Phoenix Travel Guide

If you’re planning a vacation to Phoenix, make no mistakes that you will be sweating over it, or more appropriately, during it.  Phoenix is the largest city in the southwest United States, yet the greatest draw for tourists remains the land surrounding it; an expansive stretch of untamed desert.  Also the state capital, Phoenix is just as modern as any other American metropolis, whose brisk economy and regional Native American influences make for a grand offering of old meets new.  In Greater Phoenix, you’ll find everything from world-class resorts and fine dining to exhilarating adventure, breath-taking golf courses, trendy shopping, modern nightlife and enriching culture.

As you have been previously informed, you’re going to break a sweat in Phoenix.  It’s really not a matter of if, but when and how much.  Mid-summer temperatures in June to August hover right at 100°F, with many days well above that number.  Afternoon thunderstorms and flash flooding occur during this time as well, and being caught in a downpour, albeit a brief one, is not at all uncommon.  By December the weather has cooled down significantly and holds fairly steady until April, at which point the heat returns with a vengeance.   During these cooler months, Phoenix sees little if any rain across long stretches of time.

Aside from the standard national motel chains and local budget accommodations in the Phoenix area, a large number of resorts are concentrated throughout Phoenix and the outlying areas.  The Arizona Grand Resort is one of the more highly sought after, whose family friendly environment features such “all-inclusive” amenities as a championship golf course, luxury spa, vacation villas, dining at six restaurants, and The Oasis Water Park.  Companies like Phoenix Vacation Homes offer condo and golf course adjacent rental homes with all the comforts, including 52” big screens, granite tops, and prime location near the heart of the city.

No matter what time of year you plan your Phoenix vacation, you’ll find that there is no shortage of things to see and do.  Phoenix is an up and coming hub for science and technology industries, something greatly supported by its broad selection of science and natural museums.  The Arizona Science center is located here, and the world famous Heard Museum celebrates the Native American culture and arts, especially those of Arizona and New Mexico.  As it would be near impossible to take a Phoenix vacation without dedicating quality time to the outdoors, this is the largest sector of the Phoenix tourism economy.  You can spend the day horseback riding, or take an adventurous night vision tour of the Sonoran desert in a Hummer.  In Phoenix, the opportunities are limitless, as are the agencies that offer them.  Sporting events also take center stage when it comes to any one of the city’s three major sports teams, The Diamondbacks (baseball), Cardinals (football), and Suns (basketball). 

Given the high degree of suburban sprawl in Phoenix, getting anywhere on foot is practically impossible (especially in the hot summer).  This and the limited options for public transportation mean that using a car will be a necessity in Phoenix, unless of course you plan to stay downtown or in a single location elsewhere.  Roads in Phoenix are generally easy to navigate, as a grid system has been employed to number the roads based on their distance from the city center.  Nearly all streets run with the compass directions, and there’s a major thoroughfare almost every mile in each direction.   If you’re feeling brave, Valley Metro operates weekday buses across the valley as well as a few routes on Saturday.   Just make sure you pay attention to the schedules, as most stop operating in the early evening.