Phoenix, Arizona, sits in the northeastern corner of the Sonoran Desert and is home to more than 1,600,000 residents. As the fifth most populated city in the country, Phoenix is teaming with literally thousands of entertaining and educational activities. The city and surrounding areas have some of the nation's best golf courses, sports teams and museums, and mild wintertime temperatures make outdoor activities a year-round option.
Golfing
With year-round sunshine and some of the nation's most breathtaking natural scenery, it's easy to see why golfers flock to Phoenix. The city and surrounding areas offer dozens of courses to suit anyone from beginners to professionals. The TPC Scottsdale course annually hosts one of the most well-attended golf tournaments in the world, the Waste Management Phoenix Open. For a more relaxed round of golf, try the 9-hole Encanto Nine Golf Course, which is open to the public.
Hiking
Despite being one of the nation's largest metropolitan areas, getting out of the city and onto one of the area's dozens of hiking trails is easy. For a more strenuous workout, check out Camelback Mountain, Phoenix's most prominent natural landmark. The mountain towers 2,704 feet above the city and offers hikers two distinct routes to its peak. If you would rather take it easy, try the Lost Dog Wash Trail, a six-mile trail with few inclines.
Museums
If you would like to get a bit of culture in Phoenix, try visiting one of the city's many museums. The Phoenix Art Museum showcases masterworks from some of the world's most well-known artists in its 203,000- square-foot space. If viewing Picassos and Van Goghs seems a little too dry, stop by the Children's Museum of Phoenix, which offers a more hands-on approach to art with dozens of interactive exhibits for kids.
Sporting events
Residents of Phoenix takes their sports teams seriously, and the city hosts professional basketball, baseball, football and hockey teams. During the NBA season, there's no better place to be than the U.S. Airways Center, where the Phoenix Suns showcase their amazing skills. Phoenix residents don't joke around when it comes to basketball, which was demonstrated by a recent streak of home game sellouts that spanned 153 games. For football fans, stop by the state-of-the art University of Phoenix Stadium, which is home to the Arizona Cardinals and hosted the Super Bowl in 2008.
Nightlife
After a long day of hiking or visiting museums, treat yourself to a little bit of fun and check out Phoenix's ultra-hip nightlife scene. Downtown Phoenix pulsates with activity once the sun goes down, and it's easy to find gourmet restaurants and chic shopping centers. Pizzeria Bianco has been showcased on the Food Network for its delectable Italian cuisine, and Sens is quickly becoming a top spot for Asian tapas.
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