Who doesn’t love a city break? They are often a great way to keep your travel appetite satisfied throughout the winter.
But which cities are worth visiting right now? It can often be hard to decide where you should go.
One American city that has captured the imaginations of travelers over the past year offers year-round sun, a unique environment, a fantastic food scene, and great accommodation options.
That city is Phoenix, Arizona.
In 2023, a record number of passengers passed through Phoenix Harbor International Airport – more than 48.8 million travelers – proving that this city really is a hot destination right now in more ways than one.
It’s Getting Recognition
Phoenix was recently named as one of the top U.S. destinations to visit in 2024 according to Forbes, proving that the city is most certainly getting national, if not international, attention.
The city has always been a popular place to visit throughout the spring and summer months, but with Arizona also laying claim to be one of the country’s best winter destinations, the appeal of Phoenix has increased significantly.
Unrivalled Art District
Phoenix is most definitely an art city – you can find impressive murals dotted around its many different neighborhoods, many of which were community projects.
In the downtown area, you will find a flurry of galleries and boutiques, many of which are best viewed during the city’s First Friday Art Walks – a free guided tour around the many different art spots from 6 pm to 10 pm on the first Friday of each month.
Gardens And Green Spaces
Despite being largely in a desert climate, you can find plenty of green spaces to enjoy in the Greater Phoenix area.
One great example is the Desert Botanical Garden just east of the city where you can witness the countless plants, wildflowers, and cacti that thrive in these conditions.
Another great spot is the Japanese Friendship Garden in downtown Phoenix which features idyllic wooden bridges, ponds filled with colorful koi carp, and lush green vegetation on every corner.
Airport Improvements
The aforementioned Phoenix Harbor International Airport has big investment plans to improve passenger experience even more as we head into 2024 and beyond.
The airport is set to introduce a new north-south taxiway so planes can get to gates faster and also a new six-gate concourse is scheduled to be constructed at Terminal 3.
You can also fly to Phoenix from more destinations than ever before – 21 new ones were added in 2023, and the latest agreement will see Air France offering flights to Paris from Phoenix too.
Phoenix Sky Harbor also ranks as one of America’s top airports with the most on-time flights.
A Warm Winter Option
Okay, so it’s not Florida or Mexico, but Phoenix, Arizona is a warmer place than most during the American wintertime.
Average temperatures in February are around 57F, with an estimated nine hours of sunshine per day on average.
The only thing to remember is that desert climates do get pretty cold at night, so make sure you pack a good sweater or warm jacket for your evening activities.
Unique Outdoors
One of the best things about Phoenix is its location at the center of some pretty amazing outdoor scenery.
To the south, you will find the majestic South Mountain, while in the north, you can visit hiking trails around Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, and the Phoenix Mountains Preserve.
Venture even further out from the city and you will find the Estrella Mountains in the southwest and Tonto National Forest in the northeast.
More Affordable Than You’d Think
From some U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, you can fly into Phoenix for as cheap as $19 one way.
Once you get there, you can grab a hotel from as little as $100 per night if you shop around – while the city and surrounding areas have many exotic and boutique hotels, they also have affordable options.
Just make sure you stick to hotels, because Phoenix is known as being one of the worst places for high fees on Airbnb.
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