Phoenix Vacation Rentals

Phoenix vacation rentals are spacious, luxurious homes with views of the surrounding countryside and close to all required amenities.

Flying in to Phoenix

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the main point of entry into the state of Arizona. A mere 3-miles from Downtown Phoenix, you can jump on the low cost shuttle, Skoot Airport Shuttle, to get from the airport to any point in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Another option is the free PHX Sky Train from Terminal 4 to 44th St. & Washington Light Rail station. Take a connecting light rail or bus from here to Downtown Phoenix. Or instead, enjoy a comfortable taxi ride from the airport directly to your Phoenix vacation rental. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is the city's secondary airport.

Experience an old-fashioned ice-cream Shop

Mary Coyle ice-cream parlour first opened in the 1950s and the decor inside has remained the same with black and white tiled floors. Try the home-made ice-cream that comes in a variety of interesting flavours such as licorice, salted caramel cashew, and dark chocolate with raspberries.

Try the famous hot dogs from Nogales that are so popular in Phoenix that they have featured on a number of travel shows about the area. The sausages in these hot dogs are made from beef and wrapped in bacon. Traditionally they are topped with cheese, pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, and mayo.

The Weather in Phoenix

Phoenix experiences 325 days of sunshine a year. The best time to visit is between November to April when the sun is out but temperatures are still largely pleasant. You'll need to book your Phoenix vacation rental well in advance during this busy period. May to October's toasty, dry temperatures may not appeal to everyone. If you decide to come, be sure to pack some sun screen.

The 5 Best Things to Do in Phoenix With Kids

1. Phoenix Zoo

As the largest privately-owned zoo in the USA, Phoenix Zoo specialises in conserving endangered species. Visit to see these creatures in their specially created enclosures. Check out their events calendar for special events and annual highlights.

2. Children's Museum of Phoenix

This expansive museum contains over 300 interactive exhibits and play zones for children aged up to 10 years old. Kids will be in awe of the number of slides, tunnels, and other exciting play areas that await their arrival.

3. Musical Instrument Museum

If your kids are interested in music, this fascinating museum is an absolute must. The largest of its type, it showcases over 1,000 different instruments. If you're lucky, your visit may coincide with one of the many concerts that are held here.

4. Arizona Science Center

This fascinating museum in Downtown Phoenix is perfect for those interested in space exploration, particularly at the in-house Dorrance Planetarium. Your kids will walk away feeling inspired after their day of discovery

5. Phoenix Sea Life Aquarium

If your kids prefer a day at sea to a vacation in the desert, don't panic - Phoenix has an attraction they will love! Take them to this magnificent underwater experience, which features an underwater tunnel plus thousands of marine species.

5 Important Cultural Attractions in Phoenix

1. Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park

Located on a archaeological site that dates back 1,500 years, this non-profit organization offers fascinating insights into pre-Columbian Hohokam civilizations. Prepare to be amazed at the history that lies below this modern metropolis.

2. Heard Museum

Come and discover a plethora of Native American artwork and artefacts at the Heard Museum, which seeks to preserve and promote American Indian culture. Suitable for budding classicists of all ages.

3. Phoenix Art Museum

With over 16,000 American, Asian, Latin American and modern artworks, the Phoenix Art Museum is one of Arizona's premier attractions. Its collections take visitors on a cultural journey from the Renaissance right through to the present day.

4. The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra

This musical group has evolved into one of the most-prestigious nationwide, and is certainly one of the feathers in Phoenix's bow. If you want to enjoy an unforgettable performance from a world-class orchestra, be sure to get tickets in advance - you won't regret it!

5. Phoenix Opera

Another popular musical establishment in the city is the Phoenix Opera. Since its establishment in 2006, this musical institution company has enjoyed years of critical acclaim. Check out its performance schedule to find out more.

Kid-Friendly Activities in Phoenix

The Phoenix Zoo promises plenty of entertainment for kids. See lions, tigers, bears, and other exotic and local animals, feed giraffes lettuce from the palm of your hand, and romp in the zoo's two seasonal splash pads for little ones from March-October. To go all out on aquatic thrills, head to Hurricane Harbor Phoenix for a thrilling day of high-speed waterslides, gigantic wave pools, and exciting rides at Arizona's largest water park.

The Children's Museum of Phoenix is a great start for fun for kids, but the Arizona Science Center downtown is also very child-focused. It contains over 350 hands-on interactive exhibits where kids can get their hands dirty while learning, as well as the dedicated Create space that hosts child-focused crafting workshops. A different kind of fun can be had at Scottsdale's Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs, a unique dinosaur-themed museum and theme park with over 50 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, rides, and a dozen interactive stations including a realistic fossil dig and excavation.

The Desert Botanical Garden is a wonderland of flowers and flowering cacti of all shapes and sizes that kids will love exploring. They'll never run out of places and paths to explore here! Butterfly Wonderland, the biggest indoor rainforest conservatory in the USA, is another must-do for nature-loving kids. For formal family entertainment, Childsplay Theatre is the top professional children's stage company in the state and one of the best in the country, regularly putting on classics like Charlotte's Web and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.

The 10 Best Bars in Phoenix

1. The Larry: Located in the Warehouse District, this bar serves drinks at all hours.

2. Honor Amongst Thieves: A 1950s themed bar, serving luxury cocktails.

3. Casey Moore's Oyster House: This Irish themed pub also has a great seafood menu.

4. Angel's Trumpet Ale: House Craft beers are the specialty of this gastropub.

5. Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails: This bar in the downtown CityScape Hotel makes handcrafted cocktails.

6. Lustre Rooftop Bar: A cool rooftop bar in downtown Pheonix.

7. Undertow: An underground Tiki bar with themed cocktails.

8. Postino: A trendy wine bar which also serves great Italian food.

9. Counter Intuitive: This craft cocktail bar has a creative and constantly changing drinks menu.

10. The Duce: Not only a jazz style bar and restaurant, but also a gym, coffee bar, and retro clothing store.

Regular Events and Festivals

Phoenix offers visitors a charming repertoire of festivals and cultural events to chose from. Start with the traditional First Fridays Artwalk where art spaces and venues throw open their doors each first Friday of the month. Tip: Stroll through the eclectic Roosevelt Row area where new age artists have set up shop.

The Phoenix Open is one of the most exciting golf tournaments in the United States, taking place annually in winter. Taking place in April, the Phoenix Pride Festival & Parade is an annual event where the city's LGBTQ community bring color and energy to every street in town. The Phoenix Comic Con is one of the premier pop culture events in Arizona, and has taken place every spring since 2002.

The month of March delight foodies with the West of Western Culinary Festival, while the Phoenix Film Festival in April is a great way to discover ground-breaking cinema. The annual spring festival of Arizona Matsuri brings with it the allure of fashion, music, martial arts, taiko drumming, bonsai and even cosplay (dressing up as Japanese manga/anime characters).

Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake and the Arizona State Fair in October-November are well-attended events. Sports fans, watch out for the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in January and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in November and February.

With its deep golden sunshine, Phoenix is perfect for family breaks, romantic getaways or vacations with friends. Choose your vacation home in Phoenix, as a whole new world of desert beauty and romance await.

The 5 Best Outdoor Activities in Phoenix

1. Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park

Go back in time 200 years at the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park, an excavated Salado Indian site. As you will see, Phoenix is a hotbed of archaeology and history, despite its contemporary appearance nowadays!

2. Desert Botanical Garden

Designed to preserve desert plants from across the world, these beautiful gardens are situated in the center of Phoenix. There are regular workshops too, as well as live music and a great gift shop, filled with perfect vacation gifts for loved ones.

3. Piestewa Peak

For sweeping views of the valley, head to the top of Piestewa Peak, one of the highest peaks in Arizona. It's a good idea to escape the dry weather with a refreshing swim at Lake Pleasant where fishing, water skiing and power boating opportunities abound.

4. Camelback Mountain

Resembling the shape of a camel's back, this peak is popular with those looking for a hike with stunning views over the city and desert. Those interested in snow sports will be delighted to know that skiing and snowboarding are offered in winter.

5. Phoenix's Streetfood Scene

Discover the delicious Mexican tacos, tostadas, and burritos served from the city's street vendors and cosy diners. Phoenix offers plenty of cheap and tasty eats. Escape the Arizona heat and grab something to take away to your air conditioned vacation rental!

Frequently Asked Questions