Arizona Valley of the Sun Vacation Guide
The area around Phoenix, Arizona is affectionately called "the Valley of the Sun," since the region sees sunshine an average of 325 days a year. A day's itinerary when you rent Valley of the Sun vacation homes can include hiking, golfing, tennis, sight-seeing, shopping, or just lounging by a pool and watching the world go by. Culturally, the area is a hub of creativity with museums, live theatre, art galleries, and historical sights woven into the fiber of the intriguing atmosphere.When you stay in Phoenix vacation rentals, you can enjoy the state capital, which buzzes with cultural attractions that pay homage to the Native American and Wild West heritage of the city. One such venue is the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum, which displays examples of the gold and copper early settlers sought. There is also a collection of dinosaur fossils, and the tools used to excavate them. The Heard Museum depicts Native American cultures and has an exhibit, Native Peoples of the Southwest, that examines the culture of each of the major tribes of the region. The Crossroads Gallery also has an excellent display of Native American art.
You can also rent homes in Scottsdale, which is a few miles east of Phoenix and has developed a reputation for incredible resorts and as the artistic center of Arizona. An example of this artistic awareness can be seen at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts and Museum of Contemporary Art. This all-encompassing arts center has two buildings dedicated to galleries for modern art, an 800-seat performing arts theatre, a cinema, and an outdoor amphitheatre. The collection includes some 1,500 objects, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, works on paper, mixed media installations, and architectural renderings.
Mesa, Arizona's third largest city, has a population of nearly half a million. Mesa is another city in the Valley that prides itself on its cultural heritage, which you can enjoy when you stay in Mesa vacation rentals. For a view of Mesa's past, step back in time when you visit the Mesa Southwest Museum. See the Tunnel of Time with its meteorites and exhibits about the universe or journey to Dinosaur Mountain with its full-sized, lifelike critters. There are also exhibits depicting life in the surrounding Sonora Desert.
Golfers make the pilgrimage in droves to the Valley of the Sun. With over 200 courses to choose from, the area is fast becoming a favorite golf destination in the entire United States. For incredible views of desert vistas and a stiff test of golfing skill, try the Boulders, the TPC of Scottsdale, and the ASU-Karsten Golf Course, which is part of Arizona State University. There are hundreds of other courses, all offering interesting challenges.
The desert surrounding the Valley of the Sun offers a quiet beauty that resonates with an echo of the past. Hikers will want to hike the trails up the Camelback Mountain or Squaw Peak. The hikes are steep, but the rewards are great. Camelback Mountain is the highest peak in the city and one of the most popular trails in the vicinity.
The Valley of the Sun has something to offer every visitor. Head to a Wild West show or visit a Ghost Town. Go see a spring training game as the "Cactus League" gets going in March. Climb on a horse and take a scenic ride through the desert. Visit a sidewalk art sale in Scottsdale. Take in an Arizona Cardinals game in Tempe. Hop on a mountain bike for a ride through South Mountain or Papago Park. Visit a day-spa for a massage or an herbal wrap. The Valley of the Sun is a getaway that will please every age group and personal taste.
