Phoenix is the closest major airport to the Grand Canyons South Rim. One of the fastest growing cites in the Southwest, the Valley of the Sun has pretty much every amenity one could want or need. Once filled with beautiful orchards and cotton farms, Phoenix is now a mecca for golfers, shoppers, and retirees. Although the city offers many venues for sports and music as well as the above listed services, Phoenix is lacking a large number of cultural destinations, in comparison to places like Chicago, New York City, or San Francisco. If you're coming to Phoenix to visit the Grand Canyon there are several Grand Canyon Tours and Vacation Packages that start in the Phoenix Valley.
Phoenix is located in the Sonoran Desert, and this is reflected in its weather. Early Spring and late Fall have wonderful weather, and winters are very mild. The sun is almost always shining in the Phoenix Valley, and this includes the summer when temperatures can exceed 116 degrees in the shade. Summer weather can also be extreme during the monsoon season in July and August, when impressive thunderstorms turn dry creek beds into raging torrents.
Outdoor activities consist mostly of golfing, hiking, horseback riding and golfing. Giant Saguaro Cactuses offer a beautiful backdrop, and popular hikes like Camelback Mountain offer a good way to stretch your legs. An hour or so drive from this metropolitan destination will bring you to Mt Lemon, the Chiricahuas, and some other topnotch adventure base camps. Sedona is another popular destination fairly close to Phoenix at about 2 hours and of course a Grand Canyon Adventure is a mere four hours and two worlds away.
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