A sprawling oasis in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix offers loads of diversions for warm-weather fans. Boasting 325 days of sunshine each year, the area is home to more than 200 golf courses. Other outdoor activities well-suited for a Phoenix vacation include hot-air ballooning, horseback riding, hiking in the surrounding mountains, and biking. The Phoenix area’s many resorts—including some of the most luxurious and highly rated in the country—feature large swimming pool areas for sunning (and cooling off!), as well as relaxing spas with extensive treatment menus.
The city’s many cultures add to the allure of a vacation in Phoenix. More than 20 Native American tribes call Arizona home, and their influence can be felt throughout the city. The renowned Heard Museum features many Native American artifacts, including the largest kachina doll collection in the country. Upscale shopping abounds, especially in well-heeled Scottsdale, and many who travel to Phoenix return home with a piece of Southwestern art or jewelry.
Since Phoenix is so spread out, many travelers rent a car at the airport, which is 20-30 minutes from most major hotels. There’s a free downtown-area shuttle, and a light-rail system connecting the airport to downtown and the convention center is expected to open in 2009. Many Phoenix travel itineraries also include a visit to the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona. It’s a five-hour drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon, which can also by reached by small plane in less than an hour. It never gets really cold in Phoenix, though the temperature dips once the sun sets. June, July and August are the hottest months; the average high temperature in Phoenix ranges from 65.2°F in January to 105°F in July. For more information on travel to Phoenix, log on to www.visitphoenix.com, the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website.