10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Phoenix

The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix (also known as Rohō-en) is a 3.5-acre horticultural jewel that boasts distinctly romantic landscaped areas featuring summer pavilions, stone pagodas, pebbled beaches, and sculpted bridges that cross rippling ponds filled with beautiful koi fish. Don’t miss the tranquil roji tea garden with its Musoan tea house (home to the city’s traditional tea ceremonies).

The venue also plays host to experiential events including bonsai and pottery exhibits, New Year’s celebrations, and culinary workshops that explore nori (edible seaweed), temaki sushi making, and the art and science of umami. Couples can book a private tour with a knowledgeable guide and enjoy a Japanese tea tasting and a stroll through the gardens.

The largest visual art museum in the Southwestern United States, the Phoenix Art Museum is a celebration of diverse creativity spread across 285,000 square ft of floor space. Its legacy collection contains over 20,000 mesmerizing objects from an eclectic range including Western American art, Latin American art, fashion design, and photography.

Together, discover permanent works by Georgia O’Keefe, Maynard Dixon, Claude Monet, Ernest Blumenschein, and Viola Frey before perusing exclusive showcases such as Archaeology of Memory (the life of pioneering Chicana artist Amalia Mesa-Bains) or the Arizona Artist Awards. The venue’s PhxArt shop stocks a fine selection of carefully curated gifts including handcrafted jewelry, Day of the Dead themed utensils, and Frida Kahlo statuettes.

Desert Botanical Garden is a 140-acre outdoor wonderland that showcases over 50,000 plants, a third of which are native to the Phoenix area, including rare and endangered species. Stroll the trails hand in hand and marvel at exotic cacti, gorgeous succulents, and spectacular wildflower displays that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.

Check the events calendar to take part in the garden’s yoga sessions, cooking demonstrations, world music performances, and educational talks with your partner. When you’ve both worked up an appetite, swing by the on-site Gertrude’s Restaurant for seasonal farm-to-table dishes like elote fritters, pork rind nachos, bison short rib, and green chili corn chowder.

A prominent landmark in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Camelback Mountain draws throngs annually to its breathtaking Echo Canyon and Cholla hiking trails, and Praying Monk rock climbing experience. With an elevation of 2,704 ft, this impressive natural wonder offers incredible views of the city skyline and the expansive Sonoran Desert.

Whilst you scale Camelback’s heights, keep your eyes peeled for the area’s abundance of fauna including desert tortoises, Chuckwalla lizards, cottontail rabbits, and even the Southwestern speckled rattlesnake (tread with caution). For couples who’d prefer some chill-out time, stop by the swanky Phoenician Resort for a J&G Steakhouse lunch and a panoramic game of golf.

The famed Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix is a 1364 seat architectural icon that dates back to the 1920s. Originally used for vaudeville shows, this Spanish Baroque beauty is listed on the National Register of Historic Places thanks to its storied heritage and exquisitely ornate interior that will simply take your breath away.

Visit the Orpheum’s official website for tickets to its latest events like the Phoenix Ballet’s interpretation of The Nutcracker, live jazz and Follies dancers, standup comics including Mark Normand and Kathy Griffin, and even South Korean K-pop boy bands like the ever-popular VAV. Whichever showing you choose to attend, you and your loved one can snuggle together for a night of incredible entertainment.

Once the home of chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., the Italianate Wrigley Mansion teeters atop a 100-ft knoll and enjoys spectacular views of the greater Phoenix area. Today, this architectural relic delivers a swanky gastronomic experience at 2 exceptional restaurants – Geordie’s (helmed by rising culinary star David Brito) and Christopher’s (the brainchild of award-winning chef Christopher Gross).

Reserve a table at Geordie’s and enjoy a Petrossian caviar service followed by Spanish octopus, Omaha filet mignon, and coconut panna cotta, or swing by Christopher’s for country pâté, Westholm Wagyu filet, and honey champagne cheesecake. After dinner, soak up the amorous ambiance of Jamie’s Wine Bar (recognized as one of America’s Top 100 venues by the eminent Wine Spectator).

A UNESCO World Heritage site and National Historic Landmark, Taliesin West is a monumental feat of architecture by iconoclast designer Frank Lloyd Wright. Now the headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, the residence (nestled in the foothills of Arizona’s McDowell Mountains) is open for public tours.

Long considered this master architect’s desert laboratory, Taliesin West is renowned for its bold geometric aesthetic, sturdy walls constructed with hefty rocks, ethereal natural light, and triangular pool that shimmers with inviting turquoise water. For a real treat, book yourselves a ticket to Sunset and Sips – a happy hour social that’s hosted at the home that’s perfect for couples.

A 20-minute drive from Phoenix, in the city of Scottsdale, you’ll find Octane Raceway, an indoor/outdoor high-speed kart racing track that extends 1/3 of a mile. Once you’ve zipped about, challenge your loved one to activities such as axe throwing, Virtual Reality gaming, mini 10-pin bowling, and classic arcade games like Sega Showdown.

The on-site Brickyard Grill will see you loading up on delicious American appetizers and entrees like chicken tenders, cheesy dippers, Western burgers, and pepperoni pizza. Alternatively, cool off with a refreshing strawberry fusion guzzler or visit during happy hour for specials on cocktails, wine, and bottles of beer.

The West Wind Drive-In is so much more than an old-school movie theater. It’s also a daytime flea market that sells artisan products, eccentric knickknacks, and vintage clothing before transforming into a cinema come sundown. A classic American throwback, couples flock here to watch all the latest releases from the comfort of their cars.

If you're waiting for the film to start, or want to escape the hot Arizona sun when you’re browsing the swap meet, head inside to grab a drink and play a round of retro arcade games. There’s also plenty of tasty snacks on hand like Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs, Orville Redenbacher popcorn, and handmade pizza loaded with delicious toppings, ideal for sharing.

There’s no better way to take in the breathtaking beauty of Phoenix and its surrounds than an exhilarating hot air balloon ride with your significant other. Float into the heavens with one of the city’s numerous operators to get a bird’s eye view of the Sonoran Desert (we recommend going during sunrise or sunset).

Enjoy a celebratory Champagne toast as you cruise through the great Southwestern blue, marveling at the majestic mountains and magical desertscapes from between 1,000 and 5,000 ft. Join an intrepid group flight, or book a private basket for you and your partner to really up the romance stakes.