© Courtesy of Camelback Inn
Ever since Elizabeth Arden opened Maine Chance spa on Camelback Mountain in the 1930’s, Phoenix-Scottsdale has been a prime destination for the toniest R&R—but not much else. Warm temperatures and swaying palms have always meant poolside leisure, but lately even locals have stopped teasing (What’s the difference between Phoenix and yogurt? Yogurt has culture), and recognize that the city is growing into its contemporary art scene. Maine Chance is long gone, but the resort arena is rife with ever-revamping hotels and spas. Cool boutiques are launching; chefs are redefining southwestern cuisine; and a beloved hiking spot, Pinnacle Peak, reopened after being closed for eight years. While shopping malls and golf courses have replaced some desert, civic-minded residents have preserved plenty of landscapes for nature enthusiasts. See the slideshow.
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