Nicer resorts, such as The Saguaro, charge $100 and up year-round. Large swathes of the Valley feel anonymous and prepackaged: drab strip malls and insular gated communities with similar-sounding names and facades, one blending into the next. If you just want to take the odd ride, a pay-as-you-go membership might work better. Since lodging is a crucial consideration for any traveler, you’ll want to do additional due diligence before choosing your Phoenix-area home base. Look past the nondescript warehouse in an anonymous corner of wherever. But not impossible. You can do pretty much anything water-related here, but the most interesting part of the park is arguably the Discovery Center, which relates the fascinating story of the uneasy public-private partnership that tamed the Colorado River and made life in the desert possible for so many modern-day Arizonans. The excellent museum provides backstory on the Hohokam people, who eked out a difficult existence on the floor of the Valley for centuries before conquest. The Tonto National Forest has hundreds of miles of hiking trails and dozens of low-cost campgrounds available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Phoenix West II has family-friendly vacation rentals that are within easy reach of the best destinations for family fun and adventure. Whether you’re reliving the sexual vitriol of your senior prom with a DFMO or cozying up to someone new in the swankiest of faux-leather booths, Slippery Slope has got options for any brand of late-night flirtation. Like Sedona and Payson, Prescott has cute, upscale retail districts and enough Old West kitsch to keep things interesting, but the real draw are the near-pristine forest and high desert areas nearby. I use Hotwire, a blind-booking site, to get the best possible deal on rental cars – in Phoenix, that’s reliably $30 per day or less for a compact car. The Heard Museum is dedicated to “advancing American Indian art” – and it does so beautifully. Your choice of home base should turn on numerous factors: your main reason for visiting, your budget, your lodging preferences, the sights and experiences you want to take in, and more. The city of Phoenix sits near the geographical center of a vast metropolitan area known as the Valley of the Sun. With four terminals and direct service to virtually all major North American cities, Sky Harbor is a hub for Southwest Airlines and American Airlines, an important node for Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, and a key destination for most other regional and budget carriers based in the United States. Though dwarfed by Valley peaks, such as Camelback Mountain, Hayden is still the highest point for miles, and the views are worth every inch of the climb. It’s defined by its symbiotic relationship with Arizona State University, one of the country’s largest four-year colleges. Find everything from dive bars to crafted cocktails. Visit Phoenix is the Valley’s largest official tourism booster. By road, Phoenix is about two hours from Tucson (southeast), five hours from Las Vegas (northwest), five hours thirty minutes from San Diego (south-southwest), and six hours thirty minutes from Los Angeles (west). In Phoenix, you'll find 5017 hotels and other lodging accommodations so you'll have plenty of choices for a … Unfortunately, for the time being, Valley Metro is at its best in central Phoenix and adjoining, close-in communities, such as Tempe and Scottsdale. Expect to pay at least $120 per night for a higher-end place along Central Avenue. Once you arrive in Phoenix, you start to understand why. In My Experience: News flash: It gets pretty hot in Phoenix. In addition to enjoying a meal, many Phoenix-area casinos have sophisticated theaters and showrooms where top-name performers are booked. Sedona is a really special place. Advertiser Disclosure: The credit card and banking offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies and banks from which MoneyCrashers.com receives compensation. Culturally, it’s one of the strangest: The 1960s counterculture, New Age movement, indigenous traditions, and Old West cowboy culture all coexist (mostly) peacefully here. And you’ll have much less to worry about if you visit during the winter, when highs typically top out in the 60s and 70s, and evenings can be downright chilly. The city is built to handle the annual influx, but that doesn’t mean it’s not noticeable. For instance, the best way to deal with a cougar is to try to scare it by waving your arms, baring your teeth, and making lots of noise – not, as you might expect, retreating or curling into a ball, both of which trigger cougars’ predatory instincts. From then until sometime in September, visitors to Phoenix risk experiencing one of the Southwest’s famed monsoon thunderstorms. Payson is an idyllic mountain community nestled below the dramatic Mogollon Rim, a 2,000-foot escarpment that splits the eastern half of Arizona in two. Adjacent Echo Canyon Recreation Area offers another angle of attack, but it’s not much easier. If you’re not a sports fan, there’s still plenty to do here, from weekly summer concerts at Murphy Park to periodic open-air street festivals at the Westgate Entertainment Complex. Public Transportation in Phoenix Don’t miss the ancient petroglyphs – more than 500 in all, memorialized forever in the butte’s hard basalt. Unless otherwise noted, park admission is $6 per car. Heritage Square is a newborn next to Pueblo Grande, a 1,500-year-old Hohokam ruin in the heart of Phoenix. For that price, you get a 60-minute tour led by a knowledgeable local guide. If you don’t want to pay admission at one of the Valley’s established art museums, look into Mesa’s nationally renowned public art program. True Blue can add islands, pool lighting, jets, decks, decorative tile, swim up bars … We may have financial relationships with some of the companies mentioned on this website. Most are found on either side of Van Buren and 44th Streets, north of the terminal area. What’s your favorite thing to do in Phoenix?window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; And use caution south of Interstate 8, where drug and human smugglers covertly traverse the desert. If you prefer a more leisurely visit, stick to the saguaro forests on the lower slopes. The signature exhibit, Native Peoples in the Southwest, is an expansive examination of the region’s indigenous art and culture, with hundreds of individual artifacts and a full-scale recreation of a traditional Navajo hogan. It’s fair to ask how such a massive – and growing – settlement sprang up in a parched, sun-baked valley near the northern fringes of the Sonoran Desert. With 16,000 acres and three small mountain ranges under management, it dwarfs every other urban park in the country. This factory tour was easy to book; call +1 800-474-6434. There’s plenty of ticketed programming as well, including curated conversations with prominent artists and booze-fueled solstice celebrations. If you’re interested in the Southwest’s indigenous prehistory, I’d recommend setting aside several days for a driving tour through the mountain ranges north and east of Phoenix. Visit one or more of these popular Arizona destinations. Resource Guide: Moving Forward in Phoenix Find face mask and safety guidelines along with general visitor and business information, including guidance on meetings and events, to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic in Greater Phoenix. Rental Cars in Phoenix When classes are out – summer, winter, and spring break – downtown Tempe is a veritable ghost town. For a lower-key experience, check out the two- and three-star motels and extended-stay hotels near the intersection of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and Scottsdale Road. And these helpful resources can further reduce your out-of-pocket expenses while you’re in town – or, for a reasonable fee, dramatically simplify and improve the logistical challenges of sightseeing in an unfamiliar place. When the big names aren't in town, you can always plan a fun and affordable date night to see a tribute band or other local musicians. Scottsdale is huge. Tucked away in North Phoenix, Pioneer Living History Museum is a kid-friendly outdoor museum – a lovingly replicated, if slightly kitschy, replica of an Old West town. Don’t let the suburban vibe fool you though: Aside from Tempe, downtown Phoenix is the Valley’s best cultural destination. Before you leave, pay your respects at the somber National Firefighting Hall of Heroes. Cross-reference those ideas with the attractions and points of interest outlined in this guide to build a customized itinerary that calls your name. References to products, offers, and rates from third party sites often change. If you visit Tempe while classes are in session, expect longer wait times at local restaurants and bars, more crowds at cultural institutions, and more car and pedestrian traffic in and around Tempe. Museum. It’s the most cost-effective way to explore Phoenix’s central neighborhoods with an expert guide who’s spent years marinating in the area’s history and culture. Search Hotels. 14 Best Cash-Back Credit Cards – Reviews & Comparison, 9 Best Low APR Interest Credit Cards – Reviews & Comparison, 19 Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards – Reviews & Comparison, 15 Best Hotel Rewards Credit Cards – Reviews & Comparison, 12 Best Gas Credit Cards – Reviews & Comparison, 12 Best Credit Cards for College Students – Reviews & Comparison, 26 Best Small Business Credit Cards – Reviews & Comparison, 10 Best Secured Credit Cards to Rebuild Credit – Reviews & Comparison. A 3D theater experience is included in the price of admission. The center’s outdoor plaza clearly marks each terminal’s pick-up area, but it doesn’t hurt to check with the driver too. Papago Park is to Phoenix what Central Park is to New York City. I found three-star hotels, such as Hampton Inn, for less than $100 per night here during the summer. And don’t forget to check out Taliesin West while you’re up here. Formerly known as Canal Park, Evelyn Hallman Park is a small but well-used haven in central Tempe. Your Phoenix packing list should include: Here’s what you need to know about getting into and around the Phoenix region. His home base there was known as Taliesin West, and it’s a beauty. Come during monsoon season for a glimpse of the rare Sonoran Desert Toad, a hardy amphibian that hides out for most of the year. Much of the historical collection is sensitive and therefore not publicly displayed, but the rotating exhibits are a treat in and of themselves. Interested in learning more about the Valley’s rich history, good and bad? Phoenix is the United States’ fifth-largest city with a population of 1.5 million. Start with these attractions. Order a FREE guide to help you plan lodging, dining, and things to do on your next trip to Phoenix. Pogo Pass, which offers regional passes in other parts of the South and Southwest as well, is the lone legitimate player that I could find. Here’s what you need to know about navigating the Phoenix area. Goldfield Ghost Town is worth visiting too. Covering the Cost of Your Trip All this to say that the Valley is not an ideal summer destination, especially for those used to more temperate climes. Attractions like Phoenix Zoo, Castle N' Coasters, and Rawhide Western Town are fun for kids of all ages. But it’s well worth the visit. Many businesses are requiring face masks within their establishments as well. Phoenix’s main international airport is Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), a massive facility conveniently located a few miles from downtown Phoenix. You can see where street parking permits are required on Phoenix Transportation’s website. Most hotels allow this, though you may have to pay for garage parking in downtown Phoenix. On Southwest and other discount carriers, it’s easy to find one-ways from most major U.S. airports for well under $100. googletag.cmd.push(function() { After a safety briefing and training, gear up and ride across rugged, rocky trails in the scenic Bradshaw Mountains, as well as cross the Agua Fria River. LGBT Rights in USA. Pay close attention to posted warning signs and know what to do if you encounter a dangerous animal in the wild. ? One of the Valley’s first true Anglo estates, Wrigley Mansion is an early 20th-century relic that looks more California than Arizona. Phoenix Rising Tours is Phoenix’s hometown tour company. This simple step probably added an hour of useful time to my visit and significantly cut down on my mileage. Recent exhibits include an interactive, totally not scary celebration of cartoon monsters and an age-appropriate examination of historic comic book characters. This is a great place for a leisurely hike – just use caution during and after rainstorms, when the flood threat is very real (and very dangerous). Hours are usually dawn until dusk. For a half- or full-day adventure, escape into the nearby Prescott National Forest. Be warned that extreme heat does sometimes force the closure of heat-sensitive animals’ outdoor exhibits – plan accordingly on warm days. Dates. If you’re caught in a natural area during a thunderstorm, move out of low-lying areas and seek shelter (large rocks or caves work best) on higher ground. The best chocolate and candy in Phoenix can be found at See's Candies where you always get a free sample and friendly customer service. Perched high on a steep hillside not far from Prescott, tiny Jerome began life as a 19th-century mining boomtown, fell into steep decline during the early and mid-20th century, and then successfully reinvented itself as a quirky, artsy hamlet with a hard-edged survivalist sensibility. Visit Phoenix also has a comprehensive events calendar, a huge list of area hotels and resorts, a vast restaurant guide appropriate for every budget and taste, and valuable resources for trip planners. They’re perfect for serious hiking and overnight camping, weather and regulations permitting. This is by no means an exhaustive account of all possible areas to stay in the Valley of the Sun, nor does it include outlying communities known for upscale destination resorts. Note the early summer hours – since the museum is outdoors, management closes up shop before the worst of the heat sets in. Those not located in the heart of the Valley are within 30 minutes of downtown Phoenix. Average highs rise above 105 degrees in July, the hottest month, and dip below 70 degrees in December and January only. We offer a variety of classes, workshops and other events for both youth and adults of all skill levels (ages 5-55). The Cholla trailhead isn’t the world’s most accessible. It’s worth a visit, even if you’re staying elsewhere. If you find yourself wondering just what this gigantic swathe of urban sprawl is doing in the middle of a parched desert, this is a good place to start. Who needs a car when a ‘conveyor belt’ can transport you between Central Phoenix dining and drinks? If you’re bringing your own car to Phoenix, check ahead with your hotel to ensure that you can park freely on the grounds. On the other hand, the view from the top is outrageous. You can choose from trolley ($29 for non-Arizona residents), bike ($25), and walking tours ($35). 9 Best Bank Accounts for Kids Under 18 (Checking & Savings) – Rates for... 8 Investments to Protect Against a Post-COVID-19 Inflation Spike, 15 Best Stock Market Investment News, Analysis & Research Sites of 2021, 24 Most Affordable Cities to Live in for Renters - Find Cheap Housing, 22 College Towns That You Can Live in Forever, How to Spot an Up-and-Coming Neighborhood Before It's Popular, Best 39 Fun Things to Do & See in Tucson, Arizona – Activities & Attractions, 10 Best American Vacation Towns to Live in Year-Round, Sick at Work? The black-footed ferret breeding center is a kid favorite – before you visit, check the live cam to see what the inhabitants are up to. The main unit of the park is behind its namesake peak, so the main viewpoints all expose to the east, toward the Superstition Mountains. Home to a density of bars, lounges and clubs such as Bevvy, Scapegoat Beer and Wine, Wasted Grain, Hi Fi Kitchen & Cocktails, Beverly on Main, AZ/88, The Mint Ultra Lounge, ZuZu Lounge at Hotel Valley Ho and lots more. Nightly room rates are a bit higher downtown than elsewhere in the city, but you get what you pay for: walking-distance access to dozens of restaurants, multiple entertainment venues, and Chase Field (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks). From rocky hillsides hosting some of Arizona’s most extensive saguaro cactus forests to bottomland washes that turn into raging rivers – and then burst into bloom – after heavy rains, there’s no better place to see the Sonoran Desert as it once was. No matter when you visit, you can expect blazing – and, for the fair-skinned, sunburn-inducing – rays. During the five minutes it took me to snap photos at the trailhead, a light-colored Uber sedan rolled up and deposited two young women hikers – clearly out-of-towners – in what I can only imagine is a frequent occurrence. Sunny Tempe is a fun and welcoming destination in the heart of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Also known as “A” Mountain, for the 60-foot concrete “A” adorning its slopes, Hayden Butte is an ever-popular hiking and running destination for permanent Tempe residents and Arizona State University students alike. Getting to the center is easy – just head outside to the rental car shuttle pick-up area and hop on the first bus (after verifying with the driver that they’re heading to the center, of course). Practically speaking, the Phoenix network is separate from the Tempe and Mesa networks, as the most proximate Phoenix and Tempe hubs are nearly 10 miles apart. While many times people start with more basic features for their pool, a remodel for your Phoenix pool or spa can really bring new life to your facilities. One evening in late May, upon stepping out for a late dinner at 9pm, I clocked a 101-degree reading – just marginally down from a high of 106 degrees earlier in the day. Lookout Mountain’s central location within the Valley makes it a particularly popular destination for amateur photographers – on clear days, you can see much of the built-up area, not to mention several nearby mountain ranges. Desert Botanical Garden (also not air-conditioned, for the most part) is dedicated to the amazing – and amazingly resilient – desert flora that inhabit the planet’s hot deserts. Here, you’ll find hundreds of pieces of firefighting equipment, including engines and ladders, from the early 18th century through to the late 20th century. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they appear on category pages. Explore the Sonoran Desert Hikers, bikers and climbers in Greater Phoenix have come to the same conclusion as coyotes, roadrunners and … The Phoenix Coyotes, an NHL team, also play in Glendale. When you’ve run out of options to keep the kids occupied, and it’s too hot to do anything constructive outside, hit up the uber-kid-friendly i.d.e.a. If you’re staying nearby, make Eldorado Park the midpoint of your morning jog. Wear closed toed shoes and be prepared to be standing/walking for about 2 hours. I’ll talk plenty about climate and hot weather safety (especially in the desert wilderness) in the Logistical Considerations section below. South Mountain Park is the largest and wildest of Phoenix’s parks. The nature center here hosts periodic live animal events, including rattlesnake feedings. Located west of Phoenix proper, Glendale is an unassuming suburb whose main claim to fame is University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals NFL team (and host of Super Bowl XLIX, played in February 2015). Who can argue with that? Though larger rental car companies, such as Enterprise, have outposts scattered throughout the Valley of the Sun, the most popular rental car hub by far is Sky Harbor’s airy rental car center. For all visitor inquiries please contact us at, Resource Guide: Moving Forward in Phoenix, Guidelines for Site Visits in Greater Phoenix, Why Diverse and Inclusive Content Makes Meetings Better — For Everyone, Spacious, Inventive Meeting Spaces Are The Way Of The Future, Immersive Outdoor Venues Set The Stage For The Future of Meetings, Greener & Cleaner Meetings Have Arrived — And They're Here To Stay, Virtual & Hybrid Meetings: Bridging The Gap & Driving Connection, State-of-the-Art Stays in Downtown Phoenix. Lake Pleasant Regional Park is an unexpected find in the high desert north of Phoenix: a 24,000-acre protected area encompassing the 10,000-acre reservoir that provides much of the Valley’s potable water. Some homers say it’s even more impressive than the original. Don’t act on its recommendations without first checking other resources, such as travel review websites and discount booking portals. Reach him on Twitter, Why Your Taxes Could Go Up in Retirement and How to Prevent It, 6 Best Visa Credit Cards to Use at Costco, Grocery Delivery Services – How They Work, Cost & Benefits, 26 Best New Bank Account Promotions & Offers – March 2021, 18 Great Career Fields for the Future (Next 10 Years). Guests. Sprouting from the valley floor southeast of Chandler and Gilbert, San Tan Mountain has much better Valley of the Sun views – and, with maximum elevations below 2,800 feet, doesn’t ask quite so much of summer hikers. Combo admission costs $51.95, which isn’t much of a discount to full price. It’s also the gateway to one of North America’s most fascinating and least understood cultural corridors – at least, to outsiders. Don’t miss the cactus and succulent galleries – you might get a few cost-effective interior decorating ideas while there. Like McDowell Mountain, San Tan has an excellent, kid-friendly nature center. The majority of Phoenix visitors arrive by air or car: By Air The Valley doesn’t have many multi-attraction pass options – there’s no CityPASS or Smart Destinations card available here. A pool or spa can really add to the enjoyment of your property. Most non-Arizonans are surprised to learn that Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the United States, behind only New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston.It’s fair to ask how such a massive – and growing – settlement sprang up in a parched, sun-baked valley near the northern fringes of the Sonoran Desert.
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