| Phoenix, as the nation's 9th largest city, is certainly an interesting place to visit. Orange and grapefruit trees flourish downtown Phoenix, and palm trees line major thoroughfares. The modern Civic Plaza includes a concert hall and convention center. In contrast, nearby Heritage Square is a full city block of restored historic buildings from the 1800s. Across from Civic Plaza, visitors can explore the world of science in the Arizona Museum of Science and Technology. |
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History of Phoenix
The first people to settle and farm in the Phoenix area were the Hohokam Native Americans who arrived around 300 AD. They built 135 miles of waterways which fed their crops and villages from the water of the Salt River. It is still a mystery why these ancient people vanished, but the accepted theory is their settlement was destroyed by a long drought.
It wasn't until the 1800s that modern history began to rebuild from these prehistoric ashes. In 1867, a farmer by the name of Jack Swilling of Wickenburg discovered the conditions of Phoenix to be quite suitable for farming. He established an irrigation canal company and began digging canals.
Not long after water began flowing into the region, a growing number of settlers arrived to establish permanent homesteads. A resident by the name of Darrell Duppa suggested that they name the town "Phoenix" after the Phoenix Bird of Egyptian legend -- a bird that was burned in its nest and from the ashes a new and more beautiful bird arose. Druppa and other settlers felt that the town would rise from the ashes of the ancient cultures who had occupied the land so long before and grow into a new and more beautiful city.
In 1874 a patent for the site of Phoenix was issued by Ulysses S. Grant and the city was officially incorporated on Feb. 15, 1881. Phoenix was surveyed and lots were established within the 96 blocks of the town site.
Phoenix remained a small farming community until the 1930s when tourism began to flourish due to the warm climate and healthy environment. The population grew in rapidly, making Phoenix the 9th largest city in the U.S. today.
Phoenix Today
Phoenix has been the Arizona capital since 1889, and over 2 million people live in the Phoenix area today. It is located on the upper edge of the Sonoran Desert, and situated in the south-central portion of the state at the intersection of Interstates 17 and 10. Phoenix is an agricultural, industrial and service center. It is surrounded by 22 other cities in the Valley of the Sun where western style homes and sprawling shopping malls abound.
Hotels Found in the Phoenix Area
Here are some hotels that you could stay at if you were to visit Phoenix.
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Arizona Biltmore: Considered one of the more spectacular resorts in the world, the Biltmore features 736 guest accommodations. It's located about 6 miles north of the Phoenix Airport, near the Squaw Peak Mountain. |
| Best Western Grace Inn: It's located at the gateway between downtown Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and new developments in Tempe. The spacious rooms feature refrigerators, coffee makers, hairdryers, iron and ironing boards along with a well-lit desk area. Larger one-bedroom suites offer separate sleeping quarters and kitchen complete with microwave ovens. |
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Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas: Even though this hotel is located in a city near Phoenix, it's just as wonderful as the rest. Equipped with 12 meeting rooms and a Grand Ballroom, this is a great hotel to stay in. It's located within walking distance of the finest shops and restaurants Scottsdale has to offer. All guestrooms are completely renovated and reflect our southwestern heritage. Rooms include up-to-the-minute amenities, such as dual line phones with voice mail and data port as well as such comforts as coffee maker with complimentary coffee, hair dryer and on-command video. |
| Radisson Hotel Phoenix Airport: The Best Western Airport Inn is conveniently located one mile south of Sky Harbor International Airport. At the Best Western Airport Inn, you will discover that our attentive staff will go out of their way to make your stay pleasant. Relax after a day of sightseeing or business meetings by enjoying a refreshing dip in our heated pool. Soothe tired muscles in our hot tub or try a steamy sauna. |
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Painted Mountain Golf Resort: From its spectacular clubhouse and expanded outdoor hot tub to it's high-tech fitness center, Painted Mountain Golf Resort sets a new standard in resort amenities. With Red Mountain as the backdrop, the world famous John Jacobs' Golf School at Painted Mountain features an 18-hole championship course, a nine-hole executive course and two practice areas, including the 270 degree Learning Center Range - the largest on-course teaching facility in the state. |
Interesting Things to do while in Phoenix
Phoenix has many fascinating things to do and explore! You will find many activities below.
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Some of them include visiting Arizona's State Capitol Museum. Throughout the
building are colorful murals and paintings depicting Arizona's historic events
and scenic landscapes.
This building was built in 1900. The Capitol houses exhibits including restores offices, chambers and the USS Arizona Silver. The Museum is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Tours are available at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The building is handicapped accessible and the museum and tours are free. |
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Father north is the Head Museum of Anthropology and Primitive Art, one of the finest collections of Indian artifacts in the world. Both prehistoric and modern-day southwestern Indian Cultures are represented by thousands of artifacts. One room is filled with the kachina collection of the former Arizona senator Barry Goldwater. In a special children's area, visitors can make cornhusk dolls and hear Indian legends. |
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Phoenix's Heard Museum of Anthropology and Primitive Art (above) has one of the finest collections of Indian artifacts in the world. |
On the east side of Phoenix is Pueblo Grande, a prehistoric Hohokam settlement occupied from about 200 B.C. to A.D. 1450. Besides the ruins of Hohokam canals, there is a museum with displays of artifacts excavated from the site.
Farther east, in Papago Park, is the Desert Botanical Garden. This outdoor museum displays more than ten thousand varieties of cactus and other plants from deserts all over the world. Jackrabbits, squirrels, desert tortoises, and other creatures creep and scurry through the natural desert habitat. In one area, children may grind corn and mesquite beans and make yucca brushes.
Next to the garden is the Phoenix Zoo, which includes a children's zoo. Other interesting spots in Phoenix are the Hall of Fame fire-fighting museum and the Arizona Mineral Museum with collections of petrified wood and gemstones.
