Phoenix is the heart of the Sonoran Desert metro known as the Valley of the Sun: saguaro-studded mountains, golf resorts, spas, huge sports and spring-training scenes, a growing downtown and some of the best Southwestern and Mexican food in the country. Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa and Chandler are all part of the same urban area.

Come for sunshine, hiking, resorts and food, and plan around the heat. In winter and spring it's one of the country's easiest places to be outdoors.

Fall (October to November) brings warm, dry days and cool nights. A top season for hiking and patios.

Winter (December to February) is mild and sunny, with occasional cold nights. Peak season with the highest resort rates, plus the Phoenix Open in February.

Spring (March to April) is warm and clear, with Cactus League spring training and wildflowers (in a good year). Busy and pricey.

Summer (May to September) is extremely hot, often 105°F or higher, with monsoon storms from late June to September. Resort rates drop, but outdoor activity is limited to early morning and evening.

Check the events calendar. Spring training, the Phoenix Open and holiday weekends fill hotels.

2 days covers one hike, a museum and a dinner in Old Town Scottsdale.

3 days (recommended) adds the Desert Botanical Garden, Papago Park and downtown Phoenix.

4 to 5 days adds Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Taliesin West or a day at a resort spa.

Day 1, hiking and Scottsdale: early morning hike at Camelback Mountain or Piestewa Peak (start at sunrise; carry plenty of water). Afternoon by a pool or at the Desert Botanical Garden. Evening in Old Town Scottsdale for dinner and galleries.

Day 2, downtown Phoenix and culture: morning at the Heard Museum or the Musical Instrument Museum. Afternoon in Roosevelt Row for murals, coffee and shops, plus the Phoenix Art Museum. Evening in downtown for dinner and a show, or a Suns or Diamondbacks game.

Day 3, Tempe and Papago: morning at Papago Park and Hole-in-the-Rock, then Tempe Town Lake and the Mill Avenue district. Afternoon at Taliesin West (Frank Lloyd Wright's desert studio) or a spa. Sunset hike or a patio with desert views.

Scottsdale suits resorts, spas, golf and nightlife: upscale, lively and spread out.

Downtown Phoenix suits sports, museums and light rail access.

Arcadia and the Biltmore area suit a residential feel and upscale dining.

Tempe suits a college-town vibe, Tempe Town Lake and light rail.

Camelback Corridor and Paradise Valley suit luxury resorts and mountain views.

Phoenix is a car-oriented metro, so renting a car is the easiest way to explore. Rideshare is common but costly across long distances.

Valley Metro Rail runs a 28-mile line through downtown Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. The PHX Sky Train connects Sky Harbor to the light rail. Buses and the free circulators in some areas fill gaps. Check current fares.

Park in shaded or covered spots when possible; a car can reach dangerous temperatures within minutes in summer.

Heat: in summer, schedule outdoor activities for sunrise or after sunset. Carry more water than you think you need, and don't leave people or pets in parked cars.

Hiking: popular desert trails see emergency rescues every year. Hike early, bring water, tell someone your route, and turn back if you feel unwell. Many trails have heat-related closures or restrictions.

Monsoon: storms bring lightning, dust storms (haboobs) and flash floods in dry washes. Never drive through flooded roads.

Cannabis is legal for adults 21 and over; don't use in public or drive impaired.

Last call is 2 a.m. Tipping 18 to 20% is standard.

Phoenix is generally easy for visitors. The primary risks are environmental: heat illness, dehydration, sunburn and, in warmer months, rattlesnakes and scorpions. Watch where you step and put your hands, and use a flashlight on night walks.

Lock your car and don't leave valuables in view. In downtown and some other areas, stay aware at night and use rideshare. During monsoon season, follow weather alerts.

Emergencies: dial 911. Phoenix has major hospitals and many urgent-care clinics and pharmacies. If you take prescription medications, bring a buffer supply. Know the signs of heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea) and heat stroke (confusion, hot dry skin), and call 911 for the latter.

Sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide-brim hat, breathable clothing, a refillable water bottle, sturdy hiking shoes, a light jacket for cool winter evenings and air-conditioned rooms, lip balm and moisturizer for the dry air.