Phoenix, Arizona is part of the most beautiful desert – the Sonoran Desert. This unique landscape is a major draw for nature enthusiasts. The city is surrounded by many mountain ranges, so if you love to hike you’ll love Phoenix! If you’ve never been to Phoenix this is your Start Here guide for first-time visitors. We’ll explain the best time of year to visit, how to navigate the metro area, your lodging options, where to park, unique places to eat, things to do in the metro area and the best day trips. Let’s go explore the Valley of the Sun! This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Sightseeing in Phoenix – The Valley of the Sun Overview Often referred to as “The Valley of the Sun” or just “the Valley,” Phoenix has quickly grown into an urban metropolis and a top vacation destination. It is the capital city of Arizona. The city has retained a laid back atmosphere, despite the tremendous growth in the region. Dress is casual in most restaurants. After all it is the desert. There is still an old west influence in this sprawling metropolitan city. Where is Phoenix & How to get There? It’s central location within the state of Arizona makes this city a great place to start your southwest vacation. It is the capital city of Arizona and there are plenty of things to do and see in Arizona’s urban center. Welcome to Phoenix Best Time of Year to Visit Phoenix The best time of year to visit Phoenix is Spring. It is also the busiest time to visit. You’ll find some of the best weather in March and April. Find out what to expect weather-wise when you visit Arizona. Navigating the Metro Area Phoenix is an easy city to navigate because it was built based on a grid system. Most of the surrounding areas are also based on a grid. Interstate 17, also called Black Canyon Freeway, is a main artery and the first freeway built in Phoenix. It runs north and south. To the east of I-17 you’ll find streets and to the west of I-17 you’ll find avenues. In addition to I-17, you have the following major roadways in Phoenix: Maricopa County Unlike other areas of the United States, Arizona has large counties. The Phoenix metro area is Maricopa County and cities within this county blend together. Unless you are paying attention, you may not know when you leave one city and enter another one. From the surface all of the suburbs seem to be entangled, which is probably why some say Phoenix is one huge suburb. Despite this, each city has a unique atmosphere. The metro area includes (but not limited to) the cities of: To give an idea of distance the city of Fountain Hills to Goodyear is around 50 miles. If you drove from the city of Surprise to Queen Creek it is about 65 miles. Residents of all of these cities would say they are part of the metro area. The metro covers a large area and this is easiest to see from the air. How to Get Around Phoenix If you’re visiting Phoenix you will want a car. The metro area has some serious sprawl, so if you want to see all the sights you’ll need a car. Phoenix does have light rail, but it isn’t going to take you near most of the sights you’ll want to see in the metro area. Parking in Phoenix The majority of parking garages in Phoenix are located in the downtown area south of I-10 and between 7th Street and 7th Avenue. This will give you access to places such as the Phoenix Convention Center, Arizona Science Center, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, the Footprint Center to name a few. Where to Stay Where you stay is going to be dependent on what you would like to be near. Phoenix is a major city so you’ll have plenty of choices in hotels, motels, resorts, Airbnb, and VRBOs. Some popular areas to stay include downtown Phoenix, the Biltmore area, Scottsdale near Camelback Mountain or Kierland area, and Westgate in Glendale. Unique Places to Eat If this is your first trip to Phoenix, then you’ve got to try Native American Fry Bread and Sonoran-style Mexican food. Personally, I believe Arizona has the best Mexican food in the U.S. Some other unique to Arizona culinary choices include rattlesnake, prickly pear margaritas and prickly pear ice cream. See our list of unique places to eat in the metro area. Sightseeing in Phoenix – Top Things to See and Do Some of the best attractions in Phoenix can be found outdoors. The mountains surrounding the city provide endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. National Geographic voted the Valley as having some of the best urban hikes in the country. Phoenix is a great place to explore  Native American history, visit museums and art galleries,  or get a taste of the old west. Cool off in the summer and tube down the Salt River or visit one of the many nearby lakes. Top Outdoor Things to Do in Phoenix Top Phoenix Indoor Attractions Day Trips from Phoenix Phoenix is centrally located, making it a great starting point for a day trip. You can reach the following destinations in less than four hours: Phoenix Attractions & Annual Events The spring and winter months offer a variety of popular annual events. Some of the most well attended events include: Spring Training games,  Waste Management Phoenix Open, and the  Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show to name a few.