Arizona Events & Things to Do: Grand Canyon, Sedona, Phoenix, Scottsdale & Tours

Quick answer: The best things to do in Arizona include touring the Grand Canyon, taking a guided slot-canyon tour of Antelope Canyon, catching MLB Spring Training in Phoenix and Scottsdale, exploring Sedona's red rocks by Jeep or on foot, and taking in pro sports, concerts, and festivals across the Valley of the Sun. The most comfortable time to visit central and southern Arizona is late fall through spring. Save northern Arizona and Flagstaff for summer.

Looking for things to do in Arizona this weekend, with kids, or around Phoenix? Arizona is home to the Grand Canyon, the red rocks of Sedona, the slot canyons of Antelope Canyon near Page, and the resorts, golf, and nightlife of Scottsdale. The Valley of the Sun also hosts the Suns, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, and Mercury, plus MLB Spring Training every February and March.

What Is There to Do in Arizona?

Arizona offers much more than beautiful desert scenery. All year long, visitors can find live concerts, professional and college sporting events, festivals, seasonal celebrations, outdoor adventures, sightseeing tours, family activities, and cultural experiences across the state.

Want to know what's happening during your visit? Explore our listings to find upcoming events and experiences for your travel dates.

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What Are the Best Things to Do in Phoenix?

Phoenix, Arizona's largest city, is one of the state's top destinations for entertainment, sports, dining, nightlife, and outdoor activities.

Downtown Phoenix is home to Chase Field and Footprint Center. Those venues host the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, and Phoenix Mercury, and both sit along the light rail. You can also see a concert or live show, explore museums and attractions, or experience the Sonoran Desert through hiking, sightseeing, and guided adventures. Phoenix averages about 300 days of sunshine a year, so outdoor plans are rarely rained out.

Phoenix is also a great base for day trips to Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and other popular Arizona destinations.

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What Is Scottsdale Known For?

Scottsdale sits just outside Phoenix and combines desert scenery with resorts, restaurants, nightlife, golf, shopping, art, and outdoor adventures.

According to Experience Scottsdale, Old Town Scottsdale spans nine walkable districts filled with shops, restaurants, art galleries, and nightlife. Beyond Old Town, visitors can explore the surrounding Sonoran Desert, book guided tours, attend seasonal events, and enjoy some of the area's most popular entertainment.

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Is Sedona Worth Visiting?

Yes. Few places in Arizona are as recognizable as Sedona. Famous for its dramatic red-rock formations, scenic drives, hiking trails, and outdoor adventures, Sedona is a favorite of couples, families, photographers, and adventure travelers.

Guided sightseeing trips, Jeep tours, hikes, and day trips all showcase one of Arizona's most spectacular landscapes. Sedona is roughly a two-hour drive north of Phoenix, which makes it an easy day trip or a stop on the way to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.

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How Do You Visit the Grand Canyon From Phoenix?

No Arizona trip is complete without a visit to the Grand Canyon, one of the world's most famous natural landmarks. The South Rim, the most visited and accessible side, is about 230 miles, or roughly 3.5 to 4 hours, by car from Phoenix.

You can experience the Grand Canyon through scenic overlooks, guided tours, day trips, hiking adventures, helicopter flights, and excursions from several Arizona cities. The National Park Service has official information on hours, entrance fees, and park alerts.

Get Your Ticket helps you compare experiences and find options that fit your Arizona itinerary.

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Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend & Northern Arizona

Northern Arizona has even more incredible places to explore. Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Page, and Flagstaff are popular stops for travelers who want to see Arizona's unique landscapes.

Plan ahead for Antelope Canyon, because it's on Navajo Nation land and a licensed tour guide is required at every Antelope Canyon location. Nearby Horseshoe Bend is a short walk to an overlook high above the Colorado River, and the City of Page charges for parking at the trailhead.

From guided slot-canyon tours to scenic overlooks and outdoor adventures, these spots are excellent additions to a Grand Canyon or northern Arizona road trip. Flagstaff is cooler, higher in elevation, and sits along historic Route 66, which makes it a comfortable summer base.

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Arizona Sports & Live Entertainment

Sports fans can find plenty to do in Arizona. Depending on the season, you can catch NFL football with the Arizona Cardinals, NBA basketball with the Phoenix Suns, WNBA basketball with the Phoenix Mercury, MLB baseball with the Arizona Diamondbacks, plus college athletics and major golf tournaments.

MLB Spring Training is the Phoenix area's signature sports season. The Cactus League brings 15 Major League teams to 10 ballparks across the Valley every February and March, and fans travel from across the country to watch their teams prepare for the season.

Arizona also hosts concerts, comedy shows, festivals, and other live entertainment all year.

Find Tickets: Cactus League Schedule • Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Tours & Tickets • Arizona Seasonal & Special Occasions

Things to Do in Arizona With Kids

Traveling with kids? Arizona has plenty of family-friendly attractions and activities, including museums, wildlife experiences, outdoor adventures, sightseeing tours, sporting events, and seasonal attractions.

Families can pair Arizona's famous outdoor destinations with entertainment and educational experiences to build a trip everyone will enjoy. Spring Training games are a family favorite thanks to their smaller ballparks, lawn seating, and relaxed atmosphere.

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Free Things to Do in Arizona

• Papago Park and Hole-in-the-Rock: An easy desert hike with city views in Phoenix.
• Old Town Scottsdale: Galleries, Western shops, and the Thursday night ArtWalk.
• Camelback Mountain or Piestewa Peak: Phoenix's most popular summit hikes.
• Sedona red rock trails: Many trailheads need a Red Rock Pass, but the views from town are free.

Things to Do in Arizona for Adults & Couples

• Scottsdale nightlife: Old Town bars, clubs, and patio dining.
• Sunset Jeep tour in Sedona: Off-road trails and red rock views at golden hour.
• Spring Training games: 15 MLB teams play across the Valley each spring.
• Arizona wine tasting: Tasting rooms in Old Town Cottonwood and the Verde Valley.

Things to Do in Arizona This Weekend & Today

Arizona weekends change with the season: Phoenix and Scottsdale are best from fall through spring, while Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon's rim are cooler escapes in summer. Book Antelope Canyon tours and Spring Training tickets early.

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Popular Arizona Questions

What are the best free things to do in Arizona?

Free favorites in Arizona include Papago Park and Hole-in-the-Rock, Old Town Scottsdale, Camelback Mountain or Piestewa Peak, and Sedona red rock trails. See the free things to do section above for details.

What are the best things to do in Arizona for adults and couples?

Popular picks for adults and couples in Arizona include Scottsdale nightlife, sunset Jeep tour in Sedona, Spring Training games, and Arizona wine tasting.

When is the best time to visit Arizona?

For Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, and southern Arizona, the most comfortable months are generally late fall through spring (roughly October through May), when temperatures are mild enough for hiking, golf, festivals, and Spring Training. Summers in the desert are extremely hot. That makes summer the ideal time for higher-elevation northern Arizona destinations such as Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.

When is MLB Spring Training in Arizona?

Cactus League Spring Training usually runs from late February through March. In 2026, it began February 20, with 15 teams playing at 10 ballparks around the Phoenix area. See the full Cactus League schedule for exact dates.

How far is the Grand Canyon from Phoenix?

The Grand Canyon's South Rim is about 230 miles from Phoenix, roughly a 3.5 to 4 hour drive each way. Many visitors book a guided day tour so they don't have to do the driving themselves.

Do you need a reservation to visit the Grand Canyon?

According to the National Park Service, you don't need a reservation to enter Grand Canyon National Park, and the park doesn't use timed entry. You will still pay an entrance fee, and popular tours, lodging, and helicopter flights should be booked in advance.

Do you need a tour to see Antelope Canyon?

Yes. Antelope Canyon is on Navajo Nation land, and a licensed guide is required at every Antelope Canyon location. Book early, especially for spring and summer visits.

Does Arizona observe daylight saving time?

Most of Arizona does not observe daylight saving time and stays on Mountain Standard Time all year. The exception is the Navajo Nation, which does observe it. Keep this in mind when booking tours in northern Arizona, including Antelope Canyon.

What is there to do in Arizona this weekend?

Browse Arizona tours and activities for sightseeing, desert adventures, and day trips you can book for your dates.

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Plan Your Arizona Trip

Arizona is a place you can experience differently every time you visit. Explore desert adventures in Phoenix and Scottsdale, red-rock country in Sedona, the incredible scenery of northern Arizona, world-famous destinations like the Grand Canyon, and live sports and entertainment across the state.

Start exploring Arizona with Get Your Ticket and discover your next event, attraction, tour, or adventure.

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