7 Reasons to Take a Day Trip to the Phoenix Suburbs

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The Phoenix Metro is a vast playground with a wide range of entertaining options, making it an ideal location for a day trip. Add to that year-round sunshine, a mixture of big city and small-town rural suburbs, and plenty of sites to see, and you have a melting pot of reasons to visit.

Many residents already take advantage of all that the Phoenix metro area has to offer, but Neighborhoods.com has put together a list of refreshing ideas for locals and inspiring suggestions for non-residents to consider a day trip to the Valley of the Sun.

For Families

Who says a family day trip can’t be fun for the whole family? When in doubt of a place to visit that offers enough fun, entertainment, and educational value to keep the kiddos happy, head to the Phoenix metro. There are working farms, zoos, parks, museums, and other attractions — more than enough to fit in one day. 

Wet N’ Wild in Glendale offers 35 acres of fun and the Big Surf Water Park in Tempe is crucial for extremely hot days. Head south to North Mountain Village to Castles and Coasters for 10-acres of rides, a tri-level arcade, and miniature golf. Camelback East Village has the popular Phoenix Zoo, which remains the largest privately owned zoo in the U.S. and Downtown hosts the Arizona Science Center with over 350 exhibits. 

For Foodies

Foodies, prepare to be amazed at the commitment to not only ingredients but also food preparation, display, and innovation in the Phoenix suburbs. Places like Gilbert are striving to become the food Mecca of the metro with restaurants like farm-to-table Joe’s Farm Grill in Agritopia. Scottsdale has shined recently as one of the top cities for vegetarian and vegan options with restaurants like The Herb Box in DC Ranch. And the area is always buzzing with trendy spots to check out like The Henry, for healthy and decadent, Winsor in Uptown or the ultimate happy hour food menu, and True Food Kitchen in the Biltmore for healthy fare and a chic environment.

For Golfers

We don’t mean to brag, but it’s difficult when there are over 200 courses to choose from in the area. According to Phoenix Golf Source, that is over 3,600 holes to play. Luckily, they put together an alphabetized list of almost every course with a link to the site for your day-trip planning convenience. But here are a few notable courses worth stopping by per Trip Savvy:

Most Budget-Conscious Golf Course

Coyote Lakes Golf Club in Surprise offers discounted rates without skimping out on the quality. Enjoy views of the White Tank and Bradshaw mountains in 6,213 yards of course.

Best Public Golf Course

Troon North Golf Club offers two courses, Monument and Pinnacle, and was chosen for being “fun, challenging, and beautiful.” 

Best Golf Resort

Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa in Litchfield Park offers three championship golf courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and includes an island green, expanded practice facilities, and the acclaimed Jim McLean Golf School. 

For Outdoor Enthusiasts

You can expect the area to be thriving with residents and tourists soaking up the sun in year-round outdoor activities. And when the weather gets too warm, water sports at the nearby lakes and the Salt River make summers bearable and adventurous. Rock climbing, horseback riding, cycling, and mountain biking can be found at multiple points throughout the area’s mountain ranges and local parks. And with companies offering options like skydiving, four-wheeling, and jeep-touring, the potential for day-trip exploits are boundless.

Scale across an adventure course in Rappel Arizona. Visit Tempe Town Lake for pontooning, kayaking, pedal boating, and stand-up paddleboarding. Take the trail at Papago Park for a birds-eye view into the Desert Botanical Gardens and Phoenix Zoo.

For Shopaholics

Get ready to shop till you drop as this is a prime area for serious shoppers. Whether you’re looking for small-town boutique-style gifts or luxury retailers, you can be assured they exist here.

The Biltmore Fashion Park is synonymous with high-end shopping in Phoenix as is the Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale. North Mountain Village has a cluster of antique shops along Cave Creek Road like Rusty Saturday and Everything Goes. Day-tripping with your teen? Check out Plato’s Closet in Glendale for trendy young adult fashion.

For Wine and Beer Lovers

One may not associate wineries with Arizona but just an hour and a half north of Phoenix is the Verde Valley. The area is rich with picturesque red rocks and canyons alongside a handful of local wineries.

But you don’t really have to leave the confines of the metro to experience a day of wine-tasting and brewery hopping. Su Vino Winery of Downtown Scottsdale features a variety of Arizona wines. Winery 101 in Peoria offers one of the largest tasting rooms in the state. And finally, you can hop on one of the AZ Barrel House Tours where a bus takes you on a day journey through Tempe, Scottsdale, or Phoenix where you’ll learn about the cities most iconic locations and beverages.

For Spa Seekers

There’s nothing more important than balancing your body and mind. Throw in a bit of pampering, and you have what most people refer to as a “spa day.” Considering the area is a hotspot for tourism, there are ample resorts and day spas ready and willing to help you unwind.

According to Phoenix New Times, several spas worth checking out are Sanctuary Spa in Paradise Valley, which features vibration therapy and a zen mediation garden, Spa at the Boulders in Carefree, draws influence from the surrounding desert, and VH Spa at Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, where they offer weekly and seasonal deals for affordable treatments.