Five reasons to visit Phoenix

This Southwestern city has good shopping, better food and the best baseball around.

1. Spring Training 

The American Pastime is alive and well during springtime in Arizona. The Cactus League’s official home is the Valley of the Sun, and Phoenix residents flock to Spring Training games every day of the week. And you don’t have to be a D-Backs fan to enjoy baseball in Arizona. The Cactus Leage is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.

2. Restaurants

If you come to Phoenix, there’s a good chance you’ll be dining with Sam Fox. The Phoenix restaurant scene wouldn’t be complete without Fox, the powerhouse owner of Fox Restaurant Concepts. Of the 16 restaurants under the Fox umbrella, some of the more notable eateries in this family include Sauce, The Henry, and True Food. If you’re a foodie on a budget, some of Phoenix’s best eateries are also some of the city’s most affordable restaurants.

 3. Year-round outdoor activities

Sure, the summer months scorch. From triple-digit temperatures to haboobs—giant dust clouds that settle over the city— (and yes, we know they sound weird), Phoenix summers aren’t for everyone. But, if you’re coming to town from October to April, you’ll find sunny skies and perfect days. Thanks to the balmy weather, there isn’t a shortage of outdoor activities to suit every taste. Most notable are Arizona’s 194 different mountain ranges. They span the state and frame the Valley, leaving beautiful scenery and great hiking trails.

If climbing isn’t for you, take a swing at any of Phoenix’s many golf courses.

4. Museums

When the temperatures rise, Phoenicians flock to malls, movies and museums. And if you’re interested in museums, you’ll discover that Phoenix is home to some of the country’s best. The Musical Instrument Museum, known as the MIM, is a mecca for music maniacs. If you’re a fan of Frida, check out the Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix. The Heard’s exhibits center around the art, culture and lifestyles of Native people in the Southwest. The Arizona Science Center is another can’t-miss destination in Phoenix. There, you’ll learn about everything from the human body to lasers to butterflies.

5. Shopping

For the foreign fashionistas visiting Phoenix for the first time, Arizona’s capital is home to some of the best shopping in the country. Visit the Kierland Commons in Scottsdale. The Commons are a collection of outdoor boutiques, galleries and some of Phoenix’s best restaurants. The grounds have gardens, water features and ample outdoor seating. If you’re trying to escape the heat, and burn a hole in your wallet, Fashion Square Mall is one of the best shopping destinations in the U.S. The massive shopping center boasts several department stores, including Nordstrom,  Neiman Marcus, Barneys, Macy’s and Dillards. If you’re not in the mood to wander around a department store, wander around Louis Vuitton, Prada or Tory Burch. If you’re a frugal fashionista, Fashion Square’s affordable staples include Madewell, J.Crew, Anthropologie and a two-story H&M.