I've called Phoenix home for 10 years — here are 8 places I recommend to visitors, from my favorite hiking trail to a Wild West ghost town

Located in the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix is home to hiking, nature trails, and more outdoorsy to-dos.Jeremy Janus/Getty Images

• Phoenix is known for its nature, and local-favorite to-dos often involve hiking or being outside.
• Here's what to do on your trip, from visiting a ghost town to exploring a desert museum.

I moved to Phoenix more than a decade ago, and I still can't get enough of the city's wealth of outdoor activities. Many of my favorite things to do are centered around exploring the Sonoran desert, which spans 100,000 square miles from Phoenix to Northern Mexico, and is home to hundreds of species of native wildlife.

Besides the foothills and dozens of hiking trails, I've also discovered ghost towns, architectural landmarks, and unique natural museums, all within easy driving distance of downtown.

I love playing tour guide for friends and family, and often take them to places around the valley that I visit regularly on my own. Here's my list of 8 can't-miss places to see and things to do in and around Phoenix, from my favorite place to catch a desert sunset to an open-air museum that was the home of Frank Lloyd Wright.