Topic Wiki

Trip Reports


2014 - Mgarfin's 2014 trip to Arizona-Delta glitch
2014 - VacationLover's Sedona and the Grand Canyon TR
2015 - PBaruch's Dreams of Flight - Hummingbirds and Arizona
2016 - Pbaruch's Motorhome Adventures in Utah and Arizona
2016 - drewsky9's Arizona Trip Report
2016 - MahRabuMasecha's Vegas Zion Page Grand Canyon Sedona TR
2016 - ShlockDoc's Midwest Roadtrip - Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming
2017 - Davidmal's Phoenix & Scottsdale for 5 Hours
2018 - Ikelunious99's Arizona Trip Report

Utah has it's own master thread and wiki at https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=15858.0

Activities


Phoenix

Arizona Cardinals (NFL Football)
Arizona Coyotes (NHL Hockey)
Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB Baseball)
Phoenix Suns (NBA Basketball)

Camelback Mountain
Desert Botanical Garden
Encanto Park
Goldfield Ghost Town
Japanese Friendship Garden
Lost Dutchman State Park
Nordstrom Last Chance - one of the few in the world.
Octance Raceway- Extremely fast Go-Karting
Scottsdale Old Town

Arizona Science Center (Indoor)
Museum of Musical Instruments (Indoor)
Queen Creek Olive Mill (Olive farm and mill, with Olive 101 'factory' tour)
Arizona Boardwalk (entertainment complex, with aquarium, butterfly conservatory, etc. www.azboardwalk.com)
Children’s Museum of Phoenix (for kids under age 10, they claim to be top 3 Children's Museum in the country).

Sedona, AZ
Stunning red rock formations and scenery viewable throughout the small city with unique views along the many hiking trails (including Devil's bridge, West Fork Trail, and Sugar Loaf Loop)
Off road jeep tours (e.g. Pink Jeep Tours)
eclectic outdoor shopping
Slide rock state park: Natural water slide in creek (just north of Sedona)


Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)
There are two trails from the south rim that go down into the canyon (and all the way to the canyon floor, which is a strenuous multi-day hike). You can experience a taste of it, by turning around at any point.
  • South Kaibab Trail - One of the top rated trails for the GC (trail descends into the canyon, uphill climb on return)
  • Bright Angel Trail - Also one of the top rated trails for GC (trail descends into the canyon, uphill climb on return)
There are also trails along the south rim (called Rim Trails) that don't descend into the canyon, and are relatively flat. These offer views of the canyon and are dotted with various scenic viewpoints. Some areas of the rim trail are paved others are not. These may be more suitable those with young children or those fear of hiking near the edge of the canyon cliffs. The National park shuttle buses also transport passengers to various points within the park, along the south rim.
A PDF map of grand canyon national park south rim is at https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/upload/sr-pocket-map.pdf
Grand Canyon National Park Lodges

Nearby attractions outside the National Park include:
  • Skywalk
  • Bearizona Wildlife Park - Williams, AZ

Page AZ
Lake Powell (popular lake for boating, with kayak, motor boat, pontoon boat, houseboat rentals, Jetski, boat tours, and swimming). Lake and surrounding canyon walls are uniquely scenic together (it's actually a huge artificial reservoir surrounded by canyon walls, resulting from the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam
Carl Hayden Visitor Center at the Glen Canyon Dam (Free museum about the Glen Canyon Dam)
Horseshoe bend (popular scenic overlook of a 180 degree bend in the Colorado river)
Antelope Canyon (beautiful slot canyons with stunning photography opportunity, controlled by Native Americans with entrance fees and guided tour, advance reservations are needed. Fees were recently increased to $60-$100/pp)

Tucson

Saguaro National Park

Kosher Restaurants

See the following for up to date info:
--http://www.kosherphoenix.org/index.php/kosher-food-in-phoenix/restaurants/
--https://www.ahavastorah.org/restaurants.html 


Phoenix

Cafe Chenar
LaBella Pizzeria and Restaurant
Manhattan Pizza & Subs
Samarkand Restaurant Glatt Kosher

Scottsdale

Fresh Mint
Kitchen 18
Milk+ Honey Espresso Bar & Eatery

Groceries


Imperial Market & Deli

Shuls


Ohr Hatorah Congregation- Located in Phoenix Map
Chabad Jewish Center of North Phoenix Map
Ahavas Torah:The Scottsdale Torah Center Map


Chabad of Flagstaff AZ (Kosher meals available), Minyanim in the summer and chol hamoed (1 hour south of the Grand Canyon National Park)

« Last edited by Yr18 on October 02, 2023, 08:46:50 AM »

Author Topic: Arizona Master Thread  (Read 381425 times)

Offline farmerjoe

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #20 on: January 12, 2012, 10:42:10 PM »
I'm thinking of going to the Grand Canyon soon, and was wondering how much there is to do there? how many days do i need to spend? any recommendations on what to do? TIA

Offline Ergel

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #21 on: January 12, 2012, 11:13:24 PM »
Assuming you are a hiker, I would spend two days. First day walk around on the rim, visit the visitors center, see the iMax, etc. second day wake up early and do a long hike I think its called angels landing, I don't remember exactly
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Chez

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TUCSON, AZ
« Reply #22 on: January 22, 2012, 12:52:08 AM »
We're going to Tucson this week (with our southwest miles)! Have you been there? Where should we go? Are there any kosher restaurants? Any attractions that should not be missed? Please help us out!

Thanks,

Chez and family
Chez

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #23 on: March 23, 2012, 02:23:25 PM »
I'm headed out to PHX on Sunday. Here's some useful info I found that I thought I'd share with the olam:

http://www.ahavastorah.org/Ahavas_Torah/Visitors_Info.html

Offline Thingywingy

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #24 on: April 02, 2012, 06:34:57 PM »
How does north rim GC compare to south rim?
I am sometimes accused of overthinking things. I am still mulling over whether that accusation has merit.

Offline Thingywingy

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #25 on: April 04, 2012, 11:40:53 AM »
FYI Hertz is renting cars for OW into Arizona for $5/day up to 14 days. Beginning Aug 18
Is by any chance this deal still going on? Link?
I am sometimes accused of overthinking things. I am still mulling over whether that accusation has merit.

Offline mclovin

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #26 on: April 04, 2012, 09:48:06 PM »

Offline SPGCont

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #27 on: April 11, 2012, 03:14:15 PM »
Has anyone here been to Phoenix/Scottsdale area recently and can give some feedback on the stuff there?

Is the kosher pizza shop decent?

Do the kosher grocery stores there have a decent selection of stuff?

Can you get Shabbos food there?

Anything worth seeing in the immediate area (not Sedona, etc..) ?

Any other advice/tips would be greatly appreciated.

Offline Fan of Dan

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #28 on: April 16, 2012, 12:51:57 PM »
How does north rim GC compare to south rim?
north rim is quiter and more green. It is also higher up so in a way more dramatic. I cannot imagine not seeing both IMHO.

Offline Chez

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #29 on: April 18, 2012, 12:01:02 AM »
Has anyone here been to Phoenix/Scottsdale area recently and can give some feedback on the stuff there?

Is the kosher pizza shop decent?

Do the kosher grocery stores there have a decent selection of stuff?

Can you get Shabbos food there?

Anything worth seeing in the immediate area (not Sedona, etc..) ?

Any other advice/tips would be greatly appreciated.

Kosher Pizza is excellent (it's actually owned by an Italian non-Jew. His pizza has a slightly more artisan taste to it (i.e. heavy on the olive oil).
From what we saw (and we did not spend shabbos there), there is enough kosher food to more than satisfy anyone's needs.
We also ate at the deli that's right next door to the pizza shop and the food was good, but not on NYC standards.

In terms of attractions, my wife loved the nordstrom there. Here's the deal...this is the nordstrom that gets all of the stuff that are deemed inappropriate for all of the other nordstrom and nordstrom racks (this one is called Last Chance). They have many amazing deals, but you have to find them. In fact, there are often fights and minor arguments that erupt over clothing. I witnessed one such imbroglio and it was quite entertaining ;-)
At the end of the day, my wife bought two pairs of tory birch flats that retail between $2-300 for $70 a piece! I bought a shirt that sells in nordstrom for $80 for $10! That's a cool place.
Additionally, Phoenix is only 2 hours from Tucson. It's a quick 2 hours because you're just driving straight desert cruising at the speed limit of 75 mph (so in reality traffic moves at about 85). In Tucson there is a gr8 desert museum which is also a zoo and botanical garden (for cactus). There are many national parks in Arizona and I am not aware of the specifics, but I believe that there are some nice local attractions as well near phoenix. Good luck! Enjoy!
Chez

Offline SPGCont

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #30 on: April 18, 2012, 01:06:54 PM »
Kosher Pizza is excellent (it's actually owned by an Italian non-Jew. His pizza has a slightly more artisan taste to it (i.e. heavy on the olive oil).
From what we saw (and we did not spend shabbos there), there is enough kosher food to more than satisfy anyone's needs.
We also ate at the deli that's right next door to the pizza shop and the food was good, but not on NYC standards.

In terms of attractions, my wife loved the nordstrom there. Here's the deal...this is the nordstrom that gets all of the stuff that are deemed inappropriate for all of the other nordstrom and nordstrom racks (this one is called Last Chance). They have many amazing deals, but you have to find them. In fact, there are often fights and minor arguments that erupt over clothing. I witnessed one such imbroglio and it was quite entertaining ;-)
At the end of the day, my wife bought two pairs of tory birch flats that retail between $2-300 for $70 a piece! I bought a shirt that sells in nordstrom for $80 for $10! That's a cool place.
Additionally, Phoenix is only 2 hours from Tucson. It's a quick 2 hours because you're just driving straight desert cruising at the speed limit of 75 mph (so in reality traffic moves at about 85). In Tucson there is a gr8 desert museum which is also a zoo and botanical garden (for cactus). There are many national parks in Arizona and I am not aware of the specifics, but I believe that there are some nice local attractions as well near phoenix. Good luck! Enjoy!

Thanks for the tips!

Do you remember if the pizza place you ate at was called "Manhattan Pizza" or "King Solomon's Pizza"?
Also, was it Cholov Yisroel?


Offline Chez

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #31 on: April 27, 2012, 12:10:39 AM »
http://kingsolomonspizza.com/?page_id=8

Here's the link to their website...It is cholov yisrael and the pizza is quite good!
Chez

Offline benchik

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Anyone Traveled to the Grand Canyon? Ideas? Tips?
« Reply #32 on: June 27, 2012, 10:14:24 AM »
So we'll be travelling to the Grand Canyon this August.

We're a family of 8 with the youngest being 12. We'll be basing ourselves near the Chabad House in Flagstaff.

Any one has any experience regarding kosher food, great family-friendly attractions and ideas?

Also, any experience with any of the hotels there? None of the option look to be too good. At best a Cat 4 Hilton. I'd take a good vacation rental as well.

Thanks,
Ben

Offline DrDanny

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Re: Anyone Traveled to the Grand Canyon? Ideas? Tips?
« Reply #33 on: June 27, 2012, 11:05:27 AM »
I wouldn't stay in Flagstaff if I had a choice, Just because Sedona is a half hour away (granted its a half hour away from The Grand Canyon and closer to Phoenix) and is so beautiful +nicer hotels although even Flagstaff is a hour and a half hour away just fyi
also near the grand canyon is lake (two and a half hours away) is lake Powell which is really beautiful also its near a Bryce Canyon IIRC which is also beautiful although I may be mixing up which state park is nearby





Offline cherylnlajolla

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #34 on: June 27, 2012, 11:57:46 PM »
I also recommend staying in Sedona.  One of the most beautiful places I've been yet!  Can't wait to go back.

Offline Fan of Dan

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #35 on: June 28, 2012, 01:35:41 AM »
Sedona is awesome but everything is an extra hour round trip from there as the grand canyon etc are all north. If you are already planning on Flagstaff you can always visit Sedona from there.

Offline benchik

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #36 on: June 28, 2012, 05:33:41 AM »
Any minyan in Sedona?

Offline cherylnlajolla

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #37 on: June 28, 2012, 08:19:21 AM »
no minyan in Sedona

Offline benchik

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #38 on: July 03, 2012, 12:52:55 PM »
Would staying in Sedona and driving in to Flagstaff for the tefillos work?

Flagstaff does seem to be a run-down place.

If you had nearly two weeks to spend with your flight arriving and leaving Phoenix, how would you plan it, keeping minyanim in mind?

Ben

Offline Dan

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #39 on: July 03, 2012, 12:59:10 PM »
2 weeks?
Grand canyon, Vegas, and LA.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.