It’s the time of year where we realize a steamy PSL can only do so much to warm us up, so why not visit one of America’s most underrated metropolises where bright and sunny days are all but guaranteed?
The desert tends to get a bad rap with the exception of Vegas’s luminous neon lights always drawing a crowd, but there’s a surprising amount of worthwhile getaways calling your name across the Southwest where you don’t have to check the weather report throughout the fall, or even winter.
According to financial experts always crunching numbers at GoBankingRates, the most affordable major city in the U.S. is what we at Travel Off Path actually consider a cluster of awesome getaways given neighboring towns appeal with posh resorts, buzzing college bars, endless shopping and dining, and stunning mountain hikes (since rattlesnakes will soon be hibernating).
Offering round-trip airfare under $300, plus many other enticements we’ll dive into, it’s time to pack your bags for Arizona’s vibrant state capital, offering visitors and locals alike ‘over 300 sunny days per year’, according to the Arizona Office of Tourism.
Welcome To Phoenix: A Cluster Of Sunny Getaways
As a decade-long Southern California resident, there’s one thing I’ve learned about Los Angeles — it can mean dozens of different towns making up a vast swath of freeway-linked neighborhoods that somehow all claim ‘LA’ as home.
While there’s obvious spots tourists hit when visiting LA proper, when someone says they’re “going to LA”, it can mean an array of connected suburbs (as I currently watch the Los Angeles Chargers game being played in Inglewood).
The same can be said when travelers visit Phoenix. Though, at least 2 out of their 3 major professional sports team actually play within the city limits…
Not that we need to take a deep dive into sports, but when pro athletes come to town, chances are they’re not spending their downtime in Phoenix.
Nope — they’re going next door to Scottsdale to kick back by the pool by day at one of many ritzy resorts and tearing up the town by night as this is the Phoenix area’s go-to spot for nightlife.
There’s no shortage of great restaurants, popular bars, and ample shopping in the endless maze of Scottsdale’s rustic Old Town, always a joy to peruse no matter the season.
Then there’s also Tempe, a fun-filled college town always a good time and Glendale, home to the Arizona Cardinals and a charming downtown district full of live music, art galleries, and Mom n’ Pop eats.
Do People Visit Phoenix To Stay In Phoenix?
Here’s the cold hard truth, the only thing cold about Phoenix — the city covers a sprawling 500 square miles but often feels more business-oriented than an inviting tourist destination hence the nearby towns named above.
Serving more as a gateway to check out attractions away from the city whether it be an aforementioned town or hidden delights like Tonto National Monument or popular hikes atop Camelback Mountain.
The bright side of Phoenix other than endless sunshine is what GoBankingRates highlighted this city for — affordability.
For those not wanting to splurge on Scottsdale’s luxe resorts, Phoenix makes for a great base that’s lighter on your wallet, especially for sports fans.
There’s also more overlooked city attractions not offered in the ‘burbs, such as Heard Museum and the vibrant Roosevelt Row arts district (my personal favorite when I’m not in Scottsdale).
Crunching The Numbers: Phoenix Is Very Affordable
GoBankingRates took a deep dive into what it costs to travel to Phoenix from top to bottom.
Starting with getting here, their data confirms average round-trip airfare costs $294 to fly into PHX.
Though, if you want in on a little secret — budget airlines Allegiant and Sun Country use nearby Mesa (AZA) as their hub for likely cheaper flights on most routes.
What’s slightly cheaper are hotels at $271 for a 3-night stay, which could easily be a 1-night stay in Scottsdale, for example.
For a total of 12 meals across your trip, you should expect to pay a little over $500, which may seem like a lot, but this is one of America’s best foodie destinations.
In summary, Phoenix is the second cheapest destination in America according to their study, but the top major city.
Here is the full top 10 list:
- Concord, NC
- Phoenix, AZ
- Macon, GA
- El Centro, CA (trust me — nobody vacations here)
- Brownsville, TX (get ready for takeoff! )
- Niagara Falls, NY
- Las Vegas, NV
- Pearland, TX
- McAllen, TX
- Fargo, ND
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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