What you didn’t know about Phoenix, Arizona.
Phoenix sits in one of the most ecologically and geologically remarkable regions in North America, the Sonoran Desert, a landscape defined by biodiversity, ancient volcanic formations, and microclimates that shift subtly across the valley.
The desert here is one of the world’s greenest, thanks to two annual rainy seasons that allow cacti, wildflowers, and desert shrubs to flourish. Saguaro cacti, icons of the region, can live over 150 years and only grow in this part of the world, shaping the city’s visual identity in ways travelers rarely expect. Beneath Phoenix are layers of Indigenous history: the Hohokam canal systems that predate modern engineering, petroglyph sites tucked into mountain preserves, and cultural traditions still alive in local art, food, and community. The architecture throughout the city blends mid-century lines with desert modernism, a tradition shaped heavily by Frank Lloyd Wright’s time in the valley. And the sunsets, streaks of fire orange, lavender, rose, and molten gold, aren’t a cliché. They’re the result of desert dust, clean air, and wide sky creating color gradients so surreal they look digitally enhanced.
Five fascinations about Phoenix.
5. Home to America’s largest municipal park.
South Mountain Park & Preserve covers over 16,000 acres. That’s bigger than some cities, and it’s all yours to explore on foot, bike, or horseback.
4. It’s a spa and golf mecca.
Scottsdale, Phoenix’s posh sibling, is home to some of the world’s most exclusive spas and over 200 golf courses. Desert luxury hits different here.
3. You can hike a mountain in the middle of the city.
Camelback Mountain is one of the most iconic urban hikes in America, and it’s not for the faint of heart. But the summit views? Chef’s kiss.
2. More than 300 days of sunshine.
If you’re someone who lives for the light, Phoenix delivers. With virtually guaranteed sunshine, it’s the kind of place where you can ditch the umbrella for good.
1. It’s the fifth-largest city in the U.S.
You heard that right. Phoenix quietly climbed its way up the population rankings and now sits just behind giants like New York and Houston. It’s one of the fastest-growing cities, too.
Where meaningful travel begins.
Start your journey with Foresyte, where the planning is part of the magic.
Discover the experiences that matter most.
