Ummmh!  Phoenix, Arizona – my birthplace.  Vibrant, sunny, warm, rich, dynamic.  Use any adjective you want (positive of course) and it will describe some part of Phoenix. “ Located at a relatively low altitude at 1117 feet above sea level with yearly average temperatures of 72 degrees and low humidity which makes even the summer heat comfortable, in Phoenix you’ll find 325 sunny days a year.  Now, that is where I’d be heading for February!” 

Home of 200 championship golf courses including those created by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf, you can play year-round.  Besides golf, which is a really super deal, in Phoenix, you can also visit over 65 cultural venues such as museums of fine arts, Native American, anthropological, children’s, historical, science based, and specialized.  There’s plenty to keep you busy all month long.  In fact, if you are an RV’er, you could just plan to stay at one of the many RV parks for several months. 

If you’re bringing the family along with you – grandchildren will enjoy seeing the early petroglyphs left by our early Native Americans.  Kids can also enjoy the numerous museums just for them such as:  Arizona Doll and Toy Museum, Arizona Museum for Youth, and the Arizona Science Center .  After you and the grandchildren are finished with their fun, send them back to their parents while you go back to your luxurious suite at one of the many resorts in the area.

Phoenix was built by early Native Americans, the Hohokam tribe  This tribe thrived in the region until about 1450 A.D.  There are no records of the Hohokam after that, although they are believed to be ancestors of the Pima Indian.  In the Pima language, “Hohokam” means “those who have gone.”  For almost 25,000 years Native Americans were alone in Arizona.  Archaeological evidence supports the existence of three major tribal groups:  the Anasazi of the northern plateau highlands, the Mogollon of the northeastern and eastern mountain belt, and Hohokam. 

In the mid-1500’s the Spanish Conquistadors arrived in Arizona searching for the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola.  While not finding the gold they had hoped for, they did bring with them knowledge of farming and agricultural.  Somewhere in the mid 1850’s the Native Americans had all they could stand of the “visitors,” and the few mining settlers.  Feeling encroached upon; the Native Americans began to fight back for their land thus causing a number of battles and eventually occupation of the military, and confinement of the tribes to government reservations. 

History reinvented itself once again with the first railroad in 1887.  Visitors and settlers began flocking to Phoenix – named from the mythological bird which arose from its own ashes.  The Phoenix was said to be immortal.  One would seem to think Phoenix is immortal by observing the many who have come here once again to remake it into the vibrant thriving city it is today.

Phoenix is referred to as “Resort Capital of the World” by many travel-industry professionals.  There are dozens of self-contained resort communities that mix shops, restaurants, activities, meeting space and luxury accommodations into the perfect destination.  These resorts consistently rank among the top Four and Five Diamond/Four and Five Star facilities nation-wide.  Phoenix is known as “old west meets modern metropolis.”  It’s one part self-indulgence and one part self-discovery!”  Three new luxury resorts built since 2005 are the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge, and the Westin Kierland Resort.

The artist in you will enjoy a variety of museums which offer indigenous history and art.  The Heard Museum is well known for its Native American art exhibits.  The Phoenix Art Museum has a permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, costumes and other works of art.  For those who love performance venues, Broadway plays and lyric opera can be found at the Gammage Auditorium, the Herberger Theatre Center, The Phoenix Theatre, and Symphony Hall.

Who can resist shopping in the Southwest, especially for turquoise jewelry!  Seniors will find a variety of outlets from the Arizona Mills factory, the Arizona Center, and Scottsdale Fashion Square (the largest shopping mall in the Southwest).  While shopping out, we always need great places to eat.  Here, in Phoenix, again the possibilities are endless and fabulous!  Chefs from around the world come to Phoenix to offer foods including Fusion, Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Continental, Thai, and Moroccan.  Of course if you’re just hungry for good ‘ole southwest cuisine – there’s always the mesquite – grilled steaks. 

The 2008 Super Bowl will be held in Phoenix, so hurry with those reservations if you’re coming to Phoenix ahead of the game day.  Besides the 2008 Super Bowl, there are many more reasons to visit “All amazing – All Phoenix.”  Happy Traveling!

(Photos are courtesy of Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitor’s Bureau)