Arizona Day Trips: 5 Cities You Have to Visit on Your Next Vacation

Not everyone who vacations in a new place wants to spend all of their time in one city—they might want to explore further and see what the area has to offer! Multi city travel allows travelers to get a larger picture of a state or country by seeing some of its most beloved destinations and enjoying many of the activities that these places have to offer. Not only is Arizona a fan-favorite because of its beautiful weather, but also because of the many cities close in proximity to make day trips easy and accessible!

Fly Into Phoenix

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is located just three miles from downtown Phoenix and the most efficient way to central Arizona. If a city experience is up your alley, then Phoenix could be the ideal city for you to spend your time! The Phoenix Zoo, Heard Museum, and Arizona Science Center are awesome attractions for families, but there are also plenty of incredible outdoor experiences like Desert Flora and Fauna, a plethora of golf courses, and excursions in breathtaking places like South Mountain or Camelback Mountain!

Consider a Ride Up to Cave Creek

Cave Creek is a reasonable 45-minute drive from Phoenix and a spectacular place to visit to spend some time outdoors. Cave Creek Regional Park is 3,000 acres with various elevation levels which are perfect for hiking and biking. There are several ranches found around Cave Creek where families will often host others for horseback riding and other cowboy-inspired adventures. If you want to dive even deeper into the Wild West, you could spend some extra time in the recreated Frontier Town filled with shops, restaurants, and historic experiences.

Relax and Recharge in Scottsdale

Scottsdale is a quick 25-minute drive from Phoenix and one of the most desirable cities to visit in Arizona. Most well-known for its various world-class spas, wellness activities, championship golf courses, and downtown entertainment, Scottsdale is where many find themselves looking to have some much-needed R&R. Visit during a local festival, explore the weekly markets, catch a parade, or even grab some tickets for a concert. Don’t forget to spend time in the local parks and take advantage of the outdoor activities, too!

Take a Quick Drive to Mesa

Mesa is a family-focused city with lots of fun to be had! Visit the Mesa Swap Meet to find thousands of local boutiques and merchants, go tubing in the refreshing Salt River, visit Mesa Golfland Sunsplash Amusement Park, utilize the various parks in the area that are known for hiking and biking, head back to the Wild West while at Rockin’ R Ranch, and hang out at the city’s many fascinating museums! There’s truly an activity for every visitor and you’ll have a well-rounded day trip you’ll be talking about for years to come!

Don’t Forget About a Trip to Peoria

Located north of Phoenix, Peoria is a dynamic suburb with some distinct features that set it apart from the rest. Lake Pleasant encompasses many of your favorite outdoor activities like hiking and boating, Sahuaro Ranch Park has great green space with farm animals, Peoria Sports Center has year-round baseball and events center, and there are a number of local parks available with children’s playgrounds, shaded picnic tables, and some with splash pads. If you have time, also consider some shopping at the various shopping centers available.