Although the city of Phoenix itself holds plenty of attractions like Papago Park and Desert Botanical Garden, the core of the area, like most major cities, is it's Downtown, home to Chase Field, the US Airways Center, the Phoenix Art Museum, Symphony Hall and more. The area is also home to many government buildings, both local and federal, as well as numerous corporations.
The cities of Carefree and Scottsdale provide a more upscale environment with luxury hotels and fining dining widely available. Scottsdale could easily be considered the Beverly Hills of the Phoenix area, while Carefree provides a more serene ambience.
Glendale is definitely the city that has grown the most this decade with the openings of Westgate City Center and University of Phoenix Stadium propelling its rapid growth. This suburb is managing to attract residents and visitors alike thanks to the addition of many new attractions.