Phoenix is a one-of-a-kind desert city. Residents enjoy job opportunities, culture and excellent restaurants. A healthy lifestyle and recreational opportunities galore are part of the fabric of the city. Homeowners in Phoenix can also enjoy the area as retirees with many activities to pursue. VisitPhoenix.com describes the city as “red rocks, blue sky and golden sunshine. Phoenix is mountain trails and city lights. Phoenix is palm-canopied resorts and mural-adorned streetscapes. Phoenix is the cosmopolitan heart of Arizona and the soul of the American Southwest.” It’s no wonder people from all over the country are moving to Phoenix!
City attractions
Baseball Spring Training
When Major League Baseball began adding more franchises in the West, many clubs began moving to Phoenix for spring training as opposed to Florida. Several teams now hold their pre-seasons in the Phoenix area. Baseball fans from all over the country come to see the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, LA Dodgers, Kansas City Royals and more.
Phoenix Zoo
In addition to the typical zoo attractions, the Phoenix Zoo has a number of unique events such as Roars & Pours, Wildlights for Wildlife and ZooLights.
Earth and Space Expedition Center
Visitors to the Arizona Challenger Space Center enjoy space exhibits, camps and educational opportunities. The center also offers the opportunity to have a variety of space-themed birthday parties with an optional liquid nitrogen show, cupcake tower or popcorn bar.
Recreation
Ape Index
This indoor rock climbing gym offers fun for climbers of all levels. The gym also has youth climbing teams.
The City of Flagstaff
Flagstaff offers many attractions such as The Grand Canyon Railway, live theater performances, art shows and even skiing, making it a popular day trip destination.
Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Lake Pleasant Regional Park visitors can enjoy swimming, hiking, boating, fishing and camping. The thousands of acres are also home to a variety of wildlife.
iFLY Phoenix
Indoor skydiving offers the adventurous feeling of skydiving with the safety of not actually jumping out of a plane. The recently opened Phoenix iFLY location offers STEM field trips, “flight” packages, birthday parties, corporate events and more.
Culture and Dining
Country Thunder
This yearly, four-day country music festival has featured famous artists such as Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church and Luke Bryan.
West Valley Art Museum
Visitors to the West Valley Art Museum enjoy exhibits based on many themes from numerous countries around the world. The museum also hosts special events such as Photography in the Digital Age lectures and puppet shows. Many opportunities at the museum are free to the public.
Musical Instrument Museum
Music lovers will enjoy this museum rated the #1 Phoenix attraction by TripAdvisor®. In addition to exhibits of a plethora of musical instruments, the museum hosts concerts and other special events.
Different Pointe of View
This stellar dining experience is at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort. Be sure to try the Aleppa Seared Ahi, Shrimp Ravioli, Truffle Grilled Filet Mignon or the Pumpkin Spice, Chocolate & Pecan Cake.
Durant’s
Durant’s has been open for more than 65 years. Diners often enjoy Crab Macaroni and Cheese, Chicken Piccata and a number of popular steak dishes. For dessert, be sure to try the Chocolate Indulgence Cake.
Moving to Phoenix / The Valley of the Sun
A popular relocation destination, the cities and suburbs surrounding Metro Phoenix has something for every homebuyer. Residents can easily locate a new construction homes with quick access to city amenities. As a relocator, be sure to check out these cities in The Valley of the Sun:
Peoria:
Peoria is a scenic environment surrounded by both desert terrain and foothills. Top industries in Peoria include transportation, education, health care and hospitality.
Homeowners in the area enjoy the natural beauty of Sunrise Mountain Trail, Westwing Mountain, Pipeline Canyon Trail, Discovery Trail and Rio Vista Pond. There are also a multitude of parks in the area including Pioneer Community Park, Rio Vista Community Park, Sunnyslope Park, Alta Vista Park and more.
The Peoria Sports Complex offers the chance to observe professional teams during Spring Training and participate in events such as Phoenix BikeFest. Other popular activities in Peoria include the Arizona Broadway Theatre and Sky Zone.
Phoenix:
Phoenix is a major metropolitan area that also boasts a great deal of natural beauty including Echo Canyon Park, Lookout Mountain Park, Thunderbird Mountain, Phoenix Mountain Preserve and Desert West Lake. Top industries in the city are aerospace and defense, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.
Phoenix residents enjoy a warm, dry climate, a diverse art community, historic neighborhoods and many golf courses.
Popular attractions in the area include:
- Heard Museum
- Taliesin West
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Heritage Square
- Phoenix Art Museum
- Hall of Flame Fire Museum
- Phoenix Symphony
- Arizona Science Center
- Camelback Mountain
- Chase Field
Mesa:
Natural attractions in Mesa include Red Mountain, Saguaro Lake, Riverwest Lake and Usery Mountain. Mesa is bordered by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe and Apache Junction. It is the third-largest city in Arizona. According to MesaAz.gov, key industries in Mesa include healthcare, education, aerospace/aviation and tourism.
Homeowners often spend free time at:
- Golfland Sunsplash
- Salt River Tubing
- Red Mountain Ranch Country Club
- El Mar Diving Center
- Las Senda Golf Club
- CAF Airbase Arizona
- i.d.e.a. Museum
Queen Creek:
Queen Creek is a distinctive city with a number of historical homesteads, churches and old railway stops. Top industries in Queen Creek include education, healthcare, architecture and sales. Locals often enjoy visiting San Tan Mountain Regional Park.
Queen Creek has a number of local attractions:
- Founder’s Day Festival
- Schnepf Farms
- Queen Creek Performing Arts Center
- Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre
Avondale:
Previously a farming community, Avondale is now a major Phoenix suburb with a number of residential subdivisions and shopping centers. The suburb is located near Interstate 10 for an easy commute.
Natural attractions in Avondale consist of Monument Hill Hiking, Friendship Park, Cashion Community Park and Gilbert Salt River Meridian. Notable places in Avondale include Valley Golf Center, Festival Fields, Willingham Farm, Joedy Gardner Art Gallery, Phoenix Raceway and Phoenix’s Children’s Hospital.
Surprise/Waddell/Tolleson:
The new Arizona State Route 303 connects these communities, making it easy for residents of Surprise, Waddell and Tolleson to enjoy amenities in all three cities.
Natural attractions in this desirable area include White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Blue Mountain Development and Surprise Lake. Locals often spend free time at Wildlife World Zoo, Second Sunday in the Park and the White Tank Library and Nature Center. Surprise is the second-fastest growing suburb in the greater Phoenix area. Top industries here include government, health care and finance.
Buckeye:
Buckeye residents enjoy the natural beauty of Skyline Regional Park and Sundance Park. The largest employers in the area include the Walmart Distribution Center and the city of Buckeye.
Golf lovers have a wide variety of courses to play on including Raven Golf Club at Verrado, Copper Canyon Golf Club and Sundance Golf Club. Buckeye Aquatics Center, Desert Skydiving Center and GEO Savvy Tours are also entertaining ways to spend free time.
Maricopa:
Maricopa has a number of community activities such as a Color Fun Run & Walk and Citizen Leadership Academy. Natural attractions in Maricopa include South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness and the Sonoran Desert National Monument. Key industries in Maricopa include health care and education. Fun places to visit in Maricopa include Sonora Wings Tandem Hang Gliding, Maricopa Dog Park Alliance, Salt River Rafting and a number of casinos and resorts.
Education, finance, hospitality and health care are top industries in Maricopa. The Ak-Chin Indian Community is in Maricopa and has created a golf course, casino, resort and other entertainment opportunities that draw residents from the larger Phoenix area.
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