Help planning trip to Phoenix

[m61376 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close m61376]

We're headed to Phoenix in a few weeks for a much needed break, but haven't had time to research/plan. We've never been to the area, so any insight/suggestions for day trips, sightseeing, restaurants, etc. would be VERY appreciated. I know we should head into Scottsdale and Sedona, but not sure what are the highlights and/or best routes, what to make sure to see, etc.

We're not golfers and the zoo is out (hubbie is very allergic) but any and all other suggestions welcome!!

Thanks!!!!!

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

We're headed to Phoenix in a few weeks for a much needed break, but haven't had time to research/plan. We've never been to the area, so any insight/suggestions for day trips, sightseeing, restaurants, etc. would be VERY appreciated. I know we should head into Scottsdale and Sedona, but not sure what are the highlights and/or best routes, what to make sure to see, etc.

We're not golfers and the zoo is out (hubbie is very allergic) but any and all other suggestions welcome!!

Thanks!!!!!

First, what sort of things do you like to do?

I lived in Phoenix and have visited several times since. Scottsdale is part of the metro Phoenix area so you wouldn't be taking a day trip to see it. We enjoy just walking around the old Scottsdale.

Sedona is definitely worth visiting. It is about a 2 hour drive from Phoenix via the shortest route. Personally I would do a loop route. One way I would go via Prescott and the other way by the shortest route. The Prescott route takes about 3 hours. That way you will see a lot of variety. That would be a very ambitious day trip. I would stay the night in Sedona as there is a lot to see in the area.

I would also do the Apache Trail drive as a day trip. It is an easy day trip and pretty interesting. That is also a loop drive. There is another loop trip you can do from Scottsdale to Cave Creek and make sure you drive through Paradise Valley.

I don't really have any favorite restaurants to recommend. I will leave that to others.

Routes:

1. Phoenix - Sedona direct route: Take 17 north from Phoenix to 179. Exit on 179 and take it into Sedona.

2. Sedona - Phoenix ( via Prescott ): 89A to Prescott. 89 from Prescott to 17. 17 back to Phoenix. You can do the reverse if you wish.

3. Apache Trail: 101 south to Main Street. Go on Main street east through Mesa to Apache Junction. Take the Apache Trail from Apache Junction to Lake Roosevelt. From Lake Roosevelt take 88 south to 60 and then 60 west back to Phoenix. Note: The Apache trail is very slow in some parts and twisty and curvy but well worth the drive.

4. Cave Creek: Go north from Scottsdale to Cave Creek and then return on Cave Creek Road.

[m61376 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close m61376]

Thanks for the suggestions! I know the area is replete with natural beauty, so I'd like to do sightseeing. Walking through quaint towns, beautiful scenery, interesting museums/architecture, archeology, and of course the ever appealing shopping :-). Our interests are really varied, we just aren't golfers or gamblers; zoos are out but aquariums and the like are always nice.

I'm not sure- does that make us sound boring ?

[dcwojo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dcwojo]

The Apache trail is a great sightseeing drive.

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

The Petrified Forest National Park is an interesting place to visit. Getting there and back is a looong day, though. The Grand Canyon is closer. If you've never been, you should go but dress warmly. If you like chili, I recommend the chili at the Tortilla Flat restaurant on the Apache Trail.

There are a few Phoenix threads on this forum, try this one or this one or do a search on the forum for Phoenix, Sedona, etc.

[dcwojo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dcwojo]

Tha is some tasty chili

[tabbyc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tabbyc]

Phoenix/Scottsdale

Dick's Hideaway on 16th and Bethany Home in Phoenix make the best eggs benedict I've ever eaten. No sign, mirrored door on the NW corner of the block. Fresh fish and new mexico food.
Sushi Brokers on Frank Lloyd Wright and Scottsdale Road (NE corner) serves a unique Seafood Dynamite.
Pepe's Taco Villa is wonderful, third generation Mexican food on Camelback east of I-17 that I have enjoyed since 1982.
Arena Sports Grill 6245 E Bell Road Scottsdale, AZ
Arcosanti is an artist community on the way to Sedona worth stopping by and Montezuma's castle is on the way too.

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

Today, Travelzoo has a local deal as part of their "Top 20." It's dinner for two at Razz's for $60.00 instead of $120. It includes salad or soup, any entree, and a glass of wine. Don't remember the dates, but it can be booked for quite a while.

[m61376 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close m61376]

Today, Travelzoo has a local deal as part of their "Top 20." It's dinner for two at Razz's for $60.00 instead of $120. It includes salad or soup, any entree, and a glass of wine. Don't remember the dates, but it can be booked for quite a while.

Anyone eat there or at The Bamboo Club- another Travelzoo special? They make it sound so good....

[dcwojo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dcwojo]

The Havana Cafe has good Cuban food.

[eal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close eal]

We had dinner last night at Beckett's Table - fantastic!

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Many years ago we took a short trip to Canyon Lake in the Superstition Mountains. We were there late in the afternoon and the scene looked like some of these photos here. It was an easy drive and not too far either.

Sedona and the Grand Canyon are too far for a day trip but well worth seeing. You need to add on a few more days.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

Canyon Lake is along the Apache Trail which goes through the Superstitions.

[m61376 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close m61376]

Many years ago we took a short trip to Canyon Lake in the Superstition Mountains. We were there late in the afternoon and the scene looked like some of these photos here. It was an easy drive and not too far either.

Sedona and the Grand Canyon are too far for a day trip but well worth seeing. You need to add on a few more days.

Wow!- and thanks. The pictures are beautiful!!

[queensandra68 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close queensandra68]

Thanks for the suggestions! I know the area is replete with natural beauty, so I'd like to do sightseeing. Walking through quaint towns, beautiful scenery, interesting museums/architecture, archeology, and of course the ever appealing shopping :-).

If walking through quaint towns, looking at beautiful scenery, visiting museums, and doing shopping are the things you enjoy, you HAVE to visit Sedona. It fits the bill on all of these! Sedona is actually where our home timeshare is with Diamond and we bought because of all of those things! Well worth a day trip...but it is well worth a week trip, too!