• Apache Junction
Apache Junction is located on the eastern rim of the Phoenix metropolitan area, near the foot of the scenic Superstition Mountains at the junction of US Highways 60 and 89 and state Highway 88. The town attracts upwards of 40,000 winter visitors due to its proximity to many recreational and historic areas. Apache Junction's main scenic attractions are the Superstition Mountains, reputed to be the site of the Lost Dutchman Mine. The Apache Trail, which winds north from the town, is a scenic drives to recreation areas in Salt River Canyon.
• Carefree
Founded in the 1950s, the town is one of the earliest planned communities in Arizona. The enclave is discreetly populated with gorgeous, multimillion-dollar homes in the shadow of Black Mountain, an ancient volcano. Carefree is home to the Boulders Resort, an exclusive hotel. Local attractions include the 35-foot Carefree Sundial.
• Cave Creek
Cave Creek was established as a mining camp in the 1870s after the discovery of gold. The town remains proud of its colorful history and Wild West image. Cave Creek is home to a number of Western dining establishments, saloons and boutiques selling antiques and Native American crafts. Local attractions includes the Cave Creek Museum of History.
• Chandler
Located in southeastern metropolitan Phoenix, Chandler has a growing population of over 165,000. Its economic base diversified into the high technology arena by attracting well-known firms like Intel and Motorola. Chandler's downtown storefronts have been restored to their original turn-of-the-century look. The Center for the Arts, restaurants, shopping centers and annual family-oriented festivals make Chandler a popular draw for Arizona visitors. Other attractions include Compadre Stadium & Regional Sports Complex; and Chandler Historical Museum which houses a variety of interesting displays and archives on the city's history.
• Fountain Hills
Fountain Hills, a planned community of over 19,000 people, is nestled in the foothills between Scottsdale and Mesa. Founded in 1970, the town is bordered on the west by the McDowell Mountains, the south by the Salt River Indian Reservation, the east by the Ft. McDowell Indian Reservation and the north by McDowell Mountain Park. The town's name is derived from its landmark fountain. The attraction, the "world's tallest fountain," shoots out water 560 feet into the air from a lagoon in the center of 32-acre Fountain Park. Its status is even recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. Built by the Swiss, the landmark is visible for miles (watch for it when flying into Phoenix's Sky Harbor airport) and is reminiscent of Switzerland's jet fountain on Lake Lucerne.
• Gilbert
Gilbert is the ninth fastest growing community in the nation - doubling its population every five years since 1980. Community lakes and playgrounds in beautiful Freestone and Crossroads parks afford many hours of leisure for families. Miles of canal banks are maintained by the Salt River Project and the Roosevelt Conservation District for walking, running, biking and horseback riding.
• Glendale
Glendale boasts a population of nearly 200,000 and is Arizona's fourth-largest city. Capitalizing on its history, the city has recently transformed itself into a turn-of-the-century "old town." The resulting influx of specialty shops to downtown Glendale earned it a reputation as "Arizona's Antique Capital." The downtown area features original 100-year-old brick storefronts garnished with shady awnings, benches and brick sidewalks lined with quaint gaslight lamps. The picturesque Catlin Court District, a four-block area distinguished by tea rooms in converted century-old bungalows, was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. Glendale is located northwest of Phoenix, about 25 minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport.
• Mesa
During the Valley's explosive growth between 1983 and 1987, Mesa established itself as one of the fastest growing cities in America and expects to have a population of 500,000 by century's end. Agriculture has been replaced by high-tech industries. Today, Mesa's Spanish colonnade sidewalks and palm tree lined streets give it a quaint, relaxed ambiance. The Valley's second-largest city is also host to the Chicago Cubs for Spring Training each year. Other attractions: Arizona Temple and Visitor Center — Built in 1927, this striking structure remains Mesa's most noted landmark. Champlin Fighter Aircraft Museum — Fighter aircraft from World Wars I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War are the subject of displays in this popular museum. Mesa Southwest Museum — A miniature "Smithsonian" museum that effectively captures Mesa's southwestern folklore.
• Peoria
Founded in the 1880s, Peoria is a suburban community located about 11 miles from Central Phoenix. Following the completion of the Arizona Canal in 1885, families from Peoria, Illinois moved in to work the fertile land. The pleasant climate and small-town atmosphere of Peoria continued to attract people and, by 1889, a school house and Post Office had been established. Today, the city is home to some 85,000 residents and covers about 117 square miles northwest of Phoenix. A major Peoria attraction is the Peoria Sports Complex, a 10,000-seat state-of-the-art stadium with 12 practice fields. The Sports Complex is the spring training home to both the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners, who play in the Cactus League each spring.
• Phoenix
Phoenix is a very modern city—it didn't really boom until after World War II. Nonetheless, mixed among the new office towers, technology companies and an abundance of resorts, spas and restaurants are museums dedicated to pre-Columbian, Native American and pioneer history. The explosive, sprawling growth of the metropolitan area—which includes Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale and Tempe—is due in part to its attractive desert location (cacti and mountains are never far from view) and in part to the city's refusal to respect the limitations a desert imposes. Visitors may be surprised by the air pollution all this development has generated. Despite the smog, most people go to Phoenix for year-round outdoor activities, as the area is home to hundreds of golf courses. Plus, most days are cloudless, even if the sun is a bit less brilliant than in decades past.
• Scottsdale
Since its founding in 1888 by United States Army Chaplain Winfield Scott, Scottsdale has grown from a collection of cattle ranches and citrus farms into a cosmopolitan community of young up-and-comers, financially comfortable middle-agers and retirees enjoying their just rewards. The city's resort lifestyle extends far beyond the grounds of its expansive hotels. Many housing developments feature golf courses and recreational complexes, with shopping and other amenities just a bike ride away.
Although cattle ranching in the area is long gone, vast multi-development neighborhoods, such as McCormick Ranch and Gainey Ranch still bear the names of the early newcomers, primarily wealthy Midwesterners, who amassed the land holding which they are built.
For a city in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale is remarkably green. Contributing to this verdant landscape are lush, nationally acclaimed golf courses and Indian Bend Wash, the centerpiece of Scottsdale's extensive recreational amenities. This miles long ribbon of greenbelt, which extends down the middle of the vertically drawn city, is bordered by several parks that feature bike paths, small fishing lakes and recreational complexes.
Interest in culture and the arts is especially strong in Scottsdale. The Scottsdale Center for the Arts host an eclectic mix of intimate classical and modern concerts and other live performances.
With a median age of 39, Scottsdale's demographics reflect a significant segment of residents over age 45 (40 percent). This has helped build a burgeoning medical community that includes the western campus of the Mayo Clinic.
Because Scottsdale borders Phoenix to the west, Tempe to the south and the Salt River Pima Indian Community to the east, new commercial and residential construction continues to expand rapidly towards Scottsdale's northern city limits. Here, the cactus studded Sonoran Desert is dominant, Harris hawks circle the blue sky and the McDowell Mountains provide a picturesque backdrop to one of the southwest most sophisticated cities.
• Sun City
Sun City is the quintessential retirement community in the nation. Located 12 miles northwest of Phoenix, the community is known for the active lifestyle of its senior citizens. With 1,200 acres of golf courses, Sun City has been called a "golfers' paradise." Nearby attractions include Lake Pleasant Regional Park, White Tanks Regional Park and the Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum.
• Sun City West
Located 14 miles northwest of Phoenix, Sun City West has the comfortable feel of a small town, with over 30,000 active retirees from throughout the United States and Canada. There are homes to fit any lifestyle, nine golf courses and four multi-million dollar recreation centers. You'll find supermarkets, pharmacies, a host of other commercial services, a 40,000 volume library, and outstanding medical and hospital facilities.
• Tempe
Tempe is an urban community of over 150,000 residents located in the center of the Phoenix metropolitan region. It is bordered by Phoenix on the west, Scottsdale on the north, Mesa on the east, and Chandler on the south. Arizona State University (ASU), with its main campus in Tempe, is the fourth-largest public university in the nation. ASU continues to play an important role in contributing to Tempe's considerable educational and cultural resources. Downtown Tempe along Mill Avenue has become an area entertainment center boasting live music, restaurants, boutiques, cafes, theater and film. The annual spring and fall Festival of the Arts draws tens of thousands to Downtown Tempe, the largest such event in the Southwest. ASU's Gammage Auditorium, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, seats 3,000 and hosts world-class productions.
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