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Phoenix, Arizona is one of the hottest places in the Southwest to have a good time. The most popular time to visit is in winter due to the weather being so nice compared to the rest of the country. In the greater Phoenix area visitors will find world-class golf courses, hiking trails, and great shopping centers. Phoenix is also a short drive from most of Arizona's well known vacation and tourist attractions. The Grand Canyon is about a four-hour drive north of the city, and Sedona is only a two-hour drive.
 Phoenix is a golf lover's dream as evidenced by the 200 hundred courses in and around the city. The Phoenix area also hosts the PGA Tour's FBR Open every year at the Tournament Players Club of Scottsdale Stadium Course. Visitors have many courses to choose from. From playing at the public facilities to playing at resort courses, each course is unique but all provide great views of the Phoenix backdrop. Some of the more popular courses in the city are the Cave Creek Golf Course, Monument at Troon North Golf Club and the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club.
Those wanting more energetic outdoor activity should take a hike up Camelback Mountain. The beautiful red cliffs and its namesake hump make this a popular spot for Phoenix area hikers. Beware though; hiking to the top is not for beginning hikers. There are two main trails to the summit and both feature difficult trails that will test most average hikers. There are some easier trails that will give great views and bring hikers to some great vantage points around the base. Parking is limited at Camelback Mountain which can mean for long waits for a spot at these busy trails.
 To get some great views without expending all of your energy, you should definitely check out the Phoenix Zoo. The Phoenix Zoo was voted as one of the top five zoos for kids and features exhibits that both children and adults will enjoy and is one of Phoenix’s favorite vacation attractions. The Phoenix Zoo is home to approximately 1,300 animals including 200 endangered or threatened birds, mammals and reptiles from around the world.
There are four different sections, also known as trails, within the zoo grounds. These trails feature the different climates of the animals in the park: The Tropics, Africa, Arizona, and a children's trail. There have been several different habitats added to the zoo in recent years including a Wallaby Walkabout, Enchanted Forest, Monkey Village, and the Leapin' Lagoon water play area. The Phoenix Zoo is the most popular year-round attraction in metro Phoenix, hosting an average of one million visitors annually.
Those looking to shop while traveling to the Phoenix area should definitely check out the Biltmore Fashion Park. This outdoor fashion center features high-end department stores such as Sak's Fifth Avenue to boutique stores such as Cartier and Caché. There is also a bookstore and several restaurants to relax at as well. Make sure to look your best, as valley celebrities and athletes have been known to frequent this center.
A short drive away is the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall. Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall is home to Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. Other stores include: Hugo Boss, Gucci, and Banana Republic. This mall also has two movie theaters. One showing blockbuster hits (located in the mall) and the other features independent films. There are also several highly popular restaurants in Fashion Square mall. Visitors will have to choose between several different styles of food ranging from Asian, Italian, Mexican, and more.
If you're visiting Phoenix on business or vacation, there is something for every type of traveler in this jewel of the desert. To search for Phoenix hotel room rates or to make a reservation begin your search here. For Phoenix information, Phoenix area vacation attractions or visitor guides go to www.phoenixcvb.com. To learn more about the Phoenix area or Phoenix hotels please visit the Best Western Hotels of Arizona website.
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