PHOENIX TRAVEL GUIDE: 9 Things to Know Before You Go

Everything you need to know to travel to Phoenix the capital of the US state of Arizona. Phoenix, known for it's sunny warm weather provides a perfect mix of outdoor and urban life. Phoenix is the sixth largest city in the United States with 1.6 million in the city and 4 million in the metro region. Whether you're looking to soak up the sun, explore the outdoors, or immerse yourself in culture, Phoenix has something for everyone. So pack your bags, grab your sunscreen, and get ready to experience all that this vibrant city has to offer.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
00:00 - 1. Phoenix Travel Tips
00:58 - 2. Orientation
02:40 - 3. Getting In to Phoenix
03:59 - 4. Getting Around Phoenix
06:09 - 5. Food in Phoenix
07:25 - 6. Shopping in Phoenix
08:33 - 7. Weather in Phoenix
10:30 - 8. Hotels in Phoenix
11:41 - 9. Things To Do in Phoenix
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✅ Or my travel guide on Las Vegas: • LAS VEGAS TRAVEL GUIDE...
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[@YellowProductions]

💲💲💲 Get up to 40% off hotels in Phoenix by signing up here: plannin.com/en/search?googleResult=ChIJy3mhUO0SK4cRrBtKNfjHaYw&refId=YellowProductions ✅ You might enjoy watching my travel guide on Los Angeles: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5nXkIR6hqhnoJY ✅ Or my travel guide on Las Vegas: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZSvkGWNrNSXr8k

[@Tailwag514]

If you go in the summer you’ll understand when the locals say, “it’s too hot to go swimming”. 😂

[@benjamincortez8146]

My job’s flying me out to Phoenix (I live and work in NYC)- this video is by far one of the best “what to do in [city]” videos. Everything you need to know without being dragged out, all while being shown actual examples and videos of the places you’re talking about. 10/10

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks so much Benjamin!

[@NostalgiaMan]

I have not been to Phoenix since I was 14. Seems like I should check it out again. Lovely Video

[@kaptain-wendel7630]

Unusual things to do in the Phoenix / Tuscon area for Tech-geeks: - Visiting Biosphere 2 - Pima air&space museum - Tucson Airplane Graveyard? (309th AMARG Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group) - Titan Missile Museum You may want to include these destinataions in a future video.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Wendel!

[@tamifisher1808]

Also the San Xavier mission in Tucson, Lava tube in Flagstaff, Jerome & copper mine near Cottonwood.

[@Jeannified]

Great detailed video on the Phoenix area, Chris! Good job! Makes me want to go visit!

[@Keith_Aerotrunk]

Wow, great content. Would love to visit Phoenix soon. Thanks for sharing 👍.

[@brianfiske9611]

Very nice tour Chris, nailed it!

[@alexwallace6120]

Thanks Chris, for showing us phoenix. I was there about 14 yrs ago for a few days in Jan. I have 2 friends who moved there, 7 yrs ago and nor sure what part but they love it ,and i have a friend in mesa. I hope I can visit in the Winter sometime.

[@MasonsTurtle]

Wow this is great! Would love to see a vid like this for every major city. :)

[@lordjanuss]

We stayd in that town for 2 weeks in the summertime it was fantastic 😊😊

[@debraregas4347]

Thank you great information

[@stephenholt4670]

Nice video, really informative. I never really thought about visiting Phoenix but if I ever do then I'll know what to do now!

[@user-pd9ri7yp5l]

outstanding video . thanks

[@huxleyginsberg13]

Lived in Phoenix for 5 years, left in part because of how hot it gets. Just got exhausting to deal with. It’s a very nice place to visit during the winter but I don’t miss the heat! Desert botanical garden is a must visit though. Truly an incredible place.

[@carebear8655]

I’m moving there from the UK 😅🫣

[@huxleyginsberg13]

Good luck! @@carebear8655

[@Timmy-torme]

@@carebear8655same

[@kwschumacher1]

Looks like I missed you while you were in town...great overview! Nicely done.

[@kwschumacher1]

I noticed you mentioned Glendale to the east...it's actually to the west (the wifey noticed that one when we re-watched).

[@JohnAdmiralAwesome]

what a difference compared to your prior videos, very dynamic. I like it! Always a fan from a Zonie.

[@YellowProductions]

Right on. Thanks John!

[@IronMkT682]

This makes me miss my old home, great info and great video!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks M T!

[@oOaphroditeOo]

This was amazing, thanks!!

[@YellowProductions]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@allene2307]

One big point about orientation and driving around Phoenix that is critical . . . the north-south roads are done by numbers going out from Central, as you pointed out. What is very important for people who are visiting to know is that as you head east, they are Streets, as you head west, they are Avenues. You MUST know if you're going to a Street or an Avenue!! If you get this wrong or do not specify, you may end up completely on the other side of town, and perhaps in an area that is not tourist friendly. Smaller point as to when to visit, because of Spring Break and Spring Training Baseball, March is a huge tourist month, so rates will be especially spiked then. Three other things to visit that weren't mentioned (or I missed them): Desert Botanical Garden, Musical Instrument Museum, Heard Museum. Lastly, Yellow Productions has warned about this on many other videos, but I'll repeat it here . . . make sure when looking at hotel prices, you look at the final amount, not the listed amount. Aside from some "resort" fees, there will be a city tax and a state tax, so that listed per night rate will increase once you are about to pay.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks for the tip Allen!

[@LivingInPhoenixArizona2024]

#livinginphoenix is amazing! Thanks for the great video! 😊

[@amyreynolds3619]

Great video. Thanks 😊.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Amy

[@Timmy-torme]

I’m visiting Arizona on September I can’t wait for it

[@YellowProductions]

Enjoy!

[@sweeney0558]

GREAT VIDEO

[@julietmichael5737]

Never knew about odd & even # for freeways !!! Very interesting 🚘🌡🌵

[@charlesromney]

Great Video, only I will say that you may need to modify the sedona and the grand canyon video clips. That seems to be Moab Utah and Horseshoe bend in Page.

[@gregranger6241]

Great video! My daughter went to ASU and now lives out there. Tempe has some real nice restaurants and cheaper than Scottsdale. I find November to be a very pleasant month. Can swim in the daytime and might need a light jacket at night. Hotels are cheaper in November than Jan-March. Have to hike A Mountain at ASU for great views. Airport is good and for the most part workers and TSA are friendly. Go to Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix.

[@jameshiga8077]

Hi Chris. Thanks for the info on Phoenix. Thinking about staying in Phoenix before heading to Vegas. I heard that Sedona has wonderful hiking trails with great views. Would love to take advantage of that. Great pro tip on the interstate route and rental car rental in town. Take acare.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks James!

[@antonella5435]

I'm going to Arizona tomorrow I'm so happy!! Thanks for the info😊

[@YellowProductions]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@antonella5435]

@@YellowProductions yes!! I went to the places that you recommended it was so fun! I really liked downtown

[@elizabethwilliams3813]

Phoenician here, great job!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Elizabeth!

[@enriqueae7532]

I live in Metro Phx.. good job on the video!!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Rick!

[@matthewfaulhaber]

Golf deals in the summer are incredible as long as you can survive 118 degrees which is surprisingly achievable with just staying in shade and using a spray mister.

[@paultrevino274]

Welcome to my backyard. Hope your having a blast

[@cailarchitectatopks]

I enjoyed frank lloyd wright taliesin west visit last time. I will go try the Google Waymo ride next time to Phoenix.

[@rosemulet]

I live in Phoenix and sky harbor is a really good airport tbh. It’s always better than the one I end up landing at.

[@WisteriaWinds]

LMAO this is so true. Sky Harbor is crazy and hard to navigate but still better then alot of other airports ive seen.

[@KirkGibb]

Hey Chris, great video! However, the Cardinals Stadium (or State Farm Stadium) is in the West, not the East.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks for the correction Kirk!

[@tietan867]

I love nature stuff. If I had only one day and a 1/2. What do you recommend? Thanks

[@shigemorif1066]

The light rail is definitely really convenient. The airport’s people mover takes you from the airport to the light rail. It’s a quick walk from the people mover station via a nice air conditioned pedestrian skyway to the light rail station so you don’t have to cross a busy street. Phoenix definitely did their work when they built the public transit connection to the airport.

[@billgracey6369]

Sad, Amtrak quit stopping in Phoenix in 1989, I believe, one has to go to Tucson or Flagstaff to catch Amtrak. Nice to see they got the tram, finally still were arguing about it when I left in 99!

[@mildse7en597]

Great video! However, Westjet flies into PHX T4; not AZA as you mentioned in the video as of April 2024. Not sure if that was a recent change.

[@pathofprophecy]

Nice video. One correction, at 2:40 Glendale is not to east of Scottsdale, it's to the west.

[@billgracey6369]

Whoa! Glendale is WEST of Phoenix! I used to live there!

[@YellowProductions]

Mental slip there!

[@NostalgiaMan]

I see your green tea there. Try adding a teaspoon of matcha for a HUGE energy boost as well lol

[@YellowProductions]

Mmm

[@BillGreenAZ]

Job well done. You did mention evenings being hot in the summer with lows in the 80s. That's a great temperature. I currently live in the Valley of the Sun and I walk outside when the temps are still in the 90s after the sun has gone down during the summer. Rudy's BBQ is a chain, yes, but it's still worth a visit. I like the moist beef chopped. One of the most popular BBQ restaurants in the area is Little Miss BBQ. Better get there at least half an hour before they open in order to not have to wait in line too long. In order to find great Southwestern cuisine, look for a restaurant with the word "taqueria" in its name. You will get authentic Mexican food. Because of all the mountains around the Valley there is abundant hiking. And lastly, just remember during the summer , "It's a dry heat!". 😄

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Bill! 😊

[@diegochavez7367]

As a local i would actually suggest staying in flagstaff for a couple of days vs a night in both Sedona amd Flagstaff as Sedona tends to be expensive year round vs spending the aame price for the two nights in Flagstaff the drive between both towns is only about 45 minutes and you can also go to the grand canyon the next day! Also another great day trip would be Tucson there also some great stops there and only 2 hours away from Phoenix

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks for the tip!

[@stargazer5073]

When I was there in the summer the night low was 105F, yikes.....we only go there in the winter from now on!

[@YellowProductions]

Ooof!

[@scottman895]

I can definitely tell that prices are much higher in the winter because I wanted to head to the Phoenix area back in February, but the hotel prices were way too expensive even in the suburbs. I was able to go though for a business trip several years ago but mostly to Scottsdale. The old town there is really cool! I would love to go back someday to explore more of the area as well as check out some of the parks near the area.

[@YellowProductions]

Yeah.. the hotel prices are like night and day... probably because nobody goes in the summer... so they have to double the winter prices to make all their money

[@allstar2709]

@@YellowProductionsa lot people still do go in summer

[@panebalon3017]

Hello Chris!!! I'll visit Phoenix this Summer...i ask you: where is the location at 0.27 on the video clip?????? Super amazing! Want drive there

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks. Some random desert road. Not sure I remember exactly where at this point

[@tamifisher1808]

Except during monsoon season. But the rain doesn't last long

[@Hero87]

Great video thank you!I Is it ok to just use the public transit system and uber/lyft? Not sure I want to bother with a car rental. Thanks

[@YellowProductions]

Sure.. I think Uber/Lyft is plentiful in Phoenix

[@Hero87]

@@YellowProductions thanks that's really good to know. I'll be visiting from the UK can't wait :)

[@NosebergEatzbugsVonShekelstein]

I spent a week in Phoenix one night.

[@robertbailey8444]

Glendale is west of your location in scottsdale

[@mohnjayer]

I just got back from Phoenix and it was a really fun spot. The only thing I would say is that it’s not incredibly touristy outside of Scottsdale. There’s just not many attractions and things to do. But the food was great and the weather was incredible. Also, Sedona is absolutely amazing and I suggest it highly if you have time while in the area. Awesome video!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks McCommentFace! And indeed. Scottsdale is definitely the tourist hub of Phoenix

[@tamifisher1808]

You should check out Jerome also

[@skylerssupercarlife348]

Hey, Chris. Long time viewer, first time, um, messenger? Anyway, my wife and I wanted to plan a trip to Italy flying out from New York. What's the best way to reach you for suggestions and info?

[@YellowProductions]

Hi Skylers -- this is a pretty good way to reach me ;)

[@elizabethhirst9419]

I could not believe it was so hot in April. It was near 100 degrees.

[@YellowProductions]

Oof!

[@billgracey6369]

MIss El Vallje del Sol, but just too hot from May to October, most years, wears one out, the winters are wonderful but short November to February, maybe March or April before it starts hitting the century mark every day!

[@irisdayne]

Not the Ortega store lmao

[@reidgreenspan2560]

Best bbq in PHX is Little Miss BBQ

[@theaveragejoe5781]

Now I am curious how hot it really gets 😂

[@danielleporter1829]

I know someone who lives in one of the suburbs of Phoenix, summer before last, she pictexted me a pic of the temp on her husband's dashboard of his truck 🚛 and it was 120°F. A few days before, she texted me a pic of two Javalinas running across the street she lives on. Besides Rudy's bbq, this a Texas chain Cajun seafood restaurant called Pappadeaux , I've eaten at a Pappadeaux in Dallas a few years ago, the food was tasty and wasn't too spicy, at least not to me

[@YellowProductions]

Agreed on Pappadeux! It's good eatin!

[@danielleporter1829]

@@YellowProductions I wish Pappadeaux was open a few locations in SoCal

[@user-ek3hx3tp4u]

The light rail to the airport is definitely not really convenient . You have to take a separate line, transfer, then walk over a massive bridge just to get on. Phoenix definitely needs to work on their public transit.

[@ortegaperu8510]

Major City without any train connections? 😢

[@Elevatorboy886]

5th biggest city now in the US

[@duran5111]

@Yellow Productions, there is so much wrong information in this video. Not that I'm trying to bash you for it, I just thought you'd want to know. Phoenix is the 5th biggest city in the United States. We have 1.7 million + people here in Phx alone and 5.2 million + people in the Metro area as a whole. The grid system and points throughout the state are based upon an actual point just outside of Phoenix near Phoenix Raceway, on the hill. That main point creates Baseline Road, hence the name. Old Phoenix was settled over 1000 years ago by the Hohokam, descendants of the Gila tribes. Modern Phoenix was founded by John Y.T. (Yours Truly) Smith, who at the time used it as a place to grow alfalfa, along the Salt River Valley, for the horses over at Fort McDowell. In the 1860's his buddy Jack Swilling discovered the old canal systems all over Phoenix and decided to re-did them out and found that the originals worked. Many of them are still used to this day. The main cuisine here is Mexican, that is all. I don't know where the heck you ever heard that we were a Southwestern Cuisine city, we are most definitely not! I and all native Phoenicians take way more offense to that statement than you can ever know. Albuquerque, on the other hand, is Southwestern fair. Think of Phoenix as a scaled down Los Angeles. We are very rich in Mexican and Natiive American culture. Mexican restaurants like Popo's, Barrio Cafe, Carolina's, Comedor Guadalajara, Rito's, Ta'Carbon to name a few, are some if the best in the city. There is much more then that though, SO MUCH MORE!! One more thing, if you are looking for the best BBQ in Phx, look no further than 'Little Miss BBQ' or Stacy's off da hook'. As far as places to stay, Phoenix has a ton of in the heart of downtown. There are so many great bars, restaurants, and entertainment establishments in the downtown sector, it would be a challenge to get to them in SEVERAL long visits. Please do Phoenix a solid and either remake this video or consult with myself before you do another. As a third generation Natiive Phoenician, I really take offense to th disservice KZbinrs do to this great city, especially when they stay in Snobs-dale. No self-respecting Phoenician likes Snobs-dale. You seem like a reasonable guy, so I hate to pick this one apart, but I had to. It's my city, and it is more than a destination. It's my home. Oh, and please don't show the Gilbert Ortega store. The son recently defamed an entire culture on video when he started spewing idiotic things, in a drunken rant. Makes you wonder what he is really thinking. The kicker is, his father Gilbert Sr. created that business off the backs of the people his son now puts down.

[@YellowProductions]

Hi Duran -- thanks for sharing your local perspective. No disrespect intended. And you'll have to blame "Visit Phoenix" as my source for Southwestern Cuisine. Your own tourism board promotes it 😉.

[@duran5111]

@Yellow Productions I know, it's annoying for is harcore Phoenician. Great video btw.

[@luciam6098]

Amtrak does come here. It stops in Maricopa then there's a shuttle that takes you straight to the airport. Then you can rent a car and off you go! Please don't take the light rail...not the safest and there is one day a year when everyone rides in their underwear....which may or may not be a selling point I guess.

[@luciam6098]

I have baked cookies in my car and I have to put ice in my kids bathwater to cool it down to warm... Actually my kids think 100F is 'room temperature' hahaha

[@YellowProductions]

Wow... crazy!

[@Weinertobbagan]

Love your videos, but the editing was too strong in the beginning for me

[@joeballzee2767]

Where is Mel's Diner ?

[@eddiew2325]

how walkable is phoenix?

[@YellowProductions]

Old town Scottsdale is walkable but the rest of Phoenix really isn't

[@eddiew2325]

@@YellowProductions ok thank u

[@travissanchez4841]

glendale is to the west

[@paulchezkari6952]

Lots of info which I didn't know about the city😂😂

[@mreppen1]

I have a friend who has lived in Phoenix for decades. She says Meth is highly prominent there.

[@duran5111]

She would be incorrect. If you look for it, maybe. But, prominent is a strange term.

[@stargazer5073]

Scottsdale is more fun! The Mall with AC is a lifesaver, yes AVOID AZ from May to Sept.

[@PhantomOfManyTopics]

7 hours from LA or SD, unless you are driving 95mph haha

[@PhantomOfManyTopics]

Glendale is just to the West.

[@Sammie551]

Houston is the 4th, not Phoenix

[@mikiewifnoe360]

I love Phoenix. We used to have a home on N. Central Ave. Also, five others scattered around the area. But hate all the insane republicans.

[@chumleyex]

If you're in Texas, please don't go to Rudys BBQ.. There's much better.

[@fiznizzle]

Terry blacks bbq

[@chumleyex]

@@fiznizzle and Interstellar.. both are great. TB is delicious. Really anything but Rudy's in Texas.

[@valerianthemackiii5896]

Only Lizard people live in that desert city! 😂😂😂

[@YellowProductions]

Hah!

[@timward3116]

I wonder if the "pretty significant remodel" of Scottsdale Fashion Square is the result of the damage done to it by all that looting and vandalism done during those BLM protests. What seemed like hundreds of young thugs were running all over that mall stealing everything they could get their hands on.

[@CameronClaussen]

So we’re gonna skip over the homeless, meth, fentanyl, and prostitution issues in downtown😂

[@dlsjr123]

You mean issues in literally EVERY downtown in America?

[@undisgraziato]

My pool is 98 degrees in the summer

[@YellowProductions]

Wow!

[@undisgraziato]

Don’t be surprised if you come out of the pool and it’s 107 and your cold

[@undisgraziato]

Glendale is to the west

[@nathanbeaner928]

You said stadium is to the east it’s actually to the west

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks for the correction!

[@undisgraziato]

That Rudy’s is less than 10 minutes from my house

[@YellowProductions]

Nice!

[@mandolindodd5711]

I was just looking at a Amtrack tickets from Phoenix 🫣