Phoenix, Arizona, Family Vacation

There's something mystical about a desert vacation, and Phoenix delivers on all fronts. Steeped in Native American history and culture, the thriving metropolis has an ample selection of modern-day attractions as well. It's a hot vacation spot -- both in temperature and in popularity. So whether your family prefers saloons and ghost towns out of the 1800s or you're more the spa-shop-sightseeing set, you can't go wrong with this desert jewel.

Phoenix is a popular destination for snowbirds because of its temperate winter months. There's really no bad time to visit except mid-summer, when daytime temperatures typically hover at or above 100 degrees.

September-December and March-May are the best weather months. The average annual temperature in Phoenix is 85 degrees, which shoots to 105 degrees in July. It's almost always sunny, so come armed with loads of sunscreen. Desert evenings can get cool any time of year, so bring a sweater or jacket. Get more weather info.

The main area airport is the Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) -- one of the busiest in the world. Local city buses provide transportation to and from the airport. You can pick up a copy of the Bus Book at the information desk in any terminal, which lists which bus lines go where. A light rail line is under construction, and will ultimately link the airport with downtown. Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses are also available.

You'll likely need to rent a car once you're in town, especially if you're leaving the downtown Phoenix area. Travel games will help keep kids' attention on the long desert stretches while yours is on the road.

The free Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) is a convenient and economical way to get around downtown Phoenix. The copper-colored buses depart every six minutes from specially marked DASH stops. The Trolley is another free service that travels through Scottsdale's historic Old Town, Main Street Arts District, Marshall Way Arts District, Fifth Avenue Shops, and Scottsdale Fashion Square.

The Phoenix/Scottsdale area hosts many events throughout the year. The Arizona State Fair draws the largest crowds, with 1.3 million people attending over 2006's three-week event, while Mighty Mud Mania is a kids-only event with nearly 10,000 devoted fans -- all 17 and under.

• Phoenix Sister Cities World Fest (Jan.)
• Carefree Fine Arts & Wine Festival (Mar.)
• Nascar Subway Fresh 500 (April)
• Glendale Jazz and Blues Festival (April)
• Mighty Mud Mania (July)
• Scottsdale Summer Spectacular ArtWalk (July)
• Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (Sept.)
• Arizona State Fair (Oct.)
• Old World Phoenix Oktoberfest (Oct.)
• Cowboy Christmas at Rawhide (Nov.)

Learn just about everything you want to know about Phoenix at the Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau website. Also, writer Gloria Willis has a great guide to Phoenix on HowStuffWorks.com.

Phoenix Metro Coupons offers local savings and the Convention and Visitors Bureau offers discounts via its website.

• With 300+ sun-filled days each year, Phoenix attracts new residents in droves: More than 50,000 people relocate here each year.
• Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the country, with a 2006 population of 3.4 million.
• Although Phoenix has a reputation as being a haven for retirees, more than 50 percent of the population is between 18 and 54 years of age -- younger than the national average.