Phoenix Pictures

Phoenix's skyline is punctuated by mountains, golf courses and cacti. miroslav_1 Getty Images

Travelers will see plenty of sandstone buttes, like the one in the foreground of this photo, while driving into the city. You Touch Pix of EuToch Shutterstock

Camelback Mountain, which sits near Scottsdale, is one of the city's favorite hiking spots thanks to its sweeping skyline views. Glanduin Getty Images

The Salt River runs just north of Tempe and south of Phoenix. JeffreyRasmussen Shutterstock

Saguaro cacti can be seen throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. tonda iStockphoto.com

The Desert Botanical Garden, which many consider to be one of the best gardens in the world, is home to more than 20,000 plant specimens. Courtesy Desert Botanical Garden

Phoenix is surrounded by the Sonoran Desert's dramatic landscape. davelmorgan iStockphoto.com

The Pueblo Grande Museum and Cultural Park protects what's left of this ancient Hohokam village. Robot Brainz Flickr

Try not to be distracted by the stunning desert landscape while teeing off at one of Phoenix's many golf courses. Dru Bloomfield Flickr

You can visit this guy and all of his friends at the Phoenix Zoo. Courtesy Phoenix Zoo

You can hike, mountain bike or simply enjoy the views in Papago Park, located between Scottsdale and Tempe. Jay Adan Flickr

Taliesin West – located north of Downtown Scottsdale – is a living memorial to famed architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. Andrew Pielage Taliesin West_Evening_credit Andrew Pielage_copyright Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

The Phoenix Art Museum is the largest art museum in the Southwestern United States. Bill Timmerman Courtesy Phoenix Art Museum

Chase Field is home to Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks. Visit Phoenix

With so many high-end spas to choose from, it's no wonder Phoenix has become such a popular luxury destination. Matthew Wakem Getty Images

This pyramid in Papago Park is the final resting place of Arizona's first governor, George W. P. Hunt. desertsolitaire iStockphoto.com

Constructed in the 1920s, Old City Hall faces New City Hall in Downtown Phoenix. desertsolitaire iStockphoto.com

At the Desert Botanical Garden, visitors can traverse five thematic trails that tell a story of the Sonoran Desert's rich diversity. Adam Rodriguez Courtesy Desert Botanical Garden

The Musical Instrument Museum houses thousands of instruments – even some that visitors are allowed to play. Courtesy of Musical Instrument Museum

Among the Desert Botanical Garden's paths, you'll find saguaros, prickly pears, agaves and desert wildflowers. Adam Rodriguez Courtesy Desert Botanical Garden

The zoo spans approximately 125 acres. Courtesy Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals, including two giraffe species. Courtesy Phoenix Zoo

The Heard Museum houses more than 40,000 pieces, with a focus on works from the greater Southwest and contemporary native fine art from North America. Craig Smith Heard Museum

For an enchanting view of the Desert Botanical Garden, visit at sunset. Adam Rodriguez Visit Phoenix

If you're planning to golf in Phoenix, you'll want to reserve your tee times in advance, as spots tend to fill quickly. City of Phoenix

If you're up for the challenge, scaling Camelback Mountain via the Echo Canyon trail will lead to spectacular views. Visit Phoenix

Lookout Mountain Golf Club offers 18 holes among Sonoran desert and Phoenix North Mountains. Visit Phoenix

Sunsets in Phoenix provide spectacular photo ops. Visit Phoenix

Whoosh! is one of the exhibits at the Children's Museum of Phoenix. Kids can insert colorful scarves into this freestanding connection of transparent, air-powered tubes and then watch the scarves shoot through the air and gently drift back down to the ground. Courtesy Children's Museum of Phoenix

There are several different tours at Taliesin West, ranging from garden walks to tours of Frank Lloyd Wright's personal art collection. Foskett Creative Courtesy of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

The Cabaret Theater at Taliesin West displays Frank Lloyd Wright's love of Asian art.  Andrew Pielage Courtesy of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

Kids will certainly burn off a lot of energy when playing with the interactive exhibits at the Children's Museum of Phoenix, but they can also get comfy and cozy in the Book Loft.  Courtesy Children's Museum of Phoenix

Hiking Camelback Mountain is best attempted earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon when the desert heat is bearable. BCFC Getty Images

The Climber offers a bird's-eye view of the museum's atrium. Courtesy Children's Museum of Phoenix

The swimming pool at Chase Field is one of the ballpark's more unique features. Jared Kelly Flickr

The Arizona Science Center boasts four levels of hands-on exhibits, a planetarium and a five-story giant theater. Arizona Science Center

Whether you're looking for breakfast burritos or Sonoran hot dogs, you'll find it in Phoenix. Marcus Terry / EyeEm Getty Images

If you're hiking Camelback Mountain, you'll need to drink and bring plenty of water. The City of Phoenix recommends heading back to the trailhead before you drink half of your water. Marco Rojas / EyeEm Getty Images