Travel Guides > Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix Travel

Once considered a desert town indicative of the old West, Phoenix, Arizona now holds a place as the sixth largest city in the U.S. Why would so many people want to live in the desert? The answer is pretty simple... abundant sunshine!

While Phoenix temperatures often reach into the 100s from June through August, during the rest of the year, it's just about downright perfect here. That means that those who've tired of freezing cold winters have decided to call Phoenix and the surrounding communities their new home, with close proximity to active pursuits like golf, access to excellent arts and culture, and the opportunity to realize a lifestyle that's coveted by many.

Golf is certainly the number one pastime activity in the Phoenix area. This city, combined with nearby Scottsdale, is the golf mecca of the United States. Visitors will find in excess of 200 courses here, many of them designated championship courses designed by greats like Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Fazio.

The courses you'll find in the Phoenix area are of varying difficulty and come in many shapes and sizes. There are desert courses with minimal landscaping, lush green traditional courses, and even those that resemble golf courses you'd find in the tropics.

When it's time to come in from the sun, check out some of Phoenix's fine indoor attractions. The Heard Museum educates visitors as to the indigenous people of Arizona and focuses on Native American culture in general. Not only are the exhibits fascinating but you'll often be treated to live music or dance performances or workshops at this highly-acclaimed museum.

One of the best and largest art museums in the Southwestern U.S., the Phoenix Art Museum is a great place to view works by the members of the Cowboy Artists of America. The museum also houses a good variety of decorative arts pieces and contemporary art from around the world.

Phoenix's Papago Park is home to the beautiful Desert Botanical Garden. You won't find any roses here! This botanical garden is home to more than 20,000 desert plants and cacti.

Papago Park is also an ideal location for hikers and mountain biking enthusiasts. Make a stop at Hole-in-the-Rock, one of the city's most fascinating natural formations. Guests can also go fishing in the park, visit a small zoo, and even play a round of golf.

If you happen to be traveling through Phoenix during the extremely warm months, there are a handful of waterparks to help you and your family cool down a bit.

Another way to beat the heat is to visit one of dozens of day spas that have always been popular in Phoenix, a long-time destination for those seeking to recover from a variety of ailments, especially ones that affect the lungs. Most of Phoenix's wonderful five-star resort hotels also boast incredible spas.

Also worth checking out: Tucson, Las Vegas