Hotels By City: Cheap Hotels, Hotel Guides & Hotel Blogs

It is that time of year for all you Major League Baseball fans - Cactus League begins in Arizona!

As "The Valley of the Sun" suggests, Phoenix is surrounded by mountains. So if you like to hike, climb, or ride a mountain bike, there is an abundance of choice spots protected by government agencies. But don't believe me! Check out the links below for complete descriptions:

Piestewa Peak (formerly Squaw Peak)

Camelback Mountain

South Mountain

Papago Buttes

North Mountain

White Tank Mountain

McDowell Mountains

Pinnacle Peak

Estrella Mountain

As the original Capital of the Territory of Arizona, downtown Prescott will take you back to the 1,880's. With over 600 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, it was ranked in "The Top Ten True Historic Towns" by TRUE WEST WEST MAGAZINE. Prescott is in the mountains of the Prescott National Forest and is located 99 miles, or 1 hour, 56 minutes from Phoenix.

If you want to see a forest and a lake again, Payson is a great, short trip away. Set by the Mogollon Rim and surrounded by the Tonto National Forest, this town has a lot to offer to the nature enthusiast, as well as the art collector. You can camp, swim and fish at the nearby lakes that are tucked in between the ponderosas, or; hang around town where many artisans have called home. Located just 88.88 miles, or 1 hour, 38 minutes from Phoenix, it is a very beautiful drive.

If you like movies, especially old western flicks, then you should definately check into a hotel in "new" Tucson and spend a day at Old Tucson Studios. With over 350 major motion pictures filmed here since 1939, John Wayne's "Rio Bravo" and Val Kilmer's Doc Holliday in "Tombstone" are two of the studio's Western memories I'll never forget. In fact, I put "Tombstone" as my all-time, favorite film because it revolves around friends and family.

According to mapquest, Old Tucson is 115.54 miles, or 1 hour, 58 minutes away from Phoenix.

So you want to take a trip through history and/or get out of the 110 degree heat? Then Tombstone is the place to check into a hotel for a night! As my #2 favorite place outside Phoenix, here's a 'Heads Up': with the exception of a couple saloons, Allen street rolls up about 6:00 pm, so get an early start for sightseeing. According to Mapquest.com, Tombstone is 184.27 miles, or 3 hours, 2 minutes away. But by missing both Phoenix and Tucson high traffic hours, I make it in 2 hours, 30 minutes (or so).

While Phoenix has beauty and hotspots, day trips are the best way to get out of the 110 degree heat. One of my favorite day trips is Sedona - it has spectacular views and friendly people! According to Mapquest.com, Sedona is 115.9 miles, or 1 hour, 58 minutes away.

Since it doesn’t rain very often in Phoenix, some people may just want to enjoy the change in atmosphere, but without actually being out in it. Several places offer wonderful, panoramic views of the Valley including A Different Pointe of View at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort or Top of the Rock at the Wyndham Buttes Resort.

If you like Irish pubs AND Oyster Rockefeller, you have to try "RULA BULA'S" on Mill Avenue in Tempe. Even if you have never tried Oyster Rockefeller, this is the place to try it! You don't like oysters, you say? You will love these!

If you want to see Phoenix, I highly suggest the COMPASS restaurant for 360 degree views while enjoying some of the best cuisine offered in Arizona. Located on the 24th floor of the downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel, you always get stunning views - day or night.