Phoenix is the capital and most heavily populated city in Arizona, with 1,608,139 homeowners as of 2020. It is likewise the fifth-most populated city in the USA, the largest state capital by population and the only state capital with a populace of more than one million residents. Although well known for its flora and fauna, Phoenix metro has a lot more to offer.

Consider its music and art centers. The Phoenix Harmony Hall is residence to the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, the Arizona Opera as well as Ballet. Along with the Symphony Hall, Phoenix has performances at the Orpheum Theater and also the Dorrance Cinema. Concerts likewise regularly make stops in the area. The largest downtown art location is the Herberger Cinema Facility, which houses 3 efficiency areas and is home to two resident companies, the Arizona Theater Business and the Centre Dance Ensemble.

Museums

The valley has dozens of galleries. They consist of the Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Capitol Gallery, Scottsdale Gallery of Contemporary Art, Arizona Military Gallery, Hall of Flame Firefighting Museum, the Pueblo Grande Museum Archaeological Park, Kid's Museum of Phoenix, Arizona Science Center, and the Heard Gallery. In 2010, the Musical Instrument Museum opened their doors, and includes the biggest musical instrument collection on the planet. In 2015 the Kid's Museum of Phoenix was identified as one of the top three kids’ museums in the USA.

Arts

A downtown Phoenix metro art scene has been established in the past few years. The Artlink Company and the galleries downtown have launched a First Friday cross-Phoenix gallery opening, in addition to holding an Art Tour which has ended up being a main attraction in the city.  In April 2009, artist Janet Echelman constructed her huge sculpture, Her Secret Is Patience, a public icon placed above the new Phoenix Civic Space Park, a two-city-block park in the middle of downtown. This netted sculpture makes the unseen patterns of desert wind noticeable. Throughout the day, the 100-foot tall sculpture hovers over heads, treetops, as well as structures, developing what the artist calls "darkness illustrations", which she claims are inspired by Phoenix's cloud darkness. During the night, the lighting changes gradually through the seasons. Author Prof. Patrick Frank said of the sculpture that "... most Arizonans look on the work with pride: this unique visual delight will forever mark the city of Phoenix just as the Eiffel Tower marks Paris.”

Phoenix is the home of a unique architectural practice and community. Frank Lloyd Wright transferred to Phoenix in 1937 and built his winter house, Taliesin West, as well as the primary school for The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Design. Over the years, Phoenix has brought in significant engineers that have made it their home and expanded effective methods. They include Paolo Soleri (who developed Arcosanti), Al Beadle, Wendell Burnette, Space Studio, and also The Ranch Mine architectural design workshops. Another significant force in architectural landscape of the city was Ralph Haver whose company, Haver & Nunn, designed industrial and domestic frameworks throughout the valley. Of specific note was his trademark, "Haver House", budget-friendly contemporary-style homes.

Among the largest tourist attractions of Phoenix is golf, with over 200 golf links. In addition to golf there are other attractions such as Agua Fria National Monument, Arcosanti, Casa Grande Ruins National Monolith, Lost Dutchman State Park, and Montezuma's Castle. Phoenix metro likewise serves as a central area for many of the sights around the state of Arizona, such as the Grand Canyon, Lake Havasu (where the London Bridge is located), Meteor Crater, the Painted Desert, Kartchner Caverns, Sedona and also Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.

Various Other Tourist Attractions as well as Annual Occasions

As a result of its natural surroundings and climate, Phoenix has a number of exterior tourist attractions such as The Phoenix Zoo, the biggest independently owned, charitable zoo in the USA.  Since opening in 1962, it has actually developed a global reputation for its efforts on pet conservation, including breeding and also reestablishing endangered varieties right into the wild. Right beside the zoo, is the Phoenix Botanical Gardens which opened in 1939, and are well-known worldwide for their art and vegetation exhibits as well as curricula, including the largest collection of dry plants in the United States. South Mountain Park, the biggest municipal park in the U.S., is also the highest possible desert hill located on the planet.

Other preferred sites in the city are Japanese Relationship Yard, Historic Heritage Square, Phoenix Metro Mountains Park, Pueblo Grande Gallery, Mystery Castle, St. Mary's Basilica, and the Wrigley Estate.

Be sure to check out lots of yearly events in and near Phoenix that celebrate the city's heritage and its variety of culture. They consist of the Scottsdale Arabian Equine Program, the world's largest steed show. Pueblo Grande Indian Market, an occasion highlighting Native American arts and crafts; Grand Menorah Lights, a December event commemorating Hanukah; ZooLights, a December night event at the Phoenix Zoo that features millions of lights; the Arizona State Fair, begun in 1884; Scottish Celebration & Highland Games, Estrella War, a celebration of medieval life; and the Chinese Week & Culture & Food Festival, an event of Chinese culture.