The Greater Phoenix area is America’s sunniest metropolis and the cosmopolitan heart of Arizona. What sets Phoenix apart from every other big city in the United States is its Sonoran Desert scenery. Phoenix has more acreage of parks and preserves than any other major metropolis in the nation, and visitors can explore them via hundreds of miles of trails—or from the basket of a hot-air balloon.
Phoenix basks in sunshine more than any other major metropolitan area in the United States—during 85 percent of its daylight hours. Autumn days in Phoenix are warm, sunny, and exceedingly pleasant. Nights can get cool, but patio dining and outdoor events are still comfortable. The average high temperature for November is 78° F and the low is 50° F.
Serene desert gardens, one-of-a-kind museums, award-winning dining, and more: Make sure these top attractions are on your Phoenix to-do list.
The history in Phoenix is as colorful as the ancient peoples, immigrants, and settlers who shaped it. If you’re a history buff, no trip here is complete without a visit to the museums dedicated to telling Phoenix’s story—places such as the S'edav Va'aki Museum Foundation, and the Heard Museum. The city of Phoenix was established in 1868. Today, Greater Phoenix covers about 2,000 square miles and has a population of more than 4 million.
Greater Phoenix’s distinctly Southwestern culture is defined by a colorful succession of inhabitants: Ancient Puebloans, Native Americans, pioneers, ranchers, miners, cowboys, and Mexican immigrants. The legacy of these diverse peoples can be seen in the region’s infrastructure, architecture, and cuisine.
There are several places in Greater Phoenix where you can get a taste of authentic Southwestern culture. Some stops are educational, others are just fun. All are apt to leave a little dust on your shoes and a smile on your face.
From charming antique shops to chic boutiques to some of the nation’s most fashionable shopping centers, Greater Phoenix can claim some of the best retail therapy in the Southwest.
Desert Ridge Marketplace is located across from the JW Marriott Desert Ridge. The hotel offers a shuttle departing hourly from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Hikers, bikers, and climbers in Greater Phoenix have come to the same conclusion as coyotes, roadrunners, and jackrabbits: The Sonoran Desert is a great place to play.
Phoenix and its neighboring communities are home to nearly 200 golf courses in a variety of styles. Some golf courses in Greater Phoenix occupy desert landscapes where civilization feels a world away, while some boast more than 6,000 mature pine trees along its lush fairways. Whichever type of course you choose, you can play it absolutely any time of year thanks to the famously sunny weather.