Phoenix is the heart of Arizona's appropriately named "Valley of the Sun". It's the capital city of Arizona and the 6th largest in the United States. It may define the concept of "sprawl" - covering a little more than 500 square miles. But millions have come to love 300 days of sun each year and an average temperature of 74 degrees.

Cultural facilities in Phoenix include musical performances at the Desert Sky Pavilion, more high-brow fare at The Herberger Theater Center, The Phoenix Symphony Hall and Terrace, Pubelo Grand Museum and Cultural Park, and the Ak-Chin Him-Dak "eco museum".

The Valley of the Sun has a full complement of major professional sports teams. Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks play at Chase Field (known for it's retractable roof and outfield swimming pool). The Arizona Cardinals of the NFL move into their own new stadium in 2006. America West Arena is the home of the NBA Phoenix Suns, NHL Phoenix Coyotes, AFL Arizona Rattlers, and WNBA Phoenix Mercury.

Scottsdale was famous as a vacation spot long before it became a city. Not many years ago, it was a crossroads where cowboys rode in on Saturday nights along the unpaved trails to celebrate the end of the week. Now it is considered the shopping and art center of the Valley of the Sun.

Many Scottsdale events center upon its three cultures: Native American, Spanish, and western pioneer. More than 90 art galleries offer paintings, sculpture, and crafts. Scottsdale has a thriving downtown, outstanding art galleries, and many restaurants that offer the finest cuisine from the cultural traditions represented.

Scottsdale's most notable recreational feature is the long string of parks and golf courses that run end-to-end along Indian Bend Wash. The park runs the length of Scottsdale north/south along Hayden Boulevard. Golf, roller skating, fishing, soccer, volleyball, baseball and jogging are among the activities provided there year round.

There are also equestrian activities of all types - everything from English and Western performances to roping, jumping, and halter events, as well as those that feature the Arabian, the Quarter Horse, and the world's longest horse-drawn parade. If your interests run to golf, tennis, fine cuisine, classic cars, art, music, or hot air ballooning, Scottsdale has these too, and more.

For many years, Scottsdale has been known as "The West's Most Western Town." Scottsdale was voted the Most Livable City by the U.S. Conference of Mayors in 1993, and is consistently named among the top cities in the country in which to raise children, to retire, and is rated the number one resort community in America.

TheRealPhoenix is your guide to visiting Phoenix and the neighboring cities of Scottsdale and Tempe.