Phoenix is a different kind of city. Here you won’t find the same played out city streets you can find anywhere. This city will present you with an explosion of ever-changing expression. Bright colors and creations paint the city like an open easel. Stunning natural formations stand out like beacons among the blacktop. The best photo spots in Phoenix aren’t simply a collection of fabulous views. The best photo spots in Phoenix tell the story of the city itself. From the people’s artistry to millennia old mountains, Phoenix is a picturesque place that perfectly blends urbanscapes with natural environments.
So keep scrolling to see THE BEST PHOTO SPOTS IN PHOENIX, from Camelback Mountain to the 1 1/2 street mural project.
1.) Camelback Mountain
High above the city, you can take in the entire valley in a way you can’t find anywhere else in Phoenix. It’s as if the valley was built around this central landmass. Gorgeous 360° views of the city and mountains show why Camelback Mountain is one of, if not the best, photo spots in Phoenix.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE – Landscape and Panoramas BEST SPOT – At the peak BEST TIME – Sunrise, to see the sun crest over the distant mountains.
Pro tip- Get there at least an hour before sunrise to make sure you have plenty of time to hike up the mountain before the sun peaks over the horizon.
2.) Hole in the Rock
Carved from centuries of stiff desert wind, Hole in the Rock offers a different perspective of Phoenix. Here, you can frame pictures in a unique way that shows how Phoenix continues to build while still connecting with its environment.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE – Landscape and Nature BEST SPOT – Inside the cave, looking through the hole BEST TIME – Just after sunrise for soft light and good shadows.
Capture the artistic prowess of Phoenix with the 1 1/2 street mural project. Dozens of decorative and expressive designs transform an average alley into a fresh and colorful corridor. An alley usually doesn’t make for the best photo spot, but in Phoenix, the 1 1/2 street mural project certainly changes that.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE – Urban BEST SPOT – In the alley off of Roosevelt Street BEST TIME – Morning, for unobstructed and quiet views.
Pro tip- Click here to see everything about these murals and ones like them all over the city! (Coming Soon)
4.) The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
A small sanctuary among the streets, the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix is a place that exudes peace and tranquility. At this garden, you can capture a different type of picture, one that will show the wide diversity of the best photo spots in Phoenix.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE – Nature BEST SPOT – The northeast corner of the pond BEST TIME – Morning, for much fewer people.
Pro tip- Don’t forget to capture some of the coy fish swimming around the pond for a cool extra layer of depth.
5.) Her Secret is Patience
If you want to set your pictures apart, this peculiar display at the center of Phoenix will surely do the trick. Like a luminescent spaceship or giant jellyfish floating among the skyscrapers, Her Secret Is Patience is a sight you have to see when in Phoenix.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE – Urban BEST SPOT – Along North Central Ave BEST TIME – At night, to see the sculpture lit up.
Pro tip- Try taking pictures from many different spots, as each location offers a different memorizing angle.
6.) Sloan Park
Baseball has always been a picturesque sport, and it becomes even more stunning at Sloan Park. The short and open design puts all the attention onto the field while leaving plenty of room to see the softly painted sky.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE – Sports BEST SPOT – Far along the 1st baseline BEST TIME – A night game, to capture the sunset sky.
Pro tip- Go to Sloan Park during the Arizona Fall League for more freedom to move around the stadium; plus, they’re always great games!