Looking for the best staycations in Arizona? These 2 cities topped list of US travel spots
If you're craving a summer vacation but don't have the budget to go on a trip, a local "getaway" can be a fun alternative.
A recent survey from The Vacationer found that 82% of Americans plan to travel this summer. But with rising costs due to inflation and tariffs, many people are rethinking their travel plans or cutting back on expenses.
Luckily for Arizonans, two cities in the state made it into the top 15 U.S. cities for staycations, with a wide range of options for entertainment and relaxation at affordable prices, according to a recent WalletHub study.
Staying local also means saving on flights and hotel stays. But if you're craving that resort experience, you can still get it for less.
As a bonus, many Arizona hotels offer steep discounts in the summer when fewer tourists visit due to the scorching desert heat. That means you can lounge by the pool or enjoy a spa day at a fraction of high-season prices.
"A staycation can save you a lot of money while being just as memorable," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. "Not only do you avoid the cost of overnight accommodations and minimize travel costs, but you can also discover all kinds of fun activities close to home that you might not have tried out otherwise."
Here's a look at the best Arizona cities for staycations, WalletHub's national rankings, and some local hotel deals to help you plan the perfect summer escape—without leaving the state.
Tucson ranked highest in Arizona, landing at No. 12 nationally. The city mostly stood out for its rich food and entertainment scene.
Earlier this year, Tucson was named one of the most entertaining cities in the U.S.— right behind heavy-hitters like New York, Las Vegas and Chicago.
According to the Action Network, Tucson shines with live theaters, cultural attractions, museums and outdoor experiences — all backed by social media buzz.
This southern Arizona gem offers local highlights like Grammy-winning artist Linda Ronstadt's favorite bakery, Barrio Bread, and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Food lovers can enjoy authentic dishes at El Charro Café, while outdoor enthusiasts can escape the heat with stunning views from Mount Lemmon.
Scottsdale followed right behind at No. 13, scoring high for recreation options.
With luxurious resorts, relaxing spas, fine dining and plenty of family-friendly fun, Scottsdale makes it easy to feel like a tourist in your own city.
And the best part is you don't need a big budget to enjoy it. According to ExperienceScottsdale.com, Scottsdale's tourism website, the best time to take advantage to these amenities is during a summer staycation, when "locals can access five-star luxury at three-star prices," the website states.
These 15 cities are the best for staycations, according to WalletHub:
Cincinnati
Orlando
Las Vegas
Honolulu
Chicago
St. Louis
Tampa, Florida
Salt Lake City
Atlanta
San Diego
Portland, Oregon
Tucson
Scottsdale
New Orleans
Denver
These are the 15 worst cities for staycations, listed from worst to best, according to WalletHub:
Yonkers, New York
Fremont, California
Pearl City, Hawaii
Chula Vista, California
Hialeah, Hawaii
Irving, Texas
Oakland, California
Santa Ana, California
Anaheim, California
New Haven, Connecticut
Santa Clarita, California
Newark, New Jersey
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Huntington, New York
Jersey City, New Jersey
Here are some of the best summer 2025 staycation deals in Arizona.
Talking Stick Resort's Summer Playcation Package offers starting rates of $139 Sundays through Thursdays and $169 Fridays and Saturdays, plus discounts on treatments at The Spa at Talking Stick and cabana rentals and $25 in free casino play. Arizona residents with valid ID do not have to pay the $25 per night resort fee.
The North Phoenix family resort, home to the AquaRidge Waterpark, is offering two deals for summer 2025. The Savings on Summer package offers up to 35% off best available rates plus a $100 daily resort credit, self-parking for one vehicle and a $10 game card to Copper Alley, the resort's arcade bar. The package starts at $334 per night.
The Wigwam's Summertime and Sunshine package offers a low starting rate and a $75 daily credit for the resort's restaurants, spa and golf courses. Rates start at $169 per night.
Following roller rink and summer camp-inspired summer events in past years, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has a Wild West theme for Summer at the Princess 2025. Activities include gem panning, campfire stories, horseshoe tossing and a Western-themed miniature golf course. As is tradition, the summer festivities also include a staycation deal − up to 40% off best available rates for a limited time. Rates start around $300 per night with the discount.
To find the best places in the U.S. for a staycation, WalletHub looked at 182 cities, including the 150 biggest cities plus at least two major cities from each state. They scored each city based on three main areas:
Recreation, like parks, pools, hiking trails and bike lanes.
Food and entertainment, including restaurants, coffee shops, theaters and nightlife.
Rest and relaxation, such as spas, beaches, and the cost of relaxing services like massages.
They used 41 different factors in total, such as how many parks or restaurants a city has per person and how much it costs to see a movie or get a massage. Each factor was scored on a 100-point scale, with higher scores meaning better conditions for a staycation.
For population-based metrics, WalletHub adjusted the numbers to compare smaller and larger cities fairly.
Finally, they averaged all the scores (based on how much each factor was worth) to give each city a final score and ranking.
Data came sources like the U.S. Census, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and others, and was collected in May 2025.
Republic reporter Michael Salerno contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 Arizona cities ranked top for staycations. Here's why
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