Phoenix Girls Trip Guide: 48 Hours in Arizona’s Capital City

Millions of people visit Phoenix every single year and the number keeps growing thanks to big events like the Super Bowl and Scottsdale being a prime choice for girls trips on reality tv shows (it’s one of the country’s hottest bachelorette hubs!). So it makes total sense why you are planning a Phoenix girls trip.

While we’ll always have a soft spot for Tucson and Sedona, Phoenix is still full of fun ways to explore, relax, and make memories with your besties.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission from purchases made which will go toward bringing you more travel tips, tricks, and tidbits.

Best Time to Visit Phoenix

Phoenix summers get HOTTT. Like opening your oven on Thanksgiving day still doesn’t quite do it justice hot. So unless sweating all day AND all night (yes, it’s still HOTTT when the sun goes down) we recommend going between early October and the end of April. 

The seasonal breakdown:

• Summer (June-August): Extremely hot and sunny, with highs often above 100°F and lows at night in the mid-80s; this is also monsoon (heavy rain) season so you can expect increased humidity and unpredictable afternoon thunderstorms.
• Fall (September-November): Transition months that can still be very warm (highs near 100°F) but continuing to cool to more pleasant highs in the 70s by November, with fewer rain chances.
• Winter (December-February): Mild, sunny, and dry; perfect for outdoor activities, with highs in the 60s/low 70s and lows dropping to the 40s (December is coldest).
• Spring (March-May): Warm and sunny, with temperatures rising from the 70s to the 90s by May, leading back into the summer heat season. 

Food for thought: If you are dreaming of moments relaxing in a pool as part of your itinerary, then going at the start or end of summer will be best. The water (unless heated), doesn’t hold heat on its own, so the pool will be freezing unless it’s been above 100 for a couple of days. 

Phoenix is home to over 1 million residents so there are dozens of annual events hosted here that can be fun to incorporate into your girls trip. Always be sure to check out events happening during your trip!

Where to Stay in Phoenix

Downtown Phoenix (Roosevelt Row / Central Avenue)

Vibes: Artsy, walkable, urban, rooftop bars, museums, and lively nightlife. 

Pros:

• Walking distance to First Friday Art Walk, local breweries, restaurants & bars
  
• Easy access to downtown events and sports arenas
  
• Lots of boutique hotels and Airbnb options with modern, trendy designs

Cons:

• Can feel busy and noisy, especially on event weekends
  
• Parking can be tricky; rideshare is often easier than driving

Best for: Groups who want to stay in the center of things or looking for peak walkability

Scottsdale (Old Town Scottsdale / Fashion Square Area)

Vibes: Luxury, lively, stereotypical bachelorette vibes, high end shopping, spas, and vibrant nightlife. Perfect for girls trips that are equal parts shopping + cocktails + Instagrammable backdrops

Pros:

• Endless restaurants, rooftop bars, and nightlife
  
• Close to spas, golf, and resort-style pools for a pampered getaway
  
• Boutique and luxury hotels abound, from chic Airbnbs to high-end resorts

Cons:

• Can feel expensive compared to other Phoenix areas
  
• Less “authentic city feel” and more resort/party-oriented

Best for: Bachelorette trips and luxury girls weekends chasing the experiences you’ve seen online

Tempe (Mill Avenue / Arizona State University Area)

Vibes: Young, energetic, college-town meets city life. Bars, music venues, lakeside activities, and casual eats.

Pros:

• Fun nightlife and casual dining scene.
  
• Tempe Town Lake for walking, biking, and outdoor activities.
  
• Often more budget-friendly than Scottsdale or downtown hotels.

Cons:

• College-town energy can feel crowded or rowdy on weekends.
  
• Hotels are limited compared to Scottsdale or downtown.

Best for: Budget-conscious girls trips, active groups who want nightlife and outdoor activity combo.

Phoenix is the 5th largest city in the US, so there are tons of mini-neighborhoods that make up the metro area. You have the above options that are closest to the airport but please don’t think this is an extensive list of areas. You can also stay in Glendale near the State Farm Stadium or Desert Diamond Arena and other major events / concerts / sporting events. For a laid back vibe with local charm, Mesa and Chandler are great nearby options. 

48‑Hour Phoenix Girls Trip

Day 1: Reconnect, Relax & Reset

Early Morning: sunrise hike + yoga session this is such a great way to start your trip and one of Amanda’s fav experiences for a Phoenix girls trip! The hike can be a bit intense in some sections, so please keep that in mind if choosing this activity! The guide will also take photos throughout the hike + yoga session, so the group can be present together while also having memories captured. Amanda highly recommends checking it out. They also offer regular sunrise yoga experiences where you can skip the hike but not the unforgettable views!

If getting up at 5am isn’t your cup of tea, try a guided sound meditation under the stars. Just don’t skip one of these, okay? It is such a great way to experience the desert, connect with the girls, and have a little reset within yourself.

Midmorning: Grab breakfast at Jewel’s Bakery & Cafe (it’s gluten free and soooo good!) or alternatively try Lux Central or Matt’s Big Breakfast.

Afternoon: Spend the afternoon relaxing at an adults only swim club with cute cabanas and delish drinks and snacks poolside.

Dinner + drinks: Stop in at The Pemberton, a fun & funky outdoor venue with rotating food trucks, live music, special events, seasonal pop ups & multiple bars onsite to choose the perfect drink from. 

If you are more into infused and elevated experiences are (legal in AZ!), then check out The Chartreuse Dinner Club on IG. They provide a 4 course private dining experience with restaurant level creations and customized dosing. They only offer one seating per week, and seats go QUICK so start tracking their stories asap to ensure you book in time! 

Day 2 — Outdoor + Desert Adventure

You can’t come all the way to Arizona and not see the beauty of the desert, so let’s get some adventure going (please do this safely in the summer months, the heat does not play!)

Morning: Grab some coffee and breakfast from Ollie Vaughn’s and head out to kayak the iconic Saguaro Lake / Salt River through the Saguara Lake Guest Ranch! In addition to kayak rentals, they help you get in the water and will pick you up at the end, making it is very easy to do!

The views are incredible throughout the journey, and if you are lucky you will see wild horses drinking from the river banks. They offer unguided or guided tours so you can choose what is best for the group. While launch times vary by season, you can plan on a midmorning launch and getting back to your car in the early afternoon. 

Afternoon: Head back to Phoenix, shower, and change. Then, head to the Desert Botanical Garden for even more incredible nature views. Botanical Gardens are such an underrated activity and a really great way to see various local plant life on display. Turn up the charm and book reservations to have dinner at the Gertrude’s inside of the garden with James-Beard nominated chef, Mark Tarbell. 

Evening: Wrap the evening out with one of the best ghost tour’s we have ever attended, the Wings of Fire & Whispers of the Desert. This is a 1 hour walking tour covering roughly a mile. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, this is still an incredible tour to learn about the history of Phoenix and the keyplayers who once lived here. Our guide was fantastic and so knowledgeable! We highly recommend adding the extension to see 4 additional locations and stories as well! 

Top Girls Trip Activities By Mood

Chill & Relax

One of our biggest hacks to a relaxing spa day is using ResortPass. You can purchase a pass to the pool, book cabanas, even spa lounge access + treatments at hotels and resorts. Meaning, you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy the amenities if you book a ResortPass day pass.

Example – don’t want to pay $850+ per night to stay at the 5star resort The Phoenician in Phoenix but want a 5star resort day? Book the $50 day pass and relax at the pool for the day and return to your affordable hotel to sleep. There are over 50+ hotels and resorts listed on ResortPass to choose from, so you can easily find the perfect one for your girls trip!

For the book nerds, stop in at The Bookish Shop, a coffee shop and book store all in one. They also have cute clothing and accessories for sale and places to sit and relax surrounded by your favorite books. If you’re a bookworm, be sure to check out our curated reading recs and literary destinations!

Culture & Art

If you want to take home a unique souvenir, check out the First Friday Art Walk. Over 100 businesses participate in this local art showcase. It is a fantastic way to explore the art scene in Phoenix!

The Phoenix Art Museum is the largest museum in the southwest! The museum has over 20,000 items on display ranging from ancient works of art to contemporary pieces.

Outdoor & Adventure

Want to explore the desert but aren’t interested in being super active while you do it? Then look into the Dolly Steamboat Cruise. Located approximately an hour east of downtown Phoenix, this makes exploring the desert accessible for all activity levels. You’ll see some incredible views on your drive and even more stunning views on the 1.5hr boat ride. The timing of the tours vary by season, but there are typically two day time tours per day (12pm & 2pm during cooler months & 10am only during summer!) plus a dinner cruise option on weekends.

Kayla really loved this tour and it lived up to every dream she had of seeing the desert from the comfort of an air-conditioned boat! You’ll want to arrive early. Seating is first come first serve. They give you numbered tickets when you check in, and then you board in numerical order.

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride with Champagne Breakfast is the perfect activity if you are celebrating something big or wanting a once in a lifetime bucket list moment checked off. One of our favorite travel experiences ever is doing a sunrise hot air balloon ride on a girls trip to Egypt!

Food & Drinks

Takeout: Midwest Wings

Coffee / breakfast: Jewel’s Bakery & Cafe, Ollie Vaughn’s

Casual Sit Down: Cibo Pizzeria (super cute outdoor patio with string lights!), Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen (GF, DF + Vegan options galore!), Federal Pizza, Taco Guild,

Super casual sit down: Chula Seafood, Zookz, California Fish Grill

Drinks: Pigtails, Bitter & Twisted

What to Pack for a Phoenix Girls Trip 

Even for a short weekend getaway, the desert environment still takes its toll, so be sure to pack the essentials below to ensure you are fully ready to enjoy the desert sun year round. 

Heat + Desert Essentials

•  You will be dehydrated, regardless of what itinerary you curate. Bring a refillable bottle because staying on top of hydration is key to keep exploring.
  
• Desert heat + Alcohol = Truly brutal. Adding electrolytes to your water will help keep you properly hydrated. One of our favs is Liquid IV sticks!

Sun Protection + Beauty

• You’ll absolutely regret forgetting your sunglasses
• Absolutely do not forget the sunscreen, the sun is something else in Arizona!
• Moisturizer – if you don’t have this as part of your typical daily skincare routine, then you will want to get a small travel / sample size option to bring because again, it’s dry here and your skin will feel it day 1. One of Amanda’s personal fav moves is using tinted moisturizer instead of traditional foundation, it gives light – medium coverage but feels soft and airy not heavy AND has spf, so win win win! 

Breathable Clothing

Clothing that is breathable is a must for Arizona. Whether you have an adventure packed itinerary or one made for relaxing and staying indoors, some of our fav brands and pieces are:

• Vuori and Lululemon great for long lasting, functional and stylish athletic pieces
• Kuhl’s Travel Pants are one of Kayla’s favorites for more active days exploring but not looking too sporty. 
• Bonus: Amanda doesn’t like wearing her wedding ring when doing big adventures (like kayaking the salt river!), so having cute silicone rings are a great fix to still wear rings but not risk losing something so sentimental and valuable.

Comfort-First Footwear

• You always hear (and have probably experienced) that you never want to take brand new shoes on a trip – Arizona is no different. Whether you are hiking, kayaking, or strolling the downtown streets you will want comfortable shoes. Since you’ll be in the desert, you’ll want to avoid canvas material if possible (popular with sneakers!). The dust is HARD to get out. 

FAQ + Practical Tips

Getting around – Do You Need a Car in Phoenix? Phoenix is incredibly spread out with minimal public transit (a true US travesty), so you’ll need a car. If your itinerary keeps you downtown and you won’t be venturing too far beyond, you can affordably get by with Uber / Lyft. However, if you plan on exploring more of the metro or going outside of the city to experience the desert, you might want to consider renting a car as a more affordable option than ridesharing. 

Heat Tips: We cannot stress enough that the sun does not play in Phoenix. Sunscreen, water, and electrolytes are all musts. If traveling during the summer, getting up and exploring early in the morning is key and the safest option. There are hundreds of rescues every summer due to people experiencing sudden and dangerous heat exhaustion and dehydration, please don’t be one of them by staying safe and being smart about the heat. 

Budget tips: the season & the activities you choose of course greatly impact your budget (duh!). However, excluding flights – it is quite possible to have a well rounded really great long weekend for under $1k, easy. 

What are the best Phoenix neighborhoods for a girls trip? This is truly determined by your itinerary and what you are interested in doing. When we are planning our girls trips we first map out all of our points of interest and see where the common areas are & looking for places to stay there. Using Google My Maps is great for this!

How hot does Phoenix get and how should I prepare? Summer in Phoenix is 100+ and winter is in the mid-60s. If traveling in the summer, plan to do any outdoor activities between 8am-11am, spend 12pm-6pm indoors and go back out again in the evening. The ONLY exception is if you are spending the afternoon in water (floating the river, at a pool etc.). It can get seriously scary, so be smart in the summer!

Is Phoenix walkable? In certain neighborhoods, yes. It is still very car centric but there are areas in most neighborhoods that are highly walkable pockets. 

How many days do I need for my Phoenix Girls Trip? If you’re short on PTO, you can make a weekend work by traveling in Friday night and returning home Sunday night. However, we always love a 3-4 day trip to really see a place and determine if a return trip is warranted. Phoenix is no exception to this. 

What’s the best time of year for a girls trip to Phoenix? Between Oct – April to avoid the summer heat.

What should we absolutely not miss in Phoenix? Desert Botanical Garden – don’t come all the way to Phoenix and skip seeing desert plant life. Weekends go quick, so adding the botanical garden to your itinerary is an efficient and gorgeous way to see over 50,000 plants.

Save to Pinterest