Help Me Plan An Arizona Vacation!

So, we are looking for ideas on EVERYTHING ... We're clueless

Where to go?
Where to stay?
What to do?

We'd be going for our 2nd wedding anniversary, in November. Probably for 5 - 6 days.

I think we'd like to go the Grand Canyon, but probably just as a day trip. Sedona sounds beautiful, but more than that I don't really know. We wouldn't mind breaking up our stay into 2 different cities (3 cities would be the max!) or something like that.

Re: Help Me Plan An Arizona Vacation!

Sedona is a must. You could do that in a day.

Scottsdale is great. Lots to do there, and they have some great spa resorts like Camelbak that you could do for a couple of days.

The Boulders is also a great resort.

Re: Help Me Plan An Arizona Vacation!

We spent 2 nights in Sedona, one night IN the Grand Canyon, and then another night in Sedona on the way back.

I can recommend an excellent B&B, or great spa in Sedona.

Stay in the lodge in Grand Canyon that is right on the edge of the canyon - the rooms aren't much but the view is fantastic!!!

Re: Help Me Plan An Arizona Vacation!

Keep in mind that the ride to the Grand Canyon is about 3-4 hours from Sedona, and it is soooo boring. No scenery, hardly any houses.

Loved Sedona and Scottsdale.

Re: Help Me Plan An Arizona Vacation!

I did a little research tonight, and I think we might stay here (nothing's been booked yet):
Amara Resort & Hotel

It seems like its easier to fly into Phoenix than to Flagstaff ... the flights from Flagstaff seemed to require changing planes multiple times.

So I'm thinking we'll do that, and spend the afternoon in Phoenix before driving the 2 hours to our hotel in Sedona???

Re: Help Me Plan An Arizona Vacation!

DH lived in AZ from 9-25 and my ILs are still there. We go about 1-2 times a year -- there's really not much in Phoenix to be honest. Scottsdale is nice for dinner - there's a lso a train museum and rawhide. In Tempe they have a new "lake." It's worth checking out - kayaking, etc

The drive from Phoenix to Flagstaff on I17 is pretty boring - but it's exciting the first time you see seguaro catcus and it is the fastest way. you should go that way going north, but on the way back from the Grand Canyon - take 89A south to Sedona - the drive is SPECTACULAR! (It's all downhil - so better to go that way - than up - and kill a transmission)

From Sedona, you could bypass the Interstate and go through some cute AZ towns on 89. Prescott...Yarnell (super cute artsy town)...IL's live in Wickenburg (which has the 4th best golf course in AZ - this is a great experience of AZ ranch life - horses, golf, hiking, etc link ) It's at the end of 89 and you can just jump onto 60 to get back to PHX.

Also in Wickenburg is a huge celebrity drug rehab center (the Meadows), so you can often run into a family member or the patient themselves (I have seen some MLB players)


ETA: Not sure about the weather on Humphreys Peak in november, but if you snow board or ski, it's worth checking out. Don't let the weather in the rest of AZ fool you - Humphreys Peak gets COLD! and within an hour of leaving you are sweating. but you can also take a ride on the skilift no matter the weather - just for the view

AZ snowbowl

Message edited 7/13/2009 11:16:54 AM.

Re: Help Me Plan An Arizona Vacation!

I asked DH...he wanted to add:


After Sedona on 89 is a town caleld Jerome. It's set on a cliff and it's known as a biker town, but very scenic and cute.

Sliderock State Park - great for hiking and depending on the weather, you can take a slide in the water. link


he thinks there is no reason to go to Tucson (but he is biased...LOL)


there are other things, but a bit of a drive. The Petrified Forest - the meteor crater (I-40)

Lake Havesu and rent a boat (london bridge is there too)

a little bit into Nevada is Laughlin - a mini Vegas, right on the Colorado River

Hoover Dam

Message edited 7/13/2009 11:43:32 AM.

Re: Help Me Plan An Arizona Vacation!

My parents have a retirement home outside Tucson - I went in Feb - there's so much to do just outside of the city - Missile museum (actually very interesting), Pima air and space museum, an awesome tea shop -Chantilly's and a lot more - Tubac artists colony.

Re: Help Me Plan An Arizona Vacation!

Wow! Thank you for all the great info!!!

Keep it comin'.

Re: Help Me Plan An Arizona Vacation!

My ILs are snowbirds and live in Scottsdale. We visit every year and love Scottsdale- go for drinks at the Phoenician Hotel or Camelback. We also did trips to the Grand Canyon and Sedona- beautiful. Last time we went to Tombstone- it is still set up like the old west town. A little hokey, but it was fun!