What comes to mind when you think of Phoenix? Sun and desert, yes, but there's oh so much more to this vibrant Southwestern city! The area's incredible spas, resorts, and plentiful retail shopping options lure travelers to the Valley of the Sun. Sports lovers can take in a professional game…whether basketball, baseball, football or hockey (yes, hockey!). Golfers delight in hitting the links on over 200 golf courses in the Phoenix area. Kid-friendly attractions abound as well, from the interactive Museum of Musical Instruments to the largest non-profit zoo in the country, the Phoenix Zoo.

A growing city

When you think of America's biggest cities, places like New York City and Los Angeles probably spring to mind. Did you know Phoenix is now the fifth most populous city in the country? Phoenix is one of the fastest growing cities in the US and ranks among the top 20 metro areas in terms of restaurants per capita.

The Phoenix Metro Area boasts cuisine from around the world from casual to fine dining, but Mexican fare reigns supreme (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Sun and desert, indeed

Phoenix certainly has no shortage of sunshine with nearly 300 sunny (or mostly sunny) days per year. Arizona's desert beauty is almost startling to first-time visitors. You may think of desert as a desolate, dry place where nothing grows but nature finds a way to thrive in the Phoenix desert. Mother nature puts on a dazzling display of prickly cactus, feathery Palo Verde trees, bright desert blooms, date palms and citrus trees galore. Best of all for me as a recent returnee to my home state, are the eye-rubbing sunsets in brilliant hues of violet, fuchsia, and orange.

Native American Pow-Wow Big Drum at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Learn more about the Phoenix Metro Area

Take the FlipKey Phoenix Metro Area virtual tour now and join me for the #TakeMeTherePhoenix Twitter Party this Wednesday to learn why the Phoenix Metro Area should make your short list of places to visit. (This post and the Twitter chat brought to you in partnership with FlipKey by tripadvisor.)

#TakeMeTherePhoenix Twitter Party

Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Time:  Noon Pacific Time  (1 pm Mountain Time, 2 pm Central Time, 3 pm Eastern Time)

Topic: Phoenix Metro Area and Virtual Tour

Hashtag: #TakeMeTherePhoenix

Host: @FlipKey

Co-Hosts: @TravelMamas, @DonnaLHull, @AlexBerger, @ALittleBiteOf

Brand Participants: @ViatorTravel and @VacaHomeRentals

RSVP: There's no need to RSVP!

Follow along and join in the conversation by: Click here for a custom Twubs Twitter chat feed or just follow the #TakeMeTherePhoenix on your Twitter search feed (I use TweetDeck to keep up with the conversation)

Just another stunning sunset in the Phoenix Metro Area (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

What's your favorite thing about the Phoenix Metro Area? Let us know in the comments below!

A Note from The Travel Mama: I received compensation related this post and as a co-host of the #TakeMeTherePhoenix Twitter party. All opinions are mine, as always.