Leisure in Phoenix: Discover the most outstanding options

We had an absolute blast at Game Show Battle Rooms! From the moment we walked in, the energy was incredible. The DJ kept the music going and the excitement high, while the host was funny, engaging, and made everyone feel involved. Their enthusiasm truly made the experience unforgettable. The games were interactive, competitive, and full of laughs. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, team event, family gathering, or just looking for something different to do, I highly recommend it. The staff did an amazing job creating a fun atmosphere, and we can’t wait to come again!!!

So much fun!! Shout out to our hosts Joseph and Cade for making a fun and memorable experience! From start to end we had such an amazing time. I cannot wait to come back!

This was so fun!! Went for my birthday and we had Joseph as our host and Selina running the games and they were both hilarious and a great time!! Highly recommend!

Game Show Battle Rooms is the place to go to!! Communication is incredible is the fun is inevitable! This is THE place to go for laughter, fun, and a good time with family or team building!! The staff is on par and it’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll have the time of your life, unless you’re super grumpy and just mad about everything, but even then… This place is the place to get you to crack a smile, have fun, and take a load off! You’ll be guaranteed to come back for more!

We had a company event here on March 27, 2026 and it was a blast. They easily accommodated 22 of us. Ray Ray and her assistant (I’m sorry I don’t recall your name) were fantastic. Their “game show” energy made it so much fun. Highly recommend.

This place was amazeballs!! My group of crazy Marine moms had a heck of a great time! Jason the GM answered all my questions ahead of time and accommodated all.of our needs. Jason and Joseph were our hosts during the duration and made this into a super memorable time. I will definitely be back again!

So much fun!!! I have had an amazing time both with family and as a corporate team building event. Highly recommend for a fun, engaging and fast paced event. Shout out to Hayden for being the Host with the Most and Ansley for supporting our entire journey. Thank you!!

Desert Botanical Garden is a well laid out desert garden experience. There is a lot of signage for directions and explanations of plants. I just happen to be here in the summer so expect the heat. The gardens close between 1pm and 5 pm during peak temperatures in the summer. However, your paid entry price in the morning will allow you to return in the evening. Just keep the receipt. During the summer, there is an “after dark” shimmering light display along some paths. The gardens also offer an on site restaurant “Gertrude’s” and a gift shop. This is a great place for Botanical garden enthusiasts.

We stopped here during our last day in Phoenix and came in the early morning. We came in the middle of August. We were impressed by the easy navigation of the gardens, but a couple of the spots were closed unfortunately. I loved getting to see all of the native plants and cacti. There was such a large variety. We also saw a number of cool animals such as ground squirrels, a roadrunner, birds, butterflies, and tons of quail. They had a number of water stations which was appreciated and a cooling center which was a great stop towards the end. Overall very well maintained and kind staff. For a botanical garden, they also had a pretty good gift shop where we picked up a couple things.

Beautiful setting. A bit pricey considering you’re walking around the same scenery after awhile but it is beautiful and I’m sure the costs are up there. I’d recommend booking ahead of time on their website to reserve a spot. Gretchen’s restaurant (on site) smelled amazing too! The park also has a nice little gift shop

The Desert Botanical Garden is one of my favorite places in the Valley. The plants are absolutely beautiful, and there is always something interesting to see no matter what time of year you visit. As a photographer, I love all the textures, colors, and unique Arizona scenery. It’s a gorgeous spot for senior portraits and family photos, but it’s also just a great place to slow down and enjoy nature. If you’re visiting Phoenix or looking for something different to do locally, I highly recommend spending a few hours here. And don’t forget your camera—you’ll leave with plenty of beautiful photos.

One of the best botanical gardens I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing. Went on a Wednesday evening, bought tickets there, no wait. Well maintained, friendly check in, and rich in wild life…. I loved seeing all the different kinds of cacti and plants. Saw bunnies, snakes, roadrunners, and many kinds of birds. Sunset was absolutely beautiful and loved seeing how the plants lit up at night. So beautiful. I will be visiting again!

Came here for the night lights in July and it was amazing. The way well placed lighting can showcase, textures and aspects of the plants is not to be understated. The color palette is definitely a bit psychedelic, which gives it a very dreamy feel. Artfully built grounds that are just beautiful to walk around and even during the day and a really fantastic variety of desert adapted plants from around the world with good interpretation signs about the differences.

Would absolutely recommend a trip to the desert botanical garden! I was visiting AZ for a short two day trip and this was a really nice way to experience and learn about some of the native Arizona vegetation all in one place. Chihuly glass is an added bonus – I just love those art pieces! Even more beautiful seeing them lit up at night on the way out. Parking wasn’t hard to find and it was free. We did book in advance, but probably didn’t need to based on the crowd level when we went around 6pm. Definitely worth the visit!!

Heard Museum exceeded my expectations – definitely a must visit in PHX; makes for a great indoor activity during the summer. It offers a respectful celebration of Native American art, culture, and history. I would plan for at least four hours to really take in the vast collection of curated crafts, historical artifacts, to read everything and watch the videos, etc. The museum is easy to navigate and takes you through beautiful Spanish-based architecture. Be sure to save time for the courtyard cafe, which whips up some fantastic drinks, and the gift shop.

The Heard Museum is one of my favorite discoveries in Phoenix and a place I cannot wait to visit again. There is so much to experience in a pretty space — baskets and weaving, jewelry, sculpture, mixed media, contemporary art and outdoor spaces. The complimentary guided tours are especially worthwhile because the docents are knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. There is also a cafe, the Museum Shop and Books & More, with something for every budget. Be sure to check the museum calendar for special events! One of my favorite memories was stopping in Books & More before traveling home. I mentioned that I had no room left in my luggage and a kind woman working there gave me a bookmark. I still use it today. I was inspired to become a member and membership include reciprocal benefits at participating museums in other cities. Give yourself time here. The Heard is a very special connection to Phoenix.

visited the Heard Museum in Phoenix, and it was such a wonderful surprise — highly recommend it. The museum showcases Native American art and culture, including pottery, turquoise jewelry, paintings, and their history. But it’s not just about the exhibits — the entire space is beautifully designed. The architecture, the courtyard, the materials, the color palette, and the flow of the spaces all feel incredibly thoughtful and refined. It’s the kind of place where you just feel calm and nourished being there. You can sit in the courtyard, enjoy a coffee, or take your time browsing the bookstore and gift shop. I especially loved the jewelry and the handmade rugs. They are not typical souvenirs — they are truly well-designed, high-quality pieces with a strong sense of culture and aesthetics. One of the highlights for me was the docent — an older gentleman who spent his entire career teaching English at a Native American high school. After retiring, he now gives tours here. His storytelling was so vivid and heartfelt, it really brought everything to life. This is a place where you can easily spend half a day. It’s not just about seeing things, but about experiencing beauty and gaining a deeper understanding of Native American culture. If you’re in Phoenix, I would definitely put this on your must-visit list.

If your native American you can get in free if you show your CIB or tribal card. Seniors get a discount an military. Place was nice clean an cool. Clean restrooms. Plenty of different arts on displays. Painting, pottery, jewelry. Elevators available. Handicapped accessible. Gifts shops. Lil bakery. Outdoor seating, indoor seating if you get tired. Quiet. Lots to look at. Show room. Small theater.

The Heard museum is such a high quality place to really enjoy Native American art! But, it goes far beyond art appreciation because they do a wonderful job in helping visitors to appreciate native American culture in the past as well as today. In the front lawn area, they have the American Indian Veterans National Memorial, the have provided an emotional installation about the Indian schools and many other important aspects. Importantly, their museum guides are phenomenal about the items included in the museum. If you are a visitor to the Phoenix area – this is a MUST SEE! If you appreciate Native American culture — THIS IS A MUST SEE!

Marvelous museum, so glad we were able to go while I was in Arizona. Many interesting artifacts, artwork, exhibits from Native American artists showcased in several galleries. There are tours you can take with docents. We went through the museum on our own. Highly recommend a visit if you are in the state of AZ.

I was impressed with the art, history and presentation at the museum. We were fortunate enough to be in town during the World Hoop contest. I would highly recommend a visit here. I bought some beautiful cards designed by indigenous youth, proceeds all go to supporting scholarships for art college classes.

My kids have a blast here. But in kid public areas, I treat it as my home it’s never tidy or %100 clean after picking up so many times thru out the day an having Lil minies us running around experiencing every(+)thing, only thing I wish they can do is more of the rock climbing an that other ride more , my kids only been on it like 3 times in almost 4 months coming here..but other than that good good better than being outside in the heat an there’s no tweakers hanging around so that’s the best it’s gonna get but if yall have little ones for ages 9 MONTHS AN 6 YEARS OLD SOCKS ONLY IN CHANDLER AN GLENDALE LOCATION IS A GIGGLES INDOOR PLAYGROUND FOR LIL BABIES AN NO BIG KIDS WILL STAMPLE on yours Lil yous.

My son has been playing here for about 4 years. He loves it! There is an awesome variety so he stays busy instead of bored and gets his energy out in a positive way. I enjoy the variety of quieter corners available and/or massage chairs! Its a safe fun place for the kiddos, thanks for your care and patience with all the screaming kids that come thru here! Morris Family

Visitors beware! I would caution of visiting this place they make you sign a waiver to go play so you don’t sue but I found hazards that would pay at least a 6 figure settlement. If you dare walk to the back area you will notice all the emergency signs hanging by a literal wire trash that looked like it has been there over a year and a majority of the play areas that need major attention. Please see attached photos. Be safe!

Falling apart, dangerous, filthy, and dangerously understaffed! On top of that a complete bait and switch. I prepaid for 2 x 3 hour passes and we brought our own socks as it said was OK online. When I got there they charged me an additional $30 + for socks, parent pass, and unpaid taxes. We stayed for a lil more than an hour and left before someone got hurt!

Our host, Liam, was great! His service was a 10/10. If anyone decides to throw a party for their kids here, he is highly recommended!

We have been here a bunch of times. The membership is inexpensive($29 a month) and we love the space available to jump. They also have a basketball area and a big climbing area. They have a bunch of couches for the parents to sit at while the kids play. There is a snack bar and tables where you can work while the kiddos play. We love this place. They even have a birthday party section above on the second floor. There is one slide and a battle area. I would highly recommend this park. My son has a great time everytime.

This was our first time at Ninja Kidz Action Park and I have to say we were blown away! Everyone we encountered was so nice and helpful. We threw our son’s 7th birthday party there and I have never seen the kids have this much fun ANYWHERE else! It’s the perfect place for controlled chaos that lets kids actually have some safe freedom to go crazy and BE KIDS. I would give a 6/5 if I could. Absolutely coming back!

There is no way to contact anyone in management so I’m doing it here. My son has a membership at this location. He has ASD and this has been great for him. I think the staff are very friendly, and dedicated. The Valo Jump machines are COMPLETELY out of service. With school being out and the crowds getting larger, the kiddos can’t use them. Nothing seems to be getting done as we come here every day and they’re continuously not functioning or connecting to the internet. I’m hoping this reaches someone in upper management so it can be addressed. You’ve got a good thing going here and I would hate for the facilities reputation to get tainted. Thank you kindly for your attention in this matter.

Place is out of control awesomeness!!!! Five stars my kids love it. They always have fun and it’s never a bad time and as a parent, I get to chill and get work done while my kids earn all their energy.!!! So parents come on over and get yourself a membership!!!!!

Great space with lots of fun activities to beat the heat! We have a 13 year old and 9 year old, and there was plenty to keep them both busy for 90 minutes. Basketball, dodgeball, slides, gymnastics, obstacle courses. Dodgeball got a little competitive/aggressive at times and not always an employee present to referee. Good amount of seating for the adults. The $5 for socks is a little much though for throw away socks. Other places I’ve been are $2-3.

We had our kids’ birthday parties here, and we had such a great experience! The staff was friendly, helpful, and made the whole day easy and fun. A special thank you to the GM for showing our family an incredible act of kindness. It was something we’ll never forget and it truly meant so much to us. It’s rare to come across that kind of genuine generosity these days. Thank you for helping make our children’s birthdays so special. We can’t wait to come back!

We love this place! We got the membership for the summer and have been here regularly. Mica is a big reason we decided to keep coming. She always greets us kindly and seems like she genuinely is happy to be here, which is really rare to find these days. I appreciate that they keep the facility clean and they seem to have good rapport with each other. One of the managers gave me the WiFi password the first day I stepped in and I just do my work while my boy has a blast. Super fun! Grateful for the outlet that is safe and cool for him to play.

Did the Batman Gotham escape room with my husband. It was fantastic! Challenging in the best way! Made it out with 3 minutes to spare, brought up arguments about him not listening to me lol. Aubree was amazing! She explained everything we needed and was very energetic and helped build our excitement to start. Will definitely be going back!

We had an awesome experience at Escapology! Josh and Taylen were absolutely fantastic. They were incredibly entertaining, friendly, and made the entire experience so much fun from start to finish. Their courtesy, patience, and positive attitudes really stood out and made us feel welcome throughout the game. They took the time to explain everything clearly, answered all of our questions, and made the experience enjoyable without giving away the fun of solving the puzzles ourselves. We will definitely be coming back, and a big reason for that is the outstanding customer service Josh and Taylen provided. They truly made our visit memorable. Thank you both for an amazing experience!

My son and his friends had an amazing time. Jared and Stephan were super helpful and patient with them. Definitely coming back to try a different escape room.

Huge shoutout to Josh for making our escape room experience so much fun! He was friendly, energetic, and really helped set the atmosphere from the moment we walked in. The room was challenging, creative, and had us thinking the whole time. Josh gave the perfect amount of guidance when we needed it without giving too much away. You can tell he genuinely enjoys what he does and wants everyone to have a great experience. We had an awesome time and will definitely be back. Highly recommend!

We did a group for Mansion Murder, level 9/10. Arrive 10 -15 minutes early to sign waivers or sign online . It did get frustrating at first since they misplaced an item but they were able to provide time back. Staff was helpful and kind. They took care of us ! It was a good experience .

We had such a great experience at Escapology in Tempe! I went with my teenage daughter and my 10-year-old who has special needs, and from the moment we walked in, the staff was so kind, patient, and welcoming. A special thank you to Gabi and Danyal—they were both amazing. They made us feel comfortable, explained everything clearly, and really added to the overall experience with their positive energy.They really made us feel comfortable and took the time to explain everything in a way that worked for all of us. The room itself was so much fun, challenging but not overwhelming and we truly enjoyed working together as a family. I also really appreciated that they didn’t charge for my special needs child to participate. That meant a lot to me and made the experience even more special. Overall, it was just a fun, positive, and memorable time. We’re definitely looking forward to coming back and trying more rooms!

Best escape room we have been to here in the valley! Super immersive and difficult. Aubrey and Avery were super helpful and really nice. We did the Narco room and it was insane!!

It’s a cozy place so might get loud, but without a doubt the most immersive tiki bar I’ve been to. Drinks are good, bartenders check every cocktail before it’s served. Water glass was never empty and all the staff were very friendly. Definitely worth your time.

Scottsdale is lucky to have such a great Tiki bar! We loved the drinks, fun and authentic ambiance, andddd the hidden menu charcuterie board. The bartenders were good sports entertaining our custom drink requests (for other tiki classics). We especially loved Jonah’s friendly enthusiasm. Will definitely come back when in the area.

I had a new kind of Java to drink and it was very good. Of the three different experiences in Century Grand this one seemed to be the least decorated. The staff were all great though!

Undertow is a standout, an incredibly immersive tiki experience with amazing attention to detail in every corner. The atmosphere is transportive, the cocktails were balanced and delicious, and the whole evening felt thoughtfully curated. The staff were wonderful from start to finish, from the welcoming hostess to the bartenders who made the experience feel fun and memorable. A seriously well-crafted night out for tiki and cocktail lovers…I’d happily drift back anytime. Cheers!

Phenomenal Tiki Bar. This is the type of establishment I’d love to be a local at. The space, drinks, menu, decor, and service was excellent. Every drink I had was delicious and well balanced. I could spend all day here going through the menu and what they have to offer. Bring some friends, grab a few bowls and enjoy your time at this lovely spot.

Really amazing underwater pirate themed bar. We went as a group of 7 and highly recommend reserving in advance. The reservation fee minus the booking fee is applied to the final bill and the reservation allows you to stay maximum 1.5 hours. There is no food available here to eat beforehand! We ate at Supreme Shawarma up the road and it was fantastic! The drinks at Undertow are about $20 each so this is a good one drink and done kind of place unless you are situated to do otherwise. The drinks are absolutely delicious; we tried a variety of different drinks and loved every one. The flavors really shine and you can tell you’re drinking a cocktail that has been carefully crafted and balanced. Highly recommend for the experience, especially with a group of friends!

I’ve been to Undertow 100 times and I can’t believe I haven’t written a review yet! Undertow is the industry standard for tiki bars and immersive experiences. Everything from the portholes, to the tiki music/ sound effects, to the occasional thunderstorms all blend perfectly to create the most believable and genuine experience possible. The drinks are some of the best tiki cocktails possible and the bartenders are as friendly and accommodating as it gets. They’re serious about the 90 minute time limit so don’t get offended if they ask yo to leave politely. Do not visit Arizona without checking out Undertow!

This place is huge! Plan to spend at least a couple hours here. It’s an immersive experience unlike any museum I’ve ever visited. The headset connects to each exhibit and plays music of the instruments being displayed. I learned so much about musical instruments, geography, music history, and culture. Lots of staff available on the floor to answer questions, troubleshoot headsets, give directions, etc. Once we made it through the top floor we thought we were finished but the really cool exhibits were still yet to be seen. On the first floor there was a special exhibit of specific musical artists and a room full of instruments to touch and play. Very noisy in there but very fun. Awesome gift shop too! Highly recommend stopping by if you are in Phoenix, but don’t rush through it! So glad we visited this museum. Great way to escape the heat.

Amazing Experience The Musical Instrument Museum was absolutely amazing! 🎶✨ Everything was exceptionally clean, organized, and well-maintained. The exhibits were fascinating, and the entire museum was beautifully designed. The staff was friendly and helpful as well. It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience. Highly recommended!

This is a place like no other then you need to visit the musical instrument museum in Scottsdale arizona. If you want to experience a museum that has the most incredible musical instruments displayed for you to enjoy this is the place. They have instruments from all over the world. Some that you didn’t even know existed. Very historical and informational get there early stay there all day and enjoy lunch at the cafe sitting outside in the beautiful weather. Next time I come back to Scottsdale I will revisit this wonderful museum.

Blown away. I’m not a musician but this place is fabulous. Ability to see the world take on instruments and their history…fantastic. My son is a gifted musician. He loved this place. The help was great, very knowledgeable and made the visit top notch. Beautiful building/architecture.

We live here in Phoenix close to the MIM ( Musical Instrument Museum). We will take friends through the museum while visiting us. People say this museum features an extensive collection of musical instruments from around the world, with interactive exhibits and a hands-on room where visitors can play instruments. They also highlight the excellent acoustics in the concert venue and the knowledgeable, friendly staff. The MIM has had over 365 different musical artists and genres this past year alone.Just to mention the cafe offers great international food and that the museum provides a great value, often requiring more than one visit to see everything. We went to see Jazz artist Kirk Whalum Friday, July 31, 2026. Fantastic. Terrific show. It is wonderful to see the artist in person versus hearing his music on Amazon Music channel. Kirk is professional, courteous, and extremely personable with his audience. He starts and finishes the show playing the Alto Sax through the aisles of the audience. Highly recommend this show as well the variety of concerts offered.

We had an awesome time at Fightertown Paintball Park! The staff was friendly, the games were well organized, and the courses were absolutely top notch. Every field felt immersive and intense like stepping into a real-life war zone with realistic layouts, obstacles, and action-packed scenarios. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced player, this place delivers an adrenaline rush from start to finish. Highly recommend for anyone looking for an unforgettable paintball experience in Arizona!

We went today with our church and the staff was amazing they offer several fields from large to small even some CQB you can rent any and everything you need there and have a blast thanks again fighter town for making another memorable event

The staff was awesome and had the best customer service. Went to both vip locations days prior and had fun but this place leveled it up. Only downside is that Arizona heat

Awesome field, staff and overall experience! I run a field in MT and we fly down to warmer places to see how other fields are run and get some sun during our winters! One of my favorite places I’ve played for a rec ball field. Lots of fun and very well run. We will be back!

I was super nervous about having my son’s party here today. The staff was amazing! They took care of every need we had. They continued to check on us throughout the day and stop by every table to make sure everyone was doing well. They did a wonderful job instructing the kids on how to use the airsoft guns. This was our first time here and we will 100% be coming again! My son said this was his favorite birthday so far.

It’s a special place to be if you like outdoors activities, something out of the ordinary, safety and attention is the priority 👌, very polite staff.

All the workers were super sweet and kind my boyfriend and his little brother had a blast if it’s your first time you and your family,partner,or friends can do 1v1 or group matches with approval from the managers and they are super helpful as well with getting you to the right spot and help you learn about the equipment and how to use it! So many kids go it’s great opportunity to meet new people and your kids to make so many new friends! 10/10 experience will be back again🤩👍🏻

While this was not our first time at the museum, it was our first time taking a tour. We did the 6:30 tour on Wednesday with Sam, the up and coming expert. She was amazing! She was showing us the American Icons. I never really understood how to look at art. I always enjoyed it, but I learned new ways to appreciate it. Thanks Sam. After the tour, decent John, did a personal mini tour for us. This was the best experience we’ve ever had there. Take the tours!!!

Always an amazing experience! Come on the days with discounts or just get a year pass to skip the school tours. Makes for a relaxing and surprisingly romantic cheap date idea. Art lovers and air conditioned seekers! This is for you!

I love art museums/galleries. My experience here was underwhelming because there were galleries closed for renovation that house a significant part of the collection. That is not anomalous. However, PAM has ample display space and much of what is displayed is much less densely displayed than other museums of this size. Management surely knew of the renovations well in advance and likely many works were removed to protect them. And while I know a temporary reinstallation elsewhere is burdensome, it should’ve been undertaken.

Was on a layover and decided to checkout some local activities. Parking was on the challenging side because it is also next to a theatre and a performance was scheduled. We visited on a Wednesday after 3pm…it’s pay what you can and they’re open til 8pm so that also added to parking congestion. No pressure to pay/donate but they did let us know the normal price. We opted to pay $5 vs. the regular $28 per person. I primarily wanted to visit the Yayoi Kusama room but loved the butterfly installation and the tiny rooms as well. They have a nice variety of art work overall. There were some areas that were closed off due to a private event, so didn’t get to visit all exhibits and they also have some additional pay areas too. Highly recommend and would definitely visit again!

The Phoenix Art Museum is a beautiful place to spend the day. I especially enjoyed walking around with the docent, Mary who was very knowledgeable about the Radical Clay exhibition and other exhibits on modern art and the Baroque gallery. This is a very special museum and a must see in Phoenix.