About Phoenix
Located in the central region of Arizona, Phoenix is the capital and most populous city in the state, with more than 1.7 million people who call it home. It’s the center of the Phoenix metropolitan area, also referred to as the Valley of the Sun, depicting the region’s hot desert climate.
Phoenix is a premier destination for visitors traveling for work and leisure, with hundreds of hotels, at least forty resorts, and tons of corporate facilities. It also boasts a wealth of activities and programs to facilitate businesses of all types and sizes. Besides its welcoming attitude and innovative spirit, you’ll love the world-class services and event spaces in Phoenix.
This prosperous city offers excellent outdoor adventures, a unique southwest culture, and a wide array of beautiful sceneries and urbanscapes. Its natural features can replicate various parts of the country and the world, providing filmmakers and storytellers a cost-efficient way to achieve their creative goals.
Attractions in Phoenix
Phoenix is surrounded by mountain parks and close to several lakes where you can enjoy paddleboarding, waterskiing, kayaking, or whatever water adventure you fancy. It also has many museums and art galleries to explore for anyone who prefers indoor pursuits. Plan your trip and add our list to your must-visit places in Phoenix. These locales are also ideal as production venues and areas to fit in after-meeting outings with your team.
- Camelback Mountain
Just twenty minutes from downtown Phoenix, Camelback Mountain offers excellent hiking and climbing opportunities in Arizona. Apart from the adrenaline-pumping experience, you’ll enjoy great views and may encounter wildlife and plants along the trail. This iconic Phoenix landmark is truly remarkable. That's why it’s no surprise that it’s been featured in several films, including Raising Arizona (1987) and a 1980 crime horror thriller movie, Nightkill.
- Phoenix Zoo
Opened in 1962, the Phoenix Zoo is the nation’s largest non-profit zoo, with over 1,400 animals, including some endangered species. It has four trails that lead through the facility, including the Children’s Trail, Arizona Trail, Tropics Trail, and Africa Trail. It also offers family-friendly activities, events, programs, and exhibits that prove to be of great interest and education.
- Downtown Phoenix
Phoenix has a lively downtown filled with countless tourist attractions. It features sophisticated sports facilities, first-class museums, retail outlets, and art galleries. If you want a glimpse of what it looked like in 1960, watch the movie Psycho, which opens with a shot of downtown Phoenix. Today, colorful sculptures adorning the streets and fascinating building murals will surely leave an impression, and still make great backdrops for filming and photography.
Production Locations in Phoenix
Filming in Phoenix means having access to numerous production locations that add authenticity to your story. No matter the genre, scenes, or roles you’re trying to portray, this vibrant city has indoor and outdoor spaces that will help bring your script to life.
- Desert Parks
Phoenix provides visitors and locals over 41,000 acres of desert parks, green space, and mountain preserve land. It allows you to achieve the look and feel of shooting in diverse areas like Los Angeles or deserted lands, such as the Middle East.
- Gardens
Gorgeous gardens always make a stunning wedding venue in Phoenix, both in films or TV shows and in real life. Their natural beauty adds to the romantic atmosphere and looks amazing in photos and videos. The production team doesn’t need to set up complicated lighting because the natural light is enough to shoot essential scenes. Common examples of remarkable gardens in the city include the Desert Botanical Garden, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, and Japanese Friendship Garden.
- Malls and Shopping Centers
You probably don’t pay attention to them in TV programs and movies, but malls and shopping centers have been used as a production location in Phoenix. The 2019 Christmas film produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Noelle, for instance, shot several scenes at a local mall in the city. If you’re familiar with Phoenix Metrocenter mall, you’ll likely notice it in the movie Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989). Many iconic fight scenes in various films also often happen in shopping centers.
- Commercial Studios
The best thing about renting a well-equipped studio in Phoenix is that it often comes with amenities and services for a successful production. These include a make-up area, air conditioning, camera lights, and WiFi. You can book it for commercial projects, music videos, and group photos.
Event and Meeting Locations in Phoenix
The Valley of the Sun is the center of one of the country’s fastest-growing economies and markets. Its thriving business environment matches an array of top-of-the-line event and meeting venues in Phoenix.
- Outdoor Attractions
Who needs expensive decorations when you have the blooming flowers, vast mountains, and spectacular sunset as your backdrop? With more days of sunshine and a warm climate, Phoenix will allure you to take your party outdoors on a glorious day. Whether it’s a formal business meeting or a casual gathering with friends, the city’s outdoor attractions will turn your event into something your guests will talk about for years.
- Pubs and Nightclubs
Let your guests enjoy the vibrant night scene in Phoenix by booking a pub or nightclub for your next big day. Gather your friends for a reunion, meet with distant relatives, or organize a corporate dinner in an inviting environment where everyone can relax and enjoy. If you want a dark yet calm and welcoming setting, a classy European pub with a rooftop may be the right Phoenix party venue for you.
- Local Parks
Are you throwing a big outdoor party on a budget? Contact the local community in Phoenix to book an open field or a community park to host your event. You can just set up a tent, chairs, and tables while using the area’s unique features to your advantage. Summer may not be the best time to organize an outdoor party at a local park, though, as it can get tremendously hot, especially at the peak of the season.
- Hotels
You can never go wrong with hotels for any event or corporate affair. They are experts at creating memorable experiences for guests with their all-inclusive services, so you don’t have to leave the premises.