Most tourists visit Phoenix before heading on their epic Grand Canyon adventure, but you don’t even have to step out of this city to enjoy Arizona’s breathtaking nature. Many beautiful green spaces are scattered all around the capital of the Copper State—starting with these three.
Encanto Park
Encanto Park is one of the oldest parks in all of Phoenix and it covers 222 acres of lush green spaces, offering everything from a specious lagoon to picnic areas, walking trails, and golf courses. It’s a great place for family visits since it’s also home to one of Phoenix’s top kid-friendly attractions – Enchanted Island Amusement Park.
Papago Park
A trip to Phoenix is incomplete without a visit to Papago Park, one of the city’s most see-attractions. It covers 1,500 acres, offering hiking and biking trails and picnic areas, in addition to being home to such iconic attractions as Phoenix Zoo and Hole-in-the-Rock – and that’s just the start!
Desert Botanical Garden
Safely tucked away in the heart of Papago Park, Desert Botanical Garden is reason enough to pay it a visit. It’s home to over 50,000 plants that cover 140 acres, starting with a rich collection of agave and cacti native to this area, including over 300 rare, threatened, or endangered species.