| CITY OVERVIEW
Stay in Phoenix
|
Phoenix is a modern-day metropolis that only became possible through the invention of the air-conditioner. This sprawling metropolis, which has engulfed surrounding towns like Scottsdale, Tempe and Mesa, has risen like a ‘phoenix’ out of the desert and any amount of time in the summer sun will remind you of the fact that you are in the ‘Valley of the Sun’. Like Florida, many of the people who come to live in Phoenix have been transplanted from the colder north. Phoenix abounds in all things sport, with teams in all the major sports, but the major attraction in this place is the abundance in golf courses, many of which are manufactured in the middle of the surrounding desert. Downtown Phoenix is primarily a financial centre, with little to offer tourists apart from the State Capitol, and a few obligatory museums. Most of these are located on Central Av, which is still some 2.5km east of the Capitol. That being said, the Government has recently tried to revitalize the downtown area through the development of new major sporting facilities, like many other cities in the country have done. Therefore, there may be a lot more to do for tourists in downtown Phoenix in the future. Those attractions located away from downtown worth visiting are Old Town Scottsdale, a group of early 20th century buildings reminiscent of those that would have been developed in the ‘wild west’, located some 14 km away in Scottsdale. The towns of Taliesin West and Arcosanti are also worth visiting as they include many of famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s urban works. Phoenix is probably the closest sporting location to one of the great wonders of the world – the Grand Canyon. Although a day trip is probably impractical and a stay over in quaint Flagstaff (some 3 hours drive away) is viable, the trek is essential if you are this close. The only real way to do this is by hiring a car, but you’ll be thankful you did when the great ‘chasm’ opens up before your eyes. |
| GETTING THERE
Fly to Phoenix Within USA
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Phoenix's Sky Harbour International Airport is 5km southeast of downtown. It is ironically closer than many of Phoenix’s main attractions. It is connected to the downtown area by two Valley Metro bus lines. Amtrak Thruway buses (there are no trains into Phoenix) converge on the north side of downtown at the Phoenix Metro Centre, 9617 N Metro Parkway west. The Greyhound terminal, however, has its main bus terminal in Tempe. A terminal is located at one of Amtrak’s Thruway bus stops in Buckeye, as well as Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, Tolleson and Youngstown. Phoenix’s Valley Metro public transit system is a bus-based system. Although Valley Met weekday buses service a fair proportion all over the ‘Valley’, its services are infrequent and frustrating after dark and on weekends. There is a DASH bus system runs weekdays from downtown to the capitol, leaving every few minutes from dawn to dusk – but again is hard to catch on weekends. |
| NFL
ARIZONA CARDINALS |
The NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, founded in 1898 and a charter member of the NFL, hold the distinction of being the oldest continuously run professional football franchise in the nation. Its fans have known the club as the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Cardinals, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cardinals, Racine Cardinals, the Normals, and the Morgan Athletic Club. After 28 years in St. Louis, the Cardinals relocated to Arizona in the spring of 1988 and made Sun Devil Stadium, on the campus of Arizona State University, as their new home. The only real success the struggling Cardinals have had was in 1998 when they ended the franchise's 15-year playoff drought and notched the Cardinals' first postseason victory since 1947. |
| NBA
PHOENIX SUNS |
The NBA’s Phoenix Suns began life in the 1968-69 season. The Suns extraordinarily made the playoffs in only their second year. After then, it was several years of rebuilding until 1975-76 when the Suns surprisingly made the NBA Finals against the famed Celtics and played in one of the greatest finals games of all time: a triple overtime contest filled with clutch shot after clutch shot to see the game into a third extra period – which Boston won. Since then it has just about been the playoffs most years since for the Suns, with another Final appearance in 1993-94 against the Bulls. The way to describe the Suns history is ‘consistently good’. |
| WNBA
PHOENIX MERCURY |
The WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury have always held their own in the Western Conference, although never threatening to take Houston’s and LA’s crown. |
| MLB
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS |
The Arizona Diamondbacks began life in the MLB as late as 1998 but have won a World Series already, as well as 1 Pennant and 2 playoff appearances. The Diamondbacks have quickly risen to the top through some outstanding player trades. In 2001, they amazingly beat the unbeatable New York Yankees. One can only observe in awe how Arizona managed to poach two of the best modern day pitchers around – Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson. |
| NHL
PHOENIX COYOTES |
The Phoenix Coyotes began life in the NHL in 1996-97. The Coyotes have made a relatively good fist of life in the NHL, having made the playoffs in most of their years since their entry, although not progressing beyond round 1 of the playoffs each time they made it. |
| AMERICA WEST ARENA |
America West Arena hosts the Suns, Mercury and Coyotes and is located at 201 East Jefferson Street, Phoenix, which is in the southern section of the Downtown area. The Arena has a capacity of close to 11,000. The Arena is within easy walking distance of most downtown hotels. Any downtown bound bus can be used to access the Arena. |
| BANKONE BALLPARK |
BankOne Ballpark hosts the Diamondbacks and is located near America West Arena in downtown Phoenix at 401 East Jefferson Street. Opened in 1998, the Ballpark has a capacity of 48,500. The ballpark is a state-of-the-art, retractable dome with a natural grass playing surface. The roof opens to various positions to make sure a proper amount of sunlight hits the natural turf without heating the concrete and metal within the stadium, thus allowing it to cool quickly and efficiently. Again, the Ballpark is within easy walking distance of most downtown hotels and any downtown bus can be used to access the Arena. |
| SUN DEVIL STADIUM | Sun Devil Stadium hosts the Cardinal’s and is located at Arizona State University, in the north-east corner of 5th Street and College Av, Tempe. It is the only NFL Stadium on a College Campus, although a new stadium is being planned for the Phoenix Downtown area. Tempe is located some 15km to the east of downtown Phoenix. To get to Tempe and ASU from Phoenix, catch the Valley Red Line or Yellow Line - it also goes through the airport – and get off at University Drive and Mills adjacent to the campus. |
| GOLF
Late January/Early February - US PGA FBR (Phoenix) Open,
Ticket and Event information through www.pgatour.com |
The
TPC of Scottsdale is actually located within the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort.
The
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort is located 25km north-west of
downtown Phoenix and about 18km north of downtown Scottsdale. You can
catch the Valley Blue Line to the Mayo Clinic Hospital, which is the end
of the Line but still about 4km from the complex. From there you can catch
a taxi to the complex. Another way is to catch the Valley Red or Yellow
Line to Tempe/ASU and then catch an hourly Route 72 service to the
Princess Resort.
The same directions above to the tennis tournaments should be used for
here as well. |
| MOTOR
RACING
Late March - Phoenix Indy 200, Phoenix International Raceway, Phoenix, 7602 S. 115th St, Phoenix. Ticket information through Indy Racing League Early November - Nascar Busch Series, Basha's 200, Phoenix International Raceway |
Phoenix
International Raceway is located in the suburb of Avondale off 115th
Avenue, which is some 20km to the west of downtown Phoenix. The best way
to get to the track may be to catch the Valley Green Line Bus to the
Desert Sky Pavilion Park and take the Phoenix Raceway Ride Sunday shuttle
to the racetrack. To get to the Green Line from downtown catch any north
bound bus that interchanges with the Green Line, like the Valley Route 7
bus, and get off at Thomas Street. |
| HORSE
RACING
Turf Paradise Race Course, 1501 West Bell Road, Phoenix (season late September to mid May) Tickets available at course |
Turf Paradise is located some 30km north west of downtown Phoenix. From downtown you can catch the Valley Route 19 along 19th Avenue and get off at Bell Road and walk east for a small distance to the entrance to the Race Course. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY |
The Arizona State Sun Devils are located in downtown Tempe between East University Drive and East Apache Boulevard, some 15km east of downtown Phoenix. The Sun Devils have teams in most sports, including football and men’s and women’s basketball. The football team plays out of the large Sun Devil Stadium, where the NFL’s Cardinals also play. The basketball teams play out of Wells Fargo Arena, one of the largest college campus basketball arenas in the country. The directions are the same as listed earlier to Sun Devils Stadium. |
