Welcome to Arizona Avenues!

Every fabulous American metropolis has its “Avenues” – signature streets lined with boutique shops, remarkable restaurants and quaint homes. Arizona’s Avenues are equally charming, noteworthy and even extraordinary. Located west of Central Avenue in Phoenix, each of the 13 communities that make up Arizona’s “Avenues” is unique, but each shares an “Avenues” address and attitude.

Just 30 years ago the communities west of Phoenix consisted mainly of flat cattle ranches, cotton fields and citrus groves. Today, there are still plenty of vestiges of the agrarian life, but big-city attractions dominate as the entire area has exploded with growth in recent years. It astounds even natives of the Grand Canyon State to realize that the West Valley is one of the fastest growing areas in the U.S. – almost 700,000 people reside in the West Valley’s 13 cities and towns.

Trendy restaurants, world-class arts, shopping, superb golf courses, and easily accessible outdoor parks and recreational areas have all contributed to the growth. Arizona’s Avenues are home to one of the 10 best antique shopping districts in the U.S., as well as a regional shopping centers. Nationally recognized historic ranches-turned museums and mining attractions are testaments to a proud heritage, while art and specialty museums boast collections that will slow time. Also in this prestigious area, Peoria is home to the only Smithsonian Institution affiliate in Greater Phoenix.

The West Valley is home to major league sports teams. Glendale lays claim to University of Phoenix Stadium, home to the NFL’s 2009 NFC Champions Arizona Cardinals. A smaller, though no less impressive venue, sits next door, the Jobing.com Arena. Major concerts, ice skating shows and the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes, call this building home. Peoria, Surprise, Glendale and Goodyear all have state-of-the-art Cactus League Spring Training ballparks. And Avondale has Phoenix International Raceway, a world-class professional raceway and home to a multitude of NASCAR racing events.

For those that are less interested in watching than in doing, four regional parks offer plenty of outdoor activities. The Estrella Mountains line the horizons of Goodyear, Tolleson and Avondale, while the White Tank Mountains are virtually surrounded by Buckeye, Surprise and Litchfield Park. Thunderbird Mountain Park is part of Glendale, and Lake Pleasant in Peoria is truly a water-lovers paradise.

No question about it – there’s a lot of ground to cover in the Avenues. The good news is, there’s a palpable aura of “howdy, pardner” – a real sense of “welcome, please stay awhile” – that will comfort you along the way.