Chicago Tribune- What's New in Phoenix February 2020

What’s new in Phoenix: Where to eat, stay and play in the Valley of the Sun Lori Rackl February 12, 2020

“We put salt on our drinks, not our roads,” quipped a Phoenix native, who had the misfortune of visiting Chicago on a recent frigid day when the sun was MIA.

Meteorological bragging rights help explain why Arizona’s capital is the fastest growing city in the country. Its population swelled by more than 25,000 people over the space of a year, according to the latest census data.

The greater Phoenix area has no problem attracting visitors either, especially around this time of year when near-perfect weather beckons, the Sonoran Desert starts to bloom and spring training draws legions of baseball fans looking to catch some Cactus League action.

If you’re one of the many soon headed to the Valley of the Sun, here’s a look at what’s new in this rapidly growing, ever-changing region.

Hotel checkup Massive renovation projects recently wrapped up or are underway at some of the area’s biggest and best-known addresses — Arizona Biltmore, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown and The Phoenician, to name a few.