3 Days in Phoenix: The Ultimate Itinerary (Including Scottsdale)

This blog post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.

The Phoenix metropolitan area, also known as the Valley of the Sun, is home to more than five million people. The capital of Arizona, it’s the largest capital (by population) and the fifth largest city in the United States. 19.5 million people visited Phoenix in 2022, with many exploring the surrounding areas like Scottsdale.

Over the last few years, we’ve visited the area several times, enjoying all that Phoenix and Scottsdale have to offer. It’s a great reprieve from Chicago winters, but there are things to do year-round for any interest.

Looking for the best things to do in 3 days in Phoenix? You’re in the right place! We’ve visited the area a few times over the last few years and it never gets old. The desert city offers a fantastic mix of art, culture, outdoor adventure, and amazing food. Plus, Scottsdale is just a quick drive away, giving you that perfect blend of city and resort.

Whether you’re planning a quick weekend or a longer trip, this guide will help you make the most of your 3 days in Phoenix, including where to stay, what to eat, and the can’t-miss spots around town.

Table of Contents

When Is the Best Time to Visit Phoenix?

We’ve visited Phoenix in late spring, fall, and winter, and each season offers something special:

Late Spring (April–May): Warm but not too hot, great for early hikes and pool time before summer. The desert feels peaceful and green in spots.
Fall (September–November): Our favorite—comfortable temps in the 70s–80s °F, perfect for outdoor activities and stunning sunsets without summer crowds.
Winter (December–February): Mild 60s–70s °F temperatures attract snowbirds escaping the cold. It’s busy but beautiful, ideal for desert walks and relaxing pool days.
Summer (June–August): It can hit 100°F+, but summer is also shoulder season, meaning fewer crowds and lower hotel prices if you can handle the heat.

How Many Days Do You Need?

With 3 days in Phoenix, you can really get a feel for the city’s unique vibe—mixing art, history, and desert adventure—and still have time to pop over to Scottsdale for some Old Town charm and luxurious resorts. It’s the perfect amount of time to explore without feeling rushed.

Getting There & Getting Around

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is the main gateway, with excellent connections through American Airlines, Southwest, and United. We typically fly United out of O’Hare with ease.

Phoenix does have public transit, but we recommend renting a car. With so much natural beauty and spread-out attractions, having your own car makes exploring the area easy and flexible—plus, no waiting on taxis or rideshares.

Where to Stay for Your 3 Days in Phoenix

Planning where to rest your head is just as important as mapping out your adventures. Whether you’re craving luxury, mid-range comfort, or budget-friendly, Phoenix and Scottsdale have an incredible range of hotels ready to welcome you. Here’s a curated list to help you find the perfect home base for your 3-day getaway:

In Phoenix

Luxury:

Arizona Biltmore — Known as the “Jewel of the Desert,” this iconic resort combines historic elegance with stunning desert landscapes, luxurious pools, and world-class dining.
Royal Palms Resort and Spa — Nestled at the base of Camelback Mountain, this Mediterranean-inspired resort offers a serene escape with lush gardens, sparkling pools, and a renowned spa.

Mid-range:

Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix — the Palomar boasts a downtown location with rooftop pools and a lively bar scene.
FOUND:RE Phoenix — A boutique hotel in the arts district, featuring bold design, creative public spaces, and easy access to local galleries and eateries.

Budget-friendly:

Courtyard by Marriott Phoenix Downtown — Just steps from the Convention Center and Chase Field.

In Scottsdale (Just a Short Drive Away)

Luxury:

The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort — Scottsdale’s crown jewel, The Phoenician dazzles with lush golf courses, elegant rooms, exquisite dining, and a sprawling poolscape. The perfect place to unwind in true desert luxury.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess — A sprawling resort offering everything from golf to spa experiences, gourmet restaurants, and a family-friendly vibe with plenty of pools and outdoor activities.

Mid-range:

Hotel Valley Ho — A retro-modern boutique hotel with a pool scene, mid-century design, and a downtown location that keeps you close to Scottsdale’s best shopping and nightlife.

Budget-friendly:

Hampton Inn & Suites Scottsdale Old Town — Conveniently located with clean, comfortable rooms, this hotel offers a retreat just minutes from Old Town’s shops, galleries, and restaurants.

This lineup offers something for everyone, whether you want to indulge in luxury, enjoy a boutique setting, or keep it simple and budget-conscious. Wherever you stay, you’ll be perfectly positioned to dive into all the best that Phoenix and Scottsdale have to offer.

Best Things to Do with 3 Days in Phoenix (and Scottsdale)

With just 3 days in Phoenix, you’ll want to make every moment count—and luckily, Phoenix and Scottsdale are packed with diverse experiences, from hiking and history to arts, culture, and fantastic food. Here’s a mix of classic must-sees and hidden gems to fill your itinerary.

Outdoor Adventures & Nature

Camelback Mountain Hike (Echo Canyon or Cholla Trail)
The iconic Camelback is the ultimate Phoenix hike, offering challenging trails and breathtaking panoramic views of the city and desert below. Best done early in the morning to beat the heat.
Papago Park & Hole-in-the-Rock
Easy, family-friendly hikes with unique sandstone formations and stunning views, plus the nearby Desert Botanical Garden, which showcases beautiful desert flora.
South Mountain Park & Preserve
One of the largest municipal parks in the U.S., with miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The summit lookout offers epic sunsets over Phoenix.
McDowell Sonoran Preserve (Scottsdale)
A sprawling desert preserve with dozens of miles of well-marked trails for all skill levels, plus opportunities for mountain biking and wildlife spotting.

Arts, Culture, & History

Heard Museum (Phoenix)
A world-renowned museum dedicated to Native American art and culture, with stunning exhibits, traditional crafts, and contemporary works.
Phoenix Art Museum
The largest art museum in the Southwest, featuring a diverse collection from classic to modern art, plus rotating exhibitions.
Old Town Scottsdale
Wander through streets lined with art galleries, boutique shops, and southwestern-inspired architecture. Don’t miss the public art installations and the weekly Scottsdale ArtWalk (Thursday evenings).
Taliesin West (Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio)
Tour the winter home and architectural school of Frank Lloyd Wright in nearby Paradise Valley. The guided tours (starting at $39 for adults) offer insight into his unique vision and desert-inspired designs.
Mystery Castle (Phoenix)
A quirky, hand-built castle constructed from found materials, steeped in local legend and charm. It’s a fun off-the-beaten-path stop.

Sports

If you’re a sports fan, the greater Phoenix area is a total win. It’s home to major professional teams across all the big leagues: NBA’s Phoenix Suns, NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks, NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.

Plus, every February and March, the Cactus League Spring Training transforms the region into a baseball lover’s paradise, hosting 15 major league teams playing over 200 games in stadiums scattered across Phoenix and Scottsdale. It’s an unbeatable way to get close to the sport in beautiful desert settings (and prices are typically better than in-season games!).

Don’t overlook college sports either—Arizona State University in Tempe is right in the metro area and boasts strong programs in football, basketball, baseball, and more

Whether you’re into basketball, football, hockey, baseball, or college sports, the Phoenix metro area has you covered for your 3 days in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Where to eat and drink in Phoenix

We definitely do not define ourselves as foodies, but we wanted to highlight a few local places we’ve enjoyed when we’ve been in the area. As Chicagoans, we do stop at In-N-Out when we’re in the Phoenix area since we don’t have it at home. And, as always, we use a credit card that gets 3x or 4x on dining when we buy food on trips!

Pizzeria Bianco has been rated amongst the best pizza in the United States, and if you have time, it’s well worth a visit. Be warned that you will encounter a wait. We arrived right at opening and still had to wait nearly two hours for a table for two.

Fry Bread House was founded by Cecelia Miller, a Tohono O’odham woman who wanted to serve Native American food. If you visit, definitely get the fry bread – it’s in the name! We tried the Native Taco (refried beans, cheese, and lettuce) and the Combo Taco with beef. Each taco starts at $11, but there is a lot of food in one taco. The fry bread holds tons of fillings, and you will not be hungry afterwards. For dessert, we got the cinnamon and sugar fry bread.

Diego Pops – three words. Brussels. Sprouts. Nachos. Located in Old Town Scottsdale, stop in for a drink and a bite to eat or even a full meal. We’ve gone back several times just for the Brussels Sprouts Nachos, but there is plenty of delicious food on the menu if you’re looking for something else.

Original Chop Shop is a casual spot serving healthy dishes in a few locations in greater Scottsdale. Try out a protein bowl, superfruit bowl, or one of their delicious protein shakes as a great start to your day.

Sample 3 days in Phoenix + Scottsdale Itinerary

Day 1: Dive into Downtown Phoenix

We love starting in downtown Phoenix with:

The Phoenix Art Museum (we’re big fans of the Yayoi Kusama exhibit – I go through multiple times when we’re there).
A stroll through Roosevelt Row for some incredible street art.
Dinner at Pizzeria Bianco—it’s hands down some of the best pizza we’ve had anywhere.

Day 2: Scottsdale’s Old Town & Desert Culture

Breakfast at Original Chop Shop to fuel up.
Touring Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West is a must!
Explore galleries and shops in Old Town Scottsdale.
End the day with dinner and cocktails at Diego Pops—those Brussels Sprouts Nachos are always on our list.

Day 3: Outdoor Adventure & Desert Beauty

Spend your morning hiking or wandering the Desert Botanical Garden.
Relax by the pool or visit one of Scottsdale’s famous golf courses.
Enjoy a sunset dinner at The Phoenician or Fairmont Scottsdale Princess to soak in the luxury and desert views.

Day Trips from Phoenix

While Phoenix and Scottsdale are great places to visit on their own, it’s worth exploring Arizona outside the city.

Only two hours north of Phoenix is Sedona, home to energy vortexes and tons of hiking. Sedona is worth at least a few days visit but can be done in one day. Hikes like Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge Trail, and the Birthing Cave can all be done in a few hours (or less) as you enjoy the beauty of the area.

Saguaro National Park, just outside Tucson, is about an hour and a half from Phoenix. Home to the tallest cacti in the United States, enjoy the more than 90,000 acres of land that the park protects.

Just over 3 hours northeast of Phoenix is Petrified Forest National Park. Best known for its petrified trees (hence the name), the park offers sprawling views throughout the 28-mile drive through the park. The drive is a bit long for a day trip, but it’s absolutely a national park you can see in only one day.

If you are visiting lots of national parks, check out our post on how to save money and earn points & miles here: National Park Visits

Final Thoughts on 3 Days in Phoenix

Our multiple visits over the years have shown us how Phoenix changes with the seasons, but its always welcoming, warm, and full of surprises. Phoenix and Scottsdale truly have something for everyone. Whether you’re into shopping, sports, or just relaxing, you’ll find it all here. What’s also great about the area is the city’s size combined with its popularity as a tourist destination—this means there are plenty of options from a travel perspective, so no matter your budget or style, you can find what you need.

With this 3 days in Phoenix (and Scottsdale) guide, you’ll enjoy everything from amazing food and vibrant activities to desert hikes and the perfect escape into the Southwest’s unique charm.

Planning your trip? Drop your questions or favorite spots below — we’re always happy to swap Phoenix tips!