Phoenix

Phoenix is in Arizona in the south of the USA and is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States with thriving businesses and a growing tourist industry. The city offers visitors everything in the way of leisure, sports, dining, nightlife, arts and culture. The sunny climate makes outdoor activities extremely popular in the area, with many of the attractions in Phoenix based outdoors.

Attractions

Phoenix is one of the closest cities to the Grand Canyon, which draws in thousands of visitors each year. The canyon was created over millions of years by the Colorado River. It is about 446km long and varies in width from 0.4km to 24km. You can take organised hikes and guided tours around the Grand Canyon. A new tourist attraction under development is a glass walkway that extends 70 feet into the canyon, 4000 feet from the canyon floor.

Other exciting attractions of Phoenix include Castles N’ Coasters, located on Metro Parkway. This is a theme park where you can enjoy vertical drops, spins, flips and loops. The Cracker Jack Family Fun and Sports Park is also an excellent place to go to for thrill and excitement. The park is located on North Scottsdale Road and has a driving range, go-carts, bumper boats, an arcade and much more.

You can also experience nature at its finest in the Phoenix Zoo. The zoo has 5 trails where you can see over 1,300 animals. The Out of Africa Wildlife Park is also worth checking out. Here you can watch big cats and other animals behaving how they would in the wild. One of the parks major attractions is the Tiger Splash. In this show you get to watch tigers chase the staff into giant pools of water, demonstrating their primal hunting behaviour.

One of the most fascinating attractions in Phoenix is Mystery Castle, located on Mineral Road. The story of how it was created is very intriguing. A man named Gulley left his home for a doctor’s appointment in 1927. He never came home; he had been diagnosed with tuberculosis and vanished until 3 years later, when he showed up in the hill country south of Phoenix. He spent the remaining 15 years of his life building the stunning castle we can see today. After Gulley died in 1945, a lawyer contacted his widow and grown daughter to inform them that Gulley had built the once 4-year-old daughter the castle he had promised. Today his daughter, Mary Lou Gulley, conducts tours of the castle.

You can also visit the Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum, where an area of 19th century Phoenix still remains. Tours are offered through the 95 acres of historic buildings, visitors can see the old opera house, many old shops, the sheriff’s office and jail.

More than a hundred artists display their work at the annual fine art show on Scottsdale Road. This celebration of fine art is held at the beginning of each year, it lasts for about 3 months and displays collections from the top and upcoming artists in the region.

Shopping

Phoenix has much to offer in the way of nightlife, from pubs and piano bars to dance clubs and theatre performances. Country-western music is very popular in the city, and many places host live music. There is a large gay and lesbian community here as well, and this is catered for with over 25 gay and lesbian clubs on Seventh Avenue and Camelback Road. Phoenix also has the Valley’s greatest number of performance halls, including the Herberger Theatre Centre and the Symphony Hall, located on Adam’s Street. You are bound to find something to your liking in the way of nightlife in Phoenix, with a huge variety of nightclubs, comedy stores, pubs, bars, and theatres.

Nightlife and Eating Out

Phoenix has an outstanding dining scene to cater for the huge number of locals and visitors in the region each year. Restaurants are abundant and serve cuisine from all over the world. You can find everything from American steakhouses to Asian restaurants. Indulge in the culinary delights of Thai, Chinese, Indian, Persian, Vietnamese, Italian, Mexican and many more. Many restaurants in Phoenix often have outside seating, allowing you to enjoy a meal under the clear skies of the city.

Tourist Information

• Tourist Bureau, 400 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ
• Telephone: +1 602 254 6500
• Website: www.arizonaguide.com

Airport

Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport provides flights to and from 89 cities around the world. Including major cities in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. It is a large airport with over 1,400 arrivals and departures each day. The airport is located in the middle of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area and is easily accessible from the city.