Things to Do in Phoenix in January and February

Phoenix in January and February: Peak Season Without the Crowds

Ask any Phoenix local and they will tell you: January and February are the months the rest of the country is sleeping through. While half the country digs out from snowstorms, Phoenix sits at a pleasant 65 to 72 degrees with cloudless skies and a packed events calendar. This is peak season for good reason.

Hike Before It Gets Hot

Winter is the single best time to hike in Phoenix. Trails that are off-limits by May are wide open in January and February, and you can tackle challenging routes without a 4am start. South Mountain Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park (close to the Goodyear and Peoria areas), and Estrella Mountain Regional Park are all excellent choices for snowbirds and visitors looking to stretch their legs in the desert. Find more options at ZonaHaps hiking guide for the Phoenix area.

The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix is also spectacular in winter — the saguaros are photogenic, the temperatures are ideal for a long stroll, and February brings the garden's annual winter wildflower displays.

Museums Worth a Full Day

Phoenix punches well above its weight on museums. The Heard Museum downtown is one of the finest Native American art and culture museums in the world — plan two to three hours and leave knowing far more about the Southwest than when you arrived. The Musical Instrument Museum near Scottsdale is a genuine surprise for first-time visitors: interactive, brilliantly curated, and good for all ages. The Arizona Science Center downtown is ideal if you are traveling with grandkids. Check the Phoenix events page on ZonaHaps for museum special exhibitions running this winter.

Warm Up Before Spring Training

Cactus League games do not officially start until late February, but spring training workouts begin in mid-February and are free to watch at most facilities. Camelback Ranch in Glendale and Peoria Sports Complex both open their practice facilities to fans who want to watch without buying tickets. It is a legitimately great way to see big-league players up close.

Hot Air Balloons Over the Desert

Winter mornings in Phoenix are calm and clear — which makes them ideal for hot air balloon rides over the desert. Companies like Hot Air Expeditions and Rainbow Ryders launch regularly from the northwest Valley. The views of saguaro-studded desert at sunrise are something people talk about for years.

Dining and Happy Hours

Phoenix's restaurant scene hits its stride when the weather is mild and the patios fill up. Postino Wine Cafe locations across the Valley are perennially packed in January and February — their brunch board and wine list are a seasonal ritual for locals and visitors alike. Four Peaks Brewing in Tempe and Arizona Wilderness Brewing offer local craft beers worth seeking out on cooler evenings. See the best happy hours in Phoenix on ZonaHaps for deals throughout the week.

January and February are genuinely hard to beat in Phoenix. Browse the full this weekend events calendar on ZonaHaps and fill your days with something worth remembering.