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 381567 times)

Offline blue eyes

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #860 on: July 27, 2018, 01:35:15 AM »
Is there still any restaurants open now?
We just arrived

Offline thaber

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #861 on: July 30, 2018, 08:50:32 AM »
Is there still any restaurants open now?
We just arrived
absolutely

Offline Zevi16

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #862 on: August 13, 2018, 11:23:44 AM »
Anything around Glendale (within an hour) that’s good to do with kids today? (2 year old and baby) If outdoors it should be somewhere cooler.
Did lake pleasant yesterday.

Offline thaber

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #863 on: August 13, 2018, 09:48:45 PM »
Anything around Glendale (within an hour) that’s good to do with kids today? (2 year old and baby) If outdoors it should be somewhere cooler.
Did lake pleasant yesterday.
glendale, AZ? you're in phoenix. go for pizza at La Belle, they have a/c.

Offline thaber

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #864 on: August 13, 2018, 11:22:33 PM »
Anything around Glendale (within an hour) that’s good to do with kids today? (2 year old and baby) If outdoors it should be somewhere cooler.
Did lake pleasant yesterday.
also, I think there's an outlet mall there.

Offline Zevi16

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Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #865 on: August 14, 2018, 12:40:09 AM »
Did outlet today. Did labella twice already. Actually had the most tasty fettuccini there.
I’m thinking of going to Grand Canyon tomorrow. We may go via some other city which is about 2 hours away and then take a train up to the Grand Canyon. The train itself will be a trip for the kids

Offline thaber

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #866 on: August 14, 2018, 01:08:47 AM »
Did outlet today. Did labella twice already. Actually had the most tasty fettuccini there.
I’m thinking of going to Grand Canyon tomorrow. We may go via some other city which is about 2 hours away and then take a train up to the Grand Canyon. The train itself will be a trip for the kids
that's a great option, we almost did that. It's about 10 degrees cooler there, at least when I was there. Work Sedona in as well, if you can, it's gourgeous.
if you didn't got to kitchen18 yet, it's a superb fleishig option.

Offline Zevi16

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #867 on: August 14, 2018, 01:10:44 AM »
that's a great option, we almost did that. It's about 10 degrees cooler there, at least when I was there. Work Sedona in as well, if you can, it's gourgeous.
if you didn't got to kitchen18 yet, it's a superb fleishig option.
It looks like it’s almost 20 degrees cooler in Grand Canyon

Offline shiframeir

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #868 on: August 14, 2018, 04:19:22 AM »
Did outlet today. Did labella twice already. Actually had the most tasty fettuccini there.
I’m thinking of going to Grand Canyon tomorrow. We may go via some other city which is about 2 hours away and then take a train up to the Grand Canyon. The train itself will be a trip for the kids
we did the train and loved it. its a bit pricy, but great for kids.

Offline ar

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #869 on: October 11, 2018, 11:52:19 AM »
Anyone can help me compare The Westin Kierland and Andaz Scottsdale.

Dont know which one to choose. Thanks

Offline gubevo18

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #870 on: October 11, 2018, 12:37:18 PM »
Think we can get a minyan together at the phonecian first shabbos in February?

Offline ar

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #871 on: October 11, 2018, 01:49:29 PM »
Anyone can help me compare The Westin Kierland and Andaz Scottsdale.

Dont know which one to choose. Thanks

Bump

Offline gubevo18

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #872 on: October 12, 2018, 08:00:22 AM »
Bump
i was only at kierland (twice) so if you have specific questions I can help but I can’t really compare the two

Offline ar

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #873 on: October 12, 2018, 11:37:30 AM »
i was only at kierland (twice) so if you have specific questions I can help but I can’t really compare the two

Was it nice? Grounds? Looks really nice on website

I'm looking to take a one bedroom premium villa.

Offline gubevo18

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #874 on: October 14, 2018, 12:45:07 AM »
Was it nice? Grounds? Looks really nice on website

I'm looking to take a one bedroom premium villa.
we loved it both times and I’d go back in a heartbeat. Rooms were nice, (relatively) new, and clean. There is a full fridge-freezer and table and if you get a premium room a Huge eating living dining area.
There are also areas outdoor to grill with (non kosher) grills. speak to your LOR about Kashering them- not as difficult as you may think. Personally, I just went to Walmart bought a $20 grill and two mini propane cans went to Chabad to toivel and just used my own (at the grilling area).
 
Grounds are good at the villas not huge but you have full access to the resort which is next door. There is a free shuttle but its probably quicker and definitely nicer to walk.

 Over there there is plenty of space to walk around as well as a larger pool a lazy river water slide and a surfing simulator( which you have to pay for and I highly recommend doing if that’s your kind of thing).



Offline ar

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #875 on: October 14, 2018, 02:01:49 PM »
we loved it both times and I’d go back in a heartbeat. Rooms were nice, (relatively) new, and clean. There is a full fridge-freezer and table and if you get a premium room a Huge eating living dining area.
There are also areas outdoor to grill with (non kosher) grills. speak to your LOR about Kashering them- not as difficult as you may think. Personally, I just went to Walmart bought a $20 grill and two mini propane cans went to Chabad to toivel and just used my own (at the grilling area).
 
Grounds are good at the villas not huge but you have full access to the resort which is next door. There is a free shuttle but its probably quicker and definitely nicer to walk.

 Over there there is plenty of space to walk around as well as a larger pool a lazy river water slide and a surfing simulator( which you have to pay for and I highly recommend doing if that’s your kind of thing).

Thanks for the info!

Now the Spas, Boulder, Four Seasons or Fairmont? In terms of facilities - which one?

Offline Freecountry

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #876 on: November 12, 2018, 10:31:16 AM »
I'm looking to go to Scottsdale, and I would like to stay at the Phoenician luxury club ( https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/phxpr-phoenician-residences-a-luxury-collection-residence-club-scottsdale/ )
However there's no option to book with points, does anyone know if calling will make a difference and I'll be able to book it with points?

Offline Toasted

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #877 on: November 12, 2018, 10:41:52 AM »
I'm looking to go to Scottsdale, and I would like to stay at the Phoenician luxury club ( https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/phxpr-phoenician-residences-a-luxury-collection-residence-club-scottsdale/ )
However there's no option to book with points, does anyone know if calling will make a difference and I'll be able to book it with points?
In the good old spg days, that was some 75k SPG a night iirc.

Offline Freecountry

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #878 on: November 12, 2018, 10:59:02 AM »
In the good old spg days, that was some 75k SPG a night iirc.
I would like to go but there is no points option, anything to do

Offline Toasted

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #879 on: November 12, 2018, 12:12:49 PM »
I would like to go but there is no points option, anything to do
When I looked into it a few years ago, they were able to do it on the phone. Was just an insane amount of points.

I ended up staying at the regular Phoenician and really enjoyed it.