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Phoenix
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Ever since Elizabeth Arden opened Maine Chance spa on Camelback Mountain in the 1930's, Phoenix (and its tony satellite sister, Scottsdale) has been a prime R&R destination for the wealthy and well-bred-and not much else. (Cue the local joke: What's the difference between Phoenix and yogurt? One has culture.) While the Valley of the Sun still has its priorities straight-warm desert breezes, swaying palms, chaise longues by the pool-something has shifted of late. The city's contemporary arts scene has finally achieved critical mass. Cool boutiques are launching; chefs are redefining southwestern cuisine; and-although malls and fairways continue to overtake the surrounding desert-civic-minded residents have preserved plenty of evocative landscape for nature enthusiasts. (Pinnacle Peak, a beloved local hiking spot, reopened after being closed for eight years.) And although Arden's Maine Chance is long gone, the resort scene is rife with ever-revamping hotels and state-of-the-art spas. See the slideshow.
Don't Miss
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Scrambling to the top of Camelback Mountain’s red rocks for a challenging hike with a payoff: a view of the entire city.
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Sipping hibiscus juice, sampling tres leches (three milk) cake, and watching hundreds of tortillas roll off the assembly line at Phoenix Ranch Market—the most authentic Mexican market in town.
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A stroll through Bentley Projects, a funky downtown warehouse and outpost of one of the city’s most popular galleries.
T+L Favorites
Where to Stay
Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa
Phoenix’s grande dame was built in the 1920’s by disciples of Frank Lloyd Wright, and the place f
... MoreWhere to Eat
Cowboy Ciao
Chef Peter Kasperski gets credit not only for overseeing excellent cooking, but also for having a
... MoreWhat to Do
Bentley Projects
Here lies the coolest spot in town when it comes to art and architecture. (It’s also the sister l
... More
Tips See All PHOENIX Tips
Tourist resources for Phoenix
• www.azcentral.com: The Web site of Arizona Republic, the major daily newspaper, offers extensive entertainment listings.• www.phoenixnewtimes.com: This alternative weekly’s Web site also provides... More
Getting around Phoenix
It’s simple, though not particularly inexpensive: rent a car. Taxis are almost impossible to find, and while your hotel will likely shuttle you to and from the airport, you’ll need your own wheels ... More
Getting to Phoenix by air
The only option is Sky Harbor International Airport (www.phoenix.gov/skyharborairport/). But it’s a major hub located very conveniently almost in the city center. The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (... More
When to go to Phoenix
You can avoid scorching heat from mid-October to late March. High winter temperatures often hover around 70 degrees, but a cold spell can bring lows to freezing. Summer is definitely the time to fi... More