<p>I am in Phoenix and basically know noone and need some things to do and places to meet people etc. Suggestions? Also, what is with the no clouds in the sky thing?</p>
<p>
Ummm, you’re in the desert…</p>
<p>All the stuff I like in Phoenix (or area) is nature related. If you have any interest, take a side trip to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Bring your camera and/or binoculars. It’s fabulous.
<a href=“http://arboretum.ag.arizona.edu/[/url]”>http://arboretum.ag.arizona.edu/</a></p>
<p>Beyond that I have no suggestions – unless you’d like to pop in on my in-laws – actually, I really don’t like Phoenix at all (except for the birds and the desert plants).</p>
<p>Have fun.</p>
<p>Try posting this question on the travel forum!</p>
<p><a href=“United States - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums”>United States - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums;
<p>When I’m in Phoenix I like ice skating, shopping, Cabelas (a big outdoor store that you could spend a whole day in because of displays and stuff), and watching airplanes at the airport. As far as meeting people, I know there’s a fairly active bar scene, but just heard through friends as I’m not of age. That’s all I have; sorry!</p>
<p>Arizona gets clouds in the sky, but mainly it’s really clear unless there’s a Monsoon storm coming. (summer only)</p>
<p>If you’re there in the summer, go tubing on the Salt river.</p>
<p>Figure out what you normally like to do and go do it. Phx is a large city with pretty much anything most cities have except snow and if you want snow, head to Flagstaff or the White mountains in a month or two.</p>
<p>Find some clubs on campus that appeal to you, join them, and participate in them. You’ll find others who enjoy doing whatever you like doing.</p>
<p>
Were I am staying right now is right next to the Salt River, and when I look at it, there is no water at all.</p>
<p>Generally I think water levels change through the year. I’m assuming since someone mentioned tubing that there’s probably water there in the summer.</p>
<p>Ok that makes more sense. This still the only place I have ever been with waterless rivers.</p>
<p>I believe there’s water in the Salt river year-round but not generally around Tempe (assuming that’s where you are). To go tubing, you head northeast from there (not too far) to where the Salt and Verde rivers come together. This tubing is a big deal there so check with almost any other college age person who’s been around there for a couple of years and they probably know about it.</p>
<p><a href=“http://phoenix.about.com/od/lakes/a/tubing.htm[/url]”>http://phoenix.about.com/od/lakes/a/tubing.htm</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.saltrivertubing.com/[/url]”>http://www.saltrivertubing.com/</a></p>
<p>Regarding waterless rivers - yes, that’s what it’s like in the desert but when certain deluges occur, those dry riverbeds, including the ones close to ASU, can become raging torrents.</p>
<p>The blue sky is what is above the clouds and smog that most people live under. We can see it 300+ days a year so you better get used to it. Also, buy a hat and sunscreen. I’m serious.</p>
<p>To do, at random: </p>
<p>Native American Dance Performers Fridays at 5:00 p.m.
<a href=“http://www.scottsdale.hyatt.com/[/url]”>http://www.scottsdale.hyatt.com/</a>
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch
Phone:<strong>480-444-1234
Admission:</strong>Free
Native American Dancers share their culture and history through song and pow-wow style*dances from the tribes of the Great Plains. Fridays at 5:00 p.m., Fountain court.</p>
<p>Scottsdale Convention Bureau has links: <a href=“http://www.scottsdalecvb.com/[/url]”>http://www.scottsdalecvb.com/</a></p>
<p>Desert Botanical Garden <a href=“http://www.dbg.org/[/url]”>http://www.dbg.org/</a></p>
<p>Climb Cameback, Piestawa Peak in Phoenix <a href=“http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/[/url]”>http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/</a> (trails and parks link)</p>
<p>Hiking elsewhere in AZ <a href=“http://www.arizonahikingtrails.com/[/url]”>http://www.arizonahikingtrails.com/</a></p>
<p>Go ice skating <a href=“http://www.coyotesice.com/[/url]”>http://www.coyotesice.com/</a></p>
<p>Which is almost next door to the indoor rock gym <a href=“http://www.azontherocks.com/[/url]”>http://www.azontherocks.com/</a></p>
<p>Bar scenes - Mill Avenue for the college crowd, Old Town Scottsdale for slightly older crowd</p>
<p>“Culture”: <a href=“http://www.phoenixsymphony.org%5B/url%5D”>www.phoenixsymphony.org</a>
<a href=“http://www.azopera.com%5B/url%5D”>www.azopera.com</a>
<a href=“http://www.balletaz.org%5B/url%5D”>www.balletaz.org</a>
<a href=“http://www.phxart.org%5B/url%5D”>www.phxart.org</a>
<a href=“http://www.heard.org%5B/url%5D”>www.heard.org</a> Really fine collection of Indian art and artifacts
<a href=“http://www.smoca.org%5B/url%5D”>www.smoca.org</a>
<a href=“http://www.scottsdalegalleries.com%5B/url%5D”>www.scottsdalegalleries.com</a> Thursday evening art walks
<a href=“http://www.herbergertheater.org%5B/url%5D”>www.herbergertheater.org</a></p>
<p>Phoenix Suns (run-and-gun B-ball) <a href=“http://www.nba.com/suns[/url]”>http://www.nba.com/suns</a></p>
<p>Golf courses: everywhere</p>
<p>Casinos- at least four or five within an hour of downtown Phoenix, though I have never been to one.</p>
<p>Skiing in Flagstaff and the White Mountains, 3-5 hours away (when it snows in the desert).</p>
<p>Still bored? Looking for anything in particular?</p>
<p>Oh, and there is no tubing on the Salt now because it is cold outside and the water, which comes from the dam that created Roosevelt Lake is colder. But on a hot summer day it is really nice to plant your butt in a tube and dangle your feet in the water while you gently go with the flow. But that water does get drawn off for, I think, irrigation at some point so the Salt that “flows” through Phoenix is usually a rocky, dry wash. Except for the area near Tempe where the town created Tempe Town Lake by putting two giant rubber bladders at each end and pumping in water. It was supposed to create a “waterfront” for Tempe and enhance values and create recreation opportunities. It also breeds mosquitoes, blooms of algae and bacteria, especially when the temp hits 115.</p>
<p>I went hiking in Phoenix once and I fell and got a cactus thorn in my hand that, I swear, was in there for about 3 years!</p>
<p>Back in October my D went to a corn maze, but I had to double check to make sure she didn’t mean a cactus maze…</p>