LibraryGuides: Arizona Living: Arizona Living

Get to Know Phoenix

Best Guided Tours in Phoenix | Visit Arizona
Whether you're looking to explore art, architecture, history, cuisine, or the great outdoors, you'll find everything you need on one of Phoenix's guided tours.
Downtown Phoenix | DTPHX
All about life and leisure in Downton Phoenix.
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Formed in 2013, Downtown Phoenix Inc. delivers enhanced municipal services to the Downtown business core and manages the work plans for Phoenix Community Alliance and Downtown Phoenix Community Development Corporation. DPI and its affiliate organizations are committed to making Phoenix a vibrant urban destination and one of the nation’s great cities.
Grand Avenue Arts & Preservation
GAP Advocates for the arts and preservation of Phoenix’s Historic Grand Avenue and connects like-minded individuals and organizations. As the producer of the Grand Avenue Festival, GAP’s goal is to celebrate neighborhood sustainability, encourage creative recycling, highlight the arts, promote the small business community, and foster preservation and adaptive re-use of valuable neighborhood resources.
PHXCityCam
PHXCityCam live stream is a bird’s eye view in all directions: North, East, West and South.
Best Places to Watch a Sunset in Phoenix
Make sure to catch one of our spectacular sunsets, which paint the desert sky on a nightly basis. We know the best places to watch a sunset in Phoenix and are happy to let you in on our favorite spots.
Top Phoenix Attractions | Visit Phoenix
You'll find every kind of attraction in Greater Phoenix: food, nightlife, outdoors and more fill every nook and cranny of our metro. If you're not sure where you should start, we've rounded up the top attractions everyone — visitors and locals — should check off their Greater Phoenix bucket list.
The Accessible Traveler's Guide to Metro Phoenix
When it comes to accessible travel, not all destinations are created equal. That’s why we talked to Brett Heising, a Phoenix-based travel expert, speaker and tech entrepreneur. In addition to serving as Board Chair for the United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona, Heising is widely considered the go-to resource on topics related to travel and mobility. Heising shares his insights into accessible travel in metro Phoenix.

First Fridays in Phoenix

"Downtown Phoenix is home to a thriving arts scene. And while you can experience the buzz of this scene at seasonal happenings that range from culinary and music festivals to pop-up markets of every variety, there is one event that is not only among the best things to do in Phoenix for visitors, but it’s also a rite of passage for locals: First Friday Art Walk is the ultimate way to experience this city's culture, arts, flavor, and overall vibe." -- Visit Phoenix

First Fridays | Visit Phoenix
Here's our insider information with everything you need to know ahead of the next First Friday in Phoenix.
First Fridays | Artlink
In 1994, Artlink began promoting the monthly First Fridays art walk, which has grown to become one of the largest monthly art walks in the United States. With many venues open free to the public each month, First Fridays has succeeded in bringing people back to downtown Phoenix. The event sees anywhere from 14-20,000 visitors monthly and grows each year. Third Fridays came years later, and is sometimes referred to as “Gallery Night,” due to the number of exhibition openings that take place.
First Fridays Phoenix: Your ultimate guide to parking, galleries, museums and what's free
Here's how to take advantage of everything First Fridays in Phoenix have to offer.

Experience Cultural Heritage

Visit the following sites to learn about visiting Arizona cultural heritage institutions. Don't forget to check if the Phoenix Public Library has a Culture Pass available for your visit!

Arizona's Hispanic and Latino Culture
Experience Arizona's vibrant Hispanic heritage at historic sites and colorful festivals across the state. Find authentic and award-winning Mexican food in virtually every city and town, as well as local art that celebrates, and is inspired, by "la cultura."
Visiting American Indian Tribal Lands in Arizona
Discover the rich history and traditions of the native communities in Arizona, where art and culture continue to be a major influence throughout the state.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
With a sprawling two-story layout encompassing 43,000 square feet, the museum showcases the art, culture, and rich history spanning 19 states in the American West, Western Canada, and Mexico.
The Heard Museum
Dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art, the Heard successfully presents the stories of American Indian people from a first-person perspective, as well as exhibitions that showcase the beauty and vitality of traditional and contemporary art.

Experience the Outdoors

Welcome to Arizona | Visit Arizona
Arizona Office of Tourism welcomes you to the Grand Canyon State!

The Outdoors

A Walk on Arizona's Wild Side
Arizona's millions of natural acres teem with wildlife—more than 900 species, in fact—from spiny lizards, great hairy scorpions and ladybugs to elk, eagles, buffalo and the tiny, living jewels called hummingbirds.
Desert Botanical Garden
The Garden’s commitment to the community is to advance excellence in education, research, exhibition and conservation of desert plants of the world with emphasis on the Sonoran Desert. We will ensure that the Garden is always a compelling attraction that brings to life the many wonders of the desert.
Easy Hiking Trails in Phoenix
If you are looking for a casual walk through the desert, check out one of these great easy hiking trails for beginners in Phoenix.

Phoenix Summer Safety
Excessive heat awareness and safety information from the City of Phoenix.
Take a Hike. Do it Right
More than 200 hikers annually are rescued from City of Phoenix desert and mountain parks and preserves. This simple checklist can help keep you from becoming a statistic.

Things To Do | Phoenix Parks & Recreation
Visit one of our educational facilities to explore the regions rich history, witness the unique wildlife that calls the Sonoran Desert home, or get up close to flora that defines the picturesque landscapes. See recommended trails for mountain biking, horseback riding, or fishing.
Trails & Desert Preserves | Phoenix.gov
More than 41,000 acres of Phoenix desert and mountain parks and preserves offer everything from busy, arduous summit climbs to secluded, meandering valley walks. 40 trailheads provide access to more than 200 miles of trails.
Wheelchair Accessible Trails | Phoenix.gov
Explore Accessible Barrier-free Trails

Monsoon Season

The Best Ways to Experience a Monsoon in Phoenix
If you've spent any time in Greater Phoenix during the summer, you've probably been in the presence of our famous monsoons — a quick and intense storm full of rain or dust. In the United States, these storms are unique to the Southwest, and they're a sight most locals are more than excited to experience. Of course, monsoons can be dangerous, but if you follow these safety tips, you can enjoy the storm from the comfort of the indoors.
Basics of the Arizona Monsoon & Desert Meteorology
The Arizona Monsoon is a well-defined meteorological event (technically called a meteorological 'singularity') that occurs during the summer throughout the southwest portion of North America. Learn more about the bursts, breaks, and dustnadoes that occur during the monsoon season.
Southwest Monsoon Fantasy Forecasts | University of Arizona
Every year the most anticipated weather words are spoken: “what will the monsoon be like?”Here’s your chance to use your experience and be a forecaster. At the Arizona Institute for Resilience we have been talking about the monsoon for decades. As climate scientists and people interested in the weather, we created a game where players make monsoon forecasts, score points based on them, and compete with others.
Monsoon Awareness
Our "monsoon season" officially extends from June 15th through September 30th, the time during which associated hazards are most likely to occur.