TankTop
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Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Jun 13, 2024 20:48:46 GMT
My daughter lives in Phoenix and we are going to see her in July.
We feel like we have exhausted all the things we know to do. Any suggestions? We are not opposed to an overnight or day trip.
We have done…
Sedona
Saguaro NP
Grand Canyon
Prescott
Tucson
Flagstaff
Tombstone
Thank you!
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Post by hopemax on Jun 13, 2024 20:59:47 GMT
The smaller National Park sites are really nice. We really enjoyed Walnut Canyon (near Flagstaff) and Montezuma Castle (not far off I-17). Tuzigoot is more exposed, so July might not be the best time for it.
We didn't get to them during our time in AZ, but Bisbee and Canyon de Chelly are also supposed to be nice. However, they are definitely in opposite directions.
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Post by katlady on Jun 13, 2024 21:30:24 GMT
It might be a drive, but Canyon de Chelly is really pretty. It is not as crowded as the Grand Canyon. We also drove a road that took as from there to Monument Valley and you drive between beautiful hills with different layers of stone/sand/rock. I don’t remember the name of the road, but there are not too many in the area.
It sounds cheesy, but Meteor Crater Monument is nice. You see an actual crater made by a meteor, it is huge. And the information center is very informative and interesting. If you’ve never seen lava, Sunset Crater is nice too.
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Post by Clair on Jun 13, 2024 22:26:42 GMT
Lake Havasu is beautiful. See the London Bridge - rent a boat.
Laughlin is less than two hours north off Havasu.
So many beautiful places along the river from Havasu to Needles like Topick Gorge.
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
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Posts: 4,839
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Jun 13, 2024 22:53:40 GMT
Thank you so much!
We go several times a year so this will be a great list to tick off!
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snyder
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Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Jun 14, 2024 0:18:12 GMT
The 390th WWII Memorial Museum is in Tucson. If you like history, its kind of nice to see.
6000 E Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756
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pilcas
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Post by pilcas on Jun 14, 2024 0:21:06 GMT
Monte unas Castle was interesting. Have you done Antelope Canyon?
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,839
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Jun 14, 2024 1:39:54 GMT
Adding the last two to our list.
I knew the peas would have great ideas!
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Post by mikklynn on Jun 14, 2024 11:24:32 GMT
Have you been to the Desert Botanical Garden? It's one of my favorite places.
There is a small air museum in Mesa that we enjoyed.
Drive the Superstition Mountains to Tortilla Flats, then Roosevelt Dam, then continue on to Tonto National Monument. Tonto NM has great ruins and a visitor center. Most people just stop in Tortilla Flats.
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Post by candygurl on Jun 14, 2024 12:55:00 GMT
The MIM is a great place to go. All about instruments and where they came from. They have a room full of them from all different countries. You can wear headphones and listen to the information. Located off the 101 and Union Hills.
Falcon Field in Mesa if you love WWII planes…I’ve been several times with my nephew. The docents are so wonderful with their knowledge.
Over in Scottsdale, the AZ boardwalk, there is Oshawa Aquarium and the Butterly Wonderland which is cool to have the butterflies land on you. The Museum of Illusions is a fun place to check out. Lots of illusions, some hands on. Great place to take pictures.
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pudgygroundhog
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Location: The Grand Canyon
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Jun 14, 2024 21:25:56 GMT
This would be further afield, but Chiricahua National Monument is a cool spot (figuratively and literally as it is higher elevation and would be a good spot to visit in July). I haven't spent much time there, but also look at the White Mountains (again, higher elevation, so okay in July).
Other: Copper Queen Mine tour and the small museum downtown in Bisbee, Copper Art Museum in Clarkdale (can combine with Tuzigoot and Jerome. And as a pea I think you are contractually obligated to visit Merkin Vineyards or their tasting room in Cottonwood), Petrified National Forest (and eat at La Posada).
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Post by robinm on Jun 16, 2024 3:13:38 GMT
Karchner caverns state park is very cool. South of Tucson.
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Post by stingfan on Jun 16, 2024 22:39:50 GMT
Taliesin West - It used to be a guided tour, but looks like it's recorded audio now.
Biosphere 2 - interesting, but now also self-guided audio tours.
Diamondbacks games
If you hike, there's Piestawa Peak or Camelback Mountain.
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Post by bunnyhug on Jun 17, 2024 18:38:58 GMT
If you go to Falcon Field in Mesa, Board & Batten restaurant is kind of tucked into the light industrial area nearby and is an awesome little place. I think they close for at least the first half of July, so call first--and it's kinda wise to have reservations there, anyway, so you can sit outside on the beautiful patio!
Have you been to Agritopia in Gilbert? Amazing coffee shop and diner, a few little shops, you can walk around and check out the community gardens ... but the food is definitely why you're there!
Downtown Gilbert and downtown Chandler are also packed with nice little shops and restaurants (in Gilbert, try the prickly pear ice cream from the little ice cream shop with the gopher on the roof!!).
The Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass has a beautiful spa, and we did a "massages and mustangs" package which included a guided horse trail ride out into the reserve lands behind the hotel, and then lunch and a massage afterwards. You don't have to be staying at the hotel. Rawhide is across the road from the hotel, and the casino and outlet mall are all right there, too.
We've done a self-drive ATV ride in Tonto park with Time to Ride out of Carefree. My boys loved it ... I thought it was awfully dusty and loud and bumpy, lol!
Saw an amazing "world premiere" play written by a Phoenix playwrite at the Phoenix Theatre Company, which is right beside the Phoenix Art Museum--we were there on Wednesday when there is free admission, but did pay extra to take in the Barbie exhibit--so fabulous! The same day, we also went to the Heard Museum, which is definitely worth a visit, if only to check out their exhibit on residential schools. Had dinner at Taco Guild--amazing food, located in an old church, so pretty!
My friend who lives in Gilbert spends lots of time at Canyon Lake with their boat, but there is a steamboat company there that you can book tours ... maybe Dolly Steamboats? Something like that! There are some hiking trails in the area, as well as Tortilla Flats, which is a complete tourist trap, but has an okay pub/bar with fun bathroom doors!
I love going to Taliesin West.
I was disappointed in Sedona ... felt kinda like Niagra Falls, Ontario ... the natural wonders are really wonderful, but the downtown area is one big icky tourist pit!
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gottapeanow
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Post by gottapeanow on Jun 17, 2024 18:54:00 GMT
You have great suggestions so far.
Please don't hike right now. It's dangerous with the heat, and there are advisories against it. There are rescues nearly every day.
I am a native, and one of my very favorite restaurants is in Gilbert: Romeo's EuroCafe. This was once voted "best place to eat before you start a diet." I completely agree. Romeo just passed away a few months ago. He was a well-known icon of the Phoenix restaurant scene.
Check out the Sugar Bowl in Scottsdale. Super cute.
Lisa
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Post by Woobster on Jun 20, 2024 18:35:33 GMT
The White Mountains area is beautiful that time of year. Pinetop, Greer, Alpine... hiking, fishing, fun little restaurants, and cooler weather.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jun 20, 2024 18:53:48 GMT
Desert Botanical Garden (although it's really hot right now, there is some shade.)
Heard Museum, downtown Phoenix.
I second the WWII museum in Tucson at the Pima Air & Space Museum, and the Musical Instruments Museum. Also Biosphere 2... a lot more interesting than I thought it would be.
ooh, also- The Museum of the West, in Scottsdale. "Western Spirit Museum" is what it's called now.
eta: my DH and I spent a long weekend in Sedona for our honeymoon; it did feel a bit touristy, but still, the scenery was magnificent. We did a Pink Jeep Tour, and thought it was great.
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