Arizona's East Valley of the Sun Vacation Guide

The area around Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, and Tempe, Arizona is affectionately called "the Valley of the Sun." The region sees sunshine on average 325 days a year.

The fast-growing East Valley offers visitors a diversity of outdoor, cultural, historical, and leisure activities. Six communities define the area, each offering distinct experiences: Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek and Tempe.

Combining urban amenities with outdoor activities and cultural attractions, Arizona's third largest city is Mesa. For a glimpse into the region's past, visit the Mesa Southwest Museum. The museum's exhibits display Mesa's heritage from dinosaurs to conquistadores. See the Tunnel of Time with its meteorites and exhibits about the universe. Dinosaur Mountain has full-sized, lifelike critters. There are also exhibits depicting life in the surrounding Sonoran Desert. The new 206,500-square-foot Mesa Arts Center, scheduled to open in 2005, will host live performances, gallery exhibits, art classes, and festivals. Mesa Arizona rentals are an ideal lodging choice to experience the great culture of the area.

Sports activities abound in the Mesa area. The Hohokam Stadium is the spring training home of the Chicago Cubs. Golfers make the pilgrimage in droves to the Valley of the Sun, and Mesa boasts a wide variety of golf courses. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding are popular pastimes in the Superstition Mountains and the Usery Mountain Recreation Area. Water sports enthusiasts can rent watercraft and fishing supplies at nearby Saguaro and Canyon Lakes.

A few miles south of Mesa is the city of Chandler, and Chandler home rentals make a great base for exploring the metro Phoenix area and the East Valley. Chandler offers world-class golf facilities, a skate park, year-round ice skating, international cuisine, and excellent shopping. The annual Ostrich Festival in March features exotic animal races with ostriches, camels, water buffalo, and hackney ponies.

Tempe is home to Arizona State University. Cultural activities on campus include Broadway shows and musicals at the Gammage Auditorium (a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece), theater at the Nelson Fine Arts Center, and photography and contemporary art the ASU Art Museum. Sports play an integral part of Tempe life. The Tempe Diablo Stadium is the spring training home of the Anaheim Angels. ASU's Sun Devil Stadium is home to the Sun Devils, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Fiesta Bowl. Outdoor recreation is enjoyed along the two-mile stretch of Tempe Town Lake, where canoes, kayaks, and electric boats can be rented. Don't forget to visit downtown Mill Avenue, a prime example of redevelopment, for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Experience the best of Tempe when you stay in Tempe home rentals.