Spotlights

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The multi-armed saguaro cacti is perhaps the most quintessential symbol of the American Southwest

Spotlight

Phoenix and Scottsdale

Day Trips

If you are planning a longer stay in the Valley area, there are numerous worthwhile attractions to be discovered just a bit further afield. The historic Apache Trail (or Hwy. 88) can be accessed from the town of Apache Junction, just 36 miles east of downtown Phoenix. The 48-mile-long route was once used by Apache Indians and is marked by breathtaking scenery, ghost towns, and ancient Indian ruins, all in the shadow of the Superstition Mountains – it's well worth devoting an entire day to (many opt for more), but make sure to time your stops accordingly if you want to make it back to Scottsdale or Phoenix proper for the night. Although the trip can certainly be made by car, it's not a trip for the wary, as some of the terrain is rugged, complete with unpaved roads and hairpin turns. If you prefer, you can hire a jeep tour to do the driving for you; Apache Trail Tours (480/982-7661; $70+; www.apachetrailtours.com) runs half-day and day-long tours.

Also out this way is the town of Superior (65 miles east of downtown Phoenix), where an extraordinary stroll awaits at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum's (37615 Hwy. 60; hours vary by season; 520/689-2723; $7.50; www.ag.arizona.edu/bta) beautiful preserve of native vegetation and fantastical rock structures.

If you opt instead to head about 2 hours (115 miles) south of downtown Phoenix on I-10, you'll come to Tucson (Visitor Center, 100 S. Church Ave.; 520/624-1817 or 800/638-8350; www.visittucson.org), also known as the "Old Pueblo." It's Arizona's second largest city, and regarded by tourists for its old quarter, museums, and outdoor recreation options like those found in the Saguaro National Park (3693 S. Old Spanish Trail; 7am-sunset; 520/733-5153; $10/vehicle; www.nps.gov/sagu).

Driving 4 hours (230 miles) north of Phoenix proper will bring you to the South Rim of the majestic Grand Canyon (South Rim; daily 24 hours; 928/638-7888; $25/vehicle; www.nps.gov/grca); one of the "Seven Wonders of the World" and the premier place for unforgettable adventures into the great outdoors.

Closer by is the picturesque Red Rock Country of Sedona (116 miles north of downtown Phoenix; Visitor Center, 331 Forest Rd.; 928/282-7722 or 800/288-7336; www.visitsedona.com) that serves as a spiritual retreat, resort town, and artistic center. Nearby in the mining-town-turned-artists-haven of Jerome (110 miles north of downtown Phoenix; www.jeromechamber.com) awaits funky stores and historic buildings. Also of interest this way is Montezuma Castle National Monument (95 miles north of downtown Phoenix, Camp Verde; daily 8am-5pm, 6pm in summer; 928/567-3322; $5; www.nps.gov/moca), where some of Arizona's more accessible Sinagua Indian cliff dwellings are found.

For organized tours, try one of Gray Line's (602/437-3484 or 800/777-3484; www.graylinearizona.com) Grand Canyon ($148) or Sedona ($95) day trip excursions, or contact Open Road Tours (602/997-6474 or 800/766-7117; $80+; www.openroadtours.com) for information on their day and multi-day trips to Tucson, Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Mexico, and more.