Phoenix on a Budget: How to Do a Weekend for $300

In 2017 the U.S. Census Bureau announced that Phoenix had officially surpassed Philadelphia to become the 5th most populous city in America (and #1 starting with "Ph"!). The city had done so by adding an average of 88 people per day from July 2015 to July 2016. But with high demand come high prices, and tourists might be wondering if visiting the fast-growing metropolis will soon become cost-prohibitive.

The good news: you can easily do Phoenix on a budget of less than $300 for a whole weekend, including lodging. Check out our breakdown below for proof:

Hotel: About $120-$150

When you're facing the prospect of high temps in the 100s, a nice pool is a must. Fortunately all of these Phoenix hotels have you covered, and offer other enticing amenities too:

• Legacy Golf Resort: Aside from golf, guests play tennis, pickleball, basketball, ping pong, and shuffleboard at this hotel that evokes a Spanish-style mission (starting at $65/night).

• Hotel Adeline: A $12 million dollar renovation in 2018 modernized this Scottsdale hotel, where rental bikes are included in the resort fee (starting at $71/night).

• Red Lion Inn & Suites: Considering its convenient location near both Arizona State University and Big Surf Waterpark (see below), this hotel is remarkably affordable (starting at $51/night).

• Scottsdale Villa Mirage: Cook out on outdoor grills or lounge on private balconies at this hacienda-style collection of villas (starting at $50/night).

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Food & Drink: About $55

Phoenix may not be considered a foodie mecca, but that doesn't mean you can't get a great meal there, especially if you're into Mexican cuisine. Here are some places worth stopping:

• Lunch on Day 1: $13.50 for burgers and sandwiches at Copper Still Moonshine Grill in Chandler

• Dinner on Day 1: $14.50 for Mexican food at Blue Agave in Desert View

• Lunch on Day 2: $13 for fish and chips and other pub fare at George and Dragon English Restaurant and Pub in Encanto Village

• Dinner on Day 2: $11 for pizza at Humble Pie in Coronado

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Sports & Outdoor Activities: $17–$39

When you're surrounded by scenery as striking as the Sonoran Desert Region, you have to get outdoors and see the sights. Here are some fun ways to get active outside:

• Big Surf Waterpark: Founder Phil Dexter built the first modern wave machine for this park back in the '60s, and today the 2.5-million-gallon wave pool remains the biggest draw, though dozens more attractions fill the 20-acre campus (starting at $17).

• Superstition Zipline: Strap into ski-lift-like seats and then go soaring above the skyline of an old mining town–turned–amusement park ($19 for two people).

• Peoria Pines Golf and Restaurant: The scaled-down par-63 layout of this course makes it fairly player-friendly, and the cost of a round is practically impossible to beat ($18 for an 18-hole round with cart).

• Spur Cross Stables: Take in the brilliant pinks of a desert sunset during a ride through Tonto National Forest, where desert plant life including giant saguaro cacti abounds (starting at $39).

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Other Phoenix Activities: $10–$28

Of course, there are more things to do in Phoenix than play golf and admire natural wonders. Here are some other cultural attractions worth checking out:

• Phoenix Zoo: See everything from komodo dragons to Sumatran tigers at this giant Papago Park zoo, which features up-close animal experiences such as Stingray Bay and Giraffe Encounter ($9.95 for a child, $19.95 for an adult).

• Phoenix Art Museum: Works from masters including Monet, Frida Kahlo, and Georgia O'Keeffe fill this 200,000-sq.-ft. museum, which places special emphasis on Western American art (starting at $18 for two people).

• Tour de Tavern: Enjoy the sights of Old Town Scottsdale from the vantage point of a mobile tavern powered by your own pedaling ($27).

• Biosphere 2: Take a trip down to Tucson to tour this unique glass enclosure, where significant environmental research has been taking place for more than 30 years and continues under the direction of the University of Arizona today (starting at $28 for two people).

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