Wanderlust World Wanderlust World In addition to being home to tall mountain peaks, vast pine forests and stretches of dry desert, the state of Arizona also has several major cities. According to the Arizona state government, over 88 percent of the population lives in an urban area and this number is expected to increase. The major cities provide cultural attractions, distinctive culinary scenes and attract tourists from across the country.
Phoenix, Arizona, the state capitol, is the fifth-largest city in America and the largest in the state. According to the city’s tourism website, the average annual temperature is 72 degrees and it gets more sunshine than any other major city in the U.S. This warm temperature and nearly constant sun makes the area ideal for year-round outdoor activities. The city is divided into six major communities: West Valley, North Valley, Central Phoenix, Scottsdale, Downtown and East Valley. As of 2010, its population is close to 1.6 million people. Located in the Sonoran Desert, ecological diversity is in abundance. Major attractions include the South Mountain Park and Preserve, Camelback Mountain, Biltmore Fashion Park, Desert Botanical Gardens, Taliesin West, Children’s Museum of Phoenix and the Arizona Science Center.
Tuscon is Arizona’s second largest city and serves as the seat of Pima County. The city has an average of 350 sunny days per year and an average winter temperature of 64 degrees. Tourists visit the area for its outdoor recreation opportunities such as golf and hiking. Many yearly events take place in Tuscon, including the Southwest Wings Birding Festival, WGC-Accenture Match Play Golf Championship and the International Mariachi Conference. The city population, as of 2010, is over one million. Attractions include the University of Arizona, Tuscon Art Trail, the Old Pueblo Trolley, Desert Diamond Casinos, Kartchner Caverns State Park and the historic Anza Trail.
With a population of over 40,000, as of 2010, Prescott, Arizona, is the state’s third-largest city and is located 95 miles from Grand Canyon National Park. The largest stand of Ponderosa Pine trees in the world lies in the city. Weather in the city differs from the other major cities in the state in that occasional snow falls in the winter. However, all seasons remain mild. The sun shines on average more than 300 days per year. Over 800 buildings in Prescott are listed on the National Register of Historic Places including many Victorian-era houses. Other attractions in the city include Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, Phippen Museum, Prescott Museum and Trading Company and Bucky’s Casino.