About Phoenix

The hub of a major metropolitan area, Phoenix is not only the capital of the state of Arizona, but also the most populous city in the American Southwest. The area was occupied for 2,000 years by the Hohokam people, whose original system of canals and residences can be viewed in the city to this day. Phoenix has a long history of Mexican settlement, with many Hispanic residents and native Spanish speakers.

The city is situated in the biologically unique Sonoran Desert and has an dry climate with long stretches of hot weather. You may want to avoid May through September, when temperatures can exceed 100°F. Not surprisingly, the most popular time to visit Phoenix is during the mild, sunny winter season.

Things to Do in Phoenix

Phoenix has great opportunities to experience the desert environment. Camelback Mountain offers strenuous terrain with great views from top. Just three miles away, Squaw Peak (Piestewa Peak) offers lots of great hiking and mountain biking. Explore the plant life of the Sonoran Desert and other arid lands around the world at Desert Botanical Garden.

The Phoenix metropolitan area is an established base for professional sports. Baseball fan? Take in an Arizona Diamondbacks game at Chase Field, or check out the spring training activities and exhibition games that take place every year in February and March. For your basketball fix, check out the Phoenix Suns (which has featured all-stars such as Charles Barkley), or the Phoenix Mercury, a very popular WNBA team.

The performing and visual arts are well-represented as well. During the First Fridays Artwalk, hundreds of local art galleries and other venues are free to the public. And when you're ready for dinner, Phoenix offers some of the most authentic Mexican food in the U.S.

Phoenix Accommodations

You'll find great vacation rentals and short term rentals in Camelback East, an upscale area of town which contains the famous Biltmore Hotel, the Phoenix Zoo, and high-end shopping. In Midtown, along with a variety of cultural, performance, and sporting venues, you'll find house rentals and condo rentals. Phoenix tends to be more progressive than much of the state, and the area around Central and Camelback in Phoenix has many gay residents and gay-friendly businesses. Tripping offers a wide range of apartment rentals and other options for your perfect Phoenix vacation.

Best Phoenix neighborhoods to stay in

The Phoenix Metro-Area is known for its sprawling geography. For visitors, that means more places to choose from and explore. All of Phoenix’s neighborhoods offer something different and give visitors a reason to check them out. We’ve picked out a few to get your vacation started. Roosevelt Row, Arcadia, and Central Phoenix are three of the best neighborhoods in town.

Things to do in Central Phoenix

Central Phoenix, or CenPho as it’s commonly referred to, is the happening place to go in Phoenix. On Saturday mornings, a parking lot transforms into a farmer’s market bazaar. Come shop here and you’ll find fresh vegetables, local honey and jarred goods, and so much more. Most Wanted Taco Shop serves up fresh, made-to-order tacos, so stop by their eclectic shop after the market. The Phoenix Trolley Museum and the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix are also located in CenPho. Central Avenue will be your gateway to all of these local spots and more. Here, on Central Avenue, is where you’ll find DeSoto Central Market, a mash up of boutique eateries ranging from Mexican-Asian fusion to Southern cooking. The market hosts community events and pop-up markets, too, so check their calendar to see what’s happening during your visit.

Things to do in Roosevelt Row Arts District

If you’re an arts and culture lover, Roosevelt Row is the neighborhood for you. This nationally-known area of Phoenix offers cultural events, award-winning restaurants, and art galleries all in a walkable neighborhood. Head over to the Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art for a day of exploring. Visit on the first Friday of any month and the neighborhood’s museums and galleries will stay open late for one of the biggest art walks in the country. The annual Chili Pepper Festival is a free event that takes place in October. The festival features 20+ local restaurants, live music, a beer garden, and the best chili pepper cuisine in Phoenix. You won’t want to miss out on the fun. The Roosevelt Row neighborhood has its share of hip and trendy local restaurants, too. Stop by Welcome Diner, a quaint, outdoor food joint that serves up great food in the middle of Roosevelt Row. Bliss ReBAR is the place to go for evening drinks, and their back patio is the perfect place to sit and enjoy a cocktail.

Things to do in Arcadia

A popular destination because of Camelback Mountain, Arcadia provides easy access to hiking trails in Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area. For a challenging hike, try the Echo Canyon Trail. Although it’s only 1.23 miles to the summit, the elevation gain is intense, so be sure to bring water. For a hike with an incredible view, check out Cholla Trail. You’ll get a great view overlooking Scottsdale and Phoenix, and you might even see some wildlife. The Shemer Art Center in Arcadia was named one of the “10 Best Museums in Phoenix”, so be sure to stop in and see the sculpture garden, art exhibits, and workshops that make this place stand out from the rest of the competition. The Arcadia neighborhood’s food scene is filled with farm-to table restaurants like Beckett’s Table and Grassroots Kitchen and Tap. Check it out for lunch, and have dinner at Buck and Rider. They’re known for their seafood and the picturesque view of Camelback Mountain from the restaurant patio. Arcadia is also known for its wine cafes and sleek lounges. Postino Wine Café is a popular spot for locals and visitors. The Biltmore Fashion Park is a shopping and dining experience located in Acadia. You’ll find some high-end retailers and restaurants here, so don’t forget to bring your wallet!

Vacation Rentals in Phoenix

Looking for a vacation rental in Phoenix? Tripping.com has 8164 vacation rental homes available in Phoenix. You'll find 39 studios, 2529 1-bedroom, 2263 2-bedroom and 3333 rentals with 3 or more bedrooms ranging from $25 a night. For extra convenience, many of these vacation homes can be booked directly online.

The average price of a nightly rental in Phoenix is $272 while the average price of a weekly rental is $2882. For those looking for more than a short term rental such as corporate rentals, extended stays or long term rentals, the average monthly price of a Phoenix home is $10257.

Wondering if you can bring your dog or cat along with you? There are 1860 pet-friendly vacation rentals available in Phoenix. In addition to accommodating pets, Phoenix rentals offer a variety of amenities. In particular, 6874 rentals have Internet and WiFi, 6100 have TV and/or cable and 5733 have a pool or hot tub.

Search properties from 14 vacation rental sites in Phoenix where the top providers in that area are HomeAway, TripAdvisor, and Booking.com. There are 5069 HomeAway rentals, 1411 TripAdvisor short term rentals and 973 Booking.com vacation rentals.