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 381440 times)

Online gubevo18

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #640 on: January 17, 2017, 12:58:04 AM »
Any Info on which villa to request at the westin kierland? any of them with views? next to parking etc.
TIA

Offline Mutty

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #641 on: January 17, 2017, 10:18:18 AM »
Any Info on which villa to request at the westin kierland? any of them with views? next to parking etc.
TIA
I would recommend away from the pool, maybe the porch overlooking the golf course, if you want some peace and quiet. I don't think we had a single window. Just the porch door. A higher floor is preferable as well. Enjoy.
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”

Online gubevo18

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #642 on: January 17, 2017, 01:12:46 PM »
I would recommend away from the pool, maybe the porch overlooking the golf course, if you want some peace and quiet. I don't think we had a single window. Just the porch door. A higher floor is preferable as well. Enjoy.
Thank you but I believe you are referring to the resort. My reservation is at the villas.
I'd imagine there are only ground floor villas.

Offline Mutty

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #643 on: January 17, 2017, 04:33:02 PM »
Thank you but I believe you are referring to the resort. My reservation is at the villas.
I'd imagine there are only ground floor villas.
I am referring to the villas, not the resort. There are buildings with multiple floors. Each "apt" is called a villa. So what I said applies. We were there twice. BTW, you can use all the facilities at the resort.
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”

Offline shiframeir

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #644 on: January 17, 2017, 11:53:15 PM »
I am referring to the villas, not the resort. There are buildings with multiple floors. Each "apt" is called a villa. So what I said applies. We were there twice. BTW, you can use all the facilities at the resort.
personally, we loved our ground floor villa facing the golf course, its great to not have to shlep upstairs or an elevator if u dont have to (esp for shabbos, but even otherwise)... our view was still very nice though occasionally some ducks came close when we ate outside...

Online gubevo18

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #645 on: January 18, 2017, 12:24:48 AM »
I am referring to the villas, not the resort. There are buildings with multiple floors. Each "apt" is called a villa. So what I said applies. We were there twice. BTW, you can use all the facilities at the resort.
personally, we loved our ground floor villa facing the golf course, its great to not have to shlep upstairs or an elevator if u dont have to (esp for shabbos, but even otherwise)... our view was still very nice though occasionally some ducks came close when we ate outside...
ok I'm sorry then. Thanks for the info. I'm not there for shabbos so an upper floor won't bother me.
Well now that I see that they aren't really "villas" as I would have imagined would it be possible to grill on the porch or will it affect other guests which would mean the hotel would be aware and I'd imagine it's probably officially against hotel policy.
Thanks a lot for you help.

Offline Mutty

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #646 on: January 18, 2017, 01:24:37 PM »
ok I'm sorry then. Thanks for the info. I'm not there for shabbos so an upper floor won't bother me.
Well now that I see that they aren't really "villas" as I would have imagined would it be possible to grill on the porch or will it affect other guests which would mean the hotel would be aware and I'd imagine it's probably officially against hotel policy.
Thanks a lot for you help.
I believe there were drills set up outside the building (you can verify that with them) so you can probably put yours (kosher) on top. They were nice villas. I stayed twice
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #647 on: January 18, 2017, 01:25:14 PM »
oh yeah - check the weather report. Can be chilly
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #648 on: January 18, 2017, 09:42:34 PM »
I believe there were drills set up outside the building (you can verify that with them) so you can probably put yours (kosher) on top. They were nice villas. I stayed twice
right I hear that but (I know I'm gonna sound lazy) but it is so much more convenient to be able to grill on your porch.

Offline Srsy

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #649 on: January 19, 2017, 07:52:57 PM »
Which has better shabbos takeout Segal's or Imperial?

Offline Danfan27

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #650 on: January 19, 2017, 09:58:31 PM »
I'm looking into going to the Grand Canyon area for the 2nd week in February. What is the best area to stay in? How far is a daily minyan? I have plenty of ur points and some spg.

Offline shiframeir

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #651 on: January 20, 2017, 01:01:38 AM »
Which has better shabbos takeout Segal's or Imperial?
for like kugel and chicken prob imperial. but we loved Kitchen 18 where they also do a takeout menu and their food was really great though perhaps a bit more expensive.

Offline dealfinder85

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #652 on: January 20, 2017, 08:33:53 AM »
I'm looking into going to the Grand Canyon area for the 2nd week in February. What is the best area to stay in? How far is a daily minyan? I have plenty of ur points and some spg.
might have to go 3 hours away to phoenix

Offline samtam

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #653 on: January 23, 2017, 01:26:48 PM »
thinking about going to pheonix, looking for input & suggestions.

flying in thursday staying in pheonix for shabbos, leave motzei shabbos/early sunday to grand canyon..... I would like to do GC, lake powell, bryce canyon & maybe zion national park. I would have to get back to pheonix by thurs. morn-early afternoon for flight back.
is motzei shabbos till thursday morning enought time to get this in??

Ps. its a few bachurim so we can drive through wed night back to phx if needed. or does it make sense to drive up to BC on motzei shabbos & work our way down?

where did you stay in phoenix for shabbos?
where did you get food from?

Offline Crazy tools

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #654 on: January 23, 2017, 01:33:44 PM »
where did you stay in phoenix for shabbos?
where did you get food from?
I have family there that I stayed by.

There is a kosher store that you can get take by though

Offline samtam

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #655 on: January 23, 2017, 07:12:56 PM »
Any suggestions were to stay for shabbos in Phoenix

Offline Ergel

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #656 on: January 23, 2017, 07:19:46 PM »
Any suggestions were to stay for shabbos in Phoenix
In Scottsdale there is residence inn near R Shoshan's shul and a holiday inn near Chabad
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #657 on: January 23, 2017, 08:52:19 PM »
Doing a Vegas-AZ trip starting Sunday. Plan on driving Wed from LAS to GC, sleep Wed. night in either Flagstaff of Sedona and do something good Thurs. before I get to PHX at night.
Not sure what I'm doing Fri but it's gotta be in the PHX area.
Flying out Sun. in the AM.

So I guess Thursday and Friday are the days I still need to plan out in AZ, Thurs. starting out in Sedona.

where did you stay for shabbos?

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #658 on: January 23, 2017, 11:38:08 PM »
is there really a big difference between the pink jeep tour and any other company?

Offline Mutty

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #659 on: January 24, 2017, 11:19:29 AM »
is there really a big difference between the pink jeep tour and any other company?
Don't know about any other company but the pink jeep tour was excellent.
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”