October 2007
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Phoenix Destination Guide
Text by Lisa Lombardi Photo by Dan Vermillion
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Guests enjoy the pool at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, a luxury resort. |
Arizona's capital rises to a new level of year-round appeal.
 n 1868, Phoenix was named after the mythical bird in hopes that a new town would spring from the ruins of the ancient Hohokam people. Not only did the area grow to become the fifth-largest city in the United States, but it has also soared as a year-round tourist destination. Award-winning restaurants of all flavors mark Phoenix as an emerging contender in the culinary world, and mountain biking enthusiasts flock to the city's nearby trails. Below are some resources to help you make the most of your time in the Valley of the Sun.
Blogs
Podcasts
Newspapers
Magazines
Maps
Books
Movies
Blogs
Downtown Phoenix Journal
Short entries give a quick taste of what's going on around the city. With stories on the public market, Arizona State University, and even a blog by Mayor Phil Gordon, there's hardly a topic that goes overlooked. Be sure to check for posts on live shows, academic lectures, and free stuff to do in the city.
Bright Side of the Sun
The Suns have entered another golden NBA era with MVP Steve Nash helping them to the conference semifinals three years in a row. Scroll through the latest news and read fan commentary.Podcasts
Arizona Almanac
Host Ed Phillips covers the latest in Arizona news and shares informative opinions and helpful tips from local experts. Don't let the twangy opening music discourage you from listening further: Phillips keeps it lively with his cohost and guests as they cover authentic attractions and events, teach recipes and gardening tips, and debunk local myths.
Arizona Trails
If you're unfamiliar with the area but still want to hit the trails for a day outdoors, Eb Eberlein provides detailed directions to each of his suggested trail hikes. Check out the alternate routes, wilderness-viewing highlights, and brief historical anecdotes.
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Newspapers
Phoenix New Times
The New Times is a free, alternative weekly newspaper that regularly features the best in movies, music, and other entertainment around town. Check out Chow Bella, their blog devoted to the ever-growing local dining scene. Click on the "Best of" link for information about the publication's picks for food, shopping, entertainment, and more.
Fast Facts
• Arizona's capital is also its largest city.
• The metro area includes 15 institutions of higher learning.
• Although it's known as a retirement spot, only 12 percent of Phoenix's population is over 65. |
Arizona Republic
The largest newspaper in the state, the Republic provides coverage of local and national news. The "Get OUT" section and events calendar will help plan your weekend. For those who decide to stay, the relocation guide offers helpful tips.
Magazines
Phoenix Magazine
Get a taste of the area with feature articles about local residents and attractions. Restaurants, weekend destinations, and adventures are regularly profiled and target the affluent Arizonian. If you miss the annual "Best of the Valley" issue, be sure to visit the website for the complete list.
Arizona Foothills Magazine
Skim the pages of the Fashion section to get a look at the hottest local trends. Brush up on Arizona celebrity news or community happenings with the People section. The spas and resorts recommended will help you stay relaxed while in Arizona.
Arizona Highways Magazine
Photos supplement stories that focus on the scenic destinations of Arizona. The "Experience AZ" section offers authentic events and attractions, such as outdoor film screenings, art gallery exhibits, and stargazing festivals. Feature stories will let you experience all parts of Arizona—even those you don't get a chance to visit.
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Arizona-Sonora Desert Region Map
The National Geographic Society teamed up with the Arizona Office of Tourism to create a specialized map of the area that is detailed and informative. An Interactive Mapguide can be customized to show only the locations of festivals, museums, or other points of interest.
Arizona Department of Transportation
This series of maps from the Department of Transportation will help you plan your trip. The interactive base map is especially useful, allowing you to add or subtract certain layers of information.
City of Phoenix Website
The Map Wizard is a handy step-by-step tool to create a map that caters to your specific needs, whether you're looking for an overview of the city or want a visual guide to help with directions to a certain location. Trying to visit friends or relatives and can't find their neighborhood on your road map? Just enter the address or nearby sights, and the Map Wizard will lead you there.
Books
Legends of the American Desert: Sojourns in the Greater Southwest, by Alex Shoumatoff (1997)
This entertaining collection of short essays spans topics from a Sedona vortex tour to the scarcity and importance of water in the Southwest. One chapter is devoted to Phoenix: its not-too-stellar past and current New Age energy. Shoumatoff embarks on a "soul-life reading" from a transplant from Brooklyn who tells him, "Phoenix is the solar-plexus chakra of the earth . . . . People come here to cleanse themselves."
Animal Dreams, by Barbara Kingsolver (1991)
After failing to achieve her professional dream of becoming a medical practitioner, Codi Noline returns to her hometown of Grace, Arizona, to take care of her father, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. When Grace's water supply is ruined by pollution, Codi joins the fight to preserve her town's resources. In this Southwestern town steeped in Native American culture, Codi rediscovers her passion for life and reconnects with her family and past.
Movies
Psycho (1960)
In a single afternoon, Marion Crane goes from working as an assistant in a Phoenix office to stealing $40,000 from her boss. Once out of town, she makes a stop at the vacant Bates Motel, run by the ultimate momma's boy, Norman Bates. It's been more than 40 years since the film was made, and the infamous shower scene will still make you think twice before stepping into the tub.
Raising Arizona (1987)
A convict and policewoman fall in love and marry, intent on raising a family and living happily ever after in Arizona. However, when they are unable to conceive, the duo decides to kidnap a baby from a set of quintuplets. In true Coen Brothers style, craziness ensues, and they must try to keep the baby safe from convict friends, co-workers, and a biker bounty hunter.
Tombstone (1993)
Wyatt Earp moved to Tombstone, Arizona, to retire from the law in peace, but when a band of outlaws called the Cowboys starts causing trouble, he and his friends can't help but get involved. The Hollywood production tells the story of Arizona's famous shoot-out at the O.K. Corral and its bloody outcome.
Lilies of the Field (1963)
Sidney Poitier stars in this story of a man who travels through the desert, looking for work. When he stops at a farm in Arizona that is inhabited by German nuns, the sisters believe that he was sent by God to fix their roof. He completes the roof repairs, but also takes on more complicated projects. Poitier won an Oscar for Best Actor for this humble and touching film.
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