Phoenix, Arizona is a fantastic place to visit at any time of year - the state averages three hundred and thirty days of sunshine annually! The warm weather and bright sunshine will lift your mood, and you’ll be amazed by the spectacular desert sunrises, sunsets, and stargazing.
Phoenix is a great area for seniors to visit. There are plenty of activities that support a healthy and active lifestyle - not to mention that it is a prime destination for golf and tennis.
8 Best Activities For Seniors in Phoenix
1. Drive up to Dobbins Point on South Mountain
Have a picnic while you watch the sun set over the Phoenix Valley in the largest municipal park in the United States. Take care when you are driving - the road is windy, so hire a driver if you are more comfortable. The view will be well-worth the trip.
2. Play golf
Phoenix and Scottsdale are international golfing destinations. Take full advantage of this and visit one - or several - golf courses during your stay. It’s hard to choose just one place to go, so you can consult this guide for more information on the area. If you want to feel like a pro, check out TPC Scottsdale in January before the Waste Management Phoenix Open - the 16th hole has bleachers set up and you will feel like you are part of the competition!
3. Tour the Arizona State Capitol
Arizona’s State Capitol and the Arizona Capitol Museum are a fantastic destination (especially on hotter days) to learn more about the state and its unique history. The building was constructed out of indigenous malapai and granite, and an entire room is dedicated to the USS Arizona, which was attacked and destroyed in Pearl Harbor.
4. Drink Tea in the Japanese Friendship Garden
Built in partnership with Phoenix’s Sister City, Himeji, Japan, the Japanese Friendship Garden is a beautiful place to stroll through gardens and enjoy a cup of tea. The garden holds events year-round and you are welcome to participate in a walking tour or a tea ceremony.
5. Eat at Pizzeria Bianco
Voted “the best pizza in the United States,” Pizzeria Bianco should be a must-do on any pizza lover’s list! If pizza isn’t for you, don’t worry - there are plenty of other great restaurants to choose from in the downtown area.
6. Kayak on the Salt River
The Salt River runs right through Phoenix, and there are plenty of local kayak rental and guide companies that will help you have an amazing experience floating down the river! Salt River Rafting in Scottsdale and Salt River Canoe Kayak & Raft Rentals in Mesa are the closest rental locations to Phoenix.
7. Attend a Cactus League Spring Training Game
If you are visiting Arizona in the springtime, be sure to go to a spring training game! You can see your favorite teams and players in action in a Cactus League game. The City of Phoenix hosts the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch and the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park.
8. Visit the Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden offers more than just a beautiful and informative landscape of Arizona’s desert plants. You can see art installations, listen to live music, and even eat specially-crafted dinners there. Take a group tour or explore the Garden on your own.
Enjoy your stay in Phoenix! Whether you stay active or choose to lie out in the sun and visit some of the area’s destination spas, you are sure to have a fantastic experience.
This article was written by Cathy Trainor.