Stunning Scenery and Endless Sunshine

As seen in the winter 2016 Ideal-LIVING magazine by N. Gross

Floating above Phoenix in a hot air balloon, you’ll experience the spectacular beauty of the colorful Sonoran Desert, and the rugged mountains that define the city’s horizon. Known as The Valley of the Sun, the scenic desert landscape features giant saguaro cacti, red rocks, and hillsides carpeted with blooming wildflowers in the spring.

Sunny Days, Warm Winters

Along with its stunning scenery, Phoenix is known for its warm, sunny days, and cool nights, which make it the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy gorgeous golf courses and beautiful mountain trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Boating, fishing, swimming, and water skiing are available in the cool, refreshing lakes within a 40-mile drive from Phoenix.

Outdoor adventure is celebrated in Phoenix’s legendary parks. At over 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park and Preserve is one of the country’s largest municipal parks and boasts more than 51 miles of trails.

Outdoor Fun at Papago Park

Located only 10 minutes from downtown Phoenix, Papago Park features unique, massive sandstone buttes and an extensive trail network for hiking. The smooth, easy treks make it a great place for a family hike or bike ride. Hike to the Hole-In-The-Rock for views of downtown Phoenix, or catch catfish and trout at the Fishing Lagoon.

Papago Park is also home to two world-class attractions: the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden. The Phoenix Zoo is home to more than 1,400 animals, including 30 species that are endangered or threatened. The Zoo’s exciting exhibits include Monkey Village, Stingray Bay and Giraffe Encounter. And don’t miss the camel rides!

The Desert Botanical Garden offers 140 acres of the world’s finest collection of arid plants from deserts around the world. Five unique trails illustrate the themes of conservation, desert living, desert wildflowers and plants, and people of the Sonoran Desert.

 World-Class Golf in the Desert

The dazzling beauty of the desert, coupled with its warm year-round climate, makes Phoenix a prime destination for golfers. The Phoenix area is home to more than 200 magnificent golf courses.

The Boulders Golf Club offers two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Jay Morrish. These demanding courses feature breathtaking panoramas of rugged desert beauty.

Troon North Golf Club has two courses designed by Tom Weiskopf. These courses slope through natural ravines by Pinnacle Peak in north Scottsdale and offer a picturesque desert landscape.

Ranked one of the top desert courses in the country, Desert Highlands was designed by Jack Nicklaus. At this remarkable course, Pinnacle Peak looms just overhead and the lights of the Valley spread across the horizon.

At TPC Scottsdale you can try your hand at the professional Stadium Course designed by Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf for the legendary Phoenix Open.

Unique Museums and Arts District

The Phoenix area abounds with fascinating museums and cultural attractions, including the Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights. Known as the “Wedding Cake House,” you can tour this historic landmark built in 1930, as well as the surrounding Cactus Gardens.

Frank Lloyd Wright admirers won’t want to miss Wright’s Taliesin West, a National Historic Landmark. Built in 1937, Wright’s architectural wonder is built out of stone and sand in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains.

The acclaimed Heard Museum is one of the best places to experience the myriad cultures and art of American Indians of the Southwest. The museum’s exhibition galleries and outdoor courtyards feature outstanding traditional and contemporary American Indian art.

The Phoenix Art Museum has hosted more than 400 national and
international exhibitions. The museum’s collection includes 17,000 objects of American, Asian, European, Western American, and contemporary art.

Phoenix also has a thriving downtown arts district, the Roosevelt Row Arts District (RoRo). Stroll through this unique area and enjoy impressive murals, award-winning galleries, and incredible restaurants and boutiques.

Heritage Square and Science Park is a vital piece of the cultural landscape in downtown Phoenix. Heritage Square’s restored historic buildings are a beautiful reminder of the city’s vibrant Victorian past. The Square’s Rosson House Museum is a fully restored 1895 Queen Anne Victorian house that offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of early Phoenix families.

The world-class Arizona Science Center intrigues visitors with its four levels of exciting hands-on exhibits, state-of-the-art planetarium, and a five-story-high IMAX® theater.

The Challenger Space Center features hundreds of artifacts and exhibits from America’s past NASA launches and space missions. Aboard the center’s simulated International Space Station, you can play the roles of mission control specialists and astronauts.

Vibrant Performing Arts Scene

The performing arts also thrive in Phoenix. The Herberger Theater Center is home to two resident companies: Arizona Theatre Company and Center Dance Ensemble. The historic 1929 Orpheum Theatre offers off-Broadway hits and shows by nationally-known performers.

In the elegant Symphony Hall, you’ll enjoy The Phoenix Symphony, which performs more than 200 concerts each year. Also performing at Symphony Hall, the Arizona Opera produces fully-staged operas, and concerts, and the innovative Ballet Arizona creates and performs outstanding classical and contemporary ballet.

Green Phoenix Boasts Metro Light Rail

One of the city’s best features is the convenience of using The Valley Metro Light Rail. Take the Metro to places such as the Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Science Center, Chase Field (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks), Talking Stick Resort Arena (home of the Phoenix Suns), and Arizona State University.

Valley Metro provides environmentally-responsible public transportation, which is consistent with the goals of SustainPHX. This comprehensive city program strives to educate and empower residents to create a healthy community that protects and preserves the environment.

Phoenix truly is an ideal destination, with its warm year-round climate, striking desert landscape surrounded by mountains and plentiful golf, entertainment, and culture. Explore this sunny, Southwestern metropolis and discover its beauty and diversity.

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