The Phoenix area is called the “Valley of the Sun” and it’s a very apt name considering how hot it was there in the middle of the summer. My family did not spend much time here on our trip to Arizona, but I did get to have a day to wander around myself. Though in the middle of the desert, Phoenix has a big modern downtown as well as unique districts all around with good restaurants and museums. (2005)
![](https://photos.davidredd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cactus-1.jpg)
Get outside the urban core of Phoenix and its easy to know you are in a desert as you see miles of cactus all around.
I was surprised to find that downtown Phoenix (called “Copper Square”) is full of not only many unique buildings but also huge palm trees throughout.
![](https://photos.davidredd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/pxpalms-1.jpg)
![](https://photos.davidredd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/pxhistoric-1.jpg)
The historic square of Phoenix has some of the few remaining old homes in the area. Here is the Rosson House (now a museum)
There is variety in the architecture of Phoenix like the historic Jesuit College building seen here
![](https://photos.davidredd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/pxjesuit.jpg)
![](https://photos.davidredd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/pxrock.jpg)
All along the northern edge of Phoenix are large rock outcroppings which serve as parks and resort locations and give a rugged contrast to the modern downtown and flat desert around