Arizona State University Art Museum at Nelson Fine Arts Center
Although it isn't very large, this museum is memorable for its innovative architecture and excellent temporary exhibitions. With its purplish-gray stucco facade and pyramidal shape, the stark, angular building conjures up images of sunsets on desert mountains. The entrance is down a flight of stairs that leads to a cool underground garden area. Inside are galleries for crafts, prints, contemporary art, and Latin American art, along with outdoor sculpture courts and a gift shop. The collection of American art includes works by Georgia O'Keeffe, Edward Hopper, and Frederic Remington. Definitely a must for both art and architecture fans. Across the street is the Ceramics Research Center and Gallery, which showcases the university's extensive collection of fine art ceramics and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm. This latter center is another place not to miss. You just won't believe the amazing creativity on display here.

The Bead Museum
You'll see beads and body adornments from around the world at this interesting little museum in the Glendale antiques district. Beads both ancient and modern are on display, and exhibits often focus on such subjects as beaded bags, prayer beads, or natural beads.

Desert Botanical Garden
Located in Papago Park adjacent to the Phoenix Zoo and devoted exclusively to cacti and other desert plants, this botanic garden displays more than 20,000 plants from all over the world. The Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Trail is the state's best introduction to ethnobotany (human use of plants) in the Southwest. Along the trail are interactive displays that demonstrate how Native Americans once used wild and cultivated plants. You can make a yucca-fiber brush and practice grinding corn and mesquite beans. At the Center for Desert Living, there are demonstration gardens and an energy- and water-conservation research house. On the Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower Trail, you'll find an ever-changing palette of colorful wildflowers throughout much of the year. If you come late in the day, you can stay until after dark and see night-blooming flowers and dramatically lit cacti. A cafe on the grounds serves good food and makes a great lunch spot. In spring and fall, there are also concerts in the garden. In early December, during Las Noches de las Luminarias, the gardens are lit at night by luminarias (candles inside small bags).

Doubletree Guest Suites' Phoenix-Gateway Center
Located 1.5 miles North of Sky Harbor Airport. Centrally located to all business corridors and attractions in Phoenix. Easy access to Highways I10, 202, 101, 143, 51. 10 minutes to downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale shopping and Tempe. Airport 1 MI S, Hotel shuttle. Convention Center 6 MI W, Taxi - car. Downtown Phoenix 6 MI W, Taxi - car. Arizona State Univ 4 MI SE, Hotel shuttle, taxi, car. Scottsdale 7 MI ...

Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort
The Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort is only eight miles/12 minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport via the Squaw Peak Parkway (State Highway 51). Centrally located, Squaw Peak is conveniently nestled next to a 300-acre desert mountain preserve; yet only four miles from downtown Phoenix where guests can enjoy shopping and sightseeing. Take State Highway 51 (Squaw Peak Parkway) north to Glendale. Exit Glendale west (take a left at the stoplight at the Glendale exit) to 16th ...

Hyatt Regency Phoenix
* 6 miles from Sky Harbor International Airport * Nearby Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, Carefree and Cave Creek * Near the Arizona State Capitol Grounds and Luke Air Force ...