Phoenix, AZ Hotels

Phoenix Rundown

If you don't mind the scorching heat and arid climate of Phoenix, Arizona, you will find a lot of interesting things to see and do while you visit this large desert city.

It is so packed with museums, nature sites and entertainment venues that even long-time residents haven't seen everything that Phoenix has to offer. Phoenix, AZ, has a large sports scene with teams in every major-league sport. Venues such as the Cardinals Stadiumand the Arizona Diamondbacks Stadium offer games featuring the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Coyotes and Phoenix Mercury, to name a few.

Those who enjoy cultural entertainment will want to visit the finer venues in Phoenix, AZ. The Phoenix Symphony gives classical pop-style performances during their 25-week season. If you are a fan of Mozart, Puccini or Verdi, you will want to catch the Arizona Opera, which produces five major operas during their seasonal run. For a variety of theatrical performances, you can head to downtown Phoenix, AZ, where the Arizona Theatre Company offers professional stage performances to suit any drama enthusiast's tastes.

Phoenix, AZ Top 10

Phoenix History

• Historic Heritage Square – Travel back in time to the days of creaking stagecoaches and thundering hooves.
• Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park – An archaeological site that explores and interprets the Hohokan civilization.
• Mystery Castle – This 18-room castle is a mix of a Mexican hacienda, a sand castle and a Native American cliff dwelling.
• Wrigley Mansion – One of the main landmarks, built by William Wrigley Jr., the chewing gum king.
• St Mary’s Basilica – Founded in 1881, the oldest and most beautiful Catholic church in Arizona.

Phoenix Art & Culture

• Heard Museum – Celebrates the culture and art of the American Indians with an incredible collection of Hopi Kachina dolls.
• Phoenix Symphony – The city’s orchestra plays classical and pop music.
• Mesa Arts Center – Home to modern art exhibits and studios that includes the Mesa Symphony Orchestra and Southwest Shakespeare Company.
• Phoenix Art Museum – Home to more than 16,000 pieces of art with a focus on modern and contemporary pieces.
• Phoenix Film Festival – This festival is held in Phoenix each year in April.

Phoenix Shopping

• Biltmore Fashion Park – Found within a lovely outdoors park area with lush landscape, walkways and more than 70 upscale shops.
• Desert Ridge Marketplace – A walking village atmosphere in Phoenix.
• Kierland Commons – High-end development with lovely landscaping, a central plaza, a fountain, shops and restaurants.
• Paradise Valley Mall – The place for passionate shoppers.
• Desert Sky Mall – Offers a multicultural experience with lots of variety in an enjoyable environment.

Gay & Lesbian Phoenix

• Apollo’s – A great place to hang out and enjoy the karaoke music.
• Amsterdam/Miami – A swanky place to sit back and enjoy.
• Charlie’s – Offers a western theme with country and western and techno music.
• BS West – A friendly spot in Phoenix with great dancing and karaoke nights.
• Homme – Housed in a turn-of-the-century building with rocking DJs, a great dance floor and ample space.

Phoenix, AZ Events

Ford Ironman Arizona is inspired by the famous Iron Man triathlon in Hawaii, and it takes place in Phoenix, AZ.

The Fiesta Bowl takes placeevery January in Phoenix, AZ. This is one of the four major college football bowls in the U.S.

Arizona Matsuri is a spring festival that celebrates Japanese culture. It takes place in the downtown area of Phoenix, AZ. Martial arts and bonsai demonstrations, drumming performances, fashion shows, and ‘cosplay’ opportunities abound at this Asian extravaganza.

Phoenix Film Festival is a popular low-budget independent film venue in Phoenix, AZ, that kicks off every year in April.

As the name suggests, the First Fridays Artwalk takes place on the first Friday of each month in Phoenix, AZ. A large number of local galleries, shops and other establishments offer free art viewing and samples to the public.

Independence Day Celebrations kick off all overPhoenix, AZ, on the Fourth of July, featuring free concerts, festivities and fireworks for everyone. It is a great time for your whole family.

NASCAR draws an enormous crowd every April in Phoenix, AZ, at the Phoenix International Raceway.

During MLB Spring Training, nine major-league teams travel to Phoenix, AZ, to train during the months of February and March. The public can watch exhibition matches during this period.

Fountain Hills Great Fair is a big deal in Phoenix, AZ, attracting hundreds of thousands of guests interested in the arts and crafts offered by skilled artists from all over the globe.

FBR Phoenix Open is a professional golf tournament held in February that has brought golf celebrities such as Tiger Woods to Phoenix, AZ, in the past.

When To Go

Phoenix, AZ, is a desert area, so it is no surprise that it stays either warm or hot year-round and rarely rains. The summer season starts in May and ends in September, and can bring very high temperatures.

The average summer temperatures can rise to as much as 107°F (42°C) with lows at night in the upper 60sF (18-19°C). Winter temperatures are comfortable with highs in the 70s F (21-22°C) and lows around the low to mid 40s F (6-7 °C).

There is very little rain in Phoenix, AZ.

Getting There

Travellers who drive to Phoenix AZ, can take I-10 if they come from the south or west, and those coming from the north will arrive via I-17. If you enter Phoenix from the east you will likely take US 60, and AZ 87 will be the main route for southern travellers.

Most US, British, and Canadian airlines offer service to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and there are transit buses that offer transportation from the airport into town.

Many trains and buses provide transportation in Phoenix, AZ, as well. The Amtrak trains stop at Flagstaff or Maricopa, and passengers must take a bus to get to their final destinations from these stations.

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