Day Trips From Phoenix (2025)
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Botanical garden · Pinal County
Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden makes a restorative day: riparian trails, the expanded Wallace Desert Garden, and frequent docent walks. Frequently recommended by Visit Arizona and recognized by the Library of Congress for its historic significance.
Arcosanti
Historical landmark · Yavapai County
Paolo Soleri’s living experiment in arcology offers resident-led tours, a gallery, and a café with desert views. Featured in Architectural Digest and covered by The New York Times, it’s a thought-provoking architectural day trip north of Phoenix.
Page Springs Cellars Tasting Room & Bistro
Winery · Cornville
Pioneer winemaker Eric Glomski’s creekside estate pours Verde Valley wines with tours, tastings, and a bistro menu. Praised by Phoenix New Times and open year-round, it’s a relaxing 90-minute escape.
Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room
Wine bar · Jerome
Maynard James Keenan’s hillside tasting room anchors Jerome’s artsy main street, pouring high-elevation Arizona wines. Frequently cited by regional wine writers and open daily in this historic mining town.
Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria
Restaurant · Cottonwood
This hilltop winery, tram, and trattoria unites estate wines with handmade pasta and produce from local gardens. Covered widely when it opened, it showcases the Verde Valley’s farm-to-table momentum.
Superstition Meadery
Winery · Prescott
Arizona’s globally known meadery still anchors downtown Prescott with creative flights and seasonal releases. Listed by the state tourism office and praised by critics, it’s a fun, flavor-forward tasting detour.
Queen Creek Olive Mill
Tourist attraction · Queen Creek
Family-owned and the state’s only working olive mill, it offers Olive Oil 101 tours, a marketplace, and Del Piero Kitchen. Frequently highlighted by Visit Arizona and celebrated by local food media.
Barrio Bread
Bakery · Tucson
Don Guerra’s heritage-grain bakery, winner of the James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker, anchors Tucson’s UNESCO food story and is often noted by national press. Go early—most loaves sell out by midday.
El Charro Café Downtown
Mexican restaurant · Tucson
Founded in 1922 and still family-run, this Tucson icon is frequently featured by The New York Times and Food Network. Order the sun-dried carne seca or a chimichanga on the historic patio.
Tohono Chul Bistro
Brunch restaurant · Casas Adobes
Brunch amid desert gardens at this independently run bistro inside a beloved nonprofit. Seasonal menus, local sourcing, and evening music series earn regular nods from regional tourism outlets.
Desert Caballeros Western Museum
Museum · Wickenburg
An independent museum deeply tied to Wickenburg’s ranching and arts community, with acclaimed Western art and history exhibits. Noted by state tourism sources; check seasonal hours in late summer.
