Memorial Day weekend in Phoenix comes with one certainty: it's going to be hot. Temperatures in late May regularly push past 100 degrees, which means the city's best Memorial Day plans tend to start outdoors and migrate inside by early afternoon. The good news is that Phoenix has figured out how to do this exceptionally well — world-class outdoor experiences for the early hours, and equally world-class indoor destinations to carry the rest of the day. Here's what's open and what's worth doing, including where AMF fits into the picture.
Get outside early — then make a plan for the heat
The window for outdoor activity in Phoenix over Memorial Day weekend is real, it's just short. South Mountain Park opens at 5 AM and offers some of the best hiking in the metro — the National Trail and the Holbert Trail are both rewarding before 9 AM, when the heat becomes the dominant experience. The Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park is spectacular in the early morning light and opens at 7 AM on most days, making it a genuinely great early-morning stop before the temperature climbs.
Scottsdale's Old Town is worth a morning visit too — walkable, full of good coffee, and best explored before noon. The Scottsdale Waterfront and Camelback Mountain are both popular Memorial Day destinations for Phoenix-area residents and visitors, and both are well worth experiencing before you transition your plans indoors.
What's open: dining, entertainment, and family fun
Phoenix is one of the best cities in the country for indoor entertainment, and nearly all of it is open Memorial Day weekend. The Arizona Science Center is an excellent full-day option for families — interactive exhibits across science, space, and technology that keep guests of all ages genuinely engaged. The Phoenix Art Museum is open and consistently excellent. Surprise Stadium hosts baseball through the spring season, and the entertainment options around Tempe Town Lake and Old Town Scottsdale run all weekend long.
AMF has two locations in Chandler serving the East Valley — AMF Chandler Lanes with 32 lanes, a sports bar, billiards, and arcade, and AMF McRay Plaza Lanes with 40 lanes and private event rooms. And for the broader Phoenix metro, AMF Desert Hills Lanes in Phoenix offers 32 lanes with a full pro shop and sports bar. All three are open Memorial Day weekend and air-conditioned — which, by afternoon, is its own selling point.
Bowling at AMF: the perfect Phoenix afternoon plan
Once the heat takes over, AMF is exactly the kind of destination that makes a Phoenix Memorial Day weekend work. The lanes are fun for all ages, the food is satisfying, and the sports bar is a great place to catch any game happening over the holiday weekend. Families with young kids will find the arcade keeps everyone happy between frames, and groups that want to make it a proper occasion can plan ahead through AMF's Kids Parties or Adult Social Events pages.
AMF McRay Plaza Lanes in Chandler is particularly well-suited for larger groups — 40 lanes and private event rooms mean you're not competing for space. For those booking a private event, the event booking process takes the planning off your plate entirely.
Deals to check before you go
Check AMF's current specials before your visit — holiday weekends tend to bring promotions worth knowing about. The Summer Season Pass is a particularly smart pick for Phoenix residents: two free games of bowling every day through September, shoe rental included, with Premium Pass holders getting food discounts and cross-brand access at any AMF, Lucky Strike, or Bowlero location nationwide. In a city where summer stretches through October, the math on a season pass is very favorable.
Reserve your lane before the long weekend fills up
Phoenix Memorial Day weekend books fast — especially at indoor destinations where everyone has the same idea by early afternoon. Use code MDW20 at checkout for 20% off your lane reservation. Book by May 25 for reservations held by May 31. Reserve your lane now and use the AMF location finder to find the center closest to you. Lace up, find your lane, and let the whole family do their thing — in the cool.