One of the world’s top golf destinations, Phoenix is a veritable oasis of verdant greens, deluxe spas, and lush resorts in the midst of sun-baked Arizona.  The city’s dry, warm climate has made it one of the most popular places in the United States to retire, though visitors of every age and interest will find there’s a lot more to do here than sit by the pool.  From rock climbing, horse-back riding and hot-air ballooning to Broadway shows, and world class dining, Phoenix has all the conveniences of a modern metropolis set against the dramatic backdrop of the Sonoran desert.   With a population of over 3 million people spread over a vast, 2,000 square mile area, the Phoenix landscape can seem daunting at first.  Central Heritage Square, with its quaint collection of nineteenth-century Victorians, is probably the best place to start exploring.

Book travel More search options From To Roundtrip One-way Departing Any timeEarly morningMorningAfternoonLate afternoonEvening12:00 AM1:00 AM2:00 AM3:00 AM4:00 AM5:00 AM6:00 AM7:00 AM8:00 AM9:00 AM10:00 AM11:00 AM12:00 PM1:00 PM2:00 PM3:00 PM4:00 PM5:00 PM6:00 PM7:00 PM8:00 PM9:00 PM10:00 PM11:00 PM Returning Any timeEarly morningMorningAfternoonLate afternoonEvening12:00 AM1:00 AM2:00 AM3:00 AM4:00 AM5:00 AM6:00 AM7:00 AM8:00 AM9:00 AM10:00 AM11:00 AM12:00 PM1:00 PM2:00 PM3:00 PM4:00 PM5:00 PM6:00 PM7:00 PM8:00 PM9:00 PM10:00 PM11:00 PM Search by Schedule Price Service class Economy (lowest)Economy (refundable) Business (lowest)Business (refundable) First (lowest)First (refundable) Electronic certificate or promotion code More info Adult 123456789

The nearby Phoenix Museum of History gives a glimpse into the city’s origins, and the copper dome of the 1901 Arizona State Capitol building stands out in the sunlight year round.  The city enjoys about 300 days of sunshine every year.

About a mile north, the Phoenix Art Museum is notable for its important collections of Western American and Latin Art, while the Heard Museum contains nearly 40,000 works of cultural and fine art from the Native Americans of the Southwest.  Other notable Phoenix sights include the Pueblo Grande Museum, which showcases the 1,500 year-old ruins of a Hohokam village, and the Tovrea Castle and Carraro Cactus Garden, a whimsical, 1928 dream home surrounded by a diverse collection of dessert plants.  The Wrigley Mansion, with its Spanish, Califonia Monterey, and Mediterranean influences, boasts sweeping views of the mountains and the city, while St. Mary’s Basilica, with its southwestern, French, and Spanish influences, is the oldest Catholic church in the city. 

For a unique glimpse into the richness and diversity of the ecosystem of the Sonoran Desert dominating the Phoenix landscape, head to either the North or South Mountain Environmental Education Center.  A series of beginners’ trails makes parts of the environment accessible to everyone, and rangers can assist advanced hikers with plans for longer excursions in the challenging desert terrain.  There’s no better way to cool off afterwards than tubing down the Salt River.

Phoenix is also the perfect base for exploring other popular getaway destinations in Arizona such as Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Sedona, and Tempe.