Phoenix Travelers Recommend

The sheer vastness of the Grand Canyon, a deep gorge carved by the Colorado River, draws visitors from far and wide to this Arizona sight. Here’s what you need to know about touring the Grand Canyon—by air, vehicle, and foot—from nearby Phoenix.

Guided Day Trips

Guided day trips are a convenient option for visitors to Phoenix who want to cross the Grand Canyon off their bucket list in one day. Travel by road via van or bus, stopping at scenic spots such as Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, and Navajo Nation along the way, or make the most of your time in the Grand Canyon State and travel by air to the West Rim by plane or helicopter. A full-day guided tour often includes activities such as a walk on the Grand Canyon Skywalk overlook or a boat ride on the Colorado River, while customizable private day tours allow travelers to create an itinerary that suits their needs.

Guided Multi-Day Tours

If you've got a few days to spend at the Grand Canyon, multi-day tours offer a great way to take your time experiencing the area’s scenic beauty. You can easily break up the driving time with stops in Sedona and at Navajo reservations, with the option to see more of the viewpoints from the East Rim of the canyon. A three-day tour may add in a visit to the Grand Canyon Railway and the option for additional activities and free time. Expect to see more at a relaxed pace.

Things to Know

• Grand Canyon Village is located about 226 miles (363 kilometers) north of Phoenix, about a 3.5-hour journey by road.

• Full day tours range from about seven to 13 hours, so prepare for a long day.

• Make sure to dress for the heat and bring sun protection; the desert climate is often hot.

Sedona beckons travelers with its distinct red rock landscape and mythical heritage. Just a couple of hours by car from Phoenix, it’s a Southwestern must-see that’s well worth an excursion from the city. Here are your options when it comes to Sedona tours from Phoenix.

Sedona Day Tours

A Sedona day trip from Phoenix showcases the region’s most famous sights and vortexes. If you’re interested in Native American history, you can opt to add a stop at national monument ruins or Navajo trading posts along the way. Adventurous travelers will appreciate the backcountry Jeep tours through Sedona’s Red Rock Country.

Sedona and Grand Canyon Tours

It’s possible to see both Sedona and the Grand Canyon in the same day, allowing visitors with limited time to see some of Arizona’s most dramatic scenery. Driving in the beautiful Sonoran Desert through Oak Creek Canyon and Flagstaff, and stopping for lunch at the Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim area, these combo tours offer an excellent overview of the natural beauty of the area. Multi-day tours offer a deeper experience of each destination.

Things to Know

• Sedona is 115 miles (185 kilometers) north of Phoenix, a drive of about two hours.

• Small-group day tours to Sedona last around 10 hours, and include five to six hours of sightseeing and lunch. 

• Trips to Sedona and the Grand Canyon range from one day (around 13 hours) to three days; longer tours allow for more time at each location.

• Day tours include round-trip transportation and pickup and drop-off from your Phoenix or Scottsdale hotel.

• Tours operate year-round.

Phoenix is an ideal base for desert adventures and day trips to Sedona or the Grand Canyon. From land tours to aerial sightseeing, there are many ways to enjoy three days in and around Arizona’s largest city—including shopping and dining in nearby Scottsdale. Here’s what you need to know to plan the perfect 3-day Phoenix itinerary. 

Day 1: Metro Phoenix in Your Pocket

Get to know downtown Phoenix, aka the Valley of the Sun, with a half-day sightseeing tour of landmarks such as the State Capitol, Camelback Mountain and Wrigley Mansion. Alternatively, visit the fashion outlets or head to the boutique shops of Old Town Scottsdale. When you’ve worked up an appetite, set off on a food-tasting tour of its culinary delights. For a bit more adventure, zip around on a Segway or zoom around the desert on an ATV with a guide to show you the way. If temperatures are too hot, cool off at the Sea Life Arizona Aquarium for a family-friendly afternoon with the kids. As night falls, discover the underbelly of Phoenix on a Murder & Mystery tour! If serenity is what you seek, ride the skies in a hot air balloon at dusk and toast the sunset with Champagne. 

Day 2: Further Afield

With so much to experience beyond metropolitan Phoenix, spend your second day outside of town. A driving tour through the Sonoran Desert takes you to the red rock country of Sedona via the Navajo Nation. You can soar across much of Arizona on a Monument Valley air and Jeep tour. Or follow the Apache Trail on a tour through the legendary Superstitious Mountains to the former mining town of Goldfield and then cruise Canyon Lake aboard a steamboat to get a sense of Arizona’s Old West. Ride a Hummer into the desert in search of nocturnal creatures at Tonto National Forest, home to bighorn sheep and other wildlife. Or float past desert cliffs and canyons on a scenic boat ride across Saguaro Lake. There are options to suit everyone, including quiet stargazing through a telescope for budding astronomers. 

Day 3: The Grandest Canyon of All

The proximity of Phoenix to the Grand Canyon is hard to beat. From full-day tours and flights to multi-day explorations, there are all kinds of ways to experience the national park, counted among the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. To get there quickly with top-down views, plan a combo tour by land and air, with your choice of helicopter or airplane tour narrated from above by the pilot. You soar over the emerald ribbon of the Colorado River, or view Tonto National Forest and the Red Rocks of Sedona by flying direct. Fly over the South Rim and explore the highlights on a scenic drive around the canyon. Or combine a West Rim helicopter flight with a stroll on the breathtaking Skywalk. 

One day in Phoenix allows you to enjoy the area’s entertainment among downtown skyscrapers, and get out into nature. With its close proximity to Scottsdale and a desert oasis less than one hour from the city, there’s no reason to simply look at nature from afar. Here’s how to make the most of Phoenix in one day.

Morning: Sonoran Desert Sunrise

Rise before dawn for a scenic hot air balloon ride over the Sonoran Desert. Flying high above the Valley of the Sun affords postcard-worthy views, and then celebrate upon landing with a Champagne breakfast. Adventurous visitors seeking more speed can take an ATV ride, which gets you closer to desert canyons, creeks, and cacti. Alternatively, sneak in bird watching and wildlife viewing on a river rafting trip; the Lower Salt River offers easy access, and the whole family can enjoy its lazy Class I “rapids.” Whichever excursion you choose, a morning tour increases your chances of spotting Arizona’s native fauna.

Afternoon: Old Town Scottsdale

Spending time in Scottsdale is a must, and there are myriad ways to experience it. Explore the numerous eateries, shops, and art galleries on foot or by food trolley; zip around on a 2-wheeled electric Segway through Old Town; or combine your sightseeing with a tour of Phoenix highlights such as the majestic Arizona Biltmore and Arizona State Capitol. Alternatively, ride off-road into the desert aboard a 4x4 vehicle. With a guide to lead the way, tours offer commentary on points of interest and often provide hotel pickup and drop-off to make getting to each destination easy.

Night: Evening Lights and Entertainment

The shimmering city lights and desert sunsets from Phoenix are not to be missed. Party-types can book a people-powered party bike that lets passengers drink up in downtown Phoenix or Scottsdale with stops at bars and drink specials. To admire the city skyline from above, take to the skies on an aerial tour that includes sunset views over Camelback. The cliffs and canyons of Tonto National Forest—just two hours away—are teeming with wildlife such as bighorn sheep. Or, complete your day with a scenic boat trip across Saguaro Lake.

Don’t let the soaring summer temperatures in Phoenix keep you from enjoying the city and all it has to offer, from outdoor activities in the Sonoran Desert to indoor attractions shielded from the sun. Here are some ways to find relief when it's hot out.

• Look down on the city in cool tranquility on a sunrise hot-air-balloon ride.

• Explore the desert at night to see the stars and watch for wildlife.

• Swim, splash, and relax on the Salt River on a kayaking or rafting tour.

• Take a cruise on Saguaro Lake to admire desert scenery from the water.

• Cool off outside at Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix water park or inside at SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium.

• Get your hair done, catch a movie, or go shopping in air-conditioned bliss at Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Two days in Phoenix means you’ve got options, from city tours of downtown skyscrapers to Scottsdale. With a 2-day itinerary, you also have time to get out of town. Here are a variety of ways to expand your reach, including aerial adventures, desert trips, and scenic lake cruises—maybe even a quick trip to the Grand Canyon.

Day 1: City Sightseeing and Beyond

**Morning:**Get your bearings with a morning tour of Phoenix highlights. Take a sightseeing tour of downtown for a glimpse of the State Capitol building and the grand Arizona Biltmore. You learn about the Phoenix, situated in the Sonoran Desert, and its attractions, including nearby Camelback Mountain.

**Afternoon:**Browse the shops in Old Town Scottsdale on tour by foot or Segway, which enables passengers to cover more ground in less time. Or ride off-road into the desert aboard a 4x4 vehicle. A guided tour allows you to learn about the native flora and fauna.

**Night:**This evening, take to the skies on a hot air balloon ride with sunset views. Alternatively, a cruise on Saguaro Lake (about an hour’s drive from Phoenix) is just as serene. A bit further afield, head to Tonto National Forest, and keep an eye out for cacti, coyotes, and the elusive bighorn sheep.

Day 2: Desert Skies and Grand Vistas

**Morning:**For more time sightseeing and less time driving, take a Grand Canyon aerial tour that sets off in the early hours from Phoenix. En route to the national park, you fly over a much of Arizona’s natural beauty, including Tonto National Forest, San Francisco Peaks, and Red Rocks of Sedona. 

**Afternoon:**If you wish, extend your Grand Canyon tour on the ground with a guided drive around the South Rim. Or fly back to the city and spend some leisurely hours shopping and dining in downtown Phoenix and nearby Scottsdale. The Sea Life Aquarium guarantees cool temps and a calming environment.

**Night:**If you haven’t yet made it into the air, opt for a sunset plane tour of downtown Phoenix landmarks and take in the Valley of the Sun from above. Alternatively, you may simply prefer the serenity of stargazing the night skies with an astronomer.