Phoenix - Recommendations?

We are off to Phoenix in September for 5 days at The Phoenician. (Excellent bargin with America West Vacations)

We have stayed in Phoenix several times and usually just spend time relaxing since the rest of our holiday is taken up doing things and being busy, however we want to explore rather than just shopping and mooching round this time.

We will have a car for some of the time but don't really want to spend too much time driving.

Has anyone got any recommendations for places to visit?

Thanks for your help

Shaz

Frank Lloyd Wright's house isn't too far away, I don't know if you'll be interested in that stuff though.

Hi,

A trip up to Sedona ( about 90mins each way by car )is worthwhile as you get beautiful massive rocky formations ( a bit like those you imagine in Monument Valley but smaller) and lots of shops to lokk around. You can get tours into the surrounding area by jeep.

Up to the Grand Canyon would be about 6 hours each way.

Regards

TBS

[Scrooge]

Have to agree with TBS,Sedona is well worth a visit,it took us a little longer than 90 mins,but hell I was driving my car not a rental [}:)],Take one of the Jeep tours, we used thes guys,
http://www.redrockjeep.com/pages/jeeptours.html and did the soldier pass trail,well worth the money.

You don't say what dates your going to be there,but if the dates are right take in a NHL pre-season game.
http://www.phoenixcoyotes.com/news/story_details.php?op=details&ID=4178

Sorry I had never heard of Frank Lloyd Wright so forgive my ignorance, however I have checked this out since you mentioned and think it would be worth a visit so thanks

Always fancied Sedona and TBS mentioned the magic word 'shops' too Just need to convince hubby to drive me there now.... might not mention shops to him...

We are there from 10th to 15th Sept so it looks like we will miss the NFL pre-season games.

Thanks for your help guys.

Shaz

[Scrooge]

It's not a bad drive,the only thing I would do is get a car that has Xm radio (most car rental places company's offer it) as you will be driving through the high plains of AZ and there is nothing out there.

Ok as to shopping,well there are a lot of over priced touristy places out there each selling the same stuff,you will see a few hometon artist places though,so worth wandering through.

Thanks for the advice jetwet.

We will be in LAS from 20th to 23rd if you can manage a few beers?

Shaz

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by shazam
Thanks for the advice jetwet.

We will be in LAS from 20th to 23rd if you can manage a few beers?

Shaz

That should not be a problem,im of on the 21st,22nd and 23rd

[ChuckC]

Shaz,
Some side trip recommendations for you, including places to eat, from Fodor's.

May possibly be in Vegas when you are there; if so, maybe Jetwet, you and I can grab a bite?

Regards,
Chuck-

[Scrooge]

Works for me,we can gran some lunch at the Palm

Great stuff! Thanks Chuck.

Will PM you both nearer the time to make arrangements.

Thanks guys

S

[ChuckC]

Originally posted by jetwet1
Works for me,we can gran some lunch at the Palm

Sounds excellent, Dave. Thanks!

Chuck-

Hi Shaz
By coincidence we're in Vegas the same dates as you! I remember reading your report of THEHotel last year...are you there again this year? We were tempted to give THEHotel a go this time round but friends we're meeting up with wanted Bellagio! Maybe meet up with you (& Jetwet1?) for a drink at some point, we're there nights of Sun 18th to Thurs 24th. Our overall trip is SFO nights of 14th - 16th then Cambria 17th before hitting Vegas on the Sunday for 5 nights.
Cheers, James (& Steve)

[Scrooge]

ok lets kind of make offical then A V-flyer lunch in Vegas !

Sept 22nd at the palm in ceasers sound ok to everyone?
http://www.thepalm.com/sitemain.cfm?site_id=15

They have an amazing lunch menu with spiecals that included a great fillet for I think $15.

If your interested or another date would work better drop me a line.

also started this

http://www.v-flyer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7177

Originally posted by Vegascrazy
Hi Shaz
By coincidence we're in Vegas the same dates as you! I remember reading your report of THEHotel last year...are you there again this year? We were tempted to give THEHotel a go this time round but friends we're meeting up with wanted Bellagio! Maybe meet up with you (& Jetwet1?) for a drink at some point, we're there nights of Sun 18th to Thurs 24th. Our overall trip is SFO nights of 14th - 16th then Cambria 17th before hitting Vegas on the Sunday for 5 nights.
Cheers, James (& Steve)

Hi - hope to meet up with you there then

We are staying at The Palms this time - THEhotel was way too expensive on the dates we are there (I believe there's a wedding convention on at that time?) I don't mind paying for something but when we stayed there last time it was less than half the price they are quoting now and that just get's on my pip! Anyway, we've stayed at The Palms before too and love it there - they have the softest bed linen and the biggest cosiest towels (and the all important coffee-maker in the room)


Shaz

[Scrooge]

Just so you know,there is a lot of construction going on at the Palms right now,they are building a second hotel tower there.

I'd recommend the "Old Tucson Studios" - if you have a car. It's a couple of hours (max) but an excellent day out.

This is basically a film studio where many of the old westerns were filmed - and one or two recent ones (I can't remember which)

http://www.oldtucson.com/index.htm

Although it looks a bit twee it really is a great day out.

Originally posted by jetwet1
Just so you know,there is a lot of construction going on at the Palms right now,they are building a second hotel tower there.

Thanks Dave, I had read about this and that was probably the reason for the room only being 60 odd quid a night. Not too bothered. Won't really have time for relaxing by the pool this time and it certainly won't affect my ability to lose money in the casino

Shaz

Originally posted by paddyc
I'd recommend the "Old Tucson Studios" - if you have a car. It's a couple of hours (max) but an excellent day out.

This is basically a film studio where many of the old westerns were filmed - and one or two recent ones (I can't remember which)

http://www.oldtucson.com/index.htm

Although it looks a bit twee it really is a great day out.

Thanks for that - it looks fun!

Shaz

The Phoenician is a world unto itself but if you break out for a bit...

Well worth a visit to La Hermosa Inn (wonderful romantic casitas with fires) in Scottsdale--the restaurant (Lon's) is wonderful--under the stars, lovely food, roaring outdoor fire..(http://www.lons.com/). It's a few blocks from there to an easy hike up Camelback Mt. (and of course accessible from the Phoenician).

The ride to Sedona is so scenic.. especially if you stop along the way. Hiking trails circle the mountains on the approach. Ancient Native American cliff dwellings (Montezuma's castle) are riveting. The touring (pink) jeeps are a real experience and give you a wonderful feel for the desert--but even better is riding through the mountains on horseback (sedona Equine Estates or a Day In The Country). Shops, crafts, art--many opportunities.

Phoenix/Scottsdale has a good creek ride out from the Fort McDowell Native American reservation.

Look for opportunities to combine green chilis with almost anything (egg and chili enchiladas are a nice start to the day) and savor the icy margaritas that accompany them.
Phoneix is increasingly and incredibly suburban giant SUV and McMansion land (and big box shops) but a short ride out of town brings the real desert.

Have a lovely time and enjoy this magnificent countryside. When the Boston humidity is at 90%, making the heat index 100%...the clear dry AZ air beckons no matter how hot.

RR[^]