Phoenix

Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, is the fifth-largest city in the United States and the hottest major city in North America — summer temperatures routinely exceed 43°C (110°F). But Phoenix is also the gateway to some of America's most dramatic desert landscapes and a city that has developed a genuinely interesting cultural scene, excellent restaurants and a growing reputation for contemporary architecture. The Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park is world-class — 140 acres of Sonoran Desert plants, including extraordinary cacti and a remarkable collection of plants adapted to arid environments, beautifully presented. The Heard Museum is the finest museum of Native American art and culture in the United States — its collection of Kachina dolls, Navajo textiles and contemporary Native art is outstanding. The Phoenix Art Museum holds a strong Western American and Mexican collection. Old Town Scottsdale (adjacent to Phoenix) has excellent galleries, resorts and restaurants. Camelback Mountain and South Mountain Park are excellent urban hiking destinations, best attempted in the cool early morning. Sedona (2 hours north, red rock landscape), the Grand Canyon South Rim (3.5 hours north), and the Saguaro National Park (near Tucson, 2 hours southeast) are outstanding day trips. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Taliesin West in Scottsdale is an architectural pilgrimage. Visit October–April for pleasant temperatures; May–September requires very early morning activity scheduling.