Phoenix people....

[BAT]

I have a work conference in Phoenix in mid-February for 4 days and was wondering if it was worth going and taking my wife and kids (9 and 11). Any "must see" things there that the kids and wife would enjoy? Debating whether to go so any input would be appreciated. It would be a great time to get out of Michigan. Thanks.....


Brian

 

[Specracer]

I don't live there, but Sedona, Grand canyon, alone are unbelievable, and something your kids will NEVER forget.

 

[twobjshelbys]

It depends on what your interests are and how you and they will visit things. Some of the stuff nearby would likely mean they would go on their own.

If you like museums and southwest Native American art then I recommend the Herd Museum. There are two locations now. The downtown one has Barry Goldwater's Kachina Doll collection. The north location has different stuff

If you have a day then go up to Montezuma's Castle. (I'd say a half day but with the short days now you'd need to be there early to see it all by noon.) You could combine this with a loop to Sedona but that would make it a full day trip.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West has tours.

At the south end of the Valley is the Casa Grande. I put this in the category of "stop if you're driving by but it's not worth a special trip from the north end of the city". (Unless you're really into ruins).

South to Tucson is the Saguaro National Monument.

Note on Tucson: If there has been any rain in the area (and it happens that time of year) then within a few days the desert between Phoenix and Tucson can open up with cactus and wild flowers EVERYWHERE. It's amazing when it happens.

If you can extend your trip then of course the Grand Canyon ought to be on your list. This is a full day trip though - leave in the PM, stay in the area, do the South Rim tour during the day and then stay again. It's roughly 4 hours 1 way from Phoenix.

Already mentioned was the Sedona scenic drive. Another one is northeast through the Salt River Canyon. Both are full day trips with the short days this time of year.

Southeast out through Apache Junction to Globe is also a very pretty drive.

Southeast of Tucson are places like Tombstone (OK Corral is a tourist trap) and Bisbee (a beautiful little town set in the mountains at the location of the Lavender Pit open copper mine.) Again, these are full day trips.

All are mountain roads with lots of twisty turny (and sometimes, 1000' drop offs) roads. They would be great in a GT

Maybe take a few days and send them off sight seeing and take a Bondurant class yourself.

P.S. Going to Phoenix in February will make you a potential snowbird. We desert rats recognize that the time from Sept. through May is our best season and that our summer (with 100++ temps) is your winter.

 

[BAT]

It depends on what your interests are and how you and they will visit things. Some of the stuff nearby would likely mean they would go on their own.

If you like museums and southwest Native American art then I recommend the Herd Museum. There are two locations now. The downtown one has Barry Goldwater's Kachina Doll collection. The north location has different stuff

If you have a day then go up to Montezuma's Castle. (I'd say a half day but with the short days now you'd need to be there early to see it all by noon.) You could combine this with a loop to Sedona but that would make it a full day trip.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West has tours.

At the south end of the Valley is the Casa Grande. I put this in the category of "stop if you're driving by but it's not worth a special trip from the north end of the city". (Unless you're really into ruins).

South to Tucson is the Saguaro National Monument.

Note on Tucson: If there has been any rain in the area (and it happens that time of year) then within a few days the desert between Phoenix and Tucson can open up with cactus and wild flowers EVERYWHERE. It's amazing when it happens.

If you can extend your trip then of course the Grand Canyon ought to be on your list. This is a full day trip though - leave in the PM, stay in the area, do the South Rim tour during the day and then stay again. It's roughly 4 hours 1 way from Phoenix.

Already mentioned was the Sedona scenic drive. Another one is northeast through the Salt River Canyon. Both are full day trips with the short days this time of year.

Southeast out through Apache Junction to Globe is also a very pretty drive.

Southeast of Tucson are places like Tombstone (OK Corral is a tourist trap) and Bisbee (a beautiful little town set in the mountains at the location of the Lavender Pit open copper mine.) Again, these are full day trips.

All are mountain roads with lots of twisty turny (and sometimes, 1000' drop offs) roads. They would be great in a GT

Maybe take a few days and send them off sight seeing and take a Bondurant class yourself.

P.S. Going to Phoenix in February will make you a potential snowbird. We desert rats recognize that the time from Sept. through May is our best season and that our summer (with 100++ temps) is your winter.

Thank You, Tony.

I think we will add a couple days to the trip and do the Grand Canyon and some other things you mentioned as well My oldest son is really into the early western towns right now so Tombstone and Bisbee would be cool.

Thanks again,

Brian

 

[gtinmyblood]

Check out the Arizona Grand Resort for the wife and kids.

 

[Blue Moose]

Best dining experience and view in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area is the rooftop dining and patio at Orange Sky, called Orange Sky because you can watch the sunset while having dinner http://www.talkingstickresort.com/orange-sky-restaurant.aspx , Best old west family experience is the Verde Canyon Railway http://verdecanyonrr.com/gallery/ Dinner and a show after the train ride at Blazin M Ranch is amazing and a lot of fun for the family http://blazinm.com/ , If time is a concern, Sedona is a must and much closer than the Grand Canyon. Two of the best ways to see Sedona and the surrounding Oak Creek area is by air where you will hover in front of ancient cliff side Indian dwellings and around the beautiful rock formations not accessible by paved roads at a reasonable price http://www.sedonatours.us/offer/5154/Hog-Wild-Helicopter-Tour-from-Sedona#.VlAtZHarRMw , or by jeep tour, the best is Pink Jeep tours. a very comfortable off road tour of Sedona and the surrounding Oak Creek Canyon with views and stories that will simply astonish you! https://www.pinkjeeptourssedona.com/pink-jeep-tours-sedona-az/ These are all full day round trips from the Phoenix area. If you want to know where to stay while outside of Phoenix, let me know. I have some great places in mind. I really hope you will do some or all of these as you will be here the best time of the year. I may have more ideas so watch for updates.

 

[fjpikul]

If you drive to Tombstone, be ready for random roadblocks by the border patrol. They even checked this blue eyed, English speaking Midwesterner.

 

[Indy GT]

All VERY good attractions detailed by Blue Moose!

 

[BAT]

Best dining experience and view in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area is the rooftop dining and patio at Orange Sky, called Orange Sky because you can watch the sunset while having dinner http://www.talkingstickresort.com/orange-sky-restaurant.aspx , Best old west family experience is the Verde Canyon Railway http://verdecanyonrr.com/gallery/ Dinner and a show after the train ride at Blazin M Ranch is amazing and a lot of fun for the family http://blazinm.com/ , If time is a concern, Sedona is a must and much closer than the Grand Canyon. 2 of the best ways to see Sedona and the surrounding Oak Creek area is by air where you will hover in front of ancient cliff side Indian dwellings and around the beautiful rock formations not accessible by paved roads at a reasonable price http://www.sedonatours.us/offer/5154/Hog-Wild-Helicopter-Tour-from-Sedona#.VlAtZHarRMw , or by jeep tour, the best is Pink Jeep tours. a very comfortable off road tour of Sedona and the surrounding Oak Creek Canyon with views and stories that will simply astonish you! https://www.pinkjeeptourssedona.com/pink-jeep-tours-sedona-az/ These are all full day round trips from the Phoenix area. If you want to know where to stay while outside of Phoenix, let me know. I have some great places in mind. I really hope you will do some or all of these as you will be here the best time of the year. I may have more ideas so watch for updates.

Great stuff! We are going for sure now. Amy and I will see you in Daytona.

Brian

 

[BAT]

Would 4 days in the Sedona area and 3 in Phoenix be ideal?

 

[Indy GT]

Brian, having been to Sedona and the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, I would favor 2-2.5 days in Sedona and spend the remaining time in and around Phoenix/Scottsdale area. Many FGT owners in this region as well.

Nice Outlet mall (have I got your wife's attention) a short drive south of Phoenix on I-10. http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/phoenix
It had my wife's attention and although there is a Kate Spade outlet store there, this is not the (secret):secret: location she got her Camilo modified race car shoes used at Rally X.

With a nod to my buddy Johnnie Glatz:biggrin, Lady Moose's suggestion of Orange Sky for dinner should be high on your priority list. http://www.talkingstickresort.com/orange-sky-restaurant.aspx

Plenty to do and the weather during your mid February stay should be very nice relative to Michigan! Enjoy the area!

 

[Blue Moose]

You have some great options, and here's another... I think Bisbee, an old west mining town south of Phoenix, is wonderful for it's artsy vibe,http://www.discoverbisbee.com/attractions.htm and https://images.search.yahoo.com/sea...WQDQTAxOTZfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=Bisbee+Az&fr=mcafee options of things to do (hiking in the area shows you how beautiful the desert can be), and it's not as well known as Sedona/Jerome. Plus, I love the Karcher Caverns state park which is worth a trip and can be done while driving down there. It is a living cave system and is stunning to see: http://azstateparks.com/Parks/KACA/index.html
If you want to do the caverns, allow a good 4 hours so you're not rushed, then bop on over to Bisbee for a day or two. Have fun deciding!
Lady Moose

 

[twobjshelbys]

Plus, I love the Karcher Caverns state park which is worth a trip and can be done while driving down there.

Yes! This didn't exist when we lived there (well, I guess it did, but only the ranch's owner knew it) so it's on our list of catchup things.

There is a wonderful jeweler that hand-makes stuff in Bisbee. I got my wife a mother's ring in 1996 or so and they are still there.

Also, if you like Mexican food, there are thousands of places in the valley. We always stayed away from the chain places - ie, Macayos because they are factory like McDonalds). Find a local place. I've been going to the Tee Pee for about 50 years but the neighborhood has changed so now only go during the day but I do go whenever I go down for Barrett Jackson.

 

[sr71]

Would 4 days in the Sedona area and 3 in Phoenix be ideal?

At 3 months I only make it part way through my own preference list. If it's a first visit, Tlaquepaque (the Mexican village shopping dining boutique within Sedona) can take a day itself.

 

[twobjshelbys]

Would 4 days in the Sedona area and 3 in Phoenix be ideal?

I think 4 days with young children in Sedona would be too much. You'll be doing auto tours. If you were doing hiking or mountain biking you'd want more time. You could do a lot of driving around the Sedona/Montezuma's Castle area and still have half-day at the park.

Oak Creek Park in Sedona is also a nice little hike down to the creek.

 

[Cobraguy]

Also.....if you are driving up to Sedona, allow a few hrs to sidetrack thru Jerome. A bit of a tourist trap but a cool old mountainside mining town nonetheless.