At some point between the second “excessive heat warning” and your steering wheel branding your hands, you realize: you need out. Just for a day. Just long enough to feel like a human again.
Here are 10 Phoenix-approved day trips that won’t break the bank, your AC, or your sanity.
1. Sedona
Red rocks. Oak Creek. Vortex energy.
🌡️ 10–15° cooler than Phoenix
Hit Slide Rock, grab a smoothie from Local Juicery, and pretend you’re a grounded, hydrated version of yourself for a few hours.
2. Prescott
Pine trees, a historic town square, and zero humidity.
Perfect if you want hiking and antique stores
Bonus: Watson Lake looks like a Pixar background.
3. Payson
Quick, easy, and shockingly green in summer.
Just 90 minutes up the Beeline
Bring a hammock. Get weird in the woods. Eat pie at the Beeline Cafe.
4. Flagstaff
Forest city vibes with college town charm.
Grab a beer at Mother Road. Hike Snowbowl if you like pain.
Leave early. I-17 will betray you after 10 AM.
5. Jerome
Haunted mining town turned artsy ghost town.
Great for wine, ghost stories, and funky art shops
Don’t forget to grab a burger at Haunted Hamburger. Iconic.
6. Fossil Creek
Crystal blue water, waterfalls, and actual shade?!
You need a permit. You need water shoes.
Totally worth the effort if you snag a spot.
7. Strawberry/Pine
Tiny towns. Big trees. Cool air.
Go for pie at THAT PIE PLACE and stay for the lavender fields.
8. Tonto Natural Bridge
A natural rock bridge + short hiking loops + misty air
Great photo ops. Mediocre cell service. Bring snacks.
9. Cave Creek
If you’re not ready to leave Maricopa County
Wild West meets wine bar.
Stroll Frontier Town, then grab a drink at Janey’s.
10. Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Technically still hot, but shady AF.
Plants. Peace. Maybe a tortoise sighting.
A low-effort nature fix when you’re heat fried.
What’s your go-to summer escape spot? Drop it in the comments — we might just feature it next.
And if you need a playlist for the drive? DM us “ROADTRIP” — we’ve got you.