Phoenix is the hub of the rapidly growing American Southwest and the heart of a metropolis of over 3 million people. The city is a curious but delightful mix of Old West and New World.
You can whoop it up at a cowboy steak joint, pamper yourself at a world-class resort, relax at a dude ranch or dance the night away at one of the area's swanky night spots.
The name Phoenix — a legendary Egyptian symbol of rebirth — was chosen because the city was built on the ruins of the Hohokam civilization whose farmers dug irrigation canals still in use today.
Although city tourism promoters brand Phoenix as the "Valley of the Sun," most locals just refer to it as the Valley — as in the Salt River Valley, the region's official name. Covering over 2,000 square miles, Greater Phoenix is actually is larger than Los Angeles geographically. The city is both the capital of Arizona and the Maricopa County seat.
The Valley's explosive growth began during World War II when military airfields were built in the area for the near-perfect flying weather. Many defense industries followed. Luke Air Force Base, west of Phoenix, is still a major training center for fighter pilots today.
Orientation
Greater Phoenix is located in the Sonoran Desert. Downtown Phoenix is flanked by the upscale city of Scottsdale to the east and north; and rapidly growing towns like Glendale and Peoria to the west.
The southern edge of the Valley is bordered by South Mountain Park, the largest municipal park in the world. Beyond the mountain are the fashionable bedroom communities of Ahwatukee and Chandler. Further east are the college town of Tempe (home of Arizona State Univ.) as well as Mesa and Gilbert.
Climate
What's so special about the weather in Phoenix? For starters, the Valley averages 300 days of sunshine a year. Despite the desert locale, daytime temperatures between November and April range from the upper 40s to 80s.
Temperatures start to inch up toward the 90s and beyond in May. Occasional rain in the winter months is not unusual nor are temperatures dipping below freezing at night. Winter snow is virtually unheard of in Phoenix, but it can get cold enough for a heavy parka.
Summer, of course, is another matter.
If you visit between May and October, be aware that it gets very, very hot. (Bemused residents say the summers are equivalent to east coast winters in terms of the misery index!) Phoenix averages triple digits for much of June through September.
On top of the summer heat, the air turns uncomfortably humid in mid-July due to monsoon conditions characterized by towering cumulus clouds, sudden dust storms and occasional downpours. The humidity is generally not as bad as, say, Washington D.C. or Chicago on a hot July afternoon. But, trust us, it gets darn muggy, especially in August and early September.
Getting here
By car - Driving from east or west, Interstate 10 is the most common route into Phoenix. From the west, you may also take I-8, entering Arizona at Yuma. For summer driving, it's always a good idea to take along extra water for trips through the desert regions.
By air - Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the main gateways into the Valley by air. Phoenix is serviced by 20 airlines, including nonstop international flights from British Airways, Aero Mexico and Air Canada. For brochures on current flight information call 602-273-3321.
Public transportation
Downtown - The Downtown Area Shuttle (called DASH) is free and runs Monday through Friday. The purple DASH stops signs are easily spotted throughout downtown Phoenix.
City of Phoenix Transit System - The bus service covers the entire Phoenix metropolitan area. Phone: 602-253-5000. www.valleymetro.org.
Train - Amtrak provides bus service from Phoenix to railway terminals in Tucson and Flagstaff. Call 1-800-872-7245 or visit www.amtrak.com.
Quick facts
Time Zone - Mountain Standard Time. Arizona (like Hawaii) doesn't switch to summer daylight-saving time. However, the Navajo Reservation in northeastern Arizona does adhere to daylight-saving time.
Area Codes - 928 for most of Arizona except the Phoenix metropolitan area. 602 for central Phoenix, 480 for east Phoenix and 623 for west Phoenix.
ATM Machines - American Express, Cirrus, Discover Novus, MasterCard, Plus, Star and Visa banking services are generally available in Arizona 24-hours a day.
Business Hours - Store hours are generally 10am - 6pm. Malls: 10am - 9pm. Banks: 9am - 5pm. Monday through Friday. Most bars are open 11am - 1am.
Emergencies - Call 911 in case of fire, police or medical emergency.
Liquor Laws - You must be 21 or older to drink alcohol. Legal bar hours are 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Tipping - Voluntary in Arizona and generally not included in the bill. Generally, restaurant servers and taxi drivers are tipped 15-20%.
Motorists' Laws - Drivers and front-seat passengers are required to wear safety belts. Helmets required for motorcyclists under 18. The speed limit is 65 to 75 mph on rural interstate highways and 55 mph inside cities.
You can whoop it up at a cowboy steak joint, pamper yourself at a world-class resort, relax at a dude ranch or dance the night away at one of the area's swanky night spots.
The name Phoenix — a legendary Egyptian symbol of rebirth — was chosen because the city was built on the ruins of the Hohokam civilization whose farmers dug irrigation canals still in use today.
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Although city tourism promoters brand Phoenix as the "Valley of the Sun," most locals just refer to it as the Valley — as in the Salt River Valley, the region's official name. Covering over 2,000 square miles, Greater Phoenix is actually is larger than Los Angeles geographically. The city is both the capital of Arizona and the Maricopa County seat.
The Valley's explosive growth began during World War II when military airfields were built in the area for the near-perfect flying weather. Many defense industries followed. Luke Air Force Base, west of Phoenix, is still a major training center for fighter pilots today.
Orientation
Greater Phoenix is located in the Sonoran Desert. Downtown Phoenix is flanked by the upscale city of Scottsdale to the east and north; and rapidly growing towns like Glendale and Peoria to the west.
The southern edge of the Valley is bordered by South Mountain Park, the largest municipal park in the world. Beyond the mountain are the fashionable bedroom communities of Ahwatukee and Chandler. Further east are the college town of Tempe (home of Arizona State Univ.) as well as Mesa and Gilbert.
Climate
What's so special about the weather in Phoenix? For starters, the Valley averages 300 days of sunshine a year. Despite the desert locale, daytime temperatures between November and April range from the upper 40s to 80s.
Temperatures start to inch up toward the 90s and beyond in May. Occasional rain in the winter months is not unusual nor are temperatures dipping below freezing at night. Winter snow is virtually unheard of in Phoenix, but it can get cold enough for a heavy parka.
Summer, of course, is another matter.
If you visit between May and October, be aware that it gets very, very hot. (Bemused residents say the summers are equivalent to east coast winters in terms of the misery index!) Phoenix averages triple digits for much of June through September.
On top of the summer heat, the air turns uncomfortably humid in mid-July due to monsoon conditions characterized by towering cumulus clouds, sudden dust storms and occasional downpours. The humidity is generally not as bad as, say, Washington D.C. or Chicago on a hot July afternoon. But, trust us, it gets darn muggy, especially in August and early September.
Getting here
By car - Driving from east or west, Interstate 10 is the most common route into Phoenix. From the west, you may also take I-8, entering Arizona at Yuma. For summer driving, it's always a good idea to take along extra water for trips through the desert regions.
By air - Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the main gateways into the Valley by air. Phoenix is serviced by 20 airlines, including nonstop international flights from British Airways, Aero Mexico and Air Canada. For brochures on current flight information call 602-273-3321.
Public transportation
Downtown - The Downtown Area Shuttle (called DASH) is free and runs Monday through Friday. The purple DASH stops signs are easily spotted throughout downtown Phoenix.
City of Phoenix Transit System - The bus service covers the entire Phoenix metropolitan area. Phone: 602-253-5000. www.valleymetro.org.
Train - Amtrak provides bus service from Phoenix to railway terminals in Tucson and Flagstaff. Call 1-800-872-7245 or visit www.amtrak.com.
Quick facts
Time Zone - Mountain Standard Time. Arizona (like Hawaii) doesn't switch to summer daylight-saving time. However, the Navajo Reservation in northeastern Arizona does adhere to daylight-saving time.
Area Codes - 928 for most of Arizona except the Phoenix metropolitan area. 602 for central Phoenix, 480 for east Phoenix and 623 for west Phoenix.
ATM Machines - American Express, Cirrus, Discover Novus, MasterCard, Plus, Star and Visa banking services are generally available in Arizona 24-hours a day.
Business Hours - Store hours are generally 10am - 6pm. Malls: 10am - 9pm. Banks: 9am - 5pm. Monday through Friday. Most bars are open 11am - 1am.
Emergencies - Call 911 in case of fire, police or medical emergency.
Liquor Laws - You must be 21 or older to drink alcohol. Legal bar hours are 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Tipping - Voluntary in Arizona and generally not included in the bill. Generally, restaurant servers and taxi drivers are tipped 15-20%.
Motorists' Laws - Drivers and front-seat passengers are required to wear safety belts. Helmets required for motorcyclists under 18. The speed limit is 65 to 75 mph on rural interstate highways and 55 mph inside cities.
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