Phoenix Hotels, Attractions, and Information

Written by Alexia Davis

Phoenix, Arizona is one of the highest rated vacation spots in the United States. The city offers an abundance of resorts, spas, championship golf courses, and an extraordinary amount of cultural resources. Phoenix is a modern metropolis that did not develop until after World War II. Because of this late "boom" the city offers an attractive mixture of Native American, Pre-Columbian and Pioneer history juxtaposed with sleek, modern office buildings and high-rises. Phoenix is a large sprawling city surrounded by the barren, but beautiful desert and majestic mountain ranges. This is one of many aspects of Phoenix that makes it a most advantageous vacation spot, as one can enjoy the thriving, fast paced city life, and just as easily experience the relaxing and tranquil affects of the surrounding terrain. The diverse landscape of Phoenix makes for great hiking, horseback Downtown Phoenix

riding, and golf. Phoenix is home to hundreds of quality golf courses for players of every level.

Great Golfing in Phoenix

The city of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department operates seven municipal golf courses that cater to a variety of skill levels and offer outstanding greens as well as spectacular mountain and desert views. Tee times can be made up to four days in advance and fees range from four to thirty-five dollars depending on age, course and season. Several of the local resorts and hotels have private courses and offer accessibility to the municipal courses as well. One of Phoenix's favorite courses is found at Papago Park, Hole-In-The-Rock. This is an awe inspiring park located on 1,200 acres of undulating desert hills and rugged mountains, that not only features a premier golf course, but also museums, fishing lagoons, picnic areas, hiking trails, and The-Hole-In-The-Rock landmark. Encanto Park is another great golf spot that also provides family amusement. The park is situated on 222 acres of paradise, with two golf courses, a lagoon, a boathouse, picnic areas, nature trails, a swimming pool and KiddieLand/Enchanted Island amusement park. The kids can have a blast while the adults play too! The golf courses offer modest Mercado

fees and are two of the most popular in the area.

Parks and Recreation for Everyone in Phoenix

When it comes to outdoor recreation, parks, hiking trails, gardens, and landmarks, there are just too many in Phoenix to possibly list them all. This is an area that is graced with the Camelback Mountains, South Mountain, and the varying landscape, wildlife, and plant life of the vast desert. The Camelback Mountain and Echo Canyon recreation park is the most prominent landmark, with its namesake rock formation in the shape of a camel's silhouette. This park also features breathtaking, sheer red cliffs, the Praying Monk rock formation and 75.8 acres of hiking trails. The Desert Botanical Garden is an absolutely beautiful and unique way for visitors to see and learn about an extensive collection of desert plants. Founded in 1937, this garden is a private, not-for-profit organization that supports environmental and plant conservation and education, it's a great place for kids and adults alike. The Phoenix Zoo is the nation's largest privately owned, not-for-profit, zoological park. It is home to over 1,300 animals, including 150 endangered birds, mammals, and reptiles from around the world. All of the animals live on one of four trails dedicated to Arizona, the American Southwest, Africa, and the Discovery Covered Wagon

trail that includes a petting zoo. The Phoenix Zoo is a wonderful way for animal lovers of all ages to appreciate and learn about the world of nature, with up-close animal encounters and zookeeper talks.

All that Phoenix Offers

Phoenix, Arizona is known for it's exceptional number of outdoor resources for entertainment, education, and recreation. Although there is so much to see and do outside of the city in the warm, dry air and sunshine of the desert and mountains, there is also an overwhelming supply of activity in the city of Phoenix. The city is a cultural Mecca with a plethora of galleries, museums, shopping, and music venues. In the evening the city opens up with action from all the great restaurants, nightclubs and bars. Phoenix is a hot, happening city that offers visitors a never ending supply of things to do and see day and night.