Rising from the arid landscape of the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix populates a sizzling spot known as the Valley of the Sun. Arizona’s capital curls its way around a cacti-dotted mountain, with sun-scorched streets leading to adventurous trails up craggy peaks where sweeping views of the surrounding plains await. Crank up the heat at hundreds of golf courses or play it cool in fascinating museums showcasing everything from Native American cultures to cutting-edge art.
Visit Phoenix: get started
Prepare for a Phoenix vacation! Pencil in hiking the trails of Camelback Mountain or Papago Park, and visiting the best museums in Phoenix (the Heard Museum or the Phoenix Art Museum). Don't miss the city's other top attractions like the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo. Plan your trip around the best hotels in Phoenix with our packages and bundles.
Phoenix travel guide
Destination facts
Language
English
What to bring back
Locally distilled Arroyo vodka, Phoenix-inspired crafts or apparel from MADE Art Boutique and Phoenix General, cactus-based products from the Desert Botanical Garden’s gift shop (cactus-flavoured tea and candy!) and Native American art from the Heard Museum shop.
What to eat
Southwestern cuisine (influenced by Native American, Spanish and Mexican dishes): burritos, cheese crisps, chimichangas, Sonoran stew of fish and shrimp, fry bread and Sonoran hot dogs (wrapped in bacon, topped with pinto beans and loads more).
Fun fact
Yes, the city was named for the mythical bird that rises from the ashes! Over a millennium ago (from about 300 AD), the Hohokam people populated the area and built an impressive irrigation system before leaving around the 15th century. When a confederate soldier named Jack Swilling founded the city atop the Hohokam’s old stomping grounds, he chose the name Phoenix, because it rose from the ruins of an ancient civilization.
Important info
For more information on all necessary travel documents, visa, taxes and more, check Air Canada’s Travel Requirements page and the Government of Canada’s Travel and Tourism website.
