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Phoenix is Arizona’s largest city and a popular tourist destination thanks to its year-round sun and rugged desert landscape. It has a huge selection of luxury resorts, beautiful golf courses, fascinating museums, and intriguing art galleries. Plus, it’s home to several impressive mountain ranges and nature parks.
The Phoenix metro area is comprised of several major cities, including Glendale, Scottsdale, Mesa, and Chandler. The region is so vast that it can be difficult to know where to stay when planning a trip to the city.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up some of the best neighborhoods in Phoenix to help you decide where to stay when you visit the Valley of the Sun.
Downtown Phoenix
- Best For: History and nightlife.
- Highlights: Arizona Capitol Museum, Arizona Science Center, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, George Washington Carver Museum, Irish Cultural Center
Downtown Phoenix is one of Arizona’s trendiest neighborhoods. This urban area is home to Arizona State University and is popular with students and young professionals alike.
Packed full of towering skyscrapers and with no end of bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues, it has a lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere. There are also plenty of museums and art galleries to explore. This makes it the perfect neighborhood for couples or groups of friends who want to explore the city’s history, culture, and nightlife.
Getting around Downtown Phoenix is easy thanks to its excellent transport links, which include the light rail that connects the city center with Sky Harbor International Airport in just 10 minutes. The area is also easily walkable, but avoid walking late at night due to the high crime rates that are sadly often expected in busy metropolitan areas.
Roosevelt Row Arts District
- Best For: Culture and creativity.
- Highlights: Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art, First Friday Art Walk
Roosevelt Row, known locally as RoRo, is Phoenix’s art district. It’s known as a hub for young artists, and it boasts a variety of fascinating art galleries and murals to explore. The area is also full of quirky coffee shops and eclectic boutiques, making it a pleasure to wander around and explore. In addition, you’ll easily stumble across craft beer, independent movie screenings, art installations, and more.
This is an ideal spot for creatives and art enthusiasts to stay. Its proximity to Downtown is convenient, but it isn’t the most peaceful area to set up camp if you want a relaxing trip. Solo travelers, couples, and groups are best suited to Roosevelt Row.
Scottsdale
Scottsdale is a popular city that lies just east of Phoenix and is well known for its array of luxurious resorts and golf courses. It’s divided into two key areas: North Scottsdale and Old Town Scottsdale.
North Scottsdale
- Best for: Luxury resorts and dining options.
- Highlights: Butterfly Wonderland, Cosanti Gallery, Desert Botanical Garden, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West
Hotels and resorts are scattered throughout North Scottsdale, with some of the biggest high-end resorts sitting up in the hills outside of the city. This is a very family-friendly area to stay in, but it isn’t the most convenient base if you plan to explore the many sights of Old Town.
Old Town Scottsdale
- Best for: Shopping and trolley adventures.
- Highlights: Center for the Performing Arts, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of the West, Musical Instrument Museum
The downtown area of Scottsdale is known as Old Town. It’s well-known for being a lively area with plenty of amenities and attractions, making it a brilliant base for exploring Phoenix.
It has over 100 restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, and bars, and you’ll find more than 200 stores in the Scottsdale Fashion Square. The area also has a creative vibe, with 45 public art installations that you can easily check out when you use the free Old Town Trolley service.
Central Phoenix for a Lively Community Atmosphere
- Best for: Lively community atmosphere.
- Highlights: Phoenix Art Museum, Margaret T. Hance Park
Known as CenPho by locals, Central Phoenix is just north of Downtown Phoenix and is home to a wide mix of residents.
Families and retirees alike live in this trendy area, and there’s a thriving LGBTQ+ community. The area has excellent transport links for visiting other areas of the city, with easy access to Valley Metro Rail and the I-10 and 51 freeways.
CenPho is a great base for families to stay in, thanks to its multitude of dining options and friendly community spirit.
Although Central Phoenix doesn’t have a huge choice of tourist accommodation, the quality is high for what it does have. Plus, this area is slightly quieter than Downtown, which should help guarantee a great night’s sleep.
Arcadia for Leafy Streets
- Best for: Access to hiking trails.
- Highlights: Camelback Mountain, Echo Canyon Recreation Area, Papago Park
Arcadia, also known as Camelback East, is one of Phoenix’s most desirable neighborhoods. The sprawling homes here are much sought-after by families who are attracted by high-quality schools and pretty parks.
Arcadia lies on top of a former citrus grove and the many remaining lemon, orange, and grapefruit trees give the area a leafy, scenic appearance. A big benefit of Arcadia is its close proximity to Camelback Mountain, which is named as such because it resembles a kneeling camel.
The mountain is the most iconic natural landmark in the Phoenix metro area and it provides exceptional views of the region from its peaks. If you’re feeling fit, Arcadia is a great base from which to hike up Camelback.
South Mountain Village
- Best for: Peaceful desert landscape.
- Highlights: South Mountain Park, Mystery Castle
South Mountain Park is one of the biggest city parks in the US, and the residential neighborhood of South Mountain Village is a fantastic destination to explore from. This sprawling desert landscape is home to a wide array of biking and hiking trails that wind through the scrub, cacti, and rocky outcrops.
The rural nature of the South Mountain region means it’s easiest to get around with a car. If you want to see all the sights of Central Phoenix, this isn’t the best neighborhood to stay in. However, if you’re planning lots of adventurous outdoor activities in South Mountain Park, the village is an excellent base.
Deer Valley Village
- Best for: Easy access to nature.
- Highlights: Deem Hills Nature Preserve, Cave Buttes Nature Preserve, Adobe Dam Regional Park, Adobe Mountain Train Museum, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Waterpark
One of the northernmost regions of Phoenix is Deer Valley, a rural area with an eclectic mix of farm cottages, ranch homes, and modern developments. It offers a combination of historic culture and contemporary amenities with a peaceful atmosphere and a strong community feel.
Deer Valley real estate prices are relatively affordable, and the low cost of living means the population here is pretty diverse and includes recent college graduates and retirees alike. The cost of accommodation for tourists is similarly affordable, so this could be a great place to stay if you’re on a budget when visiting Phoenix. There are plenty of reasonably-priced restaurants and stores here, too, to further help keep costs down.
Paradise Valley
- Best for: Five-star resorts and restaurants.
- Highlights: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, Scottsdale Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, Paradise Valley Mall
Paradise Valley is Arizona’s wealthiest municipality. It is home to luxury five-star resorts, high-end golf clubs, and gourmet restaurants. Phoenix locals know it as the ‘Jewel of the Desert’ nestled between Camelback Mountain, Phoenix Mountain Preserve, and the McDowell Mountains. The region is also seen as the Beverley Hills of Phoenix neighborhoods.
Although Paradise Valley is primarily a residential area, it makes for a good base for a luxurious visit to Phoenix.
The culture, history, and nightlight of Scottsdale are nearby, and there’s easy access to hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities in the surrounding mountainous areas. It’s important to note that amenities are spread across a wide area, so you’ll need a car to get around easily.
Biltmore
- Best for: A quiet and relaxing atmosphere.
- Highlights: Biltmore Fashion Park, Wrigley Mansion
Biltmore lies just three miles east of Uptown Phoenix and seven miles northeast of Downtown Phoenix. If you’ll be visiting by car, it offers good access to the region’s attractions with a quieter atmosphere than the urban areas. There are several high-end hotels, stores, and restaurants to enjoy.
There’s little in the way of attractions in Biltmore itself, so don’t plan to stay here if you want lots to do within walking distance. If you’re looking for a comfortable stay somewhere that’s central to the Greater Phoenix area, Biltmore is a good choice.
Ahwatukee Foothills
- Best for: Hiking in the hills.
- Highlights: Desert Foothills Park, South Mountain Park
Located at the base of South Mountain Park and in the southernmost portion of the Phoenix metro area is the urban village of Ahwatukee Foothills.
It’s known as one of the best places to raise a family in Phoenix, thanks to its community-focused atmosphere, low crime rates, and close proximity to nature. This safe, laidback vibe also makes it attractive to tourists looking for a rejuvenating break in nature.
If you base yourself in Ahwatukee, you’ll need a car to get the most out of your stay. If you plan to spend plenty of time in South Mountain Park, this is a fantastic place to stay. There are many hiking and biking opportunities, and you’ll get excellent views of the rugged desert landscape.
Encanto Village
- Best for: Easy access to downtown.
- Highlights: Encanto Park, Enchanted Island Amusement Park, Steele Indian School Park
Encanto is a midtown neighborhood situated along Central Avenue. It was once home to the NBA team, the Phoenix Suns, and today it offers close proximity to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Encanto Village is popular with young professionals thanks to its easy access to the Downtown business district. Live music venues, clubs, bars, restaurants, and boutiques are all within walking distance. If you’re looking for somewhere central to stay with amenities within walking distance, Encanto is a great choice.
Tempe
- Best for: Lively nightlife.
- Highlights: Tempe Beach Park, Big Surf Waterpark, Arizona Mills (home to LEGOLAND Discovery Center and SEA LIFE Aquarium), ASU Art Museum, Tempe Butte
Tempe is home to the sprawling campus of Arizona State University and has a young, lively atmosphere thanks to its large population of students. Mill Avenue is the best-known party street and is where you’ll find seemingly endless bars and restaurants.
There are plenty of attractions to keep you entertained in Tempe, and there are good transport links to the city center. The area is just south of Scottsdale and only 9 miles away from Downtown Phoenix, making it a great spot to see the best of Phoenix in a single trip.
For a touch of nature, nearby Tempe Butte, also known as ‘A’ Mountain, offers a short, steep hike for fantastic city views. Tempe Town Lake, a stretch of Salt River, cuts through the northern region of Tempe, and it has a scenic waterfront to enjoy.
Mesa
- Best for: Family friendly fun.
- Highlights: Arizona Museum of Natural History, i.d.e.a Museum, Usery Mountain Regional Park, Superstition Mountains, Mesa Arts Center
Mesa is Greater Phoenix’s second most populated city and is home to an array of family-friendly attractions, such as the Arizona Museum of Natural History and the i.d.e.a Museum.
Mesa also happens to be the world’s first Autism Certified City, meaning that it’s highly accessible to visitors with an autism spectrum disorder.
Main Street in Mesa is lined with popular attractions and tourist accommodations. If you’re looking for a very affordable place to stay in Phoenix, you’ll find plenty of budget-friendly chain motels here.
This central area is very walkable, but if you plan to visit some of the area’s natural attractions, such as Usery Mountain Regional Park and Superstition Mountains, you’ll benefit from having a car.
Gilbert
- Best for: Heritage and history.
- Highlights: Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, Agritopia’s The Farm, Gilbert Farmer’s Market
Gilbert is a popular destination for tourists who want easy access to central Phoenix while enjoying a quieter pace of life.
The town’s rich agricultural history is honored in its wide array of historic attractions. Its heritage district is the perfect place to take in some of the town’s oldest buildings and get a glimpse of what life was like when cotton, dairy, and alfalfa farms put the town on the map over 100 years ago.
There are several craft breweries in Gilbert, some of which you can tour while sampling their artisanal ales. You can also discover many more independent food and drink producers at the weekly farmers market on Saturday mornings in Water Tower Plaza.
Chandler
- Best for: Action and adventure.
- Highlights: Arizona Railway Museum, Desert Breeze Park, Veterans Oasis Park
Chandler is a family-focused city that boasts more than 60 city parks in which to walk, ride bikes, ride horses, watch birds, swim, and much more. If you want to keep the kids busy and spend plenty of time outdoors, Chandler is a great place to stay.
Downtown Chandler has a charming historic district that’s perfect for a lazy stroll. In addition, there are many independent shops, boutiques, galleries, and cafes, some of which occupy the city’s historic buildings. Golf enthusiasts will also be pleased to hear that the city has seven public courses to play.
Have an Endless Summer Stay in Phoenix
Now that you know more about the different regions of the Valley of the Sun, you can get started planning your trip to the sun-drenched desert region of Phoenix. Just don’t forget to pack your sunscreen!
Featured Image Credit: Sean Pavone
