Arizona's capital rises to a new level of year-round appeal. I n 1868, Phoenix was named after the mythical bird in hopes that a new town would spring from the ruins of the ancient Hohokam people. Not only did the area grow to become the fifth-largest city in the United States, but it has also soared as a year-round tourist destination. Award-winning restaurants of all flavors mark Phoenix as an emerging contender in the culinary world, and mountain biking enthusiasts flock to the city's nearby trails.