A combination of glorious year-round weather, spectacular scenery, top-notch hotels, world-class restaurants and abundant shopping makes Phoenix a popular resort destination. Play a round of golf on championship courses, pamper yourself at a five-star spa or perfect your tan by the pool.
The Metroplex's business hub is also home to the Desert Botanical Garden as well as the Arizona Center shopping and entertainment complex. The city's numerous museums include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Museum of History and the Doll and Toy Museum. For visitors interested in outdoor pursuits, the area offers easy access to Camelback Mountain, North Mountain and Squaw Peak parks.
This artsy town offers an eclectic blend of shops and restaurants. Downtown Scottsdale is best known for its abundant art galleries and historic sites; Old Town's the place to find everything from sushi to sapphires. North Scottsdale, an upscale resort area rich in restaurants and boutiques, is home to the PGA Player's Course and architect Frank Lloyd Wright's famed Taliesin West.
This area southeast of Phoenix is a sports-lovers' paradise. You can hit the links at more than 30 golf courses within the city limits, or catch a college or pro ballgame. Arizona State University's Sun Devils and the NFL Phoenix Cardinals play home games here, and the city hosts baseball spring training camps. Not sporty? You can shop at Arizona Mills outlets, then sample local ethnic eateries.
Arizona's third-largest city is more than just a Phoenix suburb. Mesa boasts numerous museums -- including the Mesa Southwest Museum and Commemorative Air Force Museum -- and more than 50 parks. Step back in time: Take a ride on a paddleboat, browse local antique shops or tour a pair of Old West towns. After-dark options include nightclubs plus symphony, live theater and ballet performances.
Visitors flock to the Phoenix area from January through April, so expect higher rates and larger crowds. June through September bring hot weather and lower prices on just about everything. Room rates and temperatures are moderate from October through December, and in May. Baseball teams and their fans reserve large blocks of rooms each March during Cactus League spring training.