6 - Haute Couture
High fashion is not a prevalent here as it is in some other major cities in the U.S. As far as higher end clothing is concerned, you're more likely to find places like Sak's, Chico's or Ann Taylor.
Suggested Reading
Shopping Malls
7 - The Beach
Yes, we are landlocked. No beach here. This is a real issue for those who move here from the East Coast, and for people from California who miss the sound of the crashing waves and the sea breezes. The good news is that it could be worse. We can get to the ocean by car in less than a day. Head to Rocky Point in Mexico, or over to San Diego. As a matter of fact, so many Arizonans visit San Diego to enjoy the ocean environment that they have a name for us--Zonies. The moniker "Zonie" is generally used with what I call loving disdain, like how we call our winter visitors "snowbirds."
Suggested Reading
Rocky Point
San Diego Getaway
Places to Get Wet
8 - Rusty Vehicles
Because the humidity is relatively low in the desert, and we don't salt our roads in the winter, our cars and SUVs hold up pretty well. You will rarely see a rusty vehicle here. It is common for car collectors to store their vintage and valuable vehicles in the desert's drier climate.
Suggested Reading
Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction
9 - Cowboys, Sawdust, Horses
All right, I lied. Yes, you can find all three of these here, but it's not like there are cowboys everywhere, and hitching posts at the local Nordstrom. Some of the restaurants have sawdust on the floor, but this isn't Wyatt Earp's wild west anymore. Citizens don't generally walk around with guns in their holster (even though it is legal to do so). Phoenix is the 5th largest city in the country, and it acts like a major metropolitan city. That quaint western town image is long gone.
Suggested Reading
Phoenix Historic Photos
Trail Rides and Horseback Riding
Rodeo, Horse Shows and Horse Racing
Scottsdale Horse Statues
10 - Cheap Winter Rates
There are few bargains in the greater Phoenix area, and high season runs from September/October through April/May. That about covers everything that isn't hot. It isn't unusual to find hotel rooms in the hundreds of dollars per night, and, depending on what kind of special events are going on, finding a room in a nice neighborhood for less than $100 per night can sometimes be difficult. If you are coming in January or February, let's hope you are traveling on an expense account.
Suggested Reading
Hotels and Motels
Luxury Resorts
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10 Things You Won't Find in Phoenix: Numbers 1 through 5
10 Things You Won't Find in Phoenix: Numbers 6 through 10
