By day, the sun fairly sparkles, and as evening nears the sunsets splash purple and blazing orange across the vast horizon. It is because of these wondrous sites that Phoenix's metro area is called the Valley of the Sun. This once sleepy agricultural town is now increasingly active and constantly expanding.

Although residents find no qualms about driving 200 miles for a picnic or a swim, visitors should definitely secure a car in order to get around, for everything is spread out. Although even if you stay downtown, you will find increasing popularity and booming energy amid the buildings at Van Buren and Third streets, the combination of restaurants, shops, and nightclubs will exceed your expectations.

But the area's awesome beauty, from the top of the nearby South Mountain to the distinctive Camelback Mountain, eclipses any manmade building. As you stroll through the desert you will be delightfully surprised by the abundance of plant life, and moved by the rolling hills that are criss-crossed by hiking trails. Enjoy the beauty of the native vegetation as well as the native animals that tend to roam the area.