Phoenix on a Budget: The Ultimate Guide

Phoenix, Arizona, is a bustling city, full of unique experiences, but there's a bit of a misconception that it's an expensive place to visit. If you're hoping for a fun-filled Phoenix getaway, but don't want to break the bank, we've got you covered!

No matter what you want your Phoenix trip to look like, here are some of the city's best hotels, restaurants, and activities for you to enjoy on a budget.

Best Budget Hotels in Phoenix

The hotel secene in Phoenix is great, with many great hotels boasting a great range of facilities at a great price. Some boast complimentary breakfast, or free parking - both of which are great for guests looking to keep costs low!

Hilton Phoenix Resort, Camelback East Village, Phoenix

Located in an idyllic spot of Camelback East Village, amongst the Arizonian mountain landscape, Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak is an outstanding choice for families in particular who both want to relax and explore local attractions. It sits just 6.8 miles from the Phoenix Convention Center, and only 2.1 miles from the famous landmark that is Wrigley Mansion.

This resort is extremely family friendly, and caters to kids in almost every aspect! With plenty to do for the whole family, it makes the perfect resort getaway with all the amenities a family could want, without breaking the bank. From gourmet restaurants to a full-service spa, free private parking to an excellent bar, there's plenty to see and do at this resort. That said, the true attraction here is definitely their four-acre waterpark, which includes a lazy river, a waterslide, and even a restaurant where the adults can indulge in a refreshing cocktail while the kids play!

Each of the guest rooms includes a private bathroom, Wi-Fi, and a flat-screen TV. Select rooms also boast a relaxing seating area, and a balcony or patio area too.

Townplace Suites Phoenix North, North Mountain, Phoenix

TownePlace Phoenix North by Marriott is an excellent choice for families or groups of friends, looking for somewhere convenient and comfortable to stay in the Phoenix area that promises great value. Located near Castles N' Coasters amusement park (which boasts both high-thrill and kid-friendly rides) it's a great destination for families, and those who are simply young at heart.

This all-suite hotel also offers a great range of things to do on-site, including a fitness center, heated outdoor pool, barbecue facilities and free Wi-Fi.

Suites at this hotel all boast great amenities that make this an excellent choice for self-catering getaways, mini getaways with friends, or those looking for a home away from home. They each provide cable TV, a coffee maker, and a fully-equipped kitchen. Guests can choose from a range of convenient room types, ranging from studios to two-bedroom suites.

Hilton Garden Inn North Happy Valley, Deer Valley, Phoenix

Located in Phoenix’s North Valley, the Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix North Happy Valley is a hotel that's worth getting outside the hustle and bustle of downtown! Located just a 10-minute drive from the Adobe Dam Recreation Area, 5 minutes from Phoenix Municipal Airport and Happy Valley Towne Center, and around a 15-minute drive from the Black Canyon Conference Center, there are plenty of great attractions and things to do in just a short distance.

The hotel has plenty of things to enjoy on-site too, including a 24-hour business center and convenience store for those who may need to work during their trip, and a gym. Guests can also enjoy relaxing in the outdoor courtyard, which boasts a pool, a hot tub, and a fire pit.

Despite being one of the cheaper options in Phoenix, this is an extremely high-value hotel since it offers a great range of dining options, including the Garden Grille & Bar restaurant, or The Pavillion Lounge.

All rooms at this hotel include a microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker, as well as a 32-inch flat-screen cable TV, free Wi-Fi, and a work desk with a comfortable ergonomic chair.

Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport, Camelback East, Phoenix

Sitting just a short 10-minute drive from both the Phoenix Airport and many of the city's great attractions such as Phoenix Zoo and The Phoenix Convention Center, this convenient hotel is in a great location and even boasts a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport. The hotel also sits on the city’s METRO light rail line, making the rest of the city and all of its great attractions super accessible!

While the area surrounding the hotel has many great dining options, don't rule out the ones that are at the hotel. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all made from fresh ingredients at Post Restaurant, or visit Perch Lounge which is open until late at night and serves up an array of specialty craft beers, cocktails, and a selection of wines.

The hotel also boasts an outdoor pool and a hot tub, as well as other facilities, such as a business center with fax and photocopying services and a 24-hour reception.

All guest rooms include free Wi-Fi, a cable TV with movie channels, a work desk, a seating area, and air conditioning.

Best Western Innsuites, Camelback East Village, Phoenix

Located close enough to the airport to be convenient when catching an early morning flight, but far enough to avoid excess noise pollution, this outstanding Best Western Innsuites is the perfect choice for those looking for an all-in one spot to stay that doesn't break the bank. An excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts, this hotel sits adjacent to the Piestewa Peak at Phoenix Mountain Reserve - Home to over 27 miles of biking and hiking trails.

The hotel boasts an abundant selection of facilities and features, including free Wi-Fi, complimentary parking, complimentary breakfast buffet, self-service vending machines, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a spa.

Rooms at the Best Western Innsuites Phoenix also boast a great selection of ammenities, including a flat-screen TV, a work desk, a microwave, a wet bar, and more!

Best Budget Restaurants in Phoenix

When it comes to choosing the perfect place to grab a bite to eat in Phoenix, there's an abundance of great options! With an excellent range of casual eateries that boast great food at an excellent value, there's plenty of choice, no matter what you're craving.

Whether you're looking to dine on something new and adventurous, or hoping to sink your teeth into a classic favorite, there's a delicious choice for everyone, no matter your budget, in Phoenix!

Molly's Thai Ban, North Phoenix

Located in a small strip mall, Molly’s Thai Ban is a cozy, family owned establishment serving up a variety of mouth-watering entrees, each with generous portion sizes.

We recommend sampling the papaya salad. It's made with a selection of tasty veggies, and topped with a sweet and spicy dressing. If you're looking for something affordable to share with your family, we recommend the Tom Yum soup, pad Thai, and the Lo Mein. Large families can share these for less than $30! 

Be careful when it comes to ordering something spicy here though, the 'medium spicy' can actually be quite hot!

Gadzooks Enchiladas and Soup, Encanto Village, Phoenix

Gadzooks Enchiladas and Soups is quite a unique dining experience, offering customized gourmet enchiladas served in a skillet.

Each of their made-to-order enchiladas boasts freshly pressed corn or flour tortillas, a selection of mix and match fillings, a choice of green or red sauce, and cheese. The skillet is placed in a wood-fired oven, and once steaming, you can top the meal off with a choice of cold condiments including guacamole, slaw, pickled onions, and hot sauce.

With meals here coming in at less than $10, it's a great choice for lunch or dinner when traveling on a budget. There's even a spacious patio, which is perfect if you're traveling with a larger group or family!

Fry Bread House, Alhambra, Phoenix

When traveling on a budget, we always recommend finding a destination's essential, affordable dishes. At this Native American spot, be sure to sample the Fry Bread, after all, it's so good here that the restaurant is named after it!

Light, airy, and fluffy, it compliments the fillings particularly well! The chili beef taco is a very popular choice, but be sure not to get too greedy, as these tacos are more filling than you may anticipate - With just one being more than enough to hit the spot.

It's a good idea to save room for dessert. The honey or chocolate drizzled sweet fry bread is an outstanding choice.

Little Miss BBQ-University, South Mountain Village, Phoenix

Arguably the best value BBQ spot in the city, Little Miss BBQ's large portions and reasonably priced sandwiches are some of the best in the business.

Be sure to sample one of the sandwiches if you're visiting for a lunchtime treat. These come in at around $10 and come with a selection of sides (we recommend jalapenos and grits - it just works!). If you're visiting for dinner however, be sure to order the brisket - it truly melts in the mouth!

Curry Corner, Tempe

Located in the small city of Tempe, in the greater Phoenix area, Curry Corner is a popular choice with students of Arizona State Univeristy, thanks to it's reasonable prices, and excellent quality.

The masala fries, biryani, and paneer tikka, all carry a delicious flavor that's just right, without an overwhelming onslaught of spice.

Most appetizers and entrees are priced under $8, and you certainly get great value here!

Best Budget Attractions in Phoenix

Phoenix offers a huge range of excellent activities, many of which can be experienced at a low cost, or even for free! From enjoying free mural-style artworks to hiking some of the area's best nature trails, there's something for everyone to enjoy, no matter your budget!

Get ready to immerse yourself in the city's vibrant, intriguing culture through a range of great, low-cost attractions, all across Phoenix!

Street Art, Roosevelt Row, Downtown Phoenix

If you're looking for a way to enjoy some of Phoenix's culture and art without breaking the bank, take a stroll down Roosevelt Row to admire some of it for free!

Located in the downtown neighborhood, it's a hip and trendy spot, popular for it's street art. The area's main mission is to advance arts-focused initiatives for artists, entrepreneurs and residents through a creative and sustainable space for growth, opportunity, engagement and art advocacy.

Take in the dozens of gorgeous murals during your stroll, and feel free to pop into some of the area's locally owned shops, bars and restaurants that are scattered around this great art district.

The Children's Museum of Phoenix, Downtown Phoenix

The Children's Museum of Phoenix is rated as one of the top three children's museums in the US, so it may surprise you to learn that you can actually enjoy this for free on some select days. It's a reasonably priced day out for the whole family otherwise, but if you visit between 5 pm 9 pm on the first Friday of the month, you can enjoy the attractions here for free!

The museum is designed for active involvement for children aged up to 10 years old, where they can touch, explore and create. There are over 300 different play experiences on-site spread across three separate floors. 

Tempe Town Lake, Tempe

Just outside of the central Phoneix area, in the small city of Tempe is the beautiful Tempe Town Lake.  If you enjoy getting out and about and engaging in recreational activities, head down to the scenic, 7-mile loop that encircles the lake, where you can walk, cycle, or run!

This perennial reservoir was originally created in 1999, and now, Tempe Town Lake serves as a recreational center point for the town, with paths runs on the north and south sides of the lake, and connecting via bridges at Priest Dr and Mural Rd. If this sounds like fun, but you'd rather spend a little less time here, worry not! You can shorten the loop by taking the pedestrian bridge located near the Tempe Center for the Arts. There are numerous pieces of public art lining the lake on both sides of the walkway, making for a truly beautiful outdoor activity!

Don't mind splashing the cash for a unique experience? There's a selection of kayak, paddleboard, and paddleboating rentals on offer for those looking to head out onto the water!

Heritage Square, Downtown Phoenix

History buffs will simply love a visit to Heritage Square. A cluster of late-Victorian and early-20th-century homes are situated here, and they're quite a contrast to the soaring modern sky-scrapers and towering contemporary buildings that stretch across the surrounding area of Downtown Phoenix.

With each of the historic buildings that sit here having been sensitively restored and repurposed, it's possible to enter quite a few of them! Not everything in Heritage Square is free though, if you'd like to look inside the well-restored Rosson House Museum, there is a small $15 entry fee.

Hike to Piestawa Peak, Camelback East Village, Phoenix

If you're looking for an exciting activity that is free to enjoy, and you love being outdoors, then look no further than a hike to the stunning Piestawa Peak! Dotted with saguaros, ocotillos, and teddy bear cholla, the hiking trails along this mountainside are truly beautiful.

Once you reach the summit of the second-highest point in the Phoenix Mountains (after Camelback Mountain), you'll be rewarded with some truly stunning views of the city, and its surrounding desert landscape.

The 1.1-mile trek to the 2600ft peak is a tough climb but is a popular choice amongst those with experience in hiking. If you're a newbie, maybe give this one a miss. The park can become quite busy on winter weekends since the cooler weather at this time of year makes it a great season for hiking in this area. Be sure to plan your parking carefully, or, if you don't mind the weather being a little warmer, visit during shoulder season in the late Fall or early Spring.