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25 Best Things to Do in Phoenix AZ (My Honest Take After Living Here)

25 Best Things to Do in Phoenix AZ (My Honest Take After Living Here)

by daniellenfairbanks | Sep 10, 2025 | Arizona, Arizona Destinations

25 Best Things to Do in Phoenix AZ (My Honest Take After Living Here) Looking for the best things to do in Phoenix, Arizona? Whether youโ€™re visiting for a weekend or planning a longer trip, Phoenix offers everything from scenic desert hikes and unique attractions to...
20 Best Hikes in Arizona: Sedona, Phoenix & Beyond (Local Picks)

20 Best Hikes in Arizona: Sedona, Phoenix & Beyond (Local Picks)

by daniellenfairbanks | Sep 6, 2025 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures

20 Best Hikes in Arizona: Sedona, Phoenix & Beyond (Local Picks) Arizona, the Grand Canyon State, is a hiker’s paradise. Known for its breathtaking desert landscapes, towering red rock formations, and pine-covered mountains, the state offers an incredible...
Best Hiking Carriers for Dogs โ€” Tried & Tested by a Dog Mom on the Trail

Best Hiking Carriers for Dogs โ€” Tried & Tested by a Dog Mom on the Trail

by daniellenfairbanks | Aug 23, 2025 | Arizona, Colorado, Outdoorsy Gear

Best Hiking Carriers for Dogs โ€” Tried & Tested by a Dog Mom on the Trail Hiking with your dog sounds like a dreamโ€”until they get tired halfway up the trail, refuse to move, or you start worrying about heat and rough terrain. Iโ€™ve been there, and itโ€™s exactly why...
10 Best Coffee Shops in Gilbert AZ (Cozy, Local & Worth the Drive)

10 Best Coffee Shops in Gilbert AZ (Cozy, Local & Worth the Drive)

by daniellenfairbanks | Aug 11, 2025 | Arizona, Arizona Food, Stays, & Experiences, Coffee, Phoenix

10 Best Coffee Shops in Gilbert AZ (Cozy, Local & Worth the Drive) If you also love cute coffee shops to hang out, meet with friends, or work, you’re in the right spot! My name is Danielle Fairbanks, and I’ve been living in the Phoenix area for over a...
Hot Air Balloon Tour Phoenix: A Review

Hot Air Balloon Tour Phoenix: A Review

by daniellenfairbanks | Aug 8, 2025 | Arizona, Arizona Food, Stays, & Experiences, Phoenix, Scottsdale

Hot Air Balloon Tour Phoenix: A Review While the city offers countless attractions on the ground, nothing compares to the serene and spectacular experience of a hot air balloon tour. Imagine floating effortlessly above the Sonoran Desert as the sun paints the sky with...
18 Best Things to Do in Scottsdale AZ (Beyond the Resorts)

18 Best Things to Do in Scottsdale AZ (Beyond the Resorts)

by daniellenfairbanks | Jul 17, 2025 | Arizona, Arizona Destinations, Phoenix, Scottsdale

18 Best Things to Do in Scottsdale AZ (Beyond the Resorts) Scottsdale, Arizona โ€“ the name often conjures images of luxurious resorts, championship golf courses, and vibrant nightlife. And sure, it does have all of that. But as a local who’s called this desert...
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โ†“

whatโ€™s your favorite thing to do in flagstaff in t whatโ€™s your favorite thing to do in flagstaff in the fall? ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‚

comment ๐Ÿ”— for my guide on other things to do & current colors!
october might just be the best month to visit ariz october might just be the best month to visit arizona ๐Ÿ‚๐ŸŒต

up north, the aspens are turning gold and the mornings are crisp. down in phoenix, hiking season is finally making its comeback. add in cute pumpkin patches, fall festivals, cozy cabin weekends + scenic drives and thereโ€™s SO much to do this month.

a few things to know before visiting arizona in october:

๐Ÿ‚ head north for fall colors โ€” flagstaff, oak creek canyon, the mogollon rim + white mountains are some of my favorites
๐Ÿฅพ october is one of the best months to get back on the trails
๐ŸŽƒ phoenix has pumpkin patches, fall festivals + plenty of seasonal events
๐Ÿ•๏ธ desert camping season is starting, but northern arizona nights can get COLD
โ˜€๏ธ phoenix can still be pretty warm during the day, especially early in the month
โ„๏ธ flagstaff + higher elevations can see freezing temps and even early snow (they just did!!)

and yes, you can go from saguaros to golden aspens in the same weekend ๐ŸคŽ

save this for october in arizona + follow @danielleoutdoors_ for fall color updates & arizona travel ideas ๐Ÿ
yeah nope im not sad ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ๐ŸŽƒ๐Ÿ‚ if you want info on the yeah nope im not sad ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ๐ŸŽƒ๐Ÿ‚

if you want info on the best places to see fall in arizona/ leaf color timing, etc, comment ๐Ÿ”— & iโ€™ll send you my blog!
4 phoenix hikes to save for cooler weather ๐ŸŒต๐Ÿฅพ ๐Ÿฅพ โ€œ 4 phoenix hikes to save for cooler weather ๐ŸŒต๐Ÿฅพ

๐Ÿฅพ โ€œaโ€ mountain / hayden butte โ€” ~0.9 mi | easyโ€“moderate
a short but steep climb right in tempe with views over downtown, asu + the surrounding valley. perfect when you want a quick workout or sunset hike.

๐Ÿฅพ fat manโ€™s pass via national trail โ€” ~3.7 mi | moderate
this south mountain hike feels like a mini adventure! youโ€™ll hike through rocky desert terrain before squeezing through the giant boulders at fat manโ€™s pass.

๐Ÿฅพ camelback mountain via echo canyon โ€” ~2.5 mi | hard
one of the most iconic hikes in phoenix โ€” and definitely the toughest on this list. expect a steep climb, scrambling, handrails + a serious workout, with panoramic valley views from the summit. start early and bring plenty of water! a cave too!

๐Ÿฅพ hole-in-the-rock at papago park โ€” ~0.3 mi | easy
a super short walk to a natural opening in the red sandstone with views over the valley. great for sunrise, sunset or an easy outdoor stop when you donโ€™t have much time

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