Phoenix is the capital of Arizona. It is located in the south-center of the state, halfway between Tucson to the southeast and Flagstaff to the north. Phoenix is definitely worth visiting.
Within this article we will delve into more detail about Arizona’s biggest city. We will also talk about the best things to do in Phoenix, along with some fun city facts which you may not know.
Where is Phoenix, Arizona?
Phoenix is located in Arizona, which is in the southwest of the U.S. Arizona is bordered by California to the west, Nevada to the northwest, Utah to the north, New Mexico to the east, along with the Mexican state of Sonora to the south.
How many people live in Phoenix?
Phoenix is home to 1.633 million people according to the 2019 United States Census Bureau.
What time zone is Phoenix in?
Phoenix is in the Mountain Standard Time Zone.
How big is Phoenix?
Phoenix is 1,338 km² (516.6047mi²).
Why is Phoenix nicknamed the “Valley of the Sun”?
Phoenix is nicknamed the Valley of the Sun due to the fact that it is completely surrounded by mountains on all sides.
What is the weather like in Phoenix?
Phoenix has hot, dry summers and mild, short winters. In the summer, the average daily high temperature is 98.6°F (37°C), and in the winter, the average daily high is 73.4°F (29°C).
The hottest month of the year is July, with the coldest being December. It is because of this that the best time to visit Phoenix is from late May to early July, or from late August to early October.
What professional sports teams are in Phoenix?
Phoenix fields teams in all four major professional sports leagues: Arizona Cardinals (NFL), Phoenix Suns (NBA), Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), and Arizona Coyotes (NHL).
What airports are in Phoenix?
There are two airports in Phoenix, Arizona: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA).
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the larger of the two options, and is also the closest to downtown. It has a limited international service but still offers more international routes than the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is about 30 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix and is a great airport for cheap flights into smaller airports around the United States.
What is there to do in Phoenix?
Phoenix is a city which is filled to the brim with things to do, be it visiting museums or clambering up mountains. As such, it is a great place to visit, and definitely worth the experience!
Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert botanical garden has five thematic trails which you can explore. Within it, you can experience towering cacti and alluring succulents, lush trees and brilliant wildflowers. Be sure not to miss the festive events and exhibitions which all have this one focus in mind: to help you delve deeper into the world of desert landscaping and natural art.
Musical Instrument Museum
Phoenix houses the only global musical instrument museum in America, along with the MIM Music Theater: a 300-seat acoustically sound performance space. Along with that, the museum has an award-winning cafe called Café Allegro where you can happily whittle away the hours.
Heard Museum
One of the most important showcases of Native American culture and art in the United States, the Heard Museum reveals exhibits, demonstrations, and live performances which will teach you more about the history of America’s first people.
South Mountain Park
South Mountain Park is the largest municipal park in the world. It is a great place to explore via hiking trails and horseback, and will leave you with a clear understanding of what Arizona is all about (clue: it’s the mountains!).
Wrigley Mansion
This is a fine-dining and special event venue which offers unbeatable panoramic views of the city. It also comes with award-winning cuisine and wine, and is the perfect place to celebrate your time in Phoenix.
Phoenix Art Museum
Phoenix Art Museum is the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. It has a permanent collection of art from North and South America, Asia, and Europe. There are a variety of public programs which you can attend year-round, such as tours, lectures, films, and special events.
Phoenix Zoo
Since 1962, this zoo has motivated and educated guests on the beauty of the natural world. Situated within the Papago Park, the zoo features over 3,000 animals, including Bornean orangutans, Asian elephants, and Sumatran tigers. One of the best things to do here is to take the Safari Cruiser to see the animals up close and personal.
Mystery Castle
The mystery castle was built by a father in 1945 for his daughter. It is made of stone, adobe, and petroglyphs, and is held together by a mixture including goat’s milk. The daughter still lives here and is always happy to take guests on a tour of this imaginative dwelling.
Taliesin West
Taliesin West is the winter home of the famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It is an interesting home located on the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, and taking a tour around this old building can be a whole lot of fun.
What are some fun facts about Phoenix?
Phoenix is the 6th largest city in the United States.
16+ million people travel to Phoenix every year.
Phoenix’s Sonoran Desert is one of the wettest and greenest deserts in North America.
Phoenix has more sunny days than any other metropolitan city in the United States, averaging at 320 days of sun a year.
Greater Phoenix has over 200 golf courses.
In February each year, 15 major league baseball teams make the Phoenix area their home for Cactus League Spring Training
Due to its high pollen production, the male mulberry tree is banned in Phoenix.
Phoenix is the largest U.S. city which is also a state capital.
Phoenix was first used by settlers from the 19th century to supply the horses at Fort McDowell.
