Often called the “Valley of the Sun”, Phoenix Metropolitan Area boasts a combination of big-city attractions and beautiful desert scenery. Mountains, lakes and numerous golf courses can be enjoyed year-round in its warm, dry weather, while its cuisine is an exciting fusion of Southwestern, Mexican and Asian.
Things to do in Phoenix Metropolitan Area
Discover Phoenix’s culture scene at the Heard Museum, a showcase of Native American art and culture, or at the world’s only Musical Instrument Museum. Later, browse through more than 300 interactive exhibits at the Arizona Science Center. No trip to Phoenix is complete without seeing a baseball game at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Beyond downtown, the historic center of Glendale makes for a lovely walk along tree-lined boulevards and is popular for antique shopping. The Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve has the remains of prehistoric settlements on display as well as incredible 10,000-year-old rock art.
Arizona's endless sunshine makes the water skiing, boating, tubing and barbecues around Lake Pleasant even more tempting. Camelback Mountain has plenty of exceptional hiking trails and scenic countryside views. Need to go higher? Enjoy incredible bird’s-eye views during hot-air balloon ride over the Sonoran Desert.
Phoenix has some of the best Mexican food in the United States. Try the tacos and freshly-made guacamole at Barrio Queen and wash it all down with a cold margarita. You can also grab some delicious pierogis and empanadas from one of the food stalls at Phoenix Open Air Market.
Getting around Phoenix Metropolitan Area
The Valley Metro Light Rail crosses the entire metropolitan area and stops at most main attractions and Sky Harbor International Airport. Buses are frequent and cover most of the city, while share-riding services, such as Uber and Lyft, are popular with locals.