Day Trips from Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale

Packed with red rocks and tall saguaro cacti, Arizona features one of the most dramatically beautiful landscapes in North America. We recently enjoyed a great winter break in Tempe, home of Arizona State University. It’s a hip Phoenix area base to explore the Sonoran Desert and nearby highlights like the Apache Trail, Sedona and the Grand Canyon.

If you’re planning a trip to Arizona that includes great restaurants along with outdoor activities, you can base yourself in the Phoenix area and take nearby day trips. Here are several great day trips within and close to Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa and Glendale.

Day Trip from Tempe, Arizona

Tempe: A Great Base to Explore Arizona

Tempe, Arizona enjoys around 330 days of sunshine a year, more than anywhere else in the country. Its picturesque landscape in the Sonoran Desert is also highlighted by a fantastic southwestern culinary scene. Hayden Butte and Tempe Town Lake offer outdoor activities right in downtown Tempe. You can also take fantastic day trips to Sedona, the Apache Trail, or even closer, to nearby Papago Park and South Mountain Park.

Just 4 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Tempe is easily accessible. A light rail system connects Tempe with the airport and Phoenix, so you don’t even have to rent a car if you don’t want to drive. A winter visit to Arizona makes for an excellent reprieve from cold weather climates.

Tempe Things to Do