Phoenix (downtown)

Arizona’s capital city has undergone a metamorphosis. The evidence is obvious: a new convention center, light rail mass transit and several hotel and high-rise residential projects. There’s a great, gritty monthly spotlight on local artists called First Friday, especially along Roosevelt and Grand, as well as such here-to-stay venues as Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, US Airways Center (NBA Suns, WNBA Mercury), Chase Field (MLB Diamondbacks), Historic Heritage Square, and several performance theaters