The Ultimate Guide to Phoenix

In ancient mythology, the phoenix bird represents immortality. It is said only one phoenix can exist at a time and a new bird is most brilliant when it springs forth from its own ashes. Like its symbolic namesake, the city of Phoenix has risen from the ashes of the sleepy western town in Arizona to embrace its historic past and evolve into the 6th largest city in the U.S. and one of the country's most vibrant cultural centers.

The ancient tribes of the Hohokam and Anasazi developed their civilizations in the Phoenix area. Thousands of years later, the Hopi, Apache, Pima and Navajo tribes influenced generations of Phoenicians. Until 1848, Arizona was part of Mexico. As a result, the Hispanic culture dominates the lifestyle and has had a particularly strong impact on the city's architecture. Classic adobe-style homes and buildings are a reminder of Mexico's rule, while colorful Mexican interiors are the template for the Southwest experience. In contrast, the passionate modern influences of architect Frank Lloyd Wright can be seen at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, Taliesin West in Scottsdale, and the Grady Gammage Auditorium in neighboring Tempe. Today, the spirit of the city is a convergence of Native American and Hispanic influences with a recent influx of Asians and Europeans.

The Heard Museum, renowned for its stunning and elaborate artifacts, boasts one of the most comprehensive Kachina doll collections in the world and includes the Barry Goldwater Collection and the Fred Harvey Fine Arts Collection. The intriguing Pueblo Grand Museum and Archaeological Park, located eat of downtown Phoenix, protects remnants of a thousand-year-old Hohokam civilization. You can also find folkloric tribal art, authentic silver and turquoise jewelry, intricate carvings and museums throughout Phoenix. With more than 50 museums in and round Phoenix, the city's artistic interests are well represented - from museums paying homage to the region's historic roots, to museums celebrating contemporary masters. The Phoenix Art Museum is a showcase for more than 14,000 works of Asian, European and American art from the 15th through 29th centuries, while the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center focuses primarily on African American culture and history.

For many, a visit to Phoenix is not complete without a day trip to the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and one of the world's most astounding accomplishments. The sheer majesty and beauty of the scenery found here is beyond belief. Located entirely in northern Arizona, the park encompasses 277 miles of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. One of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world, Grand Canyon is unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers to visitors on the rim. Since the Grand Canyon is about 4 hours from Phoenix, most travelers prefer to take a tour from a company Southwest Custom Tours. For 20 years, this family- owned company has safely conducted tours throughout Arizona and the Southwest for individuals and custom groups.

Their guided tours to the Grand Canyon begin around 7:00-8:00am, when they pick you up from your hotel. Their route will take you north through the pine forests of Flagstaff and the Navajo Indian Reservation where there will be time for shopping and an early lunch at the historic Cameron Trading Post. This post is filled with fascinating art, crafts and historical pieces and will be a highlight of this tour. Next stop, Grand Canyon National Park…. From Desert View, home of the famous Watchtower, we will spend approximately 3 hours touring along the 22 mile drive of the South Rim, including a stop at Grand Canyon Village. Southwest Custom Tours offers many opportunities for picture taking at several viewpoints and lots of time for shopping. Visit their website at southwesttours.com for more information.

Another side trip that's too good to rush but way too good to miss is Sedona. Just two hours from the Grand Canyon and two hours north of Phoenix, Sedona is mostly a classy, artsy town with splashes of New Age weirdness and excellent restaurants thrown in. Yes, summertime in Arizona is hot. But Sedona is about 15 degrees cooler than low-lying parts of the state. Sedona has something for everyone - world class resorts and small family-run motels, quaint to elegant bed and breakfasts, fine restaurants, outstanding shops and diverse art galleries. The beauty of the area and the climate make sightseeing and hiking popular, golf and tennis are almost year-round activities. Enjoy the serenity of its uncrowded hiking trails; learn more about the Native American culture by visiting Indian Ruins, pictograph, petroglyph sites and more. Red Rock Country has been the setting of many motion pictures and continues to be a favorite location for all forms of filming - motion, video & still. For more information on tours to Sedona, visit www.southwesttours.com.

                                                 page 1                                               next