Updated at : 07 Aug, 2024

Though Arizona is well-known for its red rocks from Sedona and the magnificent Grand Canyon, this beautiful state has much more to offer. One day you may travel north 2.5 hours after hiking among cactus, then ski past snow-covered pine trees. We have asked a local to provide her insider information on the most interesting day trips from Phoenix.

I guarantee you that those of us who live in this desert state are not insane even if certain areas of Arizona can have summer temperatures over 120 degrees. State 48 is well-known for its stunning sunsets, the Grand Canyon, gorgeous cactus-lined desert settings, and a feeling that combines elements from Native American, Mexican, and Californian traditions.

Arizona has varied experiences with a varied topography ranging from the great desert in the Southwest to the beautiful pine woods to the north. This creates lots of chances for day excursions from Phoenix, a suitable base for your Arizona visits.

See the Old Wild West in communities like Tortilla Flat or go from bright palm palms to snow-covered pine trees in two hours to Northern Arizona. And whereas many of you will shiver beyond reason in the winter, central Arizona peeps will be grinning in the sun with temps of envy from October through early May.

American the Beautiful Annual Park Pass

Among the places on this list are some of the protected areas under NPS coverage. One may stack such admittance fees. We thus strongly advise you to investigate obtaining an annual park pass.

The America the Beautiful park pass costs only $80 year. With this pass, you are free to visit every U.S. National Park.

Including Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead Recreation Area from this list, it also covers your access to over 2,000 natural, historical, and recreational sites all throughout the United States!

If you still require persuasion, see our page: Worthwhile America the Beautiful Annual Park Pass

Arranging A Rental Car In Pheonix

Having your own car will provide you far more flexibility to investigate the top day excursions from Phoenix.

When we hire cars all throughout the globe, we personally enjoy utilizing Discover Cars as they compile choices from all kinds of rental firms in one location. It makes pricing and car comparison rather simple so you may decide which best fit you.

1. Sedona

At first look, Sedona—one of the most visited Arizona towns—is well-known for its amazing red rocks, hip retail stores, and peaceful, enjoyable spiritual air!

From Phoenix, distance is 116 miles; a 2-hour trip

Beautiful. One Arizona town you just cannot miss is Sedona. This city is a favorite because of its distinctive feature— magnificent red cliffs, a mystical atmosphere, excellent shopping, and lots of outdoor fitness activities—which define this state. On their adventure list, both residents and visitors rank a trip to Sedona highly.

What should one do in Sedona?

Sedona offers plenty of amazing picturesque paths for hikers among other great choices. In this section of the state, hiking is a pure delight because to the fresh air and amazing sights. On our day excursion from Phoenix, we started two hiking routes and both were rather fun.

Little Horse path Bell Rock Pathway: An easy-to-moderate path, the red earth mirrors the bright red rocks seen on this 4.3-mile trip. You will want to photograph Bell Rock and other breathtaking sites, so be sure your camera is ready. Along with coyotes, quails, roadrunners, jackrabbits, and other species calling this region home, you will come across large pine trees coexisting with prickly pear cactus along the trip.

2. Tucson

Inspired by Katie and Ben

At first glance: a little city with lots of outdoor activities, ahh-mazing Mexican cuisine, and active nightlife

146 miles; two hours and thirty minutes from Phoenix

Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, Tucson is a little city with BIG outdoor activities, a growing cuisine scene and vibrant nightlife. To be honest, we hardly noticed this city until the Visit Tucson Tourism Board encouraged us to visit in 2019; boy, did this location surprise us? One of the best day excursions from Phoenix is definitely seeing Tucson.

Best Activities To Do In Tucson

Go mountain biking or horseback riding in the desert; this area boasts several different paths!

Eat All with the Mexican cuisine. Given its little over 60-mile distance from the border, Tucson offers some amazing Mexican cuisine.

Walk past forty-foot tall cactus at Sabino Canyon and Catalina State Park.

Visit a model city biosphere including many habitats ranging from the ocean to the jungle.

On Fourth Ave., see some live music. Wander about in the nights and track your ears to the closest live event.

3. Cave Creek's Carefree Attitude

Visit nearby Carefree and Cave Creek to take in two interesting communities with lots of outdoor activities along with unusual stores and good eateries.

Distance from Phoenix: 35.5 miles; forty-five minutes north

When you visit Carefree on a day getaway, leave your responsibilities behind. Though that sounds corny, that is precisely how I felt during the day at this lovely place.

Carefree enjoys a desert scene of red rocks and exquisite boulders that complement the local appeal of this little friendly town. Then visit nearby Cave Creek to pay homage to the Wild West with western-oriented stores and eateries.

Cave Creek also features a trail park open for horses as well as humans. Both societies have pleasant atmosphere, pure air, and slower speed of movement among the people.

Activities Around Cave Creek And Carefree

Visit downtown Carefree to enjoy unusual dining options, Native American inspired galleries, Old Western-style businesses, and wine tastings.

Trekking beside the equestrian riders in picturesque Cave Creek Regional Park

Admission is $7 per car, and it's money wisely used.

Starting at $59 ($54 for youngsters 6 to 12 years old), guided horseback riding trips run one hour circle ride.

Put your thoughts in the gutter—yes, you did read correctly—then visit the well-known Carefree Rock Formation known as Phallic Rock. Judge for yourself whether it lives up to its moniker.

Eat at the Indian Village Restaurant for real Indian fried bread and decent enchiladas. Save space for the sweet fried bread that comes in numerous hot and sweet varieties; don't miss the chicken spinach enchiladas.

A little Mom & pop business offering a range of wines from across the world, Brix Wines, just down the street from the laid-back Indian Village Sip wine and enjoy a breathtaking sunset from the outside terrace of the establishment. Shop the snack section, and Brix will arrange your choices on a charcuterie board for consumption during wine and dinner.

Spend a Friday in Carefree to see the year-round open rain or shine Carefree Farmers' Market. Apart from fresh fruit and vegetables, local sellers also provide unusual products such flowers, arts and crafts.

4. Verde Valley Wine Route

From a cursory view: On the Northern Arizona Verde Valley Wine Trail, a delightful, full, and delicious day awaits the enthusiast for wines.

Distance from Phoenix: 103 miles; one hour and forty minutes; advised beginning location in Cottonwood

Cost: See every place for food prices and wine tastings. From Cottonwood, $57 for Wine Crawler shuttle pass; from Sedona, $69

To my pleasure, the area known as Verde Valley— Cottonwood, Jerome, Sedona, and Cornville, Arizona—has more than 20 wine tasting sites.

These unusual vineyards will fill your day and glass with tastes to remember and provide a great variety of wine. Most offer vino bottles to save you from having to go empty-handed.

Visit the Verde Valley Wine Trail website to print the useful wine trail map before you start your wine sampling adventure. The website will assist in your choice of vineyards and wine sampling venues.

I really suggest scheduling a day trip with the Arizona Wine Crawler Shuttle. From Cottonwood, Cornville, or Clarkdale, the hop-on-hop-off shuttle is $57 a person for a day pass; from Sedona to Verde Valley Wineries, it runs $69 a person. Wine enthusiasts will be taken by both shuttles on a four to six-site wine-tasting path.

Should you not have a designated driver, you may catch the Wine Crawl shuttle by spending one night in the picturesque hamlet of Cottonwood or the elegant Sedona. We stayed in Cottonwood and had a fantastic time—not only with regard to the wine!

5. Cotton Wood

At a glance: Historic Cottonwood welcomes guests with open arms to browse at local boutiques, sample region wines, dine at farm-to--table restaurants and all are within walking distance.

From Phoenix, distance is 103 miles; one hour forty minutes

In the middle of Arizona wine country sits a charming tiny town with a range of good restaurants and vineyard-to--glass tasting rooms. This little community is handy next to Mingus Mountain and the red rocks of Sedona. Cottonwood therefore offers both residents and guests the best of both worlds.

One of my favorite day excursions from Phoenix, this town is honored as the center of Verde Valley Wine Country. You may also read this: Greatest Activities Inside Yellowstone National Park

Activities To Engage In Cottonwood

Plan a wine crawl bus shuttle pickup as Cottonwood is among the most often visited stop on the Arizona Wine Crawler path or remain in town to sample fine vino. Often referred to as the Heart of Verde Valley Wine Country, this town boasts 10 friendly wine tasting facilities.

Stay the night at one of the most amazing boutique hotels I have seen—The Tavern Hotel—should you not have a designated driver. The grounds have local town decorations, fire pits, and clever signage with appealing words; the service is wonderful. This location on the wine crawl shuttle path is quite handy.

An afternoon in Old Town Cottonwood is fun. Walk, eat, drink, and shop at the several locally owned eateries, wine tasting facilities, and specialized stores in the town.

Wine and dinner at Merkin Vineyards, the place the locals consistently suggest. Alternatively have a wine taste at the award-winning Pillsbury Wine Company tasting room, which is housed in Old Town Cottonwood.

Hike, cycle, fish, horseback riding, and camp close by Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Old Town Cottonwood is within four-minute's drive from the park.

Just twenty minutes' drive from Cottonwood, explore Jerome ghost town.

6. Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well

One of the most researched sources of water worldwide is a limestone sinkhole that is so unusual and mountainside cave homes that housed the Sinagua people long ago.

Distance from Phoenix: 95 miles; one hour and thirty minutes north of Phoenix (Montezuma Castle); plus 10 miles; 15 minutes (Montezuma Well)

Cost: $10 entry; children 15 years of age and under enter for free; however, check the website for free admission days. The day I came there was no entry cost.

Montezuma Castle

Stroll a short ⅓-mile down the simple route to see the ancient home previously occupied by the Southern Sinagua people hundreds of years ago. Montezuma Castle is the name given to the amazing mountainside construction today.

Bring the older children along for an interesting history lesson—an easy walk. Imagine the hunting and gathering family that called the Verde Valley ground home beside the museum housed in the park with antiquated relics.

Displayed among ancient objects are food, medicine, clothes, and other needs. One fascinating display has a leg bone from a rabbit used to make a needle for shoe sewing.

Along the path, landscape markers indicate which plants were eaten and which ones were utilized for medicine.

See the audio program framed castle recreation with model figurines of what daily life would have looked like inside the buildings. Though so long ago, parallels between previous days and the modern lives of today provide guests with an eye-opening view of shared human characteristics of life.