The state capital city is a great destination for swimming, golf, desert hiking and other sunny activities. It’s about 140 miles from Flagstaff and 230 miles to the Grand Canyon

By The Time You Get To Phoenix: Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is served by most major national and international airlines. It’s a 20-minute ride into the city by bus or taxi. skyharbor.com Places To Visit: Papago Park is a green expanse within the city. It’s surrounded by colorful red sandstone hills, and festooned with palm trees, saguaro cacti, hiking trails and other natural scenery.  

It also contains the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Gardens, making the entire Papago Park area a great place to spend a warm, sunny winter, spring or summer day. phoenix-attractions.10best.info/papago.html

Apache Trail: You can take a tour bus or rent a car to venture into the Sonoran Desert west of Phoenix. Visit the Superstition Mountain are, including the Lost Dutchman State Park, Goldfield Ghost Town, Saguaro Lake, the Canyon Lake and the Tonto National Monument. americansouthwest.net/arizona/apache_trail

Royal Palms Hotel and Spa: Rated by AAA as five-star, the Mediterranean-themed resort is surrounded by citrus groves, desert palms and many cactus species. It’s located in the upscale Scottsdale area, surrounded by Camelback Mountain. Rates are from $250. royalpalmshotel.com

Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse, Chandler AZ: The fun destination is just 15 minutes from Sky Harbor at Wild Horse Pass, is a fun place to visit. In addition to Western food, it offers a rip-roaring taste of the 19th Century Old West. Programs include costumed cowboy gunfights, bronc rider stunt shows, stagecoach and old-fashioned train rides. rawhide.com.