What to see and do in Phoenix

Nursing, Jun 2004

LOCATED along the banks of the Salt River, Phoenix- Arizona's state capital-is saddled between dramatic mountain ranges. Year-round sunshine and mild temperatures make Phoenix one of America's premier desert cities. Located 1,117 feet above sea level, Phoenix is warm, sunny, and usually dry. Year-round, the tempera- ture averages 72° F (22° C) and low humidity makes summer heat less oppres- sive than in other hot cli- mates.

With so many sunshine-filled days, Phoenix is the perfect place to experience outdoor activities. Horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking are great ways to explore the Sonoran Dessert, as is a rugged jeep ride. The nearby Verde or Salt rivers are ideal for afternoon tubing or rafting, and thrill seekers can soar high above the desert plateau in gliders or hot-air balloons to get splendid views of Greater Phoenix-an area comprising 22 cities, including Scottsdale, Tempe, and Mesa.

History

For almost 25,000 years, American Indians had this area to themselves; the Hohokam Indians were settled in what's now known as Phoenix. In the mid-1500s, the Spanish Conquistadors arrived to search for the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola in this vicinity. Although they found little gold, they introduced the natives to cattle and horse raising and various new agricultural crops and techniques. Until the mid-1850s, the American Indian tribes accepted the few miners, traders, and farmers who settled there. As the number of white settlers grew, however, the tribes resented the encroachment on their land and battles broke out. The ensuing decades were an ordeal for Arizona's natives, many of whom survived to live on reservations; today, about 300,000 American Indians from 21 tribes live on Arizona's 23 reservations.

The present city of Phoenix originated in 1860 as a small settlement on the banks of the Salt River. One of the city's first settlers gave Phoenix its name, predicting that a great city would arise from the ancient Hohokam ruins like the legendary phoenix bird that was said to have risen from its own ashes.

With the construction of its first railroad in 1887, Phoenix drew settlers from all over the United States. In 1889, it was declared the capital of the Arizona territory.

Today, Phoenix is the sixth-largest city in the United States, with an estimated 3.2 million people living in the metropolitan area.

Museums

Although Phoenix is a modern metropolitan city, it hasn't forgotten its past, as evidenced by its Southwestern architecture and American Indian cultural influences that are interwoven with the sophisticated lifestyle of its residents. The area's past is preserved in several ancient ruin sites, including Pueblo Grande Museum.

Various other museums offer indigenous history and art, as well as imported works. The Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix is well known for its American Indian art exhibits, including the nation's largest kachina doll collection. The Phoenix Art Museum, host of the Cowboy Artists Show, has a permanent collection of 16,000 paintings, sculptures, costumes, and other works of art from the 15th through 20th centuries.

Visitors will also enjoy exploring the Arizona Science Center, the Phoenix Museum of History, the Hall of Flame Fire Fighting Museum, the Scottsdale Center for the Arts, and the Champlin Fighter Aircraft Museum.

Entertainment

Greater Phoenix offers attractions and activities for the entire family, including the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, and Big Surf water park. To relive the Old West experience, visit Rawhide-an authentic 1880s western town with old-fashioned shootouts-or venture on a gold-panning expedition.

Visitors seeking the performing arts can find everything from Broadway plays to lyric opera in Phoenix. The Herberger Theater Center plays host to many performances, including Ballet Arizona, the Arizona Opera Company, and the Arizona Theater Company. The Phoenix Theatre, founded in 1920, is the nation's longest continuously running community theater. The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra has been performing for more than 35 years with a season that runs from fall through spring.

The city offers many opportunities to enjoy other music as well, including rock, jazz, country, and more. Some of the nation's best-known artists appear at America West Arena, Bank One Ballpark, the outdoor Cricket Pavilion, Grady Gammage Auditorium, Red River Music Hall, the Sundrome, and at area nightclubs.

Sports

For more than 20 years, the National Basketball Association's Phoenix Suns were the only major-league sports team in town, but as Phoenix grew, so did its reputation for big-time sports. Greater Phoenix earned its first major sports title in 2001, when the Arizona Diamondbacks earned a World Series title in their fourth season of play. Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky's involvement with the Phoenix Coyotes further invigorated the city's sports scene. Now Greater Phoenix is one of only eight markets to boast professional teams in football, basketball, baseball, and hockey and is home to one of the original Women's National Basketball Association teams. Phoenix also hosts college football's Fiesta Bowl and the Thunderbird Balloon Classic, where more than 100 brightly colored hot-air balloons fill the skies above Scottsdale each November. Phoenix International Raceway is the scene of Indy Car and NASCAR events; Manzanita Speedway features drag racing; and Firebird International Raceway offers both car and boat racing.