Visiting Phoenix Arizona…
Posted by Jacqui | Posted in Car Hire | Posted on 15-03-2010-05-2008
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So…you are driving the West coast of America and you end up in Phoenix!!
Phoenix is the Capital of the state of Arizona and is the fifth most populated city in the US with a population of approximately 1.5 million in Phoenix proper with about 4.3 million in the “metro area”.
Phoenix is nicknamed “The Valley of the Sun”. Located in the northeastern reaches of the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix has the hottest climate of any major city in the United States.
The average high temperatures are over 100°F (37.8°C) for three months out of the year, and have spiked over 120°F (48.9°C) on occasion. Despite these high temperatures the Phoenicians cope very well with the heat.
Most people have air conditioning in their homes, their cars, their schools, the shopping malls and just about any public place. After the shock of your monthly Electric bill……..the worst part is getting to and from your nice cool air conditioned car and if you flew in make sure your hire car is air-conditioned..!
Sometimes though, it takes a while to cool it down if it has been sitting in an open parking area for a couple of hours in 100 degrees!! This is why covered parking garages are plentiful in Phoenix..USE THEM..you’ll thank me.
Phoenix is also a winter home to “SnowBirds”..these are the people from the colder climes (Canada, Minnesota, Colorado,Wisconsin, Idaho etc etc) trying to keep out of the snow, and whilst the Phoenicians sometimes whine and moan about the influx of “out of state” license plates on their roads, and not being able to get a seat in their favorite restaurants, the Snowbirds do generate a fair amount of extra income for the State.
As you would expect in a major city, phoenix has no shortage of “culture”. Museums, Performing arts, Parks and Recreation, Fine arts and Cuisine (LOTS of cuisine!!) Just about anywhere you turn in Phoenix, you can find a restaurant of some sort..from Sushi to Indian Fry Bread and anything in between. There is quite a large Hispanic population so Mexican cuisine is plentiful and good if somewhat “tailored” to the American palette.
(More on specific restaurants that I frequent in part 2 !!)