Welcome to the bright and sunny state of Arizona!

On behalf of the Darwin Wall Team, welcome to the sunny state of Arizona! We want to highlight some of our favorite things about our state because we think it deserves some attention! Our state has so much to offer and it's hard to try to name everything we love. We could write an entire book about Arizona and how cool it is, but we'll keep it short and simple. Ready to know why we're proud to call ourselves Arizonans? Let's go! 

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Let's start with the leader of the pack, the city of Phoenix! Arizona's capital city is unique in its own way. Rich with plenty of culture, Phoenix has just about anything you can think of! From some of the top restaurants, to local coffee shops and an art scene like no other. We love how hyperlocal the city is, as well as the community. Downtown Phoenix is a beauty on its own, but we love how 2 of the biggest stadiums are located in the downtown area. Want to catch a game of baseball in AZ? Visit the Chase Field, home turf of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Not only do we have an official MLB team here, Arizona also hosts plenty of Spring training games for the MLB. Teams like the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, and plenty more call AZ their home during their spring season. Not a big fan of baseball? No worries, we're also home to the Phoenix Suns! Say hello to Chase Field's neighbor, Talking Stick Resort Arena! Talking Stick also hosts various events and concerts throughout the year to keep entertainment alive in the city of Phoenix. 

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Next on the list is the city of Scottsdale. Different from Phoenix, Scottsdale is home to plenty of modern art galleries, restaurants, and retailers. On top of that, the nightlife in Scottsdale is home to some of the most popular bars and hotels in the state. Spend some time at the W Scottsdale Hotel's Wet Deck during the day to get some rays in while relaxing poolside to this state of the art hotel. A few blocks away from the W is Old Town Scottsdale. Take a stroll down Scottsdale Drive to get an amazing experience of the city itself. In the mood for something sweet? Go back in time by visiting the Sugar Bowl in Old Town. This authentic and historical parlor will make you feel like you're in the 1950s with its amazing interior and menu. More of a modern day person? Check out Yelp's list of the top restaurants in Old Town. As previously mentioned, the San Francisco Giants call Scottsdale their home during their Spring Training season, so don't miss out on catching a game while they get ready for the season.  

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Moving on to another great city in the Phoenix metropolitan area is the city of Tempe! Home to one of the most innovative universities in the world, Arizona State University has tremendously helped Tempe grow. With a football team that's part of the PAC 12, you'll often see the Sun Devil Football Arena filled to the brim with ASU students and alumni. ASU is home to many die hard alumni and they aren't afraid to show it. Most of us Arizonans consider Tempe to be a college town, but there's something about the city that makes it different from the rest. Tempe is culturally diverse and citizens of the city often love to share their culture with others. You can find plenty of retailers and restaurants that come from all sorts of backgrounds and have so much support from the community itself, which we find very awesome. Two of our favorite attractions in the city are Mill Ave and Tempe Town Lake. Take a stroll down Mill Ave during the day to experience all of the local bars at a more calm atmosphere, or stop by at night to get the full experience of the bar scene. During the fall, make sure to check out 6th St Market near Mill Ave. You'll find plenty of local artists showcasing their beautiful work and food trucks waiting for you to try their recipes and drinks. Want to get a breath of fresh air while you're at it? Tempe Town Lake is the perfect place to go for a walk with friends or by yourself. You'll often see friendly faces around or groups who like to gather at the park to socialize. You'll love this part of Tempe the moment you step out of your car to see what we're talking about. 

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Another city to add on your list is one of our favorites, the city of Chandler! Most of us on the team are Chandler natives, so by nature we love talking about how great this city is. Chandler has gone through many changes and we're loving the way it's turning out. Downtown Chandler is also home to plenty of culture and history. Make sure to visit the shops downtown to see what we're talking about. As a team, we've built such a strong sense of community within ourselves but with other businesses as well and we love to share that strong sense of community with everybody! Do you have a love for golf? Stop by the San Marcos golf course to get some tee time in while catching some more rays of sunshine but make sure to stay hydrated! We keep mentioning how each city has amazing restaurants but that's because it's true! You'll also find plenty of delicious local restaurants and bars in Chandler that are like no other. Need to do some retail therapy to get your mind off of things? Go to the Chandler Fashion Center to get your shopping done. Got kiddos with you? The Chandler Fashion Center is home to the Crayola Experience. A unique attraction that kids will love because they have the freedom to get creative. Don't forget to visit the Chandler Center for the Arts, which is one of the top attractors for the city. 

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Like we said earlier, we could go on forever talking about Arizona but we're going to give out some honorable mentions to the state since we explored more of the local area. 

Fun fact, Arizona is home to one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. The Grand Canyon is headed North of AZ and is a popular destination for people from around the world. We always recommend for people to go at least once in their life because it truly is breathtaking. Many people think of a miserable heat when they hear the word Arizona, but we truly only get into the 100s during the months of June-September. We're glad we only have to go through a dry heat! Another great destination to visit if you're into the outdoors life is Sedona, AZ. What makes Sedona so unique is the beautiful and colorful canyons, waterfalls, and hiking trails located in the town. With the weather being cooler up north, you won't have to worry too much about the heat when in Sedona or the Grand Canyon. Here's another fun fact for you. Did you know that it snows in Arizona?? Yes, it really does snow in Northern Arizona and if you don't believe us go check it out for yourself. Down toward the South you'll find the border between the U.S. and Mexico. Need a little getaway that involves the beach? Visit Rocky Point, which is approximately 2.5 hours away from the Phoenix area. You can easily plan a weekend getaway with friends or family and relax at the beach while chowing down some fish tacos. 

Now that you know a little more about Arizona and all of the great things we have to offer, would you ever consider moving here? What about visiting for a few days to test out the waters? Let us know down in the comments, and if you're planning a trip here tell us! We want to hear why you're excited to visit. Already an AZ resident? Tell us all about why you love the state and city you live in!