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 379715 times)

Offline BarryLincoln

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #580 on: August 29, 2016, 10:15:53 AM »
Everyone talks about the Pink Jeep tours, but has anyone tried the other Sedona jeep tours (which u can get for much less with groupon/20% off) like "A day in the west" or Arizona desert mountain jeep tours? this looks simple enough and i can get a ride for 2 for about $75 with tip. Best would be anyone who did both... https://www.groupon.com/deals/a-day-in-the-west-8

We used a tour provider that we sourced from Groupon.  They were great - can't recall their name.  Offroading was great, guide was helpful and entertaining, had a blast...

Offline shiframeir

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #581 on: August 30, 2016, 11:58:31 PM »
Went to segals oasis yesterday which was fine (decor/lighting could use an update), but tonight was kitchen 18, which is really a great restaurant option here (prob best fleishigs), and would be great in ny too!
Specials on the board, which were great

Apps avocado rolls and tuna sesame tartar (didn't take pic til most was devoured, both excellent)

Lamb steak with candied figs

Osso buco short ribs with excellent homemade gnocchi (that I liked more than mike's bistro (jawdrop))
Ribs platter, not amazing but very good even though slathered with an obviously commercial BBQ sauce; falling off bones
18 burger was very good even medium well (for kid) but note they put in lots of onions and even cilantro so your kid may get picky about it...
Had a nice full meal for 6 plus a baby and portions were huge, brought half of it home, all for well under $200 after tip.
« Last Edit: August 31, 2016, 12:26:06 AM by shiframeir »

Offline shiframeir

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #582 on: September 01, 2016, 01:50:24 PM »
We went to Imperial. No cholent unless you order 3 pounds minimum? That'll never fly in Flatbush! Anyway, in Imperial you saw everything in front of you and picked what you wanted. No liver, except frozen Meal Mart. We bought our stuff there. We were totally not impressed with the food. Very unhappy. The chopped liver was sawdust.
After the hike we went to pick up food at Imperial for Shabbat.
How was Imperial for takeout other than liver? what is best option for yummy shabbos food in PH/Scottsdale (trying to get from Kitchen 18 but may be a bit too expensive to just get specific dishes vs. a few pounds of fried chicken from somewhere)?

Offline Redbull3

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #583 on: September 01, 2016, 03:01:58 PM »
Thanks for the Kitchen 18 pics! Have some family in AZ and go maybe once a yr been meaning to try that place out.. Last time it was closed b/c it was right before Pesach.

Offline shiframeir

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #584 on: September 01, 2016, 08:34:22 PM »
Thanks for the Kitchen 18 pics! Have some family in AZ and go maybe once a yr been meaning to try that place out.. Last time it was closed b/c it was right before Pesach.
really impressed with them, and their La Bella Pizza (same owners) is amazing too. May just get my shabbos food from them...

Offline knowitall

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #585 on: September 05, 2016, 09:05:36 AM »
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!

Offline yslkwd

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #586 on: September 26, 2016, 11:46:00 PM »
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

Offline yslkwd

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #587 on: October 09, 2016, 01:45:00 AM »
bump

Offline Srsy

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #588 on: November 01, 2016, 09:02:51 AM »
Any recommendations where to stay walking distance to a shul for Shabbos.  SPG or Marriot a plus

Offline almass

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #589 on: November 01, 2016, 01:31:27 PM »
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.

Offline Srsy

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #590 on: November 04, 2016, 08:29:04 AM »
And deals on car rentals?  Are these small companies like Advantage or Fox reliable? 

Offline yslkwd

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #591 on: November 05, 2016, 10:28:02 PM »
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

Offline yslkwd

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #592 on: November 05, 2016, 10:36:23 PM »
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

Offline Crazy tools

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #593 on: November 20, 2016, 12:06:45 AM »
Anyone stay at the royal palms hotel, it's part of Hyatt.

Offline E-MAN

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #594 on: November 21, 2016, 11:52:22 AM »
Any activities for little kids (ages 1-3) in AZ other than hotel pool?

Offline ejb123

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #595 on: November 23, 2016, 10:22:09 AM »
in the entire state or just the Phoenix metro area?

Online msg

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #596 on: November 23, 2016, 11:09:41 AM »
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?

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #597 on: November 23, 2016, 10:38:07 PM »
Is the Phoenician or the JW Marriott a better option?

Offline Jm1248

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #598 on: December 03, 2016, 08:34:48 PM »
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?

Offline Denverite

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #599 on: December 04, 2016, 07:47:34 PM »
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.