Arizona Dopers: Recommend some things to do/see in the Copper State...

In My Humble Opinion
1

…or is it the Grand Canyon State?

When: 1/18/04-1/25/04.

Where: Staying w/friends of a friend who’ll both be working during the weekdays outside Phoenix.

All I have pencilled in so far:[ul]
[li]Either a burrow ride down or a Hot-Air ballon ride over the Canyon: Probably the latter. I figure I’ll get a unique view for my 1st time visit there. What are rafting/kayaking/canoing conditions like this time of year? [/li][li]Dinner @ Stevie Nicks restaurant in Sedona: Recent pictures of Ms. Nicks lead me to assume the offerings there are very fattening or the portions are huge.[/li][li]Shoot a little pool: My hosts recommend a place called Hamburger Marys. Is japping considered a no-no by AZ 8-ball rules. Is it true your bars (saloons?) close at 2AM? I thought you guys were all libertarians! [/li][li]Tossing back a few Flagstaffs: I’ve never tasted it but I figure when in Rome…That is unless it’s swill, then I’ll need another native beer recommendation.[/li][li]Relax in the Hot Tub: From what I hear, temps are in low/mid 70’s…so that may leave out swimming.[/ul][/li]
Things I’m not really interested in:[ul]
[li]Cliche’d tourist traps: But a couple hours in Tombstone might be cool[/li][li]Art/Cultural activities: I do that in NY, besides I hate turquoise.[/li][li]Shooting over to San Diego or up to Sin City: But a ride south of the border isn’t out of the question.[/ul] [/li]Any recommendations you have (or bragging about all your fair state has to offer) would be appreciated.

Thanks/Grazias

2

Unless the pool is heated, you probably won’t want to swim. Ours (eastern Phoenix suburbs) was 47 F last week. Just a twee nippy. If you happen to be driving south, Tombstone is a fun place to wander around but two hours will be plenty. Have a great trip.

3

We visited the Grand Canyon around this time last year. There was snow on the rim when we visited. They were taking mule trips to the canyon floor. You will not want to get in the water without a wetsuit!

Not sure if you’re into this but we enjoyed the botanical gardens and Taliesin , Frank Lloyd Wright’s summer home(no there was no snow when we went).

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Oops! I meant Taliesin West

5

If you’re at all interested in caves, I’d recommend Kartchner Caverns: http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/kartchner.html

The Titan Missle Museum is pretty interesting: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/AZGREtitan.html

If you’re headed all the way down to Tombstone, you should consider a visit to Bisbee, and maybe stay at the Shady Dell: http://www.theshadydell.com.

I don’t believe that you can balloon over the Grand Canyon. According to the Park Service, mule trips have been suspended:
http://www.nps.gov/grca/grandcanyon/south-rim/mule.htm

Mid-January is pretty cold at the South Rim, probably in the mid-to-upper 40’s.

6

Well John sounds like you like to throw back a few pints, shoot a little pool etc…etc…for fancy restaurants and good martini’s I’d try Barmouche in Scotsdale. For rugged no holes barred fat tire consumption, I’d go to any of 50 places that are good…Go to Mill Avenue and check out Rula Bula, Bandersnatch, Gordon and Bierch for some good beer and nice ambiance. You’ll want to hit Mill Avenue anyway because it is just a fun place to check out. Lot’s of cool shops, and places to eat, plus the botanical gardens, zoo, and papago park are only a jump away.

Hiking, if you have a car, take the US 60 east to Apache Junction Ironwood exit if memory serves, and follow signs to route 88. This will take you up to the mountains in the superstitions and on a really neat cliff road leading to three large lakes (if you go all the way), instead of going all the way go past the first lake to a ghost town looking place called Tortilla Flats, it’s a restaurant and museum of sorts…very fun ride! There is an old touristy gold town before you get to the mountains…And if you like Swap meets, there is a huge one you can visit off the 60…

7

isn’t meteor crater in Arizona? that might be a good place to go.

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meteor crator is waaaaay out on I-40 near Windslow…then again you could make it a double trip and "stand on a corner in Windslow Arizona" - you’d be such a fine sight to see…
Oh god I have no humor.

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Eat at Salsa Brava in Flagstaff. Best Mexican food I’ve ever had. I’d also recommend taking some time to explore Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon. Skip all the new agey crap, though.

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I’ve been to Winslow. The only thing I have to say about it is that at least it’s not as bad as Pace.

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Actually, the bars close at 1 a.m.

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I’d just like to say that I did the double trip this summer and stood on a corner in Winslow, Arizona shortly before heading to meteor crater.

They pipe in Eagles music on that corner. I’m SO glad I don’t work in one of the few stores at that intersection. WHAT? YOU WANT ME TO TAKE IT EASY? I DON’T THINK SO!! :stuck_out_tongue:

13

If you are driving from Phoenix to Sadona and Flagstaff you should plan to visit Jerome on the way. If you have time, I would suggest the Verde Canyon Railroad trip. http://www.verdecanyonrr.com/

Arcosanti is also on the way and might be worth a look. http://www.arcosanti.org/

And bye the bye, besides martinis, Barmouche has the best liver and onions in town.

14

If you make it to Tucson, You’ve GOT to go by the Desert Museum. It’s a wonderful introduction to the Sonoran desert and this is the best time of year to go (usualy highs in the 60s).

15

Tonto Natural Bridge just north of Payson is worth a day trip from Phoenix if you’re into scenery. The whole area is beautiful, but be prepared for chilly/cold temps compared to Phx.

Same with Apache Trail as another poster mentioned. Stop in at Tortilla Flats on the way and hop on one of the saddles at the bar for a beer and a unique experience. Hell, if you like the town - you can buy it right now on ebay for a cool $5.5 mil.

The Confederate Air Force Museum at Falcon Field in Mesa is interesting if you’re into historic military aircraft. It’s home to one of the few flying B-17’s in existence today. If you have a spare $400 and 20 minutes they sometimes offer rides in it. Other aircraft rotate in & out throughout the winter/spring so there is more to see. Good for a half-day visit.

Joe’s Barbecue in downtown Gilbert is worth a visit.

Jerome is a cool town to visit if you’re heading to Sedona.

Personally, I would not make the effort just so you could stand on the corner in Winslow, Arizona

16

The bars close at 1 AM in Phoenix, and they start getting busy at 10 PM. If you aren’t in line by 10:30 at a good spot, you might not get in. Arizona is mostly about hiking and golfing. HikeArizona.com is an excellent site for hiking information. It’s free, but it does require you to create a user account.

If you are going to the Grand Canyon with someone, see if you can rent a Bright Angel cabin with a fireplace. These are right on the rim by the Bright Angel Lodge. I’m thinking about $100+ a night? After the sun goes down and the tour busses go away, the canyon village is a very relaxing place.

It might be too cold, but there is a Lava River Tube cave you can hike through in Flagstaff. There aren’t any cool rock formations, but you get to walk though a cave that’s big enough to drive a bus through in some points. It’s free. Bring a flashlight.

When you’re in Flagstaff, drive out to the Painted Desert. It’s probably more known for its collection of petrified tress, but it’s the incredible colors of the landscape that are the real treat. The Blue Mesa turnoff is amazing, like walking into a Dali painting.

I’m not sure of the name, but the coffee shop across from the Beaver Street Brewery in Flagstaff is pretty good. Try the French press. I think its Macys.

I’m not sure of the name, but if you’re agile enough you can climb up Bell Rock in Sedona. That one of the big buttes towards the middle of town. I’ve never done it in winter, but the West Fork trail is amazing.

Fossil Springs around the Payson area has spring-fed pools that are supposed to stay around 70 degrees year round. It will be pretty cold outside the pools, though.

If you want to hut tub, and you’re willing to spend some cash, try the Pointe South Mountain or the Buttes in Phoenix. The Pointe has a giant water park, complete with a heated, man-made river. You sit on an inner tube and a man-made current pushes you around. The Buttes has a couple of hot tubs built into the side of a butte, very romantic at night. Rates are probably cheaper on a weekday.

Camelback Mountain is probably the most popular hike in central Phoenix, with the Echo Canyon trail being the most popular. The Superstition Mountains have a number of cool hikes. Get a map before you go. It’s a pretty big area, and people get lost in it.