Phoenix area
Around Phoenix area
Photo: Z Glyph · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Arizona · 5.2M people
Phoenix area
Locals say the Valley · “Valley of the Sun”, “The Valley”
Sunny skies and desert nights.
Phoenix Suns orangeArizona State maroonArizona State gold
Welcome to the Valley, where the sun shines almost every day and the mountains are right in your backyard. Whether you're here for the hiking, the food, or the sports, you'll find a community that loves to be outdoors and gather together. Grab a Sonoran dog and make yourself at home!
Clubs for Phoenix area
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The room
Phoenix area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Phoenix's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Phoenix. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
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Things to do
- Heard Museum Showcases American Indian art and culture.
- Camelback Mountain Iconic peak with challenging hiking trails and city views.
- South Mountain Park One of the largest municipal parks in the U.S., with miles of trails.
- Papago Park Red rock buttes, Hole-in-the-Rock, and the Phoenix Zoo.
- Tempe Town Lake Urban lake for kayaking, paddleboarding, and lakeside walks.
- Chase Field Home of the Arizona Diamondbacks with a retractable roof.
- Outdoors Hike Camelback Mountain
- Outdoors Bike the canal paths
- With kids Phoenix Zoo
- With kids Children's Museum of Phoenix
- Evenings Old Town Scottsdale
- Evenings Mill Avenue in Tempe
- Locals love Patio bars
- Locals love Golf courses
Through the year
- Waste Management Phoenix Open February Huge PGA golf tournament at TPC Scottsdale, famous for the 16th hole.
- Cactus League Spring Training February–March Major League Baseball teams play across the Valley's ballparks.
- Arizona State Fair October Annual fair with rides, concerts, and food at the state fairgrounds.
- Phoenix Film Festival April Showcase of independent films and industry panels.
- Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction January World-famous collector car auction in Scottsdale.
The Valley has a desert climate with very hot summers and mild winters. The best time to be out is from October to April, when temperatures are pleasant and skies are clear. Best: October through April are perfect for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “the Valley”
- The Phoenix metro area itself.
- “snowbirds”
- Winter visitors from colder states.
- “monsoon”
- Summer thunderstorm season with dust storms and rain.
- “dry heat”
- A common phrase describing the summer heat.
Getaways
- Payson Mountain town with pine forests and Rim Country trails.
- Prescott Valley High-desert escape with lakes and historic Prescott nearby.
- Flagstaff Cool mountain city near the San Francisco Peaks and Sedona.
- Tucson Sonoran Desert city with Saguaro National Park and Mission San Xavier.
Local flavour
Teams
- Phoenix Suns NBA
- Arizona Cardinals NFL
- Arizona Diamondbacks MLB
- Phoenix Mercury WNBA
- Arizona State Sun Devils NCAA Division I
- Grand Canyon Antelopes NCAA Division I
- Phoenix Rising FC USL Championship
- Arizona Rattlers IFL
Eat and drink
- Sonoran hot dog Bacon-wrapped hot dog with beans, onions, and jalapeños, a Phoenix street food icon.
- Chimichanga Deep-fried burrito, often claimed to have been invented in Arizona.
- Prickly pear margarita Cactus-fruit cocktail, a desert twist on a classic.
- Navajo taco Frybread topped with meat and beans, found at local fairs and stands.
- Green corn tamale Sweet corn tamale, a regional specialty.
Where people go
- Desert hiking trails Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, and South Mountain offer iconic climbs.
- Golf resorts Hundreds of courses set against desert landscapes, a year-round draw.
- Spring training ballparks Cactus League stadiums host MLB teams every February and March.
- Indian casinos
- Water parks Big Splash and others offer relief from the desert heat.
Heritage and traditions
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler is proud of its Sonoran Desert identity—a place where ancient Hohokam canals meet modern innovation, where the sun shines 300 days a year, and where a blend of Native American, Hispanic, and Western heritage creates a vibrant, resilient culture.
This time of year in Phoenix area
- Arizona Taco Festival October A celebration of tacos and tequila, with live music and contests, held in Scottsdale.
Say it like a local: “Haboob” — A sudden, violent dust storm common in the summer.
Festivals
- Phoenix Pride April Annual LGBTQ+ festival and parade in April, celebrating diversity with music and community.
- Dia de los Muertos November Day of the Dead celebrations in November, with altars, marigolds, and cultural events across the Valley.
- Scottsdale ArtWalk Thursdays year-round Thursday evening gallery strolls in Old Town Scottsdale, featuring local artists and live music.
- Arizona Taco Festival October A celebration of tacos and tequila, with live music and contests, held in Scottsdale.
- M3F Fest (McDowell Mountain Music Festival) March A non-profit music festival in Phoenix featuring indie and electronic acts.
- Arizona Renaissance Festival February–April A 16th-century-themed fair with jousting, crafts, and food, held in Gold Canyon.
Landmarks with a story
- Pueblo Grande Museum Archaeological site and museum preserving Hohokam ruins and artifacts, with a platform mound and irrigation canals.
- Tovrea Castle A historic landmark in Phoenix, a wedding-cake-like castle built in the 1920s, now open for tours.
- Arizona State Capitol Historic government building in Phoenix, now a museum with exhibits on Arizona history.
- Rosson House Victorian-era house in Heritage Square, restored and open for tours in downtown Phoenix.
- Taliesin West Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and architectural school in Scottsdale, a National Historic Landmark.
- Wrigley Mansion Chewing gum magnate's 1929 mansion in Phoenix, now a private club and event venue.
Food traditions
- Sonoran hot dog A bacon-wrapped hot dog topped with pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, and jalapeño sauce, served in a bolillo roll—a Sonoran specialty popular at street carts.
- Chimichanga Deep-fried burrito said to have been invented in Phoenix in the 1920s; a local favorite at Mexican restaurants.
- Green corn tamales Sweet corn tamales wrapped in corn husks, often served during the holidays—a Southwestern tradition.
- Prickly pear margarita A refreshing cocktail made with prickly pear cactus fruit, a desert twist on the classic margarita.
- Navajo taco Fry bread topped with beans, meat, cheese, and vegetables—a Native American staple found at fairs and festivals.
Music and arts
- Mariachi music A vibrant mariachi scene, with festivals and performances at local venues and cultural events.
- Southwestern art Scottsdale is known for galleries featuring Western, Native American, and contemporary Southwestern art.
- Roosevelt Row A downtown Phoenix arts district with colorful murals, galleries, and monthly art walks.
- Indie rock and punk Phoenix has a thriving indie music scene, with bands like The Format and local venues like The Crescent Ballroom.
A little history
- 1867 Phoenix founded as an agricultural community on the site of ancient Hohokam canals.
- 1912 Arizona becomes the 48th state, with Phoenix as the capital.
- Early 1900s Construction of the Salt River Project brings reliable water, enabling rapid growth.
- 1950s–1960s Phoenix becomes a major Sun Belt city during the post-WWII boom, aided by air conditioning.
- 1996, 2008, 2015, 2023 The Valley hosts the Super Bowl multiple times, cementing its status as a major sports destination.
Rivalries
- ASU vs. U of A The Territorial Cup in college football and all sports.
- Suns vs. Lakers NBA rivalry with lots of history and star power.
- Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers NL West clashes with passionate fanbases.
- Cardinals vs. 49ers NFC West games that often decide the division.
- Game day The 16th hole at the Phoenix Open
- Game day Sun Devil Stadium's 'Fork 'Em' sign
- Outdoors Sunset at Hole-in-the-Rock
- Outdoors Driving the Apache Trail
- With kids Splash pads and water parks
- With kids The 'A' Mountain hike
Phoenix residents speak with a neutral Western American accent, but Spanish words and phrases are common. Locals drop the 'the' before freeway numbers (e.g., 'take 10 to 101'), and use desert-specific terms like 'monsoon' and 'haboob' with ease.
Only here
- Haboobs: massive dust storms that can turn the sky orange and roll across the Valley.
- The Phoenix Open's 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, where the crowd is famously rowdy and the stadium seating is like a party.
- The 'A' Mountain in Tempe, a butte with a giant 'A' that students repaint for ASU games.
- The canal system: miles of irrigation canals that double as bike and walking paths.
New here? A few tips
- Stay hydrated: the dry heat can be deceptive, so always carry water, especially in summer.
- Learn the freeway system: 'the 10', 'the 101', 'the 202' are key arteries; avoid rush hour if possible.
- Embrace the monsoon: summer storms bring dust and rain—be prepared for sudden downpours and power outages.
- Try a Sonoran hot dog from a street cart—it's a local rite of passage.
- Get a sunshade for your car windshield; you'll thank yourself in July.
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Areas in Phoenix area
Nearby
Every areaPrescottArizonaHigh country charmFlagstaffArizonaWhere the pines meet the canyonShow LowArizonaWhere the pines meet the painted desertTucsonArizonaSunshine, saguaros, and Sonoran soul.Apache CountyArizonaWhere the desert sky meets the spirit of the NavajoParkerArizonaDesert sun, river cool, and wide-open skies.SaffordArizonaDesert gold, mountain air, and a valley that feels like home.Lake Havasu CityArizonaWhere the desert meets the lake.
Phoenix-Mesa, AZ CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.