The NY Times has a nice travel piece about Phoenix, AZ. As a native Phoenician I only have two problems with it. 1) It talks down to the tourists who might visit and insults Phoenix in the process: "Even long-timers have a tough time explaining the city's appeal. Phoenix has left no firm mark in pop culture, aside from a bit role in the opening shot of “Psycho.”" 2) It is very bourgeois in description, though I realize it is trying to paint Phoenix in a cosmopolitan light. Further it disses downtown revitalization as a pale version of SoHo.

On the other hand it does at least pick out and shine light on a few gems: Mystery Castle, The Hotel San Carlos, The Heard Museum, and the Desert Botanical Gardens. I'm shocked they did not highlight the Phoenix Zoo, but perhaps they could not squeeze a visit into their tight 36 hour itinerary.

All in all I give the NYT the props for the visit. It's good to know where some of the snowbirds will be coming from this year.