Ruth Haines
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport offers a range of services and facilities to help you relax during your time there. From airport lounges, 24-hour dining options, and nearby hotels to the unique Compassion Corner and Phoenix Airport Museum, there's something for everyone. If you're looking to venture outside the airport, Phoenix's bustling metropolis, including Old Town Scottsdale and the Desert Botanical Garden, is just minutes away. With the PHX Sky Train, you can easily access downtown Phoenix and explore top museums. So, whether you're on a layover or just passing through, Phoenix Airport has plenty of options to make your stay enjoyable and relaxing.
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What You'll Learn
Relax in the airport lounges, chapels, and museums
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offers a range of facilities to help you relax before your flight. The airport has lounges, chapels, and a museum to keep you occupied and comfortable during your time there.
Lounges
The airport has pay-per-use lounges with amenities like comfortable seating, food, drinks, and WiFi. These lounges are great for resting and relaxing before your flight. You can also find mobile charging points and 24-hour food options throughout the airport.
Chapels
The Compassion Corner is a unique, multi-faceted space for travellers and employees of all faiths. It includes an all-faiths chapel, located in Terminal 4 Level 3, where you can worship, reflect, or pray. The chapel is open from 5 am to 10 pm. The Compassion Corner also has a Sensory Room equipped with tables, chairs, puzzles, and colouring books, providing a quiet respite for those with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
Museum
The Phoenix Airport Museum enhances the visitor experience by showcasing Arizona's artistic and cultural heritage. You can discover exhibitions, an art collection, and an aviation history collection featuring artefacts, documents, and memorabilia related to the airport's history. The museum aims to create a sense of warmth and community through contemporary art, sculptures, murals, and more, located throughout the airport and the Rental Car Center.
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Take the free PHX Sky Train to downtown Phoenix
If you're looking to relax at Phoenix Airport, one option is to take the free PHX Sky Train to downtown Phoenix. The PHX Sky Train is an electric people mover that operates 24/7 and connects the airport to the Phoenix Metro Light Rail system. This system provides low-cost and easy access to central Phoenix, downtown Tempe, and Mesa. The train runs every 3 to 7 minutes during the day and every 7 to 15 minutes at night, with trainsets capable of reaching 38 miles per hour.
The PHX Sky Train is accessible from both Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 of the airport. Terminal 4 is the newer of the two and can be accessed via a covered walkway from Terminal 3. The train station is located on Level 5, which can be reached by taking the escalators in Ticketing up to Level 4 and then taking another escalator up to Level 5. When returning to the airport, travellers can disembark the train on Level 3 and walk directly to the security checkpoint.
The 44th Street PHX Sky Train Station offers a convenient alternative to driving into the airport for those dropping off or picking up travellers. This station features a passenger drop-off area, cell phone lot, bike racks, and bike lockers. It is also served by multiple routes of the Valley Metro Bus system. Circulator vehicles are available to transport passengers from the uncovered parking areas to the PHX Sky Train Station, and there is also family-friendly ADA Parking north of the station.
The PHX Sky Train has received mixed reviews. One reviewer praised the efficiency, quietness, and speed of the train, while another criticised the lack of signage directing passengers to the train and the difficulty in purchasing a ticket. However, it is important to note that the PHX Sky Train is free to the public, so tickets may not be required.
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Explore the Desert Botanical Garden in Tempe
If you're looking to relax and unwind during a layover at Phoenix Airport, the Desert Botanical Garden in Tempe is the perfect place to do so. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the garden is a vibrant and tranquil oasis nestled amid the red rocks of the Sonoran Desert. With over 50,000 desert plants on display, the garden offers a unique and immersive experience.
To get to the garden, you can take the PHX Sky Train from the airport, which connects to the Phoenix Metro Light Rail system. This low-cost and convenient mode of transportation will take you directly to downtown Tempe. Keep in mind that the garden is open year-round, but it's recommended to check their website for specific hours and any special events or exhibits that may be taking place during your visit.
As you enter the garden, you'll find yourself surrounded by thousands of species of cacti, trees, and flowers from all around the world. The garden is spread across 55 acres, with five thematic trails that illustrate various topics such as conservation, desert living, and the plants and people of the Sonoran Desert. Each trail offers a unique perspective on the beauty and diversity of the desert ecosystem.
One of the highlights of the garden is the Butterfly Garden, where you can witness the vibrant colours and graceful movements of these delicate creatures. The garden is also known for its special exhibits, such as the orchid exhibit, which showcases colourful blooms, delightful scents, and wild textures that engage all your senses. If you're visiting with your family, the Cactus Clubhouse is a fun and immersive nature play space for children 12 and under, where they can learn about nature and explore their curiosity.
For a relaxing dining experience, Gertrude's Restaurant and Patio Café offer delicious meals with a view. You can also bring your four-legged friend to explore the garden's trails and enjoy the outdoors together. The garden is a paw-fect place for some great photo opportunities with your furry companion. Don't forget to buy tickets in advance for special events like Las Noches de Las Luminarias, where the garden is lit up with beautiful lights and filled with live music.
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Hike Camelback Mountain or the Echo Canyon Trail
If you're looking for a challenging hike with incredible views of Phoenix, Camelback Mountain is the place to go. Located just 20 minutes from downtown Phoenix, it is one of the city's most prominent peaks and a popular outdoor destination for thousands of visiting hikers each year.
The Echo Canyon Trail is a challenging route that takes an average of 2 hours and 13 minutes to complete. It is considered very popular, so you will likely encounter other hikers along the way. The trail is open year-round and offers a beautiful experience anytime you go. It is important to note that dogs are not allowed on this trail.
The trail begins as a wide dirt path with a quick incline up a few switchbacks, giving the impression of being in an ocean aquarium due to the porous rocks and moss-like plants. There are a few lookout points along the way where you can take a break and enjoy the views. At around 0.4 miles, the trail becomes steeper, with metal railings anchored into the mountain for safety.
As you continue, the trail will briefly flatten out at times, but you'll soon be faced with another pile of rocks to scramble over. At 0.7 miles, stay in the middle section and walk up the smooth inclined rock to stay on course. Around 1.1 miles marks your final ascent to the summit, where you'll be rewarded with a feeling of freedom and a 360-degree view of the city and neighbouring mountains.
The Echo Canyon Trail can be accessed by taking N Echo Canyon Parkway south, just east of the Tatum & McDonald intersection. Parking is extremely limited, so it's recommended to arrive early to secure a spot. Alternatively, you can park in a nearby business parking lot and take an Uber or Lyft to the trailhead.
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Eat at one of the many restaurants and cafes
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has over 60 dining options, from coffee shops and grab-and-go kiosks to full-service restaurants. Terminal Four recently added the Crystals at Sky Harbor Food Hall, which brings even more dining options and a modern dining area to the D Gates.
If you're looking for a quick bite, try one of the many cafes and bakeries in the airport, such as Cartel Roasting Co., Panera Bread, or Wildflower Bread Company. Cartel Roasting Co. is a longtime Phoenix favourite, offering specialty coffees made with roasted beans from around the world. Wildflower Bread Company, founded in 1996, offers sandwiches made on freshly baked breads, including sourdough, challah, nine-grain, and brioche. For standard favourites like muffins, croissants, cookies, quiches, bread, soups, and salads, head to Panera Bread.
For a more substantial meal, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from, serving everything from beer and burgers to breakfast and coffee. If you're craving a juicy burger, check out Sir Veza's Taco Garage, which offers breakfast sliders, breakfast nachos, and the "Sirnoran" dog—a Sonoran-style hot dog wrapped in bacon and topped with beans, fries, tomatoes, and jalapeño relish. For steak and burgers, try The Arrogant Butcher, a bustling downtown Phoenix restaurant and bar. If you're in the mood for French food, Zinc Brasserie, an offshoot of Matt Carter's Zinc Bistro, offers a selection of French sandwiches. For a more elegant dining experience, Filthy Animal features a wood fire cooking pit as its focal point, delivering a unique dining experience.
If you have time to kill and want to venture outside the airport, you can easily access central Phoenix, downtown Tempe, and Mesa via the Phoenix Metro Light Rail, which runs every 15-20 minutes. There, you'll find restaurants such as Wren & Wolf, which offers inventive steakhouse fare and elevated comfort food, and The Stockyards, which has been serving hand-cut aged steaks and prime rib since 1947.
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Frequently asked questions
Phoenix Airport offers many services and facilities to help you relax, including lounges, dining options, and shopping facilities. The airport also has a museum with exhibitions, art, and a vintage World War I airplane. If you're looking for a quiet place to relax, the Compassion Corner has an all-faiths chapel where you can reflect, regroup, or pray.
There are plenty of dining options at the airport, ranging from quick-to-go kiosks to casual and fine-dining restaurants. For Mexican food, you can try Blanco Tacos and Tequila, Los Taquitos, or Barrio Cafe. For a fancier option, there's Cheuvront Restaurant & Wine Bar. There are also quick options like Smashburger, Starbucks, and Wildflower Bread Company.
Yes, there are several airport lounges at Phoenix Airport. Some are reserved for passengers of specific airlines, while others are open to anyone for a daily fee. For example, the Escape Lounges in Terminal 3 and 4 are available to anyone for $40 per person.
Yes, the Compassion Corner in Terminal 4 offers a quiet and dementia-friendly space for those seeking a peaceful environment. The Navigator Support Guides are also available to help you navigate the airport and provide assistance.
