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 379797 times)

Offline tzifanya54

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #540 on: July 09, 2016, 10:26:57 PM »
There are other cheaper options
They don't compare. Look at trip advisor reviews.

Offline moka

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #541 on: July 09, 2016, 10:29:20 PM »
Any thoughts on using honeywell or GMAC to rent from national in PHX? I'm looking for a minivan or bigger.
Also is a one-way rental (Phx-LAS) any riskier? TIA
I used Honeywell in phx in April. No issues

Offline knowitall

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #542 on: July 14, 2016, 05:16:38 AM »
Did anyone ever stay at baymont inn and suites flagstaff. Revenue is $150 a night in August and you can get it for 3k plus $38.

Offline amm543

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #543 on: July 18, 2016, 07:36:35 PM »
Anyone ever stay at the Hyatt Place Chandler for Shabbos? It appears to be inside the Chandler eruv and about 1 mile walking distance to Chabad in Chandler. The Chabad Chandler website says they have Shabbos Luncheon after davening and they offer hospitality on their website so I figure I could contact them regarding Fri night seudah. This Hyatt Place I believe starting Aug 1 2016 will only be 5,000 points per night. Does this sound like an ok plan. If anyone stayed there do you know how Shabbos friendly this hotel is? I assume they don't have Shabbos key locks but is the HVAC system and lights no motion based?


Offline jshelton

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #544 on: July 26, 2016, 04:49:45 PM »
I'm looking to plan a trip to Arizona for the winter time.  Here's what I need to keep in mind, if I travel this winter, I am an avel and need to carefully plan out my days so that I can daven with a minyan. (please no judgment on trips during aveilus)

I have SPG, Marriott and IHG points. I would be coming from NY or from LA. I would want to do a week, not weekend trip, like from Sunday to Thursday (longest), possible only until Wednesday evening. I want to go to the grand canyon but there aren't any great point options there. I want to go to Sedona and on my drive back to LA I would want to go to Joshua Tree.

There are minyanim in and around Phoenix, but that only really helps me for shachris and not for mincha/maariv. I'm not worried about food, I'll figure that out at the end. I would love to stay at the Phoenecian but basing myself in Phoenix is somewhat ridiculous as its a 4 hour drive to the grand canyon. Also travelling (possibly) with a 1.5 year old.
I'm very open to suggestions, if anyone can give me some tips I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance
« Last Edit: July 26, 2016, 06:41:14 PM by jshelton »

Offline aarony

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #545 on: July 26, 2016, 06:11:29 PM »
There is no way to travel to the Grand Canyon in the winter and expect to be able to daven with a minyan unless you arrange a group in advance.  You can try posting on godaven.com and see if you get any interest.

Offline knowitall

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #546 on: July 26, 2016, 06:20:43 PM »
There is no way to travel to the Grand Canyon in the winter and expect to be able to daven with a minyan unless you arrange a group in advance.  You can try posting on godaven.com and see if you get any interest.
Maybe come from Vegas and go to the north rim?

Offline jshelton

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #547 on: July 26, 2016, 06:36:10 PM »
There is no way to travel to the Grand Canyon in the winter and expect to be able to daven with a minyan unless you arrange a group in advance.  You can try posting on godaven.com and see if you get any interest.

Thanks. I'll keep in mind when planning. I may just save the trip idea for next winter.

Maybe come from Vegas and go to the north rim?

I thought the big attraction was the south rim. may just be wiser to save the trip for another (more convenient) time. thanks for suggestion

Offline Denverite

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #548 on: July 26, 2016, 08:25:14 PM »
Maybe come from Vegas and go to the north rim?

+1, it's closer for Davening.

Offline aarony

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #549 on: July 26, 2016, 09:37:33 PM »
North rim is closed in the winter

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #550 on: August 12, 2016, 11:14:29 AM »
My proposed itinerary in geographical order (hopefully):

Arrive in PHX, rent RV
Sedona: Montezuma castle, airport Rd Viewpoint, Devils bridge trail,
Oak Creek Canyon (vista?)
Sunset Crater
Grand Canyon - tour the rims
Cameron Trading Post
Pass by Vermilion Cliffs National Monument -AZ/Paria Canyon -UT
Horseshoe Bend
Antelope Canyon
Grand Staircase National Monument
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Zion NP
Bryce Canyon NP
Depart SLC

I'll be there for 5 days excluding Shabbos.  I know, I most probably won't make it to everywhere on the list.
But keep in mind, we won't be doing any major hiking (baby), only short and easy trails. So that automatically allows us to accomplish so much more...
I hope to spend Shabbos in Vegas (and visit Hoover Dam on the way). Any idea where I should fit it in geographically on my itinerary?
I need to go to SLC to return the vehicle.
Any thoughts on the list? Which places to scrap? Did I miss anything out? Which places may not be RV friendly? Etc.

Would appreciate any help!
TIA!
« Last Edit: August 12, 2016, 12:10:48 PM by Galitzyaner »

Offline knowitall

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #551 on: August 12, 2016, 12:49:44 PM »
My proposed itinerary in geographical order (hopefully):

Arrive in PHX, rent RV
Sedona: Montezuma castle, airport Rd Viewpoint, Devils bridge trail,
Oak Creek Canyon (vista?)
Sunset Crater
Grand Canyon - tour the rims
Cameron Trading Post
Pass by Vermilion Cliffs National Monument -AZ/Paria Canyon -UT
Horseshoe Bend
Antelope Canyon
Grand Staircase National Monument
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Zion NP
Bryce Canyon NP
Depart SLC

I'll be there for 5 days excluding Shabbos.  I know, I most probably won't make it to everywhere on the list.
But keep in mind, we won't be doing any major hiking (baby), only short and easy trails. So that automatically allows us to accomplish so much more...
I hope to spend Shabbos in Vegas (and visit Hoover Dam on the way). Any idea where I should fit it in geographically on my itinerary?
I need to go to SLC to return the vehicle.
Any thoughts on the list? Which places to scrap? Did I miss anything out? Which places may not be RV friendly? Etc.

Would appreciate any help!
TIA!
I've never been there but this is my itinerary:
Arrive in PHX Sunday 7am and rent car.
Buy food, Nordstrom thingy, drive to sedona-Devils bridge trail and airport viewpoint.
Sleep in flagstaff Sunday night.
Monday- GC-desert view watchtower and Shoshone point.
Drive to Kanab,UT and sleep there.
Tuesday- lake powell/antelope canyon
Wednesday- bryce
Thursday- zion and then drive to vegas-bellagio show, venetian mall, and sleep in the SLS
Friday-6am flight to DTW!

Offline knowitall

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #552 on: August 12, 2016, 12:50:31 PM »
My proposed itinerary in geographical order (hopefully):

Arrive in PHX, rent RV
Sedona: Montezuma castle, airport Rd Viewpoint, Devils bridge trail,
Oak Creek Canyon (vista?)
Sunset Crater
Grand Canyon - tour the rims
Cameron Trading Post
Pass by Vermilion Cliffs National Monument -AZ/Paria Canyon -UT
Horseshoe Bend
Antelope Canyon
Grand Staircase National Monument
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Zion NP
Bryce Canyon NP
Depart SLC

I'll be there for 5 days excluding Shabbos.  I know, I most probably won't make it to everywhere on the list.
But keep in mind, we won't be doing any major hiking (baby), only short and easy trails. So that automatically allows us to accomplish so much more...
I hope to spend Shabbos in Vegas (and visit Hoover Dam on the way). Any idea where I should fit it in geographically on my itinerary?
I need to go to SLC to return the vehicle.
Any thoughts on the list? Which places to scrap? Did I miss anything out? Which places may not be RV friendly? Etc.

Would appreciate any help!
TIA!
What day of the week are you arriving and departing?

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #553 on: August 12, 2016, 01:19:03 PM »
My proposed itinerary in geographical order (hopefully):

Arrive in PHX, rent RV
Sedona: Montezuma castle, airport Rd Viewpoint, Devils bridge trail,
Oak Creek Canyon (vista?)
Sunset Crater
Grand Canyon - tour the rims
Cameron Trading Post
Pass by Vermilion Cliffs National Monument -AZ/Paria Canyon -UT
Horseshoe Bend
Antelope Canyon
Grand Staircase National Monument
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Zion NP
Bryce Canyon NP
Depart SLC

I'll be there for 5 days excluding Shabbos.  I know, I most probably won't make it to everywhere on the list.
But keep in mind, we won't be doing any major hiking (baby), only short and easy trails. So that automatically allows us to accomplish so much more...
I hope to spend Shabbos in Vegas (and visit Hoover Dam on the way). Any idea where I should fit it in geographically on my itinerary?
I need to go to SLC to return the vehicle.
Any thoughts on the list? Which places to scrap? Did I miss anything out? Which places may not be RV friendly? Etc.

Would appreciate any help!
TIA!

Dude, that is a nice list of things to do and see but I don't think it will happen.  First off, its friggin hot and there is a lot of driving involved.  If I were you, I'd narrow the list down to what you really want to see and do and leave the rest for another trip.  Also, Horseshoe Canyon is a mile or two hike from the parking area and in the summer heat you may not want to do it.

My two cents about Sedona - take the Pink Jeep tour on the broken arrow trail.  It's amazing.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline knowitall

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #554 on: August 12, 2016, 01:35:53 PM »
Dude, that is a nice list of things to do and see but I don't think it will happen.  First off, its friggin hot and there is a lot of driving involved.  If I were you, I'd narrow the list down to what you really want to see and do and leave the rest for another trip.  Also, Horseshoe Canyon is a mile or two hike from the parking area and in the summer heat you may not want to do it.

My two cents about Sedona - take the Pink Jeep tour on the broken arrow trail.  It's amazing.
Is the pink jeep tour really worth $100 per person?

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #555 on: August 12, 2016, 01:42:32 PM »
Is the pink jeep tour really worth $100 per person?

In my opinion - a resounding yes.  We did it and the kids had a blast.  They drive you up a trail which seems just about impossible to drive on to a beautiful overlook with ancient trees. 
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #556 on: August 12, 2016, 01:43:04 PM »
Is the pink jeep tour really worth $100 per person?
That's what I was gonna ask as well.
Honestly, even the ice field glacier in Jasper is cheaper than that.
Not a chance I'd pay this much.

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #557 on: August 12, 2016, 01:45:13 PM »
In my opinion - a resounding yes.  We did it and the kids had a blast.  They drive you up a trail which seems just about impossible to drive on to a beautiful overlook with ancient trees.
That would come out to more money than it cost for me to rent the RV!
Ridiculous IMHO. Glad you enjoyed!

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #558 on: August 12, 2016, 01:47:11 PM »
Funny story - on our Pink Jeep tour we ended up sharing the Jeep with a frum mother and daughter from Brooklyn - and they knew DW's family.  Small world.

As for the cost, I know they offer some discounts but I'm not exactly sure where to find.  The way I got a discount was simply by asking if they offered anything.  The counterperson said something like I'm not really supposed to offer this but he then proceeded to give us a discount off the listed price.  We didn't book in advance and just walked up.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #559 on: August 12, 2016, 02:26:10 PM »
Horseshoe Canyon is a mile or two hike from the parking area and in the summer heat you may not want to do it.
It's 1.25 miles RT, supposedly easy hike. So we'll see how hot it is.