Cheap Phoenix Vacations

Phoenix vacations are great if you like to explore the mysteries of the desert. It's also a fun place for spring mountain bike riding and hiking. In fact, the Summit Trail at Piestewa Peak is one of the most popular hiking destinations in America. As the capital of Arizona, Phoenix has many historic landmarks and museums. Even though Phoenix gets incredibly hot in the summer, it's a great place to get wet at water parks or in the Salt River. The largest and newest water park in town is called Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix, which is very popular during Spring Break.

You will enjoy Phoenix vacations much better outside the summer months, unless you enjoy extreme heat. Phoenix is a desert with subtropical climate, and is easily the hottest major city in America, hitting 100 degrees nearly a third of the year. But winters can be cold in Phoenix, dipping below 40 degrees in January. December through February are usually the only cold months, while March and April have the most comfortable weather. The closest regular winter snow is in Flagstaff, Arizona.

The Phoenix Mountains are located in Downtown Phoenix, attracting hikers and mountain bikers with plenty of trails.

Chase Field made world history by being the first state of the art air-conditioned indoor baseball complex with a retractable roof over real grass.

Arizona State University has the largest enrollment of any university in America, with over 70,000 students spread over four campuses in Phoenix and nearby Tempe.

Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse is an Old West-themed recreational family restaurant with antique shops, train rides, stagecoach rides, horseback riding, a petting ranch and much more.

South Mountain Park covers 16,000 acres, making it the largest municipal park in America with horseback riding, hiking, and mountain bike riding.

The Desert Botanical Garden covers 140 acres, housing over 20,000 plants, with over 100 rare desert species such as indigenous cactus plants.

The Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum, run by the Arizona Historical Society, features exhibits of mining industry rocks, minerals, and prehistoric artifacts.

Lake Pleasant Regional Park, which includes the human-made reservoir Lake Pleasant, is a recreational area northwest of Phoenix, built for fishing, boating, and water sports.

Tovrea Castle, owned and revitalized by the city of Phoenix, is one of Arizona's most historic and visible landmarks, built in 1928, developed with an amazing desert garden.

Sunrise Trail at McDowell Mountains, located in the middle of the city, is one of the most popular hiking trails overlooking Phoenix.

Seventy miles north of Phoenix, Cosanti is an artistic desert gallery and "Earth House" owned by architect Paolo Soleri.

Phoenix Zoo, the biggest non-profit zoo in America, covers 125 acres that include more than 1,300 animals and a petting zoo.

Old Town Scottsdale is a charming preservation of history, featuring art galleries, a memorial of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and some of Arizona's best restaurants.

Arizona State University Planetarium, also known as the Flandrau Science Center, merges the themes of nature and science, with an emphasis on astronomy.

The Japanese Friendship Garden called Ro Ho En is jointly-operated by both the city of Phoenix and the city of Himej, Japan, and features a tea garden.