edit Phoenix Travel Guide

• Wildlife World Zoo Home to many rare animals, this zoo is a must for any avid birdwatcher as some species at this zoo are not exhibited elsewhere in the world
• State Capital Get an understanding of Arizona's history in this well restored capital building
• Tonto National Monument This museum exhibits the tools and clothes of the prehistoric Salado as well as well perserved ancient cliff dwellings
• Heard Museum The very best place in Phoenix to see the arts and crafts and gather an understanding of the unique spiritual and social beliefs of Native Americans.
  

Largely overlooked by early settlers in the region, the growth of Phoenix did not take place until after the Civil War when gold miners and farmers began to settle around the area. Phoenix quickly became a large town with the introduction of the railroad and in 1889 wrestled the title of state capital from Prescott.

By plane

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the 15th busieest airport in the world and is centrally located 5 minutes from downtown Phoenix. The airport is open 24 hours and serves most major airlines.

By train

By car

Roads in Phoenix are great and renting a car from the downtown or the airport is easy. The airport houses most major rental comapnies and the ones which are offsite will pick you up (just pick up the courtesy phone in your terminal).

By bus

The Valley metro provides reasonable rates to access the whole valley and routes 13 and 40 stop at the airport.

By boat

By Car

Rental car is your best method of traveling in Phoenix due to the large distances between different locations. Rental cars can be arranged at the airport, in downtown, and through numerous hotels in the area.

By Mass Transit

Valley metro is a reaspmably priced method of traveling throught the city and the surrounding areas. Buses are bike rack equipped and the frequency of buses ranges from every 15 minutes to every hour depending on the route. Bus services runs 7 days a week. Pick up a Bus Book on any bus for fare and route information.

By Foot

Aerage tempatures in the winter are 40 degree lows and 65 degree highs, while things heat up a bit for the summer with average highs of 105 degrees and lows of neraly 80. The area is generally dry averaging less than 8 inches of rainfall a year.

Phoneix is a safe city but as with any large city basic precautions should be taken. Water is potable and Arizona is home to some of the best hospitals in the world

Police

In an emergency (immediate danger to loss of life or limb), call 911.

Fire Department

Hospitals

Phoenix is known for having some of the world's best hopitals such as the Mayo Clinic (which accomodates people fro all of the world for their many specialty doctors).

Crime

Smoking

• Hiking Come and enjoy some time out of the big city with a hike on one of the many trails within a stone's throw of the busy urban center
• Mountain Biking The trails just outside the city offer some great scenery along with challenging and rugged terrain
• Horseback Riding One of the finest wayt to enjoy a desert sunse is a horseback ride on one of the numerous trials just outside of town.
  
• Dude Ranch Spend a day on one of the numerous dude ranches in the area, learn to drive cattle, rope steer, cook a fresh steak, and be a real cowboy for the day
  
• Golfing It is of no conincidence that the "Valley of the Sun" hosts some great golf courses and some great whether to play in as well!
• Hot Air Balloning is by far the best way to view the desert landscape and one of the best places to grab brunch or an amazing sunset.

You can find most major department stores as well as smaller specialty stores at teh large Biltmore Fashion Park and the Metrocenter.

• Mexico Just south of the boarder lies Mexico with its great food and many unique travel oppertunities
• California Come check out the golden state as it is only a few hours drive from Phoenix