The "Valley of the Sun" affords its residents and visitors 300 sunny days a year. This city of 1.3 million, the 6th largest city in the US, has unlimited growth potential because of the large amounts of undeveloped, prime desert land in every direction. The advent of the air conditioner has and will continue to the growth of this area. Phoenix has a rich native american history which is depicted in its many museums.

Phoenix Museum of History: Details pre-Apache settlers such as the Hohakam who built intricate irrigation canals to water crops. Europeans didn't settle in the area until the US Army constructed Fort McDowell in 1865. By 1890, Phoenix was the center of political, commercial and agricultural in the southwest.

Rosson House: 1895 Victorian house which symbolized the first generation of wood and brick houses which possible by the expansion of the railroad.

Old Towne Shopping District and Historic Catlin Court Shops: Located just northwest of Phoenix in Glendale, this area has antique shops, specialty stores, galleries. Many of the stores are housed in original, craftsman style bungalows.

Phoenix Fairgrounds Antique Market: Highly recommended, held 5 times a year, usually in January, February, May, September and November

Biltmore Fashion Park: Open-air shopping plaza with garden courtyards, high-end boutiques.

The summer months can be hot, but very comfortable thanks to swimming pools, water parks and air conditioning in just about every building. From May through September, flights to Arizona, hotel rooms and car rentals are cheaper. Also, hotel rooms and airfares to Phoenix during the weekdays cost even less. Find cheap flights to Phoenix and its surrounding areas (Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa and Glendale), including cheap vacation packages, hotels and car rentals. Good luck!