Arizona is a land of mesmerizing deserts and it is famous for its warm temperatures that last throughout the year. Phoenix, the capital of the state, provides the convenience of a metropolitan city and the charm of the desert ambience. The city is famous for elite spa resorts, golf courses designed by none other than Jack Nicklaus, and a vibrant nightlife. Not just these, you can also engage in trips to discover the flora and fauna of the desert or spend a night in the desert gazing at the stars above. Thus, Phoenix is a wholesome tourist destination for it has something for all types of tourists. Here are 10 unique things to do in Phoenix, Arizona, while you are on a visit there.
1. Glide over the Arizona desert on a hot air balloon flight (from USD 209.0)
Get your bucket list checked off and float through the sky, admiring the vista of the Arizona desert, the mountains, and the city of Phoenix from a height of 5,000 feet (1,524 meters). Feel the breeze in your hair and bask in serenity.
The pilot will answer any questions you might have while you are in the air, and he will point out interesting sights. After landing, toast a glass of champagne to celebrate your adventure. Additionally, you will receive a flight certificate to remember your trip.
Phoenix: Hot Air Balloon Flight with Champagne
Duration: 3.5 hour
2. Learn about street art with the RoRo Street Art Tour in Phoenix (from USD 26.0)
Spend a fun-filled afternoon strolling Phoenix’s streets, admiring the murals and graffiti, and learning about the talented artists who created them from your local guide. Roro has a vibrant art community with a passion for upholding the traditions of its people and a dedication to promoting the talents of local artists.
You can select from many departure times, and the group size is restricted to only 12 people. You’ll have a fascinating pit stop at The Churchill, a food hall constructed from shipping containers. You’ll also stop by Carly’s Bistro, which has a wall of street art that’s continuously changing.
Phoenix Street Art Tour
Duration: 2 hours
3. Learn to line dance at Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row
Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row is a gastropub with a unique ambience. It serves award-winning food and drinks coupled with the best nightlife in the area. Among the activities possible in this pub, line dancing is one of them. If you love dancing and learning to line dance is on your bucket list, then this is an amazing opportunity as they teach it at this gastropub. So, savour some delicious fare while learning a jig.
Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row
Address: 640 S Mill Ave Ste 120 Tempe, AZ 85281
Website: Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 4pm - 2am; Fri - Sat: 11am - 2am; Sun: 10am - 2am (closed on Mon)
Price: 11 - 30 USD
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4. Explore the Musical Instrument Museum
Everybody loves music. Taste and preference might vary but it all comes down to one fact that music, of various tunes, is loved by all. Thus, visiting the one-of-its-kind Musical Instrument Museum is a must for any tourist in Phoenix. The museum showcases a variety of musical instruments gathered from over 150 countries. The number of instruments housed roughly amounts to 6000. You will learn about the origin, history and other information of each instrument and even try them out in the Experience Gallery. The museum also houses instruments played by music stalwarts like Elvis Presley, Carlos Santana and John Lennon.
Musical Instrument Museum
Address: 4725 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050, USA
Website: Musical Instrument Museum
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 10 - 20 USD
5. See the butterflies at Butterfly Wonderland
Butterflies are beautiful creatures to look at and hence, a visit to the Butterfly Wonderland in Arizona should not be skipped. It is an indoor and interactive rainforest habitat where thousands of butterflies belonging to a variety of species are found. It is a great place for an educational tour. Besides, there is also an on-site cafe and a gift shop for you to take a break or buy souvenirs.
Butterfly Wonderland
Address: 9500 East Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256, USA
Website: Butterfly Wonderland
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (closed on Thu)
Price: 24.95 USD
6. Try out Goat Yoga
It is common knowledge that yoga is good for both body and soul. The best part about this exercise routine is that there are quite a few of them to cater to your specific requirements, one being the unique goat yoga. In this style of yoga, you perform the exercise with, you guessed it, goats. This strange yoga company surprisingly has a therapeutic effect on the yoga participant for you are combining nature and animals into a form of yoga. Goat yoga did not start as a planned event. Lainey Morse, the owner of a picturesque farm in Oregon, was approached by a yoga teacher with a suggestion that her barn could be a great space to teach yoga. To this, she replied casually that goats too have to be in that yoga session because they live there. That is how this trend started and it is too good an opportunity to miss.
Goat Yoga
Address: 26601 S Val Vista Dr, Gilbert, AZ 85298, United States
Website: Goat Yoga
Opening hours: Varies
Price:Varies
7. Visit the Mystery Castle
A trip to Phoenix would not be called unique without a visit to the famous Mystery Castle. It was built over a period of 15 years by Boyce Luther Gulley for his beloved daughter. Once, while building sandcastles on a beach, Boyce promised his toddler daughter that he would one day build a castle for her. Later, he abandoned his wife and child after being diagnosed with tuberculosis and built this castle to fulfil the promise made to his daughter. What mystery lies within the castle and the tale surrounding it, for it to earn such a name, can only be found out after a tour of the castle. Let us just say for now that there is a trap door.
Mystery Castle
Address: 800 E Mineral Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85042, USA
Website: Mystery Castle
Opening hours: Thu - Sun: 11am - 3:30pm (closed from Mon - Wed)
Price: 5 - 10 USD
8. Check out "Her Secret Is Patience" art installation
When in Arizona, you simply cannot miss out the “Her Secret is patience” art installation. One of the modern era’s most intriguing artworks, this public sculpture was designed by Janet Echelman and dedicated to the city of Phoenix. The artwork consists of painted galvanized steel, polyester twine netting and lights, all amalgamated into a beautiful and psychedelic display that looks like it is floating in the air. Viewers have often likened the art structure to that of a jellyfish.
Her Secret Is Patience
Address: 424 N Central Ave Civic Space Park Phoenix, AZ 85004
Website: Her Secret Is Patience
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
9. Try egg cream at MacAlpine's Soda Fountain
The funny thing about egg cream is that it neither has eggs nor cream. It is a cold beverage that is made with carbonated water, milk and flavoured syrup. In MacAlpine’s Soda Fountain, the flavoured syrup used is chocolate so in this establishment, egg cream is a delicious chocolate drink that you just can’t afford to miss. MacAlpine’s is a unique eatery that was built in 1938 and has retained its vintage charm. It serves a variety of diner dishes, syrups and boasts as many as 99 soda flavours. The egg cream in this establishment is a fizzy and chocolatey delicacy that will remind you of the Brooklyn soda fountains.
MacAlpine's Soda Fountain
Address: 2303 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006, USA
Website: MacAlpine’s Soda Fountain
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 7pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 8pm
Price: Under 10 USD
10. Attend the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest
Native American culture is an integral part of American history and it is great that it is celebrated and preserved in such a unique way. The Hoop Dance Contest is conducted every year during winter by the Heard Museum. It is a competition where the contestants use hoops to create patterns of eagles, baskets, insects, flowers and other objects, all with the beat and rhythm of the music. This remarkable fest is organised to commemorate American Indian and Canadian First Nation Culture. Besides being an entertaining event, it honours the Native cultural tradition of healing by dancing hoops. You can visit the championship to witness the mesmerising act of creating symbols by simultaneously using as many as 50 hoops, and appreciate the Native-American culture.
World Championship Hoop Dance Contest
Address: Heard Museum 2301 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85004
Website: World Championship Hoop Dance Contest
Opening hours: February every year
Price:7.50 - 30 USD
11. Visit Tovrea Castle
Tovrea Castle is one of the most unique castles in the entire world. It is shaped like a three-tier cake and is situated at the top of a hill. Its location allows a panoramic view of the 44-acre (17.8-hectare) Phoenix desert landscape. It was originally built as the centrepiece of a private resort then ultimately became a park. Now it is the pride of Phoenix. Its unusual shape makes it a must-visit attraction for any tourist who wants to have a memorable and unique vacation.
Tovrea Castle
Address: 5025 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
Website: Tovrea Castle
Opening hours: Fri & Sat: 7:30am - 9pm (closed from Sun - Thu)
Price: 20 USD
12. Go stargazing (from USD 265.0)
Whether you are a 15-year-old teenager or a 50-year-old, you will always be amazed by the Milky Way. Its sheer expanse and the mystery of the twinkling lights have mesmerised many people. So when you are in Phoenix, you must not miss this one in a million stargazing opportunity in the desert. You will be guided by a professional astronomer who will set up a telescope and help you navigate the Milky Way. The tour also includes observing the desert at night with night-vision goggles. This activity cannot be performed everywhere and anytime, so if it happens to cross your path you should not give up the chance to experience it.
Sonoran Desert Stargazing Adventure
Duration: 2 hours
An adventure on Phoenix
Life is an adventure and it would be unfair to render it boring by confining it to a routine all the time. We must do something unique and unparalleled and feel the thrill and excitement flowing through us. So, here are 10 unique things you can occupy yourself with when in Phoenix, Arizona.
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