Once a small farming town, Phoenix is now a thriving metropolis of over 1.3 million. Phoenix offers visitors world-class shopping and opportunities to see and enjoy many fascinating attractions. And with 325 days of sunshine annually, you'll find no shortage of outdoor activities. South Mountain Park stretches 16,500 acres and offers hikers a great view of the valley. Squaw Peak Park and Camelback are also both very popular hiking areas. Golfers enjoy teeing it up at 200 picturesque golf courses, and sports buffs enjoy watching any one of the professional sports teams that call the Phoenix metro area home.
Things to do in Phoenix
Arizona Diamondbacks - MLB
Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum
Crystals, precious gems, copper minerals, fossils and genuine rocks from the moon are featured, plus an exhibit about cave formation. Call 602-255-3795, E for more information.
Arizona Rattlers - AFL
Arizona Science Center
The Arizona Science Center offers hands-on, eye-opening fun with more than 300 interactive exhibits, a state-of-the-art planetarium, five-story giant-screen theater, live demonstrations, and traveling exhibition. It's a fun-filled learning experience for all ages. Call 602-716-2000 for more information.
Arizona State Capitol Museum Phoenix AZ
If your ever downtown, don't miss a visit to the birthplace of Arizona Statehood. This restored capitol building dating back to 1899 offers tours of period offices, House and Senate Chambers, offices of the Governor and Secretary of State. Gift shop. Best Western Phoenix lodging is nearby. Call 602-542-4581 for more information.
Arizona Sting - Lacrosse
Catlin Court
This area is a shopper's delight, full of Antique Shops, Boutiques, galleries and Restaurants housed in century old homes and buildings, many beautifully accented by front porches and picket fences. Catlin Court is listed on the National Register of Historic places.
Cerreta Candy Company
For more than 70 years, the Cerreta family has prepared their candy the old fashioned way-by hand. Only the finest chocolates, nuts and ingredients are used to produce candy made famous around the world. The Cerreta family offers free factory tours and sampling is encouraged. Call 623-930-1000 for more information.
Desert Botanical Gardens
Living museum featuring 20,000 desert-adapted plants on 145 acres. Tours, workshops, interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and demonstrations held daily on five thematic trails. Call 480-941-1225 for more information.
Duncan / Sunfresh Farms
Sunfresh Farms produces a variety of vegetables and fruit for the wholesale market, including approximately 400 acres of certified organic crops. The farm offers a variety of agri-tourism activities for the family, including 15 acres of organic u-pick gardens, a petting zoo and farm play yard, country bakery and market, seasonal festivals, company parties, and more. Call 602-853-9880 for more information.
Encanto Park
Nestled right in the center of an elegant neighborhood of restored homes, the park offers something for everyone. Children can enjoy the Enchanted Island amusement park with rides, plus a lagoon offers paddle wheel boating. There's also tennis, basketball, racquetball, and volleyball courts. Call 602-254-1200 for more information.
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
National Firefighting Hall of Heroes. More than 90 classic pieces of firefighting apparatus on display in five air-conditioned galleries, dating from 1725 to 1960. 1951 American La France Fire Engine available for boarding. Fire Safety Exhibits, games and activities for kids, ages 3 and up. The museum is located in Papago Park. Call 602-275-3473 for more information.
Heard Museum
The Heard Museum is one of the world's leading repositories of Native American art. A visit to the museum will take you through exhibitions and exciting events and programs that celebrate the vitality and creativity of Native cultures and art. The Heard is also nationally recognized for its outstanding Southwestern collection of pottery, baskets, jewelry, and kachina dolls. Call 602-252-8840 for more information.
Heritage Square
Site of the only remaining group of residential structures dating back to the original townsite of Phoenix. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Call 602-262-5071 for more information.
Museo Chicano
Changing exhibitions on the art, culture, and history of Latinos with displays created by both emerging and well-known artists of Mexican heritage. Call 602-257-5536 for more information.
Phoenix Area Lakes
Who ever said there was no water in the desert never visited Phoenix. Unknown to many visitors are the many beautiful canyon and desert lakes that dot the area landscape. Residents and visitors enjoy boating, sailing, fishing, water sports, and cool dips in the water. There are seven fun-filled lakes in the Greater-0Phoenix area to choose from: Lake Roosevelt, Apache Lake, Canyon Lake, Saguaro Lake, Bartlett Lake, Horseshoe Lake, & Lake Pleasant.
Phoenix Coyotes - NHL
Phoenix Mercury - WNBA
Phoenix Museum of History
Interactive exhibits where visitors can feel a part of history. Learn how to load a wagon, try out a telegraph, pump your own water, or see what life was like for a TB patient. Call 602-253-2734 for more information.
Phoenix Suns - NBA
Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo is one of the nation's leading private non-profit zoological parks and home to more than 1,200 animals. Centrally located in the Phoenix metro area, the Phoenix Zoo offers an exciting array of animal exhibits, unique special events, educational programs and outdoor recreational activities for people of all ages. Call (602)273-1341 for more information.
Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum
A day in the life of the early pioneers is on display at this 90 acre museum with more than 26 historic homes, shops, ranches and ruins. You'll also run into authentically costumed historic interpreters who help bring this era of Arizona history to life. Call 623-465-1052 for more information.
Pueblo Grande Museum
Experience a prehistoric Hohokam ruin. Fascinating exhibits feature the ancient Hohokam, archaeology and Southwestern themes. Exciting workshops and tours. Museum store. Call 602-495-0900 for more information.
Saguaro Ranch
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Saguaro Ranch sits north of downtown Glendale. Built in 1885, there are 17 ranch buildings and a beautiful rose garden to be toured on this 17 acre property. Saguaro Ranch plays host to a number of special events held each year. Call 623-930-4200 for more information.
Shop Across America
Don't plan your visit to Phoenix without checking out the best places in town to shop. Find the best malls, shopping centers, and boutiques at www.shopacrossamerica.net.
The Bead Museum
The Bead Museum was founded in 1984 by Gabrielle Liese and is home to a fantastic international collection of over 100,000 beads and beaded artifacts. The museum features permanent and changing exhibits, as well as educational opportunities for visitors. Call 623-931-2737 for more information.
Wildlife World Zoo
Wildlife World Zoo has Arizona's largest collection of exotic animals, totaling more than 1,300 individual animals. It's one of the best zoos around for getting up close to penguins, giraffes, zebras, tigers, oryx, lions, deer, kangaroos, gibbon apes, monkeys, camels, a rhino, and so much more. Call 623-935-WILD (9 for more information.
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