ARIZONA: THE GRAND CANYON STATE
BY CLAY
LARROY
Traveling can
be an important part of your life, whether for business or for pleasure. Take
time each day to alleviate stress while traveling or
vacationing and you will thank yourself for it when you get back home. With all
the chaos, jet-lag, partying and other excitement of travel comes a whole lot of
stress on your mind and body. By the time most vacations are over, another one
is needed to recover so taking a few minutes each day to rejuvenate will make
it easier for you to resume your normal life when it's all over. When you want to
plan a vacation contact me!
PHOENIX “VALLEY OF THE SUN”
About
Phoenix
The heart of the Sonoran Desert is an unlikely place for the fifth
largest urban city in the US, but there sits Phoenix, a place bisected by
freeways and boasting four distinct quarters, each with a different character.
Not that a passing glance
would reveal it. At first glimpse, Phoenix looks like nothing so much as a
collection of faux-adobe homes interspersed with clumps of saguaro cacti.
Delve a little deeper
however and there's much to like about Phoenix, not least its
university-dominated Downtown. Here, you'll find a slew of interesting museums,
among them the excellent Heard Museum which charts the area's Native American
past, much of it dominated by the Navajo.
Then, there's the Phoenix
Art Museum, the largest in the south-western United States, which boasts a
permanent collection of contemporary classics as well as a roster of
ever-changing temporary exhibitions.
Downtown is also home to
the Arizona Cardinals, based at the vast University of Phoenix stadium, and the
equally popular Arizona Diamondbacks whose home is at the sprawling Maryvale
Baseball Park. Close by is the Desert Botanical Garden, which showcases a cross-section
of the local fauna, including yet more saguaro cacti.
Further natural beauty is
to be found in Scottsdale; a ritzy suburb that meanders along the bottom of the
beautiful Salt River Valley. Along with more than 200 golf clubs and resorts,
the area is also home to a network of hiking trails as well as some of the
city's most upmarket bars. Scottsdale is bordered by Tempe, another major hub
for drinkers that includes the buzzing Mill Avenue.
The final piece of the
puzzle is Mesa, a short drive from Downtown Phoenix and famous for its museums
and archaeological sites. The best-known of these is the Mesa Grande, a series
of structures built by the Hohokam people from whom the modern Navajo, among
others, are descended. It serves as a reminder, were one ever needed, that
Phoenix, although ultra-modern at first glance, has more historical depth than
most give it credit for.
Tours
& Excursions
Tourist Information Centers
Greater Phoenix Convention
and Visitors Bureau
Convention Center West Building
(across from the Hyatt Regency), 100 North Third Street
Phoenix
United States
Phoenix
United States
(602) 254 6500.
Biltmore Visitor Information
Center
Biltmore Fashion Park (between
Macy's and MAC), 2400 East Camelback Road
Phoenix
United States
Phoenix
United States
1 877 225 5749.
Scottsdale Convention and
Visitors Bureau
Galleria Corporate Center, 4343
North Scottsdale Road
Phoenix
United States
Phoenix
United States
1 800 782 1117.
Tours
Adventure tours
Voted one of America's
Top 100 Tours in National Geographic, Desert Storm Hummer Tours takes daring
visitors on a breathtaking ride through the Arizona desert lands, any time of
day or night. For a truly Wild West experience, Apache Trail Tours provides a
jeep ride into the mountains and an opportunity to experience panning for
gold.
1 866 374 8634 ; (480) 982 7661
Bus tours
For tours to popular
locations in and around Phoenix, bus tours are convenient and inexpensive
methods of travel. Full day tours from this location take visitors to see the
spectacular Skywalk over the Grand Canyon, or to spend a little money in the
casinos of Nevada. For sightseeing in the city itself, the local Gray Line
Arizona bus company offers tours to all the main attractions.
(800) 276 1528 ; (480) 962 6202.
Balloon tours
For the best way to see
the mountains and the views across the Sonoran Desert, a ride in a hot air
balloon is hard to beat. Travel early morning to enjoy a spectacular sunrise,
or choose an evening excursion and watch the sun disappear behind the distant
mountain range as you float along at a leisurely pace. Trips are weather
dependent, although thankfully the Arizona climate rarely disappoints. Weight
restrictions do apply.
(480) 502 6999 ; (480) 991 3666.
City Attractions in Phoenix
Arizona Science Center
Interactive displays and
engaging scientific experiments make this visitor attraction an ideal location
for an entertaining day out. Located in downtown Phoenix, this
state-of-the-art facility offers visitors the chance to experiment with light,
race their friends to the ceiling in pulley chairs or test their nerves by
lying on a bed of nails. When the excitement gets too much, the adjoining IMAX
cinema offers the latest films in spectacular 3D, while the ultra modern
Dorrance Planetarium encourages visitors to sit back and enjoy a range of animated
journeys into space.
Telephone (602) 257 1222.
Website http://www.phxart.org
Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical
Garden is a striking oasis in the vast Sonoran Desert. It is home to a
plethora of cacti and other exotic plants, all arranged around winding trails
and static horticultural displays. Throughout the year, visitors are invited
to join the gardens in celebrating a variety of unique festivals, from the Dia
de los Muertos celebration (Day of the Dead), to Las Noches de Las Luminarias
(Night of the Candles) which sees the endless desert trails lit by thousands
of flickering flames. The garden has a strong focus on conservation and
education, but extends its displays to evening music events and even private
wedding parties.
Telephone (480) 941 1225.
Website http://www.dbg.org
Grayhawk Golf Club
A golf club may not be a
typical sightseeing location for holidaymakers, but when that golf club is
home to more PGA events and world tours than you could shake a five iron at,
and regularly features in the USA's top ten golfing locations, then visitors
to Phoenix might just think again. The Grayhawk Golf Club is a favourite
location of world class golfers who are spoilt for choice between the Talon and
Raptor courses, and aside from the stunning views of the McDowall Mountains,
visitors are treated to the culinary delights of the Quill Creek Cafe and the
relaxing ambience of Phil's Grill.
Telephone (480) 502 1800
Website http://www.grayhawkgolf.com
Heard Museum
Located in the heart of
Phoenix, this cultural favourite houses an impressive collection of Native
American art and artefacts that depict how ancient traditions have inspired
modern developments in art and technology. Visitors can take a break from
wandering through the ten exhibition galleries to enjoy a southwest-inspired
meal in the Courtyard cafe. The menu changes with the seasons, but there will
still be plenty of corn or fried greens throughout the year. Round off a tour
here with a visit to the museum's shop which is home to the Berlin Gallery, a
renowned retail outlet for contemporary Native American artwork.
Telephone (602) 252 8848.
Website http://www.heard.org
Phoenix Art Museum
Located on North Central
Avenue, the Phoenix Art Museum houses an inspiring collection of artistic
talent in a wide range of media. Frequently changing exhibitions showcase
everything from contemporary art, to photography and fashion. Visitors can
take advantage of a unique opportunity to watch feature films in the museum's
own cinema or enjoy interactive discussions and debates with guest speakers.
The museum's main anthology boasts a vast number of pieces ranging from Asian
art to Modern European collected works.
Telephone (602) 257 1222.
Website http://www.phxart.org
Phoenix Zoo
Over 1300 animals call
the Phoenix Zoo home, including 200 species that are considered to be
endangered. Visitors can learn about the zoo's participation in survival plans
for 37 species which are facing extinction, as well as enjoy the less serious
events hosted throughout the year. Daily activities include camel rides, trips
on a safari train, and the recent edition of a Koala exhibit gives visitors
the chance to get up close and personal with these cuddly creatures. A range
of restaurants serve everything from pizzas to Mexican food, and coffee shop
is the perfect watering hole for humans.
Telephone (602) 273 1341
Website http://www.phoenixzoo.org
Pueblo Grande Museum and
Archaeological Park
These preserved ruins of
a 1500 year-old native American Indian Hohokam village have been transformed
into an interactive museum excavated ball court, recreated housing and
reproduced canal structures, all of which are located along the length of an
outdoor trail. Three purpose-built galleries feature educational displays, and
a nearby theatre showcases an informative video, designed to provide visitors
with an overview of the site. Regular special events and demonstrations are
staged throughout the year, and the indoor displays are child friendly.
Telephone (602) 495 5645.
Website http://www.pueblogrande.com
Taliesin West
This dramatic building
was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the celebrated American architect and
designer, as his winter home. Today, an invitation is extended to the public
to enjoy guided tours of this stunning personal residence. Taliesin West is
run by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and also operates as a school of
architecture. Tours are tailored to suit individual preferences and vary in
length.
Telephone (480) 860 2700.
Website http://www.franklloydwright.org
REFERENCE SITES:
You
know you live in Phoenix when the four seasons are: tolerable, hot, really
hot, and are you freakin' kidding me!
~Author
unknown
