Adventures Out West
4901 E. Bloomfield Rd.
602-996-6100
Adventures Out West offers dawn and sunset flights, personal-flight videos, and combo tours featuring jeeps, balloons and/or horses. Every trip is celebrated at the end with champagne.

Arizona Bound Desert Jeep Tours, Desert Adventures
3702 N. Bishop Ln.
602-994-0580
If you'd like to get a first-hand look at the desert, Arizona Bound features sunrise and sunset desert jeep tours with authentic cowboys and Native American guides.

A Balloon Experience Hot Air Balloon Company
7500 E. Butherus
480-502-6999
This company features Sonoran Desert balloon tours. Individual and group rates are available.

Mystery Castle
800 E. Mineral Rd.
602-268-1581
Family friendly: Yes
Mystery Castle features an 18-room, 8,000-square-foot castle that was constructed out of desert rocks by Boyce Luther Gulley between 1930 and 1945. It has 13 fireplaces and is full of oddities that will fascinate visitors. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 4pm. There is a small admission fee.

Sonora Desert Tour
2418 E. Danbury Rd.
602-867-8162
For an informative look at desert history and environment, take a cowboy-guided four-wheel tour into the beautiful backcountry. Tours teach about desert wildlife, saguaro cactus, and gold prospecting.

Deer Valley Rock Art Center
3711 West Deer Valley Rd.
623-582-8007
This is the site of the Hedgepeth Hills. The hills contain the largest concentration of ancient petroglyphs created by various indigenous cultures ranging from 5000 to 1400 B.C. There are over 5,000 boulders and volcanic rocks in the area. Visitors can take a guided tour on the trails.

Heritage Square
115 N. Sixth St.
602-262-5071
Family friendly: Yes
Heritage Square features tours of Rasson House, built in 1895, and Silva House. Also located in this area is the Phoenix Museum of History, the Arizona Doll and Toy Museum, and shops and restaurants. The Phoenix Museum of History has interactive exhibits that show the city's multicultural heritage and its phenomenal growth from the Anglo settlements in the 1860s to present day.

St. Mary's Basilica
231 North 3rd Street
602-252-7651
Founded in 1881, this is the oldest standing church building in Phoenix. The church has a carillon tower and stained-glass windows. Pope John Paul II visited here in 1987.

Taliesin West
12621 North Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.
480-860-2700
Frank Lloyd Wright built Taliesin West, a national historic landmark, in 1937. It is a school and home to architectural students. The complex is constructed completely of stone and redwood. It receives close to 100,000 visitors a year.

Arizona Science Center
600 E. Washington St.
602-716-2000
This center is fun for the whole family. It has both entertaining and educational exhibits, many of which are interactive. It also houses the Dorrance Planetarium with computer graphics that simulate orbits and eclipses. It is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

ASU Art Museum
Mill Ave. and 10th St.
602-965-ARTS
Those who appreciate the most contemporary of art will enjoy this unusual museum with unique exhibits from emerging and experimental artists.

Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion
2121 N. 83rd Ave.
602-254-7200
This large amphitheater, with lots of grass and seating in front of the stage, has a capacity of 20,000. The pavilion features year-round rock, country, alternative music, and Broadway shows.

Celebrity Theater
440 N. 32nd St.
This theater hosts numerous live performances and seats 2,650. What is particularly enjoyable about this theater is the rounded design, which leaves no seat more than 75 feet away from the rotating stage.

Gammage Auditorium
Mill Ave. and University Blvd.
480-965-3434
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, this is, acoustically, a near-perfect theater. There are three levels that seat 3,017. This auditorium offers a variety of performances including, jazz, Broadway productions, and classical music. It also hosts guest speakers and lecturers.

The Hand and The Spirit
4222 N. Marshalway
480-649-1262
This museum features contemporary American arts, crafts, and jewelry. All the crafts and jewelry are made from glass, metal, clay, wood, and fabrics.

Herberg Theater Center
222 E. Monroe St.
602-254-7399
This theater is a full city block long and contains two theaters, Center Stage and Stage West. Center Stage is home to the Arizona Theater Company. There are shows year-round at both theaters; call for more information.

Mesa Southwestern Museum
53 N. MacDonald
480-644-2230
This museum features exhibits from local archeological digs. It has a dinosaur exhibit and a jail, schoolhouse, and stagecoach. It is open from Tuesday through Saturday, from 10am to 5pm; and on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm.

Museo Chicano
147 E. Adams St.
602-257-5536
This gallery features Mexican American and Latin American art, with monthly visits from artists and musicians. It also has a wonderful gift shop. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Orpheum Theater
203 W. Adams St.
602-534-5600
A National Register of Historic Places, this theater has been restored and outfitted with all the technological stage equipment to give some of the best live productions in the Southwest.

Phoenix Symphony Hall
225 E. Adams St.
602-262-6225
This theater seats 2,500 and hosts Broadway blockbusters throughout the year. It also features the Ballet Arizona, the Symphony Orchestra, and the Arizona Opera.

Scottsdale Center for the Arts
7380 Second St.
480-994-2787
This theater is notorious for its diverse performance schedules. Performances include big band, jazz, contemporary, classical, and dance. There are also frequent poetry readings and lectures. Patrons can also visit the art museum located at the center.

Shemer Art Center
5005 E. Camelback Rd.
602-262-4727
As well as a gallery for local artists and a museum, the Shemer Art Center is a creative recreation center. It has art classes, lectures, fine-art festivals, and concerts.

Stop 'N Look
1025 NW. Grand Ave.
602-256-2859
This gallery exhibits its art in a storefront window. It can be viewed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The art exhibits are changed regularly.

Terminal 4 Art Gallery
Sky Harbor Airport
602-273-8863
When in the Sky Harbor Airport, travelers should take the time to visit this unique and diverse art gallery. There are ov er 200 pieces on permanent display, with themed art exhibits. It is open daily, from 8am to 9pm.

Youth Museum
35 N. Robson St.
480-644-2468
This is an entertaining and educational museum enjoyed by all ages. The museum exhibits paintings, sculptures, and clothing. There are loads of hands-on and interactive activities for children.

Camelback Mountain
Tatum Blvd. and MacDonald Blvd.
602-256-3220
You don't have to leave the city to experience the desert--Camelback Mountain is located within the metropolitan area. The mountain is 1,300 feet, and hikers can enjoy colorful plants and wildlife unique to the Southwest.

Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Pkwy.
602-941-1225
Desert Botanical Garden contains over 4,000 different species of cacti, succulents, trees, and flowers on 150 acres. It also has a gift shop and patio cafe. It is open October through April, daily from 8am to 8pm. From May through September, it is open daily from 7am to 10pm. Call ahead for admission prices.

Encanto Park and Recreation Area
2605 North 15th Ave.
602-261-8994
Located in the center of Phoenix, this park has a variety of activities including fishing, golfing, boating, and tennis. The park also has a pool, picnic area, and a children's carnival.

Enchanted Island
1202 W. Encanto Blvd.
602-254-1200
Family friendly: Yes
This amusement park features bumper cars, Ferris wheels, and parachute drops. It also has a picnic area. Hours change monthly; call in advance, and for admission prices.

Kiwanis Park Recreation Center & Indoor Wave Pool
6111 South All American Way
602-350-5701
Family friendly: Yes
Visitors here can enjoy an indoor heated wave pool and water slide, tennis complex, gymnasium, and batting range.

Papago Park
625 N. Galvin Parkway
602-256-3220
This park is located next to the Phoenix Zoo. Papaogo has red sandstone and a great scenic view of South Mountain.

Phoenix Zoo
625 N. Galvan Pkwy
602-273-1341
Family friendly: Yes
Visitors will see hundreds of plants and animals from around the world at the Phoenix Zoo. The zoo has four trails: the Desert trail, the Africa trail, the Arizona Trail, and the Children's trail. It also has an Eco exhibit and a petting zoo. The zoo is open daily from 9am to 5pm; call ahead for admission prices.