The Revival of Downtown Phoenix: How Arizona's Capitol Rises from the Ashes

Like the mythical bird, downtown Phoenix is rising from its ashes. Once a place that many feared to tread at night; once crowed by destitute homeless and frightening figures; the downtown Phoenix area has been undergoing a cultural, social, and economic revival that is hitting full stride.

Copper Square

Representing the "new wave" of the renaissance, Copper Square is a business center embodying over 90 restaurants, bars and markets, and consisting of 90 square blocks of safe streets.

During the day, visitors and residents of the downtown area mingle with Phoenix's high-powered attorneys, government officials, and business elite. After dark, crowds from across the valley congregate for good food, festive parties, and alluring atmosphere.

Sports Centers and Venues

American Airlines Arena, formerly known as America West Arena, is home to the Phoenix Sun during basketball season. But, when balls aren't bouncing down the courts, the arena is host to such nationally recognized music acts as Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, and Green Day, not to mention family oriented entertainment such as the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, and even business events that bring in a fortune, like motivational speaker Zig Ziggler.

Home of the 2001 World Series Champions, Chase Field (formerly Bank One Ballpark) brings hundreds of fans not only to watch the D-Backs play, but also to many new and recently established stores and eateries in many of downtown's shopping districts, most notably the Arizona center - one of the first anchors for business revitalization.

Chicago the Musical, Dave Attell, Barney the Dinosaur, Nickelback, these are just a few of the diverse types of acts that grace the stage of the Dodge Theatre, a dynamic and welcoming auditorium.

The Phoenix Orpheum, featuring classic architecture and red velvet seating was home to Democratic President Primary Debates in 2003, and serves the role of movie theater, opera house, and more. Not to be forgotten in the midst of the larger venues, the Herberger Theater may be small, but it's the best place in the valley to spend a day at an off-Broadway show.