20 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Phoenix - Atlas Obscura

Unusual
Attractions
in Phoenix

Phoenix, Arizona

Yayoi Kusama Firefly Infinity Mirror Room

The installation’s official name, “You Who Are Getting Obliterated in the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies,” says it all.

Phoenix, Arizona

Mystery Castle

A self-built castle made by a mysterious man.

Phoenix, Arizona

Curious Nature

In this small Phoenix taxidermy emporium, you can find everything from a squid in a jar to a freeze-dried toad.

Phoenix, Arizona

Her Secret Is Patience

A striking public art installation named for a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.

Paradise Valley, Arizona

Phoenix Bat Cave

Thousands of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats soar around an abandoned storm drain at sunset each summer.

Phoenix, Arizona

MacAlpine's Soda Fountain

Open since 1938, this diner has kept its fountain, malt machine, and all the gum that greasers left beneath its counter.

Phoenix, Arizona

Tovrea Castle

A mysterious "wedding cake" castle in the middle of the urban desert.

Phoenix, Arizona

The Flying “V” Cabin

This rustic cabin, outfitted with gun slits, was once home to John D. Tewksbury, patriarch of the bloodiest family feud in American history.

See All 20 Things to Do in Phoenix See All 20 Places

Unique
Food & Drink
in Phoenix

Sonoran Hot Dog

This beloved piece of Mexican-American fusion coats a bacon-wrapped dog in beans, mayo, and jalapeño salsa.

Chumuth

Tohono O’odham cooks finish these hand-stretched, buttery tortillas over a hot stone disc.

Community Forums / United States / US: West

Top Discussions in the US: West Travel Forum

Post	Replies	Views	Activity
Las Vegas.....or is it lost wages?	17 June 26, 2019	1826	June 26, 2019
Lisa Frank Factory	23 December 30, 2019	4097	December 30, 2019
Route 66 tips suggestions, tacky souvenirs, food establishments, silly/interesting places	28 June 24, 2019	3463	June 24, 2019
Interesting and Cool Places near San Francisco?	16 June 16, 2019	2267	June 16, 2019
Looking for places to visit in Tucson Az	13 January 3, 2020	1559	January 3, 2020

New Post Visit the Forum

Explore Phoenix, Arizona

Launch Map

Phoenix Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Phoenix Activity

meganhannon25 has been to Hanny's

Shizzzz wants to go to Camelback Mountain

riverview532 wants to go to The Flying “V” Cabin

riverview532 wants to go to Mystery Castle

shawnalawson091 wants to go to Yayoi Kusama Firefly Infinity Mirror Room

Stories
About Phoenix

Not the uranium found in Phoenix—this disc was recovered at a U.S. government nuclear facility.

Found: Some Old Uranium in This Woman's Garage

It's apparently fine?

by Erik Shilling

February 14, 2017