Arizona Master Thread

[knowitall]

Here's a sloppy TR of my family's recent trip out west. I'm posting here because it's not worthy of being in the TR thread, rather as help for ppl to plan their arizona trips.

Sunday: We headed of DTW on a 6am Southwest flight to Phoenix, with 2 of us flying for free with SW CP and the rest for about 7k points. I reserved a midsize from national using honeywell and wasn't asked for ID. There were no minivans or full size SUVs but the manager was nice and gave us minivan for no additional charge. (Pro tip: take a white one cuz it'll stay a lot cooler)
We then went to the ohr hatorah Shul and caught the 8am shachris. After that we stocked up at imperial and also walmart. We searched every walmart, target, Walgreens... For a disposable grill but nobody had. So we made a yeshivish BBQ grill. We bought disposable turkey pans and walmart has small coal bags for $3.50 that you just light the bag and 10 minutes later your coals are ready!
So you put the bag into a pan, light it then spread them out and put the other pan on top. And poke holes in the top one for more flavor. It worked perfectly and there's no bulky grills, toiveling, cleaning or waiting to cool down.
At 10:30am phoenix time we were already starving cuz it's 1:30 eastern time(no DST in arizona). We went to Manhatten pizza because they were the only ones open at that hour.
They had pretty good pizza, especially for the price.

We went to the nordstrom last chance but it was more like a thrift shop with damaged shoes.

We then headed out to sedona where we did the beginning of the Devils bridge hike. Sedona is just stunning! There are several viewpoints around the city to get nice pics. After that we went to the airport road viewpoint which is a huge tourist spot around sunset. It was a little cloudy but that's definitely the best place to see the sunset. We also hiked down and climbed a huge rock.

We then drove to flagstaff where we stayed at the baymont inn. I got it with points for 3k + $38 though I later saw it on the app EXPDEALS/Priceline for $60.
The hotel was clean, had 2 regular comfortable double beds, big fridge, outdoor pool and jacuzzi.
Pro tip: get 3rd floor rooms and get handicapped rooms if you want adjoining rooms.

Monday: We bought a national park pass before the trip for $85. We might actually get 2 summers out if because I ordered it August 2 and it doesn't expire until the end of August 2017.
We entered the Grand Canyon from the east gate.
The first stop was the desert view watchtower. Then the Navajo viewpoint. We went to Shoshan point which was for sure the nicest view of the GC. There a rock that's juts out into the GC so you're surrounded by the canyon on 3 sides. It's really quiet and serene. And they have picnic tables nearby. They try to keep it a secret because they don't want crowds going there. There are no signs or markings for it. Here are directions coming from the south entrance: drive until mile marker 244. About 10 seconds later on your left, you'll see a small gravel parking area. Park there. There's a sign that says entry by permit only, just walk past it.
Walk about 15 minutes on the road until you get there, the walk is mostly shaded. It's worth it!

We left when it got dark and headed up the 89 to Kanab, utah.
There's a gas station right when you got onto the 89 but after that there are none open at night until Page,AZ.

We slept for the next 3 nights in an Airbnb for $140 a night. Kanab was the perfect place because it's right in the middle of Bryce Canyon, lake powell and Zion Np. PM me for more info.

Tuesday: Bryce Canyon. We got there in the afternoon and there was hail on the ground! And it was 46. So pack long pants and hoodies. My advice is to drive all the way to the top without stopping and then work your way down. All the viewpoints will then be on your right side. Inspiration point is the nicest so do it last.

Wednesday: lake powell.
You can only reserve a boat for a full day or more. They might have boats available for a half day but there's no way to know. There weren't any boats available by wahweap marina or antelope point marina so we just went swimming and made a BBQ. We also stopped by the Glen Canyon Dam, which made the lake. It's roughly the same size as the Hoover Dam, but for some reason it doesn't get any attention. We also went to horseshoe bend, which was just stunning!

Thursday:
We packed up then headed to Zion NP. At zion they don't let you drive to most of the hikes, you have to shuttle (spring through fall).
Pro tip: park at canyon junction instead of the visitors center. It's less shuttling and also you barely have to walk. And bring water shoes and towels because the water is half the fun!
We did the riverside walk because that's the easiest for families.

We then drove to Vegas because it's a lot closer than phoenix. We ate at simon and joes and were very impressed. We went to the venetian mall and the Bellagio fountain. (The Burj khalifa kicks!) I booked the SLS for $63 a night.( got the resort fee waived). And I used an SNA to upgrade to a giant suite. Though in the regular rooms the bathroom doesn't really have a door and you can basically see from the room to the shower.
We just needed a place to sleep from 11pm until 4am. (We had 6am flights)
I wouldn't recommend the SLS though. It took more than a half hour to check in. And it was a pain to deal with valet parking and the garage. Time is way more important than luxury, IMHO. That's all folks!

[yslkwd]

planning Az trip looking to go to Petrified forest. Any other ideas (have been to GC..Sedona). Has anyone been to  saguaro  ?
would appreicate  any tips

[yslkwd]

bump

[Srsy]

Any recommendations where to stay walking distance to a shul for Shabbos.  SPG or Marriot a plus

[almass]

I am looking to go to scottsdale AZ Westin Kierland Resort and Spa for Yeshiva Week (winter Break

has anyone been there and have any tips on kosher food and things to do for the kids.

looking to try and do something new beside for Florida (Miami and Orlando) and california.

any tips would be helpful.

[Srsy]

And deals on car rentals?  Are these small companies like Advantage or Fox reliable? 

[yslkwd]

Any recommendations where to stay walking distance to a shul for Shabbos.  SPG or Marriot a plus

Reserve kosher has listings in the frum community

[yslkwd]

Just wanted to follow up on my recent trip to AZ
We went to the Apache lake a beautiful area, they have pontoons for $25 or so an hour you do need to drive on a dirt road for about 8 miles before Apache lake and 12 miles after. Only for drivers not afraid of driving on mountain edges. The scenery was really nice with cactus all around and mountains, canyons.. then we boated on the lake. After that we went to Petrified Forest which is stunning especially the painted desert part. It was definitely worth the drive. 
If anyone has any questions let me know I went with two young children

[Crazy tools]

Anyone stay at the royal palms hotel, it's part of Hyatt.

[E-MAN]

Any activities for little kids (ages 1-3) in AZ other than hotel pool?

[ejb123]

in the entire state or just the Phoenix metro area?

[msg]

Planning on going with my wife to Phoenix. What is the best option for staying in Phoenix during the week.

Is the Phoencian the best option?

[msg]

Is the Phoenician or the JW Marriott a better option?

[Jm1248]

Going to the Grand Canyon for two days this week. Is it worth paying $200 a night for a small room on the South Rim of the GC, or rather stay at a Best Western (Diamond status) approximately 15 min away for $90 a night?

[Denverite]

Is the Phoenician or the JW Marriott a better option?

Are they similar redemption costs?  The JW Marriott was awesome.  I stayed in the Canyon Villas (adjacent timeshares) and got to use facilities at both places, which was awesome.