While there are some attractions, shops and restaurants located within walking distance of the big downtown hotels, most sightseeing cannot be done on foot alone.  There are buses and taxis, but visitors are likely to find that having a car is the most convenient option.

Fortunately, navigating around Phoenix could not be easier.   Nearly every road is laid out as part of a grid.  Central Avenue runs north and south.  The numbered Avenues run north and south, increasing in number as you move west from Central.  The numbered Streets also run north and south, increasing in number as you move east from Central.  Major roads with names instead of numbers run east and west, perpendicular to the Streets and Avenues.  The only wrinkle in the grid system is that there are several small mountains located in the city that cause some roads to end abruptly or bend around them.

If you are looking for a street address as you are driving, each street sign at each intersection indicates the address where you are, and in which direction the addresses are increasing.  Addresses on the east-west roads correspond to the nearest Street or Avenue, while addresses on the Streets and Avenues correspond to the number of blocks north or south of downtown.