The USA’s 5th most populous city and its most populous state capital, Phoenix, is a sprawling desert metropolis in Arizona. Outdoorsy types will find lots to explore as the city sits at the edge of the Sonoran Desert. Known for cattle, cotton, citrus, copper and its climate, Phoenix is also a fantastic city for museums, food, spas and golf courses.
Phoenix is a comfortable city to come out and play at night as the temperature drops after the sun goes down, and you can enjoy the city’s wonders without constantly worrying about staying cool. As it’s a large city with so much on offer, narrowing down what to do during your stay can be challenging. So, tick these 20 things to do in Phoenix at night off your to-do list. And you’ll be sure to enjoy your visit to the “Valley Of The Sun” around the clock.
Contents
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Top Tours
- 20 Things To Do In Phoenix At Night
- 1- Hike Your Way Through Papago Park
- 2- Unwind In Style At The Duce
- 3- Enjoy A Show At The Arizona Federal Theatre
- 4- Study The Night Sky At The Gilbert Riparian Observatory
- 5- Watch Some Baseball At Chase Field
- 6- See Top Level Basketball At The Footprint Center
- 7- Listen To Live Music At The Van Buren
- 8- Go For A Stroll Around Arizona Falls
- 9- Try Your Luck At Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass
- 10- Watch Ice Hockey In The Desert
- 11- Catch Top Football Stars In Action
- 12- Explore The Desert On A Sonoran Desert Tour
- 13- Experience A Spectacle At The Arizona Wrestling Federation Arena
- 14- Have Fun At The Arizona State Fairgrounds
- 15- Let Loose At The Castles N’ Coasters Amusement Park
- 16- Bring Out Your Natural Side At The Desert Botanical Garden
- 17- Sample The City’s Best Food At Binkley’s Restaurant
- 18- Drink The Night Away At Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
- 19.- Spend An Evening At The Wrigley Mansion
- 20- Soak Up The Sights On Roosevelt Row
Phoenix, Arizona
Top Tours
- Sonoran Desert Guided Sunset Private Bronco or Jeep – discover the beauty of the desert on a thrilling 4WD adventure.
- Stunning Sunrise or Sunset Guided Hiking Adventure in the Sonoran Desert – hike one of the hottest deserts in the world with a guide.
- Phoenix Murders and Mysteries Ghost Tour – scare yourself silly and discover Phoenix’s dark side.
20 Things To Do In Phoenix At Night
1- Hike Your Way Through Papago Park
Papago Park is a 1,500-acre (607 ha) city park with some of Phoenix’s best natural attractions.
The Phoenix Zoo is home to a vibrant collection of animals, while the famed ‘Hole In The Rock’ formation perfectly frames the city, offering the perfect view and photo opportunity.
With golf courses open into the evening, trails lit until 11 pm, and the iconic ‘Hunt’s Tomb’ pyramid illuminated after dark, exploring Papago Park is one of Phoenix’s best things to do at night.
It provides the perfect opportunity to appreciate Phoenix’s great outdoors and natural beauty in the cooler night temperatures without leaving the city.
Papago Park is at 625 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, 85008. If you enjoy hiking, here are some tours to join:
- Guided 2-Hour Sunrise or Sunset Hike at Piestewa Peak
- Romantic Walking tour in Phoenix for couples
- Guided Desert Sunrise or Evening/Sunset 2-Hour Hike at South Mtn
Also read:
- 21 Arizona Landmarks
- 20 Arizona Beaches
- Arizona Road Trip
- 11 Hot Springs In Arizona
- 20 Things To Do In Tombstone
- 20 Things To Do In Phoenix At Night
- 17 Places To Go Glamping In Arizona
- 20 Things To Do In Williams AZ
- 20 Things To Do In Yuma AZ
- 20 Ghost Towns In Arizona
- Grand Canyon National Park
- 20 Things To Do In Monument Valley
- 20 Things To Do In Page
2- Unwind In Style At The Duce
The Duce is a wonderful destination that offers visitors the chance to experience the full range of Phoenix nightlife options in a single location.
The retro-chic warehouse has an art deco bar and a vibrant restaurant serving a range of American favourites and comfort foods.
With attractions like a restored vintage camper and a host of exciting events each month, The Duce ticks all the boxes if you want to dine, drink and be entertained.
The Duce is at 525 South Central Avenue, Phoenix, 85004.
3- Enjoy A Show At The Arizona Federal Theatre
The Arizona Federal Theatre is a 5,000-seater performance venue that opened in 2002.
Formerly known as the Comerica Theatre and Dodge Theatre, it hosts some of the city’s best live performances and events.
From Broadway spectacles to family-friendly shows, the Arizona Federal Theatre is the best place in the city to watch incredible live dramatic performances, events like concerts and stand-up comedy.
It even has events held by sporting bodies like the NFL and WWE.
Arizona Federal Theatre is at 400 West Washington Street, Phoenix, 85003
4- Study The Night Sky At The Gilbert Riparian Observatory
The Gilbert Riparian Observatory is a rotary observatory on a hill in the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch.
Enjoy public and private viewings of the moon, comets, meteors, planets, and stars and make the most of the beautifully clear Arizona sky.
The observatory is open from 6.30 to 9.30 every Friday and Saturday night at 2757 East Guadalupe Road, Gilbert, 85234.
If you’re keen on astronomy, you may also like this Phoenix After Dark Desert Tour and Navigating the Night Sky.
5- Watch Some Baseball At Chase Field
Chase Field is a 48,500-seater outdoor stadium with a retractable roof that first opened in 1998.
The home stadium of Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks is the only place in the city where you can see a top-level ballgame during your stay in Arizona.
Even if you aren’t a baseball fan, a range of events – including bull riding, college sports, concerts, motorsports, and professional wrestling – means there is a good chance you will find something to enjoy during your stay.
Chase Field is at 401 East Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 85004.
6- See Top Level Basketball At The Footprint Center
First opened in 1992, the Footprint Center is a 17,000-seat arena that hosts some of the city’s largest indoor concerts and sports.
It is also the headquarters of the National Basketball Association’s Phoenix Suns.
This makes it a must-visit place for basketball fans who have to get their fix during their stay in Phoenix.
The Footprint Center 201 East Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 85004.
7- Listen To Live Music At The Van Buren
The Van Buren is a live music venue that regularly hosts concerts and other musical performances in an intimate setting.
With both big names and emerging artists performing here, it is a fabulous opportunity to experience performances up close while enjoying some incredible music.
Add in The Van Buren’s well-stocked bar, excellent acoustics and friendly staff, and it is a can’t-miss destination for those who like to spend their evenings enjoying live music.
The Van Buren is at 401 West Van Buren Street, Phoenix, 85003.
8- Go For A Stroll Around Arizona Falls
Arizona Falls is an artificial waterfall created by the Arizona Canal and used to fuel a hydroelectric station.
With a 20 ft (6.1 m) drop, artistic designs and a beautiful walking trail, strolling around the falls is a great option for an evening for fresh air.
Arizona Falls is at 5802 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, 85018.
9- Try Your Luck At Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass
Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass is a casino with gaming tables and machines, eight restaurants, bars, a nightclub, a heated pool, and a selection of rooms and suites.
It’s an ideal spot for those who want to try their luck, treat themselves, or combine the two.
Gila River Resorts is at 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, 85226.
10- Watch Ice Hockey In The Desert
Home to the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League, the Gila River Arena is a 19,000-seater indoor arena that allows you to enjoy the unique spectacle of an ice hockey match in the middle of the Arizona desert.
With other events, including concerts, lacrosse, MMA, motorsports, pro wrestling, basketball, extreme sports, and various other live performances, there is always plenty on offer here to entertain visitors.
Gila River Arena is at 9400 West Maryland Avenue, Glendale, 85305.
11- Catch Top Football Stars In Action
The State Farm Stadium is an outdoor stadium capable of seating over 72,000 people and home to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals.
If you visit Phoenix during the season, you can catch some of the best football players practising here.
With events like international soccer, college football, WWE Wrestlemania, major concerts, and motorsports, the stadium is the place to see Arizona’s most significant events.
There are even occasional rallies and speaking events.
State Farm Stadium is at 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, 85305.
12- Explore The Desert On A Sonoran Desert Tour
While the city of Phoenix is beautiful, you can’t visit without exploring the deserts around the city.
There are 4WD hummer tours every evening, providing the perfect opportunity to enjoy your stunning surroundings.
On a four-hour tour, your knowledgeable guide will tell you about the landscape, show you some of its unique wildlife that only comes out at night, and even refresh you, making this the best way to explore the Sonoran desert in style.
Here are some options:
- Sonoran Desert Guided Sunset Private Bronco or Jeep
- Stunning Sunrise or Sunset Guided Hiking Adventure in the Sonoran Desert
13- Experience A Spectacle At The Arizona Wrestling Federation Arena
Arizona has one of the best independent wrestling scenes in the United States and the Arizona Wrestling Federation Arena is the perfect place for fans to see some of their favourite stars in action.
With regular events of the highest quality held here, check the listings when you arrive to see if you can get your wrestling fix during your stay in Phoenix.
Arizona Wrestling Federation Arena is at 3104 West Thomas Road, #1001, Phoenix, 85017.
14- Have Fun At The Arizona State Fairgrounds
The Arizona State Fairgrounds is a permanent fairground originally designated in 1905 where the Arizona State Fair is held each October.
Other events include the Arizona National Livestock Show, Maricopa County Fair, and Maricopa Home And Garden Show throughout the year.
While there is no guarantee there will be an event during your stay, those held are always fun-filled spectacles, so it is worth checking the listings to see if anything is being held while you’re in town.
The Arizona State Fairgrounds is at 1826 West McDowell Road, Phoenix, 85007.
15- Let Loose At The Castles N’ Coasters Amusement Park
Castles N’ Coasters is an amusement park with wild west and ancient middle eastern themes covering 10 acres (4 ha) and offers a range of attractions to entertain visitors of all ages.
With 10 rides, including two rollercoasters, bumper boats, go-karts, mini-golf and an arcade, it is great for a fun night with the whole family.
Castles N’ Coasters Amusement Park is at 9445 North Metro Parkway East, Phoenix, 85051.
16- Bring Out Your Natural Side At The Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden opened in 1939 and houses an incredible collection of over 50,000 plants, including more than 4,000 species, many of which are endangered, rare or threatened.
The garden houses plants from deserts in the surrounding area and further afield, including a huge range of agave and cacti.
Tours, lectures and workshops give you a first-hand view of the plant life in this climate.
Depending on when you visit, attractions like art exhibits, concerts, and light displays are held here as well.
Desert Botanical Garden is at 1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, 85008.
17- Sample The City’s Best Food At Binkley’s Restaurant
While no one restaurant can claim to be the best in Phoenix, Brinkley’s Restaurant has as good of a claim as any, popping up on most lists of the best places to eat in the city.
The culinary experience starts with snacks on the terrace and progresses to a feast in the dining room.
The restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine produced using carefully sourced ingredients and is ideal for those seeking a fine meal.
It costs $240 a person and $200 for wine pairings.
Binkley’s Restaurant is open from Wednesday to Saturday at 2320 East Osborn Road, Phoenix, 85016.
18- Drink The Night Away At Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
The Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour is a popular Phoenix bar with a long list of bar and cocktail awards.
With stylish décor, an extensive list of craft cocktails and other drinks, and a range of innovative bar foods, it is the perfect spot for those nights when you want to enjoy a drink or two.
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour is at 1 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 85003.
Love a good ghost tour? Check out these:
19.- Spend An Evening At The Wrigley Mansion
The Wrigley Mansion is a landmark building built for William Wrigley Jr, founder of Wrigley chewing gum, around 1930.
Designed in the Spanish Colonial style, it cost $1.2 million to construct and covers over 16,000 square feet (1,500 square metres).
Listed on the National Register Of Historic Places since 1989, it was converted into a fine dining restaurant and a collection of rentable spaces in 1992.
With some of the best cuisine in Phoenix on offer, you can enjoy a meal in the main dining room or privately rented rooms while enjoying the beautiful views before exploring this historic destination and its grounds.
Wrigley Mansion is at 2501 East Telawa Trail, Phoenix, 85016.
20- Soak Up The Sights On Roosevelt Row
Roosevelt Row is an arts district known nationwide for its vibrant collection of street art and independent studios and galleries.
The neighbourhood also has a wide range of street performers and live musicians on any given night.
With a range of incredible pieces and immensely talented people showing off their skills to entertain visitors, Roosevelt Row is ideal for fans of any art to spend an evening.
The large monthly art walk in the USA called ‘First Fridays’ is held on the first Friday of every month.
With the galleries and studios open to visitors, you can get a more in-depth experience of the city’s many art establishments than you would have ever thought possible.
Roosevelt Row Welcome Center is at 918 North 2nd Street, Phoenix, 85004.
