Cities

Phoenix

The fifth-largest city in the U.S. boasts big sports, big attractions and big entertainment.

Throughout Phoenix, visitors enjoy clear blue skies no matter what they do. Many shopping destinations are connected by courtyards that invite guests to linger outdoors. The area’s hiking trails and golf courses encourage visitors to soak in the scenery. Many visitors are content with resort pools being the primary outdoor destinations during their vacations. But sunny days just scratch the surface of things to do in Phoenix.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Outdoor adventures are never far away from downtown Phoenix. Urban summit hikes at Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak are grinding natural stair steppers best tackled by experience hikers. Other summits in Phoenix Mountains Preserve have the same inspiring metro views but without the steep elevation gains. Short drives away, the McDowell Mountains, Superstition Mountains and South Mountain Park & Preserve offer hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails that stay busy year-round (but only in the mornings during the hot months). Visitors can also find water activities on the Salt River and refreshing lakes surrounding the metro area. For outdoor adventures more buttoned-up, the metro area has more than 100 golf courses open year-round, many at destination resorts in Phoenix.

Game Day

Visitors hop on the Valley Metro to head downtown for professional sports action. The light rail stops right outside Chase Field, home of the MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks and just a few steps away from Footprint Center, the home of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and the IFL’s Arizona Rattlers. On game days, downtown Phoenix swells with sports fans who overflow into restaurants and bars near the stadiums. Head to neighboring Glendale to see the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals play at State Farm Stadium. Half the MLB teams spend March getting in form at excellent stadiums that amp up the fan experience during Spring Training in Phoenix.

Grab a Bite

Some of the country's most innovative restaurateurs hone their culinary creations and prowess in Arizona's capital. The best-known restaurants in Phoenix have racked up regular plaudits from national newspapers and magazines and nominations from the James Beard Foundation. Check out some of Phoenix's best tourist favorite eateries or take in the outdoors with these best restaurants with patios.

Creative Hub

Downtown Phoenix hosts concerts year-round at stadiums and intimate music venues that showcase national headliners. Symphony Hall is home base for two of the city’s top cultural draws — the Phoenix Symphony and Arizona Opera. Visitors can also experience top shows at the Herberger Theater Center and Orpheum Theatre downtown and Phoenix Theater in midtown. Walking between restaurants and venues downtown is a creative experience of its own, with large-scale murals and mid-century architecture on view in all directions.

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