Phoenix After Dark: What to do
Posted on 19-03-2023 09:54 PM
Phoenix After Dark: What to do
Phoenix After Dark Activities
In the summer, Phoenix offers a variety of activities that can be enjoyed after dark, including hiking, sightseeing, swimming, among others. Just know where to look.
Moonlit Hikes
Stargazing
Tours
Dive-In Movies
Paddling
MOONLIT HIKES
User lightofarizona contributed this photo with the caption "You totally got this!". I said it to myself after we split directions. My only companion on the hike back down was the darkness. My car was about half a mile from the parking lot when I heard someone off the trail. Once I reached the parking lot, they were still playing maybe a quarter mile up the trail. I got into my car and am glad I did that alone. Epic city views were so worth it!
Phoenix hikers need a break from the sun from time to time. Despite the closing of parking lots at most Phoenix trailheads around 7 p.m., the trails remain open until 11 p.m. Become a nocturnal hiker by putting on a headlamp or flashlight and hitting the trails at night.
Two popular Phoenix hikes are Piestewa Peak and South Mountain in Phoenix Mountains Preserve. During the summer months, Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area and Usery Mountain Regional Park offer guided, interpretive moonlight hikes with a ranger. Find out what events are scheduled in each park by checking the schedule.
STARGAZING
The city's urban atmosphere is one thing we love, but we also love getting away from the city lights to explore the open desert. In our grand desert sky, Phoenix Mountains Preserve, South Mountain Park and Preserve, Lost Dutchman State Park, McDowell Mountain Regional Park, and Cave Creek Regional Park make great spots to gaze down at the twinkling city.
Get a close look at the stars over the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch during Friday and Saturday nights through the Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory's 16-inch telescope.
The ADERO Scottsdale, an Autograph Collection Hotel, is a beautiful retreat with expansive views of the sky. The resort is located on an elevated ridgeline and offers views of Arizona's famed Four Peaks and McDowell Mountain Range by day and stargazing at night.
Located within the property's iconic Canyon, this resort also maintains an exclusive sustainability trail surrounded by indigenous vegetation. In the living desert, adventure concierges direct guests from morning to night along nearby trails. Golf offerings and biking excursions can also be accessed directly.
In Scottsdale, at 13225 North Eagle Ridge Drive
480-333-1900
TOURS
A Flashlight Night at the Desert Botanical Garden
Are desert critters active at night? During Flashlight Nights at the Desert Botanical Garden from July 13 to September 3, bring a flashlight and find out.
To complement Flashlight Nights, the Desert Botanical Garden hosts a farmers' market and live performances in the evening. Plan your visit here.
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix
480-941-1225
Scorpion Scavenger Hunts
Although we generally recommend avoiding scorpions, we do recommend that you go look for some of them in the desert. During the summer, join a ranger for an educational scorpion hunt through some Maricopa County Regional Parks with a flashlight and black light.
Scorpion Scavenger Hunts and other animal-filled events can be found in the Animals category of their event calendar. Nocturnal Wildlife Hikes with Ranger Derik as well as Sunset and Full Moonrise Walks are also available.
First Friday Art Walk
The First Friday Art Walk offers a variety of artistic expression every month, ranging from small stages and galleries to boutiques and murals. Throughout the summer, more than 70 art galleries, venues, and art-related spaces will be open to tour.
Roosevelt Row Arts District
Grand Avenue Arts District
DIVE-IN MOVIES
The pool and watching movies are great ways to cool down during the summer in Phoenix. Several hotel resorts in Greater Phoenix have dive-in movies, including the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch , the Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak , Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs , Arizona Biltmore, and the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess .
Night Splash at Golfland Sunsplash
User golflandsunsplash provided no caption for the photo
@golflandsunsplash
Get wet and slide under the stars with Night Splash, available select nights after 5 p.m. See calendar for dates.
155 W Hampton Ave., Mesa
480-834-8319
PADDLING
During summer, paddling on the Salt River in Phoenix is an excellent all-day summer activity, but adventurers can set out via kayak or paddleboard at these locations at night. Make sure you book in advance and verify if equipment and/or guides are included.
Strobe Sport
2737 E Arizona Biltmore Cir UNIT 28, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Phone: (707) 878-7623
https://www.strobesport.com/