The city of Phoenix is one of America’s underrated high-spots. The capital of Arizona, it offers year-round sun and while its climate may tend towards the arid, it has succeeded in becoming a place that tourists are happy to visit at any time of the year. Excellent nightlife with a range of nightclubs and great restaurants is one reason, though its scenery is also pretty special and, if you’re looking for a romantic getaway, you may be surprised by just how much this city fits the bill. You’ll find plenty to do and see here. You will see when you check out our list of the best romantic places in Phoenix, Arizona, it’s a city which will bring any happy couple closer together.
1. Wrigley Mansion/Geordie's Restaurant
There’s plenty of history around Wrigley Mansion, a spectacular house built by William Wrigley Jr, whose name is on most of the chewing gums sold in the USA. This impressive mansion was built in the late 1920s and was bought in 1992 by Geordie Hormel who made it into a venue for conventions, functions and in more recent times fine dining. You can enjoy the fabulous private tour of the mansion before indulging in a romantic meal with a breathtaking view in select company, at the excellent Geordie’s Restaurant or the attached wine bar.
Wrigley Mansion/Geordie's Restaurant
Address: 2501 E Telawa Trail, Phoenix, AZ 85016,
Website: Wrigley Mansion/Geordie’s Restaurant
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11:00-21:00, Sun 10:00-14:00
Price: 15 USD for the tour, 31-60 USD for the restaurant
2. Musical Instrument Museum
The name of this venue hides the true, genuinely impressive nature of the attraction. It is a museum of musical instruments and indeed the largest of its kind anywhere in the world, and in that alone it’s a must-see for music lovers. Interactive displays celebrate the music of a rich tapestry of countries, while exhibits from artists as diverse as Elvis Presley, King Sunny Adé and Taylor Swift showcase the progression and individuality of world and popular music. Additionally, the museum regularly hosts intimate shows from world-renowned artists - a thrill for any muso couples out there.
Musical Instrument Museum
Address: 4725 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050
Website: Musical Instrument Museum
Opening hours: 09:00-17:00
Price: 20 USD
3. Papago Park
There are few things in life more romantic than a leisurely walk in beautiful surroundings, and this is a pursuit in which you can heartily indulge in Papago Park. The red butte rock formations of this park are legendary, and include the (pictured) Hole in the Rock - a stunning natural feature in itself, and one from which the panoramic view is sensational. Time your walk right, and you can watch the sunset from within this spot, an experience that will live with you forever.
Papago Park
Address: 625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
Website: Papago Park
Opening hours: 06:00 - 19:00
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4. Piestewa Peak
Piestewa Peak is, behind Camelback Mountain, the second-highest peak in the Phoenix Mountains and lies within the Phoenix Mountain Reserve. It was named Squaw Peak until 2003 when it was renamed for Lori Ann Piestewa, the first Native woman to die in combat in the US military. At 1,208 feet (368 meters) it can be accessed comfortably by most hikers, and from here you can take in 360-degree views of a beautiful landscape in relative solitude.
Piestewa Peak
Website: Piestewa Peak
Opening hours: 05:00 - 23:00
5. Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
This splendid garden exhibit is a result of the twinning exercise of Phoenix with the Japanese city of Himeji, and a splendid result it is, too. This garden is the perfect place to take a relaxing stroll (good news if you aren’t quite up for the more demanding hikes), and within the garden lies a range of options for a post-stroll sit-down. A modest beer garden might be to your taste, or you may prefer the quieter tea room. Visit at the right time, and you can even witness and participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
Address: 1125 N 3rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Website: Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
Opening hours: 10:00 - 16:00
Price: 5 USD
6. Phoenix Mountains Preserve
The Phoenix Mountains Preserve is not a single attraction as such, but a combination of national parks and mountain areas surrounding Phoenix. It includes among it the aforementioned Piestewa Peak and Papago Park, along with Camelback Mountain and more besides. All of its parks are well worth exploring - they have dedicated hiking trails and, in many cases, include stables where you can rent a horse in order to see the track from horseback; a wonderful, and romantic way to experience the Phoenix Mountains.
Phoenix Mountains Preserve
Website: Phoenix Mountains Preserve
7. Desert Botanical Garden
Within Papago Park, this attraction provides a look at a botanical garden with a difference; for sure, there is greenery, but the theme is very much one of life finding a way in an arid climate. A wide collection of cacti forms a major part of the “DBG” experience, and a modern feel is often enhanced by exhibitions that provide innovative backdrops for the vegetation. These have included “Electric Desert”, a light and sound display that gives the gardens an otherworldly setting. As pictured, flowers such as the Sunset Aloe, show that the desert can be as beautiful as any garden.
Desert Botanical Garden
Address: 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
Website: Desert Botanical Garden
Opening hours: Sun-Wed 08:00 - 22:00, Thur-Sat 08:00 - 23:00
Price: 24.95 USD
8. Phoenix Art Museum
It goes without saying that without romance, there would be little or no art in the world, and there are few better trips for a couple in love to make than one to a gallery. That’s especially true with one so effortlessly diverse and innovative as the Phoenix Art Museum, which carries pieces spanning from the Renaissance to the right now. This gem of a museum pushes the envelope with examples of art spanning the ages, and interactive exhibits that will have you gasping for more.
Phoenix Art Museum
Address: 1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Website: Phoenix Art Museum
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 - 17:00, Wed 10:00 - 21:00, Sun 12:00 - 17:00
Price: 23 USD
9. Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix
The idea of a water park may not sound like the kind of secluded, romantic getaway that couples are looking for, but there are plenty of places where seclusion is on offer if that’s what you’re looking for. Wet ‘n’ Wild is an ideal option instead for couples who like to laugh together and have a wild time. Let’s face it, if you’re truly made for each other then nothing’s going to prove it better than seeing each other scream on a waterslide and still being inseparable!
Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix
Address: 4243 W Pinnacle Peak Rd, Glendale, AZ 85310
Website: Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix
Opening hours: Varies
Price: Weekdays 30.99 USD, Weekends 33.99 USD
10. Dobbins Lookout at South Mountain
Whether you’re shopping together, enjoying a meal in one of the restaurants or experiencing the nightlife, you’ll find Phoenix to be a beautiful city. However, you may not realize quite how magnificent it looks until you’ve seen it from up high - Dobbins Lookout provides the perfect opportunity to experience this. The ultimate couple experience in Phoenix is to see the city from this wonderful perch as the sun sets. Up here, away from the noise and bustle of the town, you’ll appreciate everything all the more.
Dobbins Lookout at South Mountain
Address: 10919 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042
Website: Dobbins Lookout at South Mountain
Opening hours: 05:00 - 19:00, except Friday 05:00 - 21:00
Price: Free
You'll love Phoenix - a city that welcomes those in love
There may be other cities that you’d think of before Phoenix when it comes to romantic getaways. That’s fine, but don’t dismiss it as a place where the atmosphere is as dry as the desert that surrounds it. Nothing could be further from the truth - it’s a romantic, modern city with a lot going for it and, as you’ve seen above, plenty of places for a happy couple to enjoy together. Don’t miss out on Arizona’s underrated jewel - you’ll be glad you took the opportunity to see what it’s all about!
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