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 381582 times)

Offline chaya123

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #160 on: April 23, 2013, 12:49:04 AM »
Point of interest-
It might be a bit of a shlep but one of the best creeks to go is pretty out there(its in the middle of nowhere forests) near Strawberry, Arizona, known as Fossil Creek. That drive is probably itself an adventure and the entire reserve is gorgeous. However I could never go there without hiking the mile or so to the natural hot springs. Best part of the creek! Google for pictures...

See http://www.fossilcreekaz.com/pages/verde.html for info.

Offline gunit770

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #161 on: May 07, 2013, 06:24:41 PM »
Segal's vs. Imperial for Shabbos take out?

Offline Feivish

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #162 on: June 13, 2013, 01:00:42 PM »
I would disagree depending on the age and personality of the children. Some trails are more "extreme" than others and if you ask the company they can recommend a trail for you based on this. Children regularly go on jeep tours. It is safe to say as a Sedona native I went on quite a few.
How about going with a 3 year old and 15 month old?

Offline plainbachur

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #163 on: June 28, 2013, 03:23:25 AM »
im traveling from phoinex to grand canyon spending day in sedona. want to do jeeping, anything else?
any suggestions on hotel for the night?

Offline Ergel

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #164 on: June 28, 2013, 05:03:42 AM »
Anyone here been to The Wave? As awesome as it looks in pictures?
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline plainbachur

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #165 on: July 28, 2013, 04:56:56 PM »
Heading now to zion national park what's not to miss?

Offline HP58

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #166 on: July 28, 2013, 09:22:45 PM »
Heading now to zion national park what's not to miss?
If you're a real hiker try Angel's Landing. AMAZING views but very strenuous. OTW up you're almost mountain climbing on cliffs holding on w/ chains & stuff...

Offline plainbachur

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #167 on: July 29, 2013, 10:11:24 AM »
If you're a real hiker try Angel's Landing. AMAZING views but very strenuous. OTW up you're almost mountain climbing on cliffs holding on w/ chains & stuff...
it was to hard we didn't do it.

Offline plainbachur

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #168 on: July 29, 2013, 10:11:58 AM »
In lake Powell today any suggestions which place to rent boat from etc...

Offline HP58

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #169 on: July 29, 2013, 01:07:53 PM »
Carl's in Page has very cheap rates. IIRC last time I was there we rented jet-skis from him for $200+ for the DAY. As opposed to other places where it's $100+ per hour.

Offline HP58

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #170 on: July 29, 2013, 01:08:27 PM »
it was to hard we didn't do it.
So what did you do there?

Offline fradl

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #171 on: November 16, 2013, 11:24:28 PM »
Dan, this is a Hakoras HaTov shoutout. Last December, I booked a one-way on American/Elal from Tel Aviv to Phoenix, with an 11 month stopover in New York, where I live.  My husband and I just returned from a beautiful week in Scottsdale. It was all free and it was beautiful. We stayed at the Westin Kierland(SPG points), which was beautiful!!! It is a one mile walk to Ahavas Torah Shul. The community there was very welcoming.  We went to Sedona, GC, Frank Lloyd Wright's home, had a massage at the hotel spa, Last Chance and to Chabad and the many delicious kosher eateries. Scottsdale is really beautiful. The way back was free between the money spent on my American credit card and the 10% rebate.  Thank you Dan for all that I have learned from your site!!!!!!

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #172 on: November 17, 2013, 09:23:21 PM »
Dan, this is a Hakoras HaTov shoutout. Last December, I booked a one-way on American/Elal from Tel Aviv to Phoenix, with an 11 month stopover in New York, where I live.  My husband and I just returned from a beautiful week in Scottsdale. It was all free and it was beautiful. We stayed at the Westin Kierland(SPG points), which was beautiful!!! It is a one mile walk to Ahavas Torah Shul. The community there was very welcoming.  We went to Sedona, GC, Frank Lloyd Wright's home, had a massage at the hotel spa, Last Chance and to Chabad and the many delicious kosher eateries. Scottsdale is really beautiful. The way back was free between the money spent on my American credit card and the 10% rebate.  Thank you Dan for all that I have learned from your site!!!!!!
Very nice!

I definitely concur, Scottsdale is indeed a gorgeous city!

Offline dreaming

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #173 on: December 15, 2013, 01:14:22 AM »
What is interesting to do in Phoenix/Sedona area? I am going with a three month old baby.

Offline princea143

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #174 on: December 17, 2013, 03:52:11 PM »
What is interesting to do in Phoenix/Sedona area? I am going with a three month old baby.

I'm not quite familiar with Phoenix, although I've visited multiple times because I have family there in Cave Creek 30 minutes north west of PHX.  Sedona is just amazing though.  The views are just majestic.  Though it may be snowing or at the least cold as heck over there.  Hiking trails are legit, but with a three month old baby, I would just check out the views and eat the good food there.  The architecture is amazing and so is the history.  People are just so welcoming.  We will actually be in AZ in mid-Jan to visit family.  Enjoy!

Offline princea143

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #175 on: December 17, 2013, 04:04:16 PM »
I'm planning a trip with my wife to AZ to visit family close to Phoenix in mid-Jan.  We are coming from either Long Beach Airport in Long Beach, CA, LAX, or John Wayne Airport in Orange County.  I have Jetblue points for 2 one-ways, Citi AA 33k points, Chase Bold 58k points, Freedom 17k, and Sapphire 48k.  What can I do to maximize my points and get free flights?  I don't have to worry about accommodations, just flights and maybe a car rental for Sedona.  What airlines should I use? Are there any promos (there's got to be alot of holiday sales) that I could take advantage of?  Any advice?

Offline yakrot

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #176 on: December 24, 2013, 04:52:35 AM »
there is a chabad in flagstaff and its really close to the grand canyon so its convenient if you want to make sunrise at the gc

Offline jack12

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #177 on: December 25, 2013, 08:57:10 AM »
there is a chabad in flagstaff and its really close to the grand canyon so its convenient if you want to make sunrise at the gc
I was there in the summer and they didn't have a minyan during the week. Call/email the rabbi to find out if there will be a minyan

Offline dealfinder85

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #178 on: December 26, 2013, 04:42:10 PM »
booked a 4 day trip business class for $78.18 for me and my wife combined
now time to plan what were gonna do

Offline alpicone

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #179 on: December 26, 2013, 04:43:56 PM »
booked a 4 day trip business class for $78.18 for me and my wife combined
now time to plan what were gonna do

Same here. Booked 4 days in May. When are you going?