The Hohokam tribe were the first known settlers in Phoenix, arriving in 700 AD and staying for nearly 2,000 years. They created the first irrigation canals that made life in the desert possible. After the Hohokams, other tribes like Pima, Tohono O’odham, and the Maricopa followed. Today, their culture is still very much alive and Phoenix is home to 22 Native American reserves. Phoenix’s history as a city began in 1868 when its founder Jack Swilling led a group of new settlers and rebuilt canals and waterways to make the land fertile again. Darrell Duppa, a member of Swilling’s party, suggested the name “Phoenix,” the city reborn from the ruins of the old Native American civilization.

If you need a break from the city and want some fresh air, head out to one of the beautiful mountains that surround Phoenix. One of these, South Mountain Preserve, is the fourth largest municipal park in the country and has hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. You can also take a stroll in the Desert Botanical Garden, a 140-acre garden home to over 50,000 desert plants nestled on the red rocks of the Papago Park. If you love animals, spend a day at Phoenix Zoo or Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium.

Want to see spectacular views of the Sonoran from a thousand feet high but don’t want to spend the day climbing a mountain? Then hop on a hot air balloon. Locals and tourists alike love this activity and the views of the sweeping city and rugged mountains from a balloon are magnificent.

Getting fit in Phoenix isn’t hard, with the wide variety of sports clubs and courts that offer tennis, basketball, indoor climbing, and rowing. Phoenix is also a golf country, with 160 golf clubs and around 185 different golf courses.

To quench your thirst for knowledge and history, head over to one of Phoenix’s museums. The Heard Museum is a must-visit for learning about Native American history. There’s the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park and mine tours for those who want to see what desert life looked like before modern technology. Art lovers can head on to Phoenix Art Museum, the largest art museum in the Southwest. There are also smaller ones like the Shemer Art Museum, Exotic Art Show, and Bentley Art Gallery.

If you love outdoor festivals with a lively atmosphere, Phoenix hosts the McDowell Mountain Music Festival and a food festival, Devour Phoenix. Each spring you have the Phoenix Film Festival and the Phoenix Flea for treasure hunters in the fall.