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 381461 times)

Offline SSLPhD

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #720 on: May 07, 2017, 11:39:36 PM »
Planning on going to Arizona in June with the wife for 4 days. Would like to go ATV or Jeeping, Hike Grand Canyon or White water rafting or horseback riding.
Is Scottsdale the best place to stay or is it worth staying in Sedona. How far is kosher food from Sedona? Any help would be appreciated .

Thanks
I'd stay in Sedona or Flagstaff.  You may be able to get some kosher food in Flagstaff:  http://www.jewishflagstaff.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/412988
But call in advance.  We didn't have success either time we were in Flagstaff.

The weather is better here than Scottsdale, Broken Arrow Rd (do Pink Jeep Tour) by Sedona, and closer to Grand Canyon.
44/50, 46/63

Offline Yoko

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #721 on: May 08, 2017, 05:31:11 PM »
I'm not that worried about food as I'm going during the week and from what I see there's plenty of food establishments in Scottsdale/Phoenix area so I guess I would stay in the Phoenician.
I do however want to go to the GC for one day. Are there any affordable GC tours from Scottsdale? it seems like all the affordable tours are bus driven and are 14 hours long. Is it worth it?
I narrowed it down to 2 activities we want to do - GC & ATV. The rest of the time would be just to relax.
Any recommendations?


Offline lifetimedeals

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #722 on: May 08, 2017, 06:52:11 PM »
I'm not that worried about food as I'm going during the week and from what I see there's plenty of food establishments in Scottsdale/Phoenix area so I guess I would stay in the Phoenician.
I do however want to go to the GC for one day. Are there any affordable GC tours from Scottsdale? it seems like all the affordable tours are bus driven and are 14 hours long. Is it worth it?
I narrowed it down to 2 activities we want to do - GC & ATV. The rest of the time would be just to relax.
Any recommendations?
why not rent a car and drive to GC?

Offline lifetimedeals

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #723 on: May 08, 2017, 06:56:32 PM »
I'm not that worried about food as I'm going during the week and from what I see there's plenty of food establishments in Scottsdale/Phoenix area so I guess I would stay in the Phoenician.
I do however want to go to the GC for one day. Are there any affordable GC tours from Scottsdale? it seems like all the affordable tours are bus driven and are 14 hours long. Is it worth it?
I narrowed it down to 2 activities we want to do - GC & ATV. The rest of the time would be just to relax.
Any recommendations?
Phoenician is going through renovations now so that is not a good option

Offline Yoko

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #724 on: May 08, 2017, 07:29:36 PM »
I am renting a car but I don't want to drive 4 hours each way!

The Phoenician is accommodating for the renovations. I don't are about the lobby being renovated. The spa & pool are being moved so we would have that either way. Do you have any other suggestions as far as hotels?

Offline zagguru

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #725 on: May 08, 2017, 07:34:30 PM »
I am renting a car but I don't want to drive 4 hours each way!

The Phoenician is accommodating for the renovations. I don't are about the lobby being renovated. The spa & pool are being moved so we would have that either way. Do you have any other suggestions as far as hotels?

I called them, they are only having a lap pool compared to the 7 pools they normally have. That's a deal breaker for me

Offline Yoko

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #726 on: May 08, 2017, 08:31:21 PM »
I called them, they are only having a lap pool compared to the 7 pools they normally have. That's a deal breaker for me

So where will you be staying? Any other suggestions?

Offline shiframeir

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #727 on: May 08, 2017, 08:41:51 PM »
I do however want to go to the GC for one day. Are there any affordable GC tours from Scottsdale? it seems like all the affordable tours are bus driven and are 14 hours long. Is it worth it?
i went with my family on this train (still had to drive a few hours and park by the train and drive home later), and we loved it. though it isnt cheap its reasonable. https://www.thetrain.com/

Offline zagguru

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #728 on: May 08, 2017, 08:43:07 PM »
So where will you be staying? Any other suggestions?

Splitting my time between Westin Scottsdale and Biltmore

Offline Yoko

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #729 on: May 08, 2017, 10:22:38 PM »
Splitting my time between Westin Scottsdale and Biltmore

Westin Resort or Villas?

Offline Yoko

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #730 on: May 08, 2017, 10:34:57 PM »
Westin Resort or Villas?

Looking into the Biltmore now, I'm only a HH Gold member. Do they include breakfast for gold members? How are they with upgrades?

Offline Denverite

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #731 on: May 08, 2017, 11:38:59 PM »
Looking into the Biltmore now, I'm only a HH Gold member. Do they include breakfast for gold members? How are they with upgrades?

I'm believe they do give breakfast and it's hit or miss with the upgrades...

Offline Denverite

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #732 on: May 08, 2017, 11:41:46 PM »
i went with my family on this train (still had to drive a few hours and park by the train and drive home later), and we loved it. though it isnt cheap its reasonable. https://www.thetrain.com/

How old are your kids?  I've thought about doing this train literally every time I've gone with family to Phoenix (we've been 5+ times) and it just seemed too long for the kids (same reason we didn't do the GC at all).  I'd love to hear a mini-TR from you.  What did you do for food?  That was also one of my worries with the train and staying overnight.

Offline zagguru

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #733 on: May 09, 2017, 06:34:56 AM »
I'm believe they do give breakfast and it's hit or miss with the upgrades...

Can anyone else confirm that? I am going there and I am gold, but havent read any reports about breakfast...

Offline zagguru

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #734 on: May 09, 2017, 06:35:22 AM »
Westin Resort or Villas?

Resort for now. Villas were double the price. But i might switch if Villa price drops

Offline tzifanya54

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #735 on: May 09, 2017, 07:28:41 AM »
I called them, they are only having a lap pool compared to the 7 pools they normally have. That's a deal breaker for me
+1
Definitely a deal breaker. Their pools are amazing and completely empty during the very hot summer days.

Offline Yoko

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #736 on: May 09, 2017, 09:45:29 AM »
Can anyone else confirm that? I am going there and I am gold, but havent read any reports about breakfast...

I called and they said that Gold does not get breakfast but sometimes they would give it to you at check in

Offline Denverite

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #737 on: May 09, 2017, 01:44:10 PM »
Looking into the Biltmore now, I'm only a HH Gold member. Do they include breakfast for gold members? How are they with upgrades?

Honestly I've never stayed at the Biltmore because I've always gotten such good deals at the Pointe Hilton Squaw peak and it is a 5min and $4 uber ride from La Bella Pizza and 613 Grill.  I love also that at this property they give you two $10 certs per day instead of free breakfast and all rooms are suites.  It's a bit old and dated but I love the lazy river and pool.  Also, free mini-golf and other activities for kids if you are coming as a family (Biltmore seems MUCH more high-end and great for a couple).  Because of the certs we bought tons of snacks are their market and ordered drinks for free by the pool.

Offline Yoko

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #738 on: May 09, 2017, 07:40:37 PM »
So whats the best way to see/get to the GC?

Offline zagguru

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #739 on: May 09, 2017, 07:41:43 PM »
I called and they said that Gold does not get breakfast but sometimes they would give it to you at check in

Under what circumstances?