Phoenix, the largest city in the southwest of Arizona , is surrounded by the vast Sonoran Desert. The landscape and the climate invite you to outdoor activities and excursions that range from rugged adventure to lofting in hot-air balloons to bus tours. The eternally warm weather makes booking a flight to Phoenix an easy choice for holidaymakers from the UK.
The name of the city, Phoenix, acknowledges its rise from the ashes of the long-vanished Hohokam peoples, who had developed an elaborate and complex irrigation network. The ancient Indian village is now a major metropolitan area and, when combined with neighbouring towns, the nation’s third-largest silicon valley.
While booking flights to Phoenix and organising the trip, adventurous travellers should also add a few side trips to their itinerary. One trip that can’t be missed is a few days exploring the Apache Trail. Just an hour’s drive east of Phoenix this winding gravel road is dotted with some interesting attractions including the Lost Dutchman State Park, the Goldfield Mining Town (a ghost town) and Canyon Lake which is perfect for camping and picnicking.
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Phoenix averages 300 days of sun and 18cm (seven inches) of precipitation annually.Summer in Phoenix is May to September. In June and July the average temperature is just under 40 degrees Celsius, and the temperature exceeds 37 almost daily. July is the hottest month, with average temperatures more than 40. The heat drops off in October, and the nights are cool. It rarely rains, but when it does, expect thunderstorms, flash floods, and then a spectacular show from the desert flora.Winter, September to May, is the best, sunny and warm. The winter temperatures rarely drop below 18, and it’s usually warm enough to lounge at the pool during the day and cool enough to wear a jacket at night.
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Peak Season:
The high-travel season for flights to Phoenix is November through April. Rates for hotels and airfare are always higher during those months.
Off Season:
True bargain hunters can get deals on flights to Phoenix during the summer, but the city comes to a cultural standstill during the searing heat.
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Phoenix, along with the surrounding towns, covers more than 400 square miles, so having a car for transport is best. Free parking is available outside of downtown Phoenix, although finding a parking space can take some time in Old Scottsdale and the more popular malls. Good car-rental rates are available, but when checking rates, make sure they include taxes and surcharges — these charges now run 50 per cent or more of the rental fees at Sky Harbor Airport.
The Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) provides free bus service within the downtown area Monday through Friday from 6.30am to 5.30pm. Although primarily for downtown workers, these buses do go by the Arizona Capitol Museum and Heritage Square.
The Phoenix public bus system, Valley Metro, is set up for commuters and generally isn't all that useful for tourists.
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- The Pueblo Grande Museum is located at the ruins of a 1,500 year-old Hohokam village. You can explore the ruin of a platform mound possibly used by the Hohokam for ceremonies, an excavated ballcourt, full-scale reproductions of Hohokam homes, and some of the last remaining intact Hohokam irrigation canals. The Phoenix Museum of History showcases the city’s growth from a dusty desert town to a modern metropolis.
- Heritage Square is the section of downtown Phoenix where Victorian homes have been preserved and are now used as shops and museums. Two highlights of the square are the stick-Eastlake Rosson House built in 1895 (guided tours are available) and the Arizona Doll and Toy Museum in the bungalow of the Stevens House.
- Phoenicians love their professional sports and March is a great time to see them in action — the Suns, the Coyotes, ASU basketball and baseball, and the Safeway International LPGA Tournament. And, of course, many major-league baseball teams know that it just doesn’t get better than March in Phoenix for spring training.
- The red rocks of Sedona are an awe-inspiring sight. There are trails for exploring the canyon (you might even see javelinas), eclectic shops and galleries, and always the spectacular scenery. Sedona is about two hours from Phoenix.
- The Tempe Festival of the Arts is a nationally acclaimed, three-day street fair. Artists from across the country are selected to participate in the festival and a jury selects the top artisans in each category and the best overall artist. There is also street and stage performing artists and homemade food and products. The festival is held twice a year, in December and March/April.
- Visit Jerome, a former copper-mining town and now a community of about 450, mostly artists, craft people, musicians, writers, hermits, bed and breakfast owners, museum caretakers, and shop proprietors. The drive up to this mile-high city is alone worth the trip. Jerome is located in the heart of northern Arizona, about 90 miles from Phoenix.
- In Scottsdale take a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home, Taliesin West, now an architecture school and working design studio. Set on 600 acres, the building complex includes residential spaces, theatres, a shop, and an architectural studio and drafting room. The buildings are an experience in unusual and organic forms and time.
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