WORLD ▫
NORTH AMERICA ▫
USA ▫
ARIZONA ▫
PHOENIX
|
Phoenix
Understand
Why would anybody want to start a city in the middle of a desert? The answer is, surprisingly, agriculture. The Salt and Verde Rivers of central Arizona were exploited for large-scale agriculture by Native Americans as early as the 11th century. The area that now encompasses Phoenix was a center of the Hohokam culture, which built large canal systems and a network of towns and villages, whose remains may be viewed in the city to this day. The city's name reflects its status as a city "reborn from the ashes" of the previous settlement.
Anglo-American settlement of the area commenced in the 1860s, and in 1911 the completion of the first of several large reservoirs in the mountains north and east of Phoenix insured its success as a center for irrigation-based agriculture. Many tens of thousands of acres were planted in citrus and cotton and other crops, and for many years intensive, year-round irrigated agriculture formed the basis of the economy.
Warm and sunny winter weather also ensured a thriving tourism industry, and encouraged many easterners and midwesterners to relocate to Phoenix. High-tech industry began to flourish after World War II, and since that time the growth of Phoenix has been explosive, rising from a population of just 106,818 in 1950 to today's figure of well over 1,300,000.
The Arizona Republic is Phoenix's major daily newspaper. Besides news, it provides detailed community info, including an events calendar.
Eat
BudgetLa Fonda Mexican Food, 1126 N. Scottsdale Rd., Tempe (480) 966-8001. La Fonda is a great restaurant if you're looking for Mexican food. The problem with posting this restaurant in the budget section is that many will instantly assume that the food is mediocre. The food is excellent, and the atmosphere is friendly; good pricing is an added benefit, not a factor.Guedo's Taco Shop, 71 E. Chandler Blvd., Chandler (480) 899-7841. Located in one of the eastern suburbs, Guedo's boasts a fanatical following... and for good reason. It's a simple formula -- superb soft tacos and Mexican beer, served in a hole-in-the-wall place with plenty of character. A salsa bar offers a choice of scratch-made and bottled sauces, ranging from mild to torrid. The cooks may sing Mexican ballads or pop songs while going about their work; your name will be called out when your order is ready. Some locals maintain that they have no interest in going to heaven if it doesn't include Guedo's.Pete's Fish and Chips, 22 S. Mesa Dr., Mesa (480) 964-7242, . Eight other locations in the Phoenix Valley. Forget the tartar sauce -- "Pete's special sauce" is to die for. Family owned and operated since 1947. Only cash is accepted. Also look out for many 24-hour Mexican food places -- Filiberto's, Raliberto's and other restaruants offer a burrito the size of your forearm for less than $4.
Mid-rangeLos Dos Molinos, 8646 S. Central Ave., (602) 243-9113. Sonoran-style dominates Phoenix-area Mexican cookery, but Los Dos celebrates the cuisine of the Rio Grande Valley -- which means lots of very hot chiles. This...
|
Hotels in Phoenix
 | Red Roof Inn  |
Score 0 from 0 reviews | | 502 West Camelback Road |  |
| Guests may enjoy complimentary gourmet coffee in the lobby 24 hours a day.
... more | | |
 | Scottsdale Links Resort  |
Score 8.75 from 2 reviews | | 16858 North Perimeter Drive | |
| Fiesta Night - This event is held every Tuesday evening in the sales center. It includes a Mexican buffet, karaoke, music and games. The cost of the event is USD 10.00 for adults and USD 6.00 for children. See your activities director to sign up.
Scottsdale Art Walk - Stroll through the shops of Old Town Scottsdale every Thursday evening from 7pm to 9pm. Many special exhibitions, demonstrations and entertainment are offered free to the public. ... more | | |
 | Ramada Plaza Phoenix at Metrocenter  |
Score 9 from 11 reviews | | 12027 North 28th Drive | |
| The pool area is open year-round, and hours of operation vary according to season. The pool area is closed for approximately one month each year, typically in December-February, for scheduled maintenance. The pool is not heated year-round. ... more | | |
 | Legacy Golf Resort |
Score 0 from 0 reviews | | 6808 South 32nd St | |
| The Legacy Golf Resort's close proximity to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, downtown Phoenix, and the Valley's major sporting venues, make it the perfect location for a family vacation, business trip, or weekend getaway.
... more | | |
 | Scottsdale Thunderbird Suites |
Score 7.35 from 10 reviews | | 7515 East Butherus Drive | |
| Complimentary shuttle services within 5 mile radius of hotel. ... more | | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | More hotels in Phoenix |
 |
8 hours |
|
Step aboard the Grand Canyon Railway for a trip to the majestic Grand Canyon you'll never forget. Feel the rumble of a vintage train as the engine chugs 65 miles across beautiful Northern Arizona countryside. The train offers kaleidoscopic views of the San Francisco Peaks and rolls through valleys adorned in wild flowers, dense pine forests, high desert plains and small canyons. The excitement begins at the historic 1908 Williams Depot. Before the train departs you will be entertained at a Wild West shootout featuring the Cataract Creek Gang in an outdoor theatre. Visit the free railroad museum, shop in one of two gift shops, or enjoy a cup of fresh-brewed Starbucks coffee. Then, hear the train whistle pierce the fresh morning air, beckoning passengers for a trip on the old iron horse to the Grand Canyon. A vintage steam engine pulls the train from Memorial Day through September 30. A vintage diesel engine does the job the remainder of the year. Uniformed coach attendants provide you with white-gloved courtesy and service. Aboard the train, enjoy the tunes of strolling musicians who conduct sing-a-longs, an Old West train robbery, and the antics of western characters as they recreate train travel as it was back in 1901. The train arrives at the historic 1910 Grand Canyon Depot. It is the only remaining log depot still in operation in the United States. Buildings like the El Tovar Hotel, Hopi House, and Bright Angel Lodge salute arriving guests as they pull into the station and disembark from the train. A narrated motorcoach rim tour enhances your visit by escorting you to the most scenic overlooks of the Canyon. A packed lunch is included with the tour.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
|
 |
3 - 4 hours |
|
Once the sun goes down, the Sonoran Desert becomes especially intriguing. Mountains that are rugged and majestic during daylight hours become dark, sleeping giants after sundown. The mighty Saguaro Cactus lives up to its reputation of being the "Sentinel of the Desert", standing guard as the creatures of the night stir from their day-long hibernation from the desert heat. Go beyond the boundaries of a regular jeep in the unstoppable Hummer as you travel deeper into the desert than an ordinary tour can go.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
|
|
|
|
