One of the many things people living in America crave is summer and to enjoy the warm breeze, and what better place to enjoy that than Phoenix! People prefer Phoenix because it offers them the sunniest climate in the USA. Rightly named Valley of the Sun, Phoenix offers some of the best weekend spots you take consider going whether you are a party person or like to have some alone time. You can rent a car or drive on your own and visit places like Sedona, Lake Havasu City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles or Albuquerque, which are very convenient for a long drive with your family and friends. In this article, we list out the best weekend trips from Phoenix, Arizona you can take, so continue reading!
1. Sedona (from USD 179.0)
Hike or bike over the beautiful terrain in Sedona, which is made up of around 1.8 million acres (728434 hectares) of forest land. Sedona is ideal for trekkers, hikers and bikers. A scenic marvel found here is the Chapel of Holy Cross, a Roman Catholic church renowned for its unique and award-winning architecture. It was voted as one of the seven man-made wonders of Arizona. The view of the church along with the red rocks are truly breath-taking! The Devil’s bridge is another great stop for hikers, and it’s a 4-mile (6.5-kilometre) trail with an amazing view. Also, don’t forget to visit Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, which features Native American history, culture, crafts and delightful cuisines. Sedona is 117 miles (186 kilometres) from Phoenix.
From Phoenix: Full-Day Sedona Small-Group Tour
Duration: 11.0 hour
2. Los Angeles
One of the most happening weekend gateways is Los Angeles, which is 373 miles (597 kilometres) away from Phoenix by car. There’s plenty of things to do and explore when you’re here. You can experience the vibrant nightlife, devour amazing continental cuisines from all over the world, socialize with people from all countries, and visit iconic sites like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Park, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, have a tour of Warner Bros. Studio. For a weekend’s stay, there is a lot to be done and to experience in Los Angeles.
3. Las Vegas
A weekend trip to Las Vegas is all you need with your buddies to unwind from the office stress over a tight-scheduled week. The city is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, a plethora of casinos, shopping centres, and innumerable dining options. There’s something for everyone at Las Vegas, and a weekend might be too short if you want to explore all the entertainment spots here! Apart from glitz and glamour, a visit to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area for trek and hike is another great option. Also, you can visit the iconic Pinball Hall of Fame — a gamer’s paradise!
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4. Bisbee
Bisbee is 207 miles (332 kilometres) away from Phoenix and is an ideal weekend gateway option if you’re looking to explore a city with a rich historical past. A visit to the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum and the Bisbee Restoration Museum will acquaint you of the city’s copper-mining history. The Queen Mine tour provides visitors with an interesting insight as to how underground miners lived their lives and created a community. If you’re visiting Bisbee on the right weekend, you can enjoy cultural events like Bisbee 1000 or the Bisbee Pride Festival.
5. Flagstaff
Flagstaff is a great weekend gateway for you if you would like to enjoy nature’s beauty. The city is rich in greenery as it’s surrounded by some unique trees like the pinus ponderosa. It is in Flagstaff that you can spot Arizona’s tallest mountain, Humphreys Peak, and also visit the Arizona Snowbowl, a one of a kind snow sports resort. For people who love to appreciate nature, the Arboretum houses some 750 species of drought-tolerant and native plants, which all come from the high-desert Colorado Plateau. Flagstaff is roughly 145 miles (233 kilometres) from Phoenix.
6. Jerome
From Phoenix, Jerome is a roughly three-hour road trip, amounting to a distance of 111.7 miles (180 kilometres). Jerome is historically renowned to be a copper-mining hub. If you like exploring the hidden ruins and architecture, visit the Jerome State Historic Park, Jerome Historical Society Inc and the Tuzigoot National Monument. Views from Mingus Mountain overlooking the cityscape is truly breathtaking and is one stop you shouldn’t miss while you’re here.
7. San Diego
San Diego is a beach city lying on the Pacific coast of California. A weekend trip from Phoenix takes six hours, which is 355 miles (568 kilometres). On your road trip, you can expect to come across some amazing beaches, parks, art galleries, museums, studios, and other fun attractions for all ages. You can visit La Jolla Cove if you are travelling in a group as it makes for a perfect picnic spot. On the other hand, SeaWorld San Diego is an aquatic theme park which has many fun water sports activities.
8. Albuquerque (from USD 375.0)
Approximately seven hours away from Phoenix by car is Albuquerque, a city in New Mexico! Could your weekend trip be any more thrilling? The city of Albuquerque is rich in Mexican art, culture, food, and diverse history! The view of the mountains from the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway is one stop in this city that’s truly worth your visit!
Private Tour: Albuquerque Full Day
Duration: 8 hours
9. Lake Havasu City
Lake Havasu City’s pride, the London Bridge and Grand Canyon, should be on your list if you are planning to visit this place from Phoenix. It roughly takes about four to five hours of a road trip and approximately 192.8 miles (310.2 kilometres) from Phoenix. What are the tourist attractions here apart from these? If you like to hike and trek, the place offers some amazing and exciting trailheads, both on land and water. Apart from that, you can explore the Havasu Museum of History, where you can learn about the local American life, their culture, steamboats, wildlife and many more! If you’re with your family, you can consider spending your weekend at Lake Havasu State Park.
10. Tucson
Surrounded by desert yet having a tropical climate, Tucson, Arizona is a delight if you are looking to unwind among the mountains. Tucson has a lot to offer if you’re searching for a weekend gateway; you can visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which is a beautiful landscape that has a wide variety of native wildlife, flora and fauna, a botanical garden, and walking trails. You can also consider exploring the magnificent University of Arizona, hike near the beautiful Sabino Canyon, Mount Lemmon, or visit the San Xavier Mission. You can also explore San Austin de Tucson, a walled fortress erected in the 17th century by Spanish rulers. Tucson is 113 miles (181 kilometres) away from Phoenix. If you want to extend your weekend gateway, you can do so as well because only 70 miles (113 kilometres) away is the Mexican border of Nogales.
Pack your bags now!
If you start driving early from Phoenix, you could be spending your short weekend trip to a new country as well. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and off you go!
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