Veronica Samuels

Phoenix Spring Break is the perfect time for an unforgettable vacation.

You’re ready to get away and leave the daily grind behind for a few days.

What better destination than Phoenix and its warm inviting spring weather?

With vacation rentals ripe for the picking, you can book your stay and get ready to experience Phoenix’s spring break to the fullest.

As one of Arizona’s most dynamic spring break destinations, the Valley of the Sun offers an intriguing mix of urban excitement and desert exploration, minus the “will this sand ever leave my shoes” drama of beach vacations.

With mild temperatures, vibrant nightlife, and world-class golf courses, Phoenix is a paradise for travelers looking to escape the cold.

Nothing says “spring break in Arizona” quite like watching baseball while working on your tan and debating whether hot dogs count as appropriate pool snacks (they do).

This article will provide helpful tips for making the most of your Phoenix spring break trip.

IS IT WORTH VISITING PHOENIX IN THE SPRING?

Spring is the best time to explore Phoenix as the weather is at its prime.

February, March, April, and May are the best months to visit Phoenix as countless sporting events, concerts, festivals, and events are happening throughout this bustling desert city.

Phoenix spring break activities

Plus, Phoenix spring weather is undeniably gorgeous as the valley gets blanketed by the most beautiful Arizona wildflowers that you can admire almost everywhere.

The surrounding Arizona lakes might also be fun during a March trip to Phoenix, especially Lake Pleasant and Bartlett Lake.

As expected, during spring in Phoenix, things will be expensive, particularly from February through April.

So I recommend booking your hotel stays and tours at least a few weeks before, if not earlier.

TOP PHOENIX SPRING BREAK ACTIVITIES

CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN(ECHO CANYON RECREATION AREA)

For perfect nature and fresh air on your Phoenix spring break, head to Echo Canyon Recreation Area, located only a 10-minute drive away from Scottsdale. 

One of the trails leads you to the top of Camelback Mountain, one of the best spots to view a golden sunset in Scottsdale and spectacular 360-degree views of the valley and surrounding mountains.

Phoenix spring break

This mountain gets its name from its two rock formations resembling the head and back of a kneeling camel.

Considered one of the best sunset hikes in Scottsdale, the 1.2-mile Echo Canyon Trail to Camelback Mountain offers magnificent sunrise views apart from featuring many landmarks and iconic attractions near the city, including Praying Monk, Superstition Mountain ranges, CamelBack, Piestewa Peak and others.

The hike begins on the Echo Canyon trail, with the trailhead located close to the parking lot.

There is an easy incline at the start, which will offer amazing views. 

RECOMMENDED – 10 Best Places To Watch An Epic Sunrise In Sedona

A few more climbs can be managed well with the help of well-placed handrails.

Pause to take in the pictures of the surrounding attractions on the horizon, including the views of Piestewa Peak behind.

Phoenix Spring break

The last mile gets steeper with more steps and boulder hopping between the wash on a marked trail.

Since there is little light, it is best to scramble rather than hop if you are not very confident.

Around the bend at the top, you are rewarded with splendid panoramic views.

Enjoy the beautiful Scottsdale sunset from the summit cast in the backdrop of the skyline of Phoenix, South Mountain Park and Preserve, the Superstitions Mountains and Four Peaks off in the distance. 

Start the hike early. Carry a jacket as the temperatures get cold, a headlamp, water and snacks.

DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN

One of the most accessible locations to enjoy Scottsdale sunset is the Desert Botanical Garden, located 15 minutes from downtown Phoenix. 

Home to thousands of varieties of desert plants native to the American Southwest, it is also one of the top Phoenix sunrise spots to enjoy stunning views of colorful skies against the garden’s saguaros, chollas, and cacti.

It is one of the best places to watch a sunset in Phoenix.

Scottsdale sunset December

There are five trails based on different themes that will offer glimpses of the people of the Sonoran Desert, along with introducing you to a plethora of beautiful desert wildflowers.

Watch the giant iconic saguaro transforming into a beautiful silhouette against the changing backdrop of colours and light.

Although the park may not be open for accessing the trails until 8 AM, you can watch the sunrise around the park and capture pictures before heading inside.

PAPAGO PARK(HOLE-IN-THE-ROCK)

One of the popular spots for watching a beautiful sunset in Phoenix is Hole in the Rock, a natural geological formation in Papago Park, a municipal state park of Phoenix and Tempe.

Hole-in-the-Rock is a series of holes carved out by millions of years of erosion by the wind into the sandstone hills.

Sunset in Phoenix

f downtown Phoenix, is also one of the best Phoenix sunrise spots as well.

So you can watch either or both here. Before heading for the hike, you can visit Phoenix Zoo nearby.

Plenty of trails are categorized into the West Side Trails and the East Side Trails. One of the most popular routes for enjoying a quiet Phoenix sunrise is the trail to Hole-in-the-Rock.

RECOMMENDED – 10 Best Places To Watch An Epic Sunset In Sedona

The trail, about 0.3 miles one way, is easy, and you can enjoy a quick hike with your family and friends to admire the gorgeous views during the golden hour.  

From the parking lot, you will pass a series of unique red sandstone rocks to get to the viewpoint accessed via stone steps rising 200 feet high.

Phoenix sunset time

You can climb inside the formations and watch one of the best sunsets in Phoenix, casting brilliant hues over downtown and the desert oasis below. 

Since the park gates close at 7 PM, plan your hike accordingly.

EXPLORE DOWNTOWN TEMPE

One of the best things to do in Tempe Az is the heart of the town, the perfect way to immerse in the city’s culture.

Downtown Tempe is located on South Mill Avenue near the Arizona State University Tempe Campus.

Mill Ave, a pedestrian-friendly street, is the perfect place to enjoy shopping, dining, and nightlife.

Regardless of what time of day you visit, Mill Ave is always worth a stroll. 

things to do in tempe for free

Known for its brick sidewalks, unique shops, many bars, delicious food, entertainment venues, microbreweries, restaurants, and shops, there’s something for everyone on this iconic Tempe street.

If you are wondering what to do in Tempe today, this is a great place to start.

On special days and during peak tourist months, you can even spot local artists performing on the street, as well as events and parties during Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

CHECK OUT PHOENIX ZOO WITH YOUR KIDS

One of the most loved Phoenix spring break activities to enjoy with your kids is planning a visit to the huge Phoenix Zoo.

Home to over 3,000 animals encompassing nearly 400 species, your kids will have fun getting up close with these fantastic beasts, including giraffes, elephants, and orangutans.

WATCH THE SUNSET FROM A HOT AIR BALLOON

One of my favorite bucket list experiences in Arizona so far was watching a splendid sunrise, feeling like a bird as I soared up in the sky in a hot air balloon ride.

Join a guided hot-air balloon tour on your Phoenix , which will take you on a magical journey in the dawn.

Phoenix sunrise hot air balloon

Depending on how long you want to be up and what else you need to enjoy, you can choose tours ranging between 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Here are three of my best recommendations you should check out to have a blast!

Phoenix Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise(4.9/5 500+ reviews🤩) –This is the perfect value-for-money tour and lasts 4 hours. Experience stunning 360-degree views of the mammoth Sonoran Desert in North Phoenix on this sunrise flight, floating effortlessly across the sky at dawn. 

Then, celebrate with a traditional champagne toast and breakfast after the flight. Read more here.

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride in Phoenix with Breakfast (5/5 300+ reviews🤩)-This 4-hour tour includes breakfast. 

Take this small group tour to float over the Sonoran Desert in a hot air balloon! 

Depart before daybreak to get incredible views of the desert sun as it rises. Check out more details here.

Sunrise Sonoran Desert Hot Air Balloon Ride from Phoenix (5/5 150+ reviews🤩) –Wake up early to experience a Sonoran Desert sunrise and transform it into a story by seeing it from a birds-eye view. 

This hot air balloon ride from Phoenix takes you into the air with a professional guide who will narrate your trip. Find more details here.

ADMIRE THE GORGEOUS WILDFLOWERS

One of my favorite activities Phoenix spring break is going on drives or just strolling around in my quest to admire the best spring desert flowers in the state.

This is the time when stunning contrasting landscapes are an everyday thing, as you’ll see flower-bedded panoramas at every turn and corner, especially in the beautiful Arizona national parks.

Arizona wildflowers

It is a treat to enjoy the colourful display of gorgeous Arizona wildflowers, also common along the popular hiking trails.

You can even spot many adorning the best lakes in Arizona, where you can camp, picnic or hike, depending on what you are in the mood for!

ATTEND A SPRING TRAINING

Phoenix spring break hits a home run with the Cactus League’s spring training, where baseball ditches its winter coat for some desert sunshine.

While your friends are still building snowmen back home, you could be catching fly balls, snagging autographs, and living out your baseball dreams at stadiums across the Phoenix metro area.

Think of spring training as baseball’s most exclusive sneak peek, where the Cubs, Brewers, Rockies, Angels, Diamondbacks, and Rangers trade their home fields for Arizona’s perfectly manicured diamonds.

The best part? You’re close enough to actually see the players’ faces without squinting at a Jumbotron.

It’s like watching your favourite TV show being filmed but with more hot dogs and better chances of catching a souvenir.

Spring break in Arizona isn’t just about the game – it’s a full-on festival atmosphere.

Beer gardens bloom around every stadium, and the food options would make a foodie forget they’re at a baseball field.

Spring break in Arizona

Take Sloan Park, for example, where they serve up Chicago-style deep-dish pizza that tastes like it took a direct flight from the Windy City.

And if you time it right, you can double your pleasure with the Arizona BBQ Festival, where all-you-can-eat short ribs, bourbon, and live music turn your baseball getaway into a spring break grand slam.

Sure, Florida also hosts spring training (they call it the Grapefruit League – cute, right?), but our Cactus League offers what the Sunshine State can’t: guaranteed sunshine that won’t rain on your baseball parade.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan keeping score or just someone who enjoys the crack of the bat and the smell of fresh-cut grass, spring break in Arizona proves that baseball’s preseason might just be better than the real thing.

ATTEND THE ARIZONA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

Picture this: You’re smack in the middle of your Phoenix spring break, and suddenly, you’ve time-traveled to the 16th century without leaving Arizona’s dusty desert.

The Arizona Renaissance Festival is like a historical theme park that decided to drink a few too many medieval ales and throw the most epic, gloriously ridiculous party you’ve ever seen.

Spanning 30 breathtaking acres, this festival isn’t just an event – it’s a full-blown theatrical extravaganza where comedy, history, and pure absurdity collide.

Highlights that’ll make your Phoenix spring break unforgettable:

  • – Live jousting tournaments (because nothing says “vacation” like grown adults charging at each other with lances)
  • – Hilarious comedy shows that would make Shakespeare do a stand-up comedy double-take
  • – Artisan demonstrations that prove people in the 1500s were way more talented than your average TikTok creator
  • – Costume contests where “historically accurate” is more of a suggestion than a rule
  • – Enough food to make your diet cry – think giant turkey legs, meat pies, and desserts that would make a nutritionist weep
Phoenix spring break activities

Pro tip: Dress up. Seriously. Nothing beats watching a knight in full armor attempt to eat a funnel cake while maintaining his medieval dignity.

Located just 50 minutes from Phoenix, this festival runs weekends from February through March – perfectly aligned with your spring break adventure.

Tickets range from $30-$40, which is basically the price of two fancy cocktails, but infinitely more entertaining.

Trust me, this isn’t just an attraction – it’s a time-warping, laugh-inducing, memory-making experience that’ll be the most unique part of your Phoenix spring break.

MORE PHOENIX SPRING BREAK ACTIVITIES

ENJOY FINE DINING AND MORE AT DOWNTOWN

Downtown is where your Phoenix spring break gets its city groove on at spots like the Lustre Rooftop Bar, where you can sip craft cocktails while taking in those iconic Arizona sunsets that look like someone went wild with the saturation settings.

Phoenix spring break

Grab a coffee at Jobot or hit up Greenwood Brewing, where the beer garden scene is peak springtime perfection.

RELAX IN THE POOL

Spring break in Arizona is when poolside becomes the hottest real estate in town – and I mean that in the best possible way.

Let me break down these aquatic paradises that’ll make your friends’ inflatable backyard pools look like oversized puddles:

Arizona Biltmore

Spring break in Arizona reaches peak luxury at this 39-acre playground, where eight different pools play a game of “anything you can do, I can do better.”

With seven other pools to choose from, you can basically pool-hop your way through spring break without ever repeating your swim spot in Arizona Biltmore Resorts.

The hardest decision you’ll make is whether to book a cabana or schedule that spa treatment between your morning float and afternoon sun session.

Check here to book your stay.

Spring break in Arizona

HYATT Royal Palms Resort

Spring break in Phoenix gets a Spanish accent at this hideaway resort, where the pool scene looks like it was plucked straight from a Mediterranean postcard.

Nestled against Camelback Mountain (which serves as your personal backdrop for those “wish you were here” photos), the pool area in Royal Palms Resort is less about splashing and more about sophisticated soaking.

Think citrus groves, stone walkways, and enough antique fountains to make a Roman emperor jealous.

It’s where spring break meets old-world charm, and somehow, they become best friends.

Click here for their latest deals to book your stay.

Embassy Suites BY HILTON

For spring break in Arizona that combines pool time with putting practice, this spot overlooks Stonecreek Golf Club like it’s keeping score.

The pool at Embassy Suites by Hilton Tucson East is your reward for either playing 18 holes or smartly avoiding them altogether in .

After your free cooked-to-order breakfast (because who doesn’t love free?), stake out your pool chair early.

The private balconies in each suite mean you can scope out your preferred sunny spot before making your grand poolside entrance.

Book those cabanas in advance, pack your strongest sunscreen (the desert sun doesn’t mess around), and remember: that pool noodle floating device you brought?

Check here for their latest deals and book your stay.

ENJOY GOLFING IN PHOENIX

If you are into Golf, Phoenix is the perfect place to go golfing, thanks to the warm and sunny weather and so many fantastic golf courses to choose from.

Golfing is one of the popular activities loved by all kinds of travelers for enjoying Phoenix spring break.

Phoenix in winter

Troon North Golf Club is known for its spectacular golf venue featuring British Open-style courses while the Grayhawk Golf Club is home to two championship golf courses built by architect Tom Frazio.

The Arizona City Golf Course in Arizona city offers a beginner-friendly course with a few difficult twists for advanced players as well.

You can also play a round of golf at Papago Park, besides admiring fabulous sunset views there.

Whether you are a pro or a hobby golfer, drop by these for a round of tee.

VISIT THE MUSEUMS

One of the year-round best things to do on your Phoenix spring break is its incredible museums.

If you have time only to visit one museum, check out the Musical Instrument Museum, ranked among the top museums in the United States.

The largest museum in the world dedicated to musical instruments, you can check out over 15,000 musical instruments from almost 200 countries!

winter in Phoenix Arizona

Other unique museums worth visiting while exploring Phoenix in winter are the Heard Museum, dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art, known for exhibitions that showcase the beauty and vitality of traditional and contemporary art.

The Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, one of the largest American Indian art markets, is held during the spring.

With over 600 Native artists, you will have many cute things to take home from your Phoenix spring break trip.

The Hall of Flame Fire Museum, more than 50 years since its opening is dedicated to the collection, preservation and exhibit of objects relating to the history of firefighting.

Art lovers will love Phoenix Art Museum, and if you are with kids, stop at the Science Museum. 

RELAX AT THE JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN

One of the best places to relax and escape the crowds during your Phoenix spring break is the Japanese Friendship Garden.

It offers the perfect break from the desert thanks to its gorgeous and tranquil ambience, spanning nearly 4 acres comprising stone footbridges and a tea house featuring traditional ceremonies.

It has a soothing 12-foot waterfall and a large Koi pond with around 300 fish. 

Opening hours – 10 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Sunday. Entry fees – $10.

ENJOY STARGAZING AT ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER

Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, Arizona Science Center is one of the top stargazing spots in Az thanks to its convenient location and many splendid opportunities.

It is one of the best Phoenix spring break experiences with kids as it offers many interactive experiences like the American Airlines Flight Zone exhibit, permanent exhibitions, and amazing shows in the Dorrance Planetarium and its IMAX Theater.

One of the top notch experiences is the tour of the solar system here at the world’s first NanoSeam dome.

Check their website for updated tours and programs

Opening hours – 10 AM to 5 PM

WHERE TO STAY IN PHOENIX?

POPULAR HOTELS AND APARTMENTS

Hyatt Place Phoenix/Downtown – Hyatt Place Phoenix/Downtown features accommodation with a fitness centre, private parking, a shared lounge and a restaurant. It is one of the most popular hotels in Phoenix and given its location and excellent amenities, it is no surprise! Check out their rooms and the latest prices here.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Phoenix –Airport North, an IHG Hotel – Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Phoenix – Airport North, an IHG Hotel is another popular hotel loved by families and couples. It provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness centre and a shared lounge. Check prices and more here. 

Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Downtown – Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Downtown is a 3-star hotel with room service, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. Check prices here.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Phoenix West/Tolleson  Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Phoenix West/Tolleson is a gorgeous 3-star hotel that features accommodation with free bikes, free private parking, a fitness centre and a shared lounge. Check the prices here.

Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley –  Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley, near the international airport, is one of the most popular hotels loved by families and couples for its location and excellent amenities. They also offer deals regularly. Check prices and room details here.

Home2 Suites By Hilton Phoenix Airport North, AZ, provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness centre and a shared lounge. Check more details here.

LUXURY HOTELS AND APARTMENTS

Royal Palms Resort and Spa, part of Hyatt – Experience world-class service at Royal Palms Resort and Spa, part of Hyatt, between the prestigious area of Biltmore and Scottsdale city centre; the Royal Palms Resort & Spa, part of Hyatt is a beautiful hideaway resort. Check prices and deals here.

AC Hotel Phoenix Biltmore –AC Hotel Phoenix Biltmore offers excellent accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness centre and a shared lounge. Check prices and deals here.

Arizona Biltmore A Waldorf Astoria Resort – Situated on 39 acres of lush gardens, Arizona Biltmore A Waldorf Astoria Resort resort and spa offers a peaceful oasis, complete with exceptional on-site facilities, including 8 pools, along with first-class accommodations and amenities. 

Each room offers a flat-screen cable TV and a private bathroom. Select rooms have a patio or balcony or a full kitchen. Check prices here.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Downtown North – Featuring an atrium, an indoor pool and a restaurant, Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Downtown North offers accommodation in the city centre of Phoenix. Check reviews, prices and best deals here.

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa – Located in the centre of the Sonoran Desert, JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa boasts 2 golf courses, spacious seating areas, multiple swimming pools and waterslides. The Desert Ridge Resort also boasts a spa with a lap pool and a fitness centre. Check this guide here.

MAP OF PHOENIX SPRING BREAK ACTIVITIES

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