Heard truly sets the standard for American Indian art collaborations and exhibitions. While here your group will be able to see first-hand some of this art, whether in the galleries or with a live performance. There are 12 exhibition galleries within, including the Jacobson Gallery, Kitchel Gallery, Freeman Gallery, and much more. See signature exhibits such as HOME: Native People in the Southwest as you explore, then opt-in for a free guided public tour or special K-12 School Tour.

Day
2

Pueblo Grande Museum

The ruins of the Pueblo Grande Museum are located on a 1500-year-old archaeological site that was once inhabited by the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People, or the Hohokam people. By exploring these ancient ruins your group will be able to learn all about the Hohokam peoples, who resided in the area from 450 AD to 1450 AD as farmers of the Salt Gila River Valley. Immerse yourself in the environment by taking the 2/3rd mile interpretive trail around the remains of the prehistoric ballcourt and platform mound. Inside the museum, you can catch a showing of the award-winning introduction video about the Hohokam peoples and this site, as well as explore 3 galleries within.

Papago Park

Phoenix Ruins Pixabay Public Domain

Phoenix Ruins Pixabay Public Domain

Papago Park holds about 1500 acres of protected land and consists of mostly sandstone structures, with countless massive buttes rising and falling throughout. There are so many things you can do within this park, from exciting outdoor recreation to educational museum attractions. There are several major Phoenix attractions located within the park, such as the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, and Hall of Flame Museum. The most popular activities within the park are hiking and picnicking, with several trails fit for walking, running, and mountain biking spread throughout. The scenic park offers generally easy trails, though there are a few more difficult options as well.

Day
3

Desert Botanical Garden

One of the most naturally stunning spots you can visit during your trip to Phoenix can be found within Papago Park, at the Desert Botanical Garden. This 140-acre botanical garden allows guests to 'enjoy the beauty of the desert and care about it', showing off various exhibits and hosting events related to the botanical world throughout the year. During your visit to the gardens, you can walk around and see the exhibits, attend an event, or simply roam around and enjoy the scenery at your leisure. Private group tours and field trip tours are available for booking, as are regularly changing daily tours based on the season.

Old Town Scottsdale

Located just about 20 miles from greater Phoenix your group will find Old Town Scottsdale, the historic yet pleasantly modernized community within downtown Scottsdale that offers up some of the areas best shopping, dining, art, and attractions. This area boasts a bevy of boutiques, bars, lounges, restaurants, clubs, and galleries along the streets, as well as several museums and other recreational attractions. We highly suggest planning your evening dinner here in Old Town Scottsdale, the dining scene one of the absolute best in the area. Grab a bite to eat at Gio Osso's Virtu Honest Craft, get something sweet at the historic Sugar Bowl (1958), or enjoy a health-conscious meal at Farm and Craft.

Day
4

Camelback Mountain

Camelback Mountain is the most popular urban hiking spot in Phoenix, located within Echo Canyon Park halfway between Scottsdale and the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. During your visit to the mountain, you will have the opportunity to hike two major trails, Echo Canyon and Cholla, as well as an easy option with Bobby's Rock Trail. The most popular trail is the Echo Canyon Trail, a steep 1.2-mile incline that allots a 1200 foot gain in elevation for hikers. The second option is a slightly easier 1.5-mile gradual inclined hike along the Cholla Trail. Whichever trail you decide to take it is important to remember to bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and consider taking your hike in the morning hours.

OdySea Aquarium

OdySea provides 'entertaining, intriguing, and educational experiences for guests of all ages', combining theme park-like amusement with engaging presentations of marine life. Start your visit with a trip on the OdySea Voyager, an immersive experience where guests sit within a stadium-style theatre with 46 ft. viewing windows, this the 'world's only revolving aquarium experience'. You can also spend time in the Aqua Lobby, Rivers of the World, Otter Banks, SeaTrek, Touch Pools, Kid's Cove, Deep Ocean, Bizzare and Beautiful, Reef Jewels, Ocean Art, and of course, the 3D Theater. There are also several unique tours offered at the OdySea, such as the Shark Tour, SeaTrek Helmet Diving Tour (check out the video below), and Penguin Encounters Tour.