Cheap ideas for Phoenix, AZ

[amp078]

I will be travelling to Phoenix, AZ tomorrow and was wondering if any of my fellow DIS'ers might be able to give me a couple of ideas for day trips in the area. We were planning on driving to Sedona one day and taking in the sites there, also possibly to Cave Creek as well. I booked a cheap car and we are staying with friends so we need to entertain ourselves while they are at work for the day. Usually our trips are well planned but this time, we are just doing whatever we feel like doing!!

We will not be travelling with kids so any adult ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks in advance!!

 

[strasfamily]

Prescott is a nice charming town up in the mountains with shops, restaurants, and saloons. Old Town Scottsdale has shops and art galleries. There is a huge indoor outlet mall in Tempe called Arizona Mills. They also have an Imax theater. Lots of casinos around - I like the one at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass.

You might get some more ideas of things to do at this website:

http://www.azcentral.com/

Have fun!

 

[amp078]

Great Site! Thanks!!!

 

[Stephanie218]

If you want an awesome mall, go to the Scottsdale Fashion Square - they have over 200 reallly nice stores (only az tiffany's location!)

Sedona is gorgeous, drove up there with my dad a few months ago. There's also the Desert Botanical Gardens in either Tempe or Phoenix (i think Phoenix, but i'm not sure) and the Phoenix Zoo.

 

[lucky1]

If you want an awesome mall, go to the Scottsdale Fashion Square - they have over 200 reallly nice stores (only az tiffany's location!)

.

But there is one coming soon to La Encantada in Tucson!

Really, you might try Visiting Frank Lloyd Wright's house and Studio in Scottsdale. I can't remember the name right now. Also you can drive to Arcasonti, as small artist communtity that was set up by a famous Italian and the community lives of the proceeds from the bells they make. I also think they have a small studio in Paradise Valley (Casonti).

 

[Donnaksmj]

My daughter is hoping to go to ASU next fall, we would like to go there for a short visit too....anyone have any input about that college?

 

[amp078]

I have a friend that works at ASU- she just started but she might be able to help get in touch with someone to talk to- PM me if you want and when I return I will send you her contact info.

Thanks to everyone for their input!

I will keep checking the boards since I will have internet access down there!!

 

[kuusimo]

ASU is a great school. My DH is currently enrolled in their MBA program. My sister and brother also both graduated from there last year. The school is HUGE with 4 satalite locations around the valley. As with any school programs vary, but ASU has really tried to shake off it's "PARTY" school reputation it had years ago.

As far as things to do in Phoenix. I second Arizona Mills Mall. They also have a Disney Store outlet there. Great deals on things. Here is a link that has reviews of things to do here as well. It depends if you have children or not though. I have two small children so my input may not be the things you are looking for.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g31310-Activities-Phoenix_Arizona.html

This will give you an idea of things available. This is a great time to come. We are freezing here this week and it is in the 60's. No rain though for the past 90 days. If you need any more help let me know.

 

[rockin_rep]

I will be travelling to Phoenix, AZ tomorrow and was wondering if any of my fellow DIS'ers might be able to give me a couple of ideas for day trips in the area. We were planning on driving to Sedona one day and taking in the sites there, also possibly to Cave Creek as well. I booked a cheap car and we are staying with friends so we need to entertain ourselves while they are at work for the day. Usually our trips are well planned but this time, we are just doing whatever we feel like doing!!

We will not be travelling with kids so any adult ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks in advance!!

If you have lots of shopping options nearby, i would recommend seeing things you won't find in NY.

Have you been to the Grand Canyon? If not, that would be a true MUST SEE. You might want to spend an overnight there but its way beyond *worth it*!!!

Also within our fabulous national park system ....

Montezuma Castle National Mt. or Walnut Canyon National Mt. You can easily explore both parks within one day with minimal hiking.

Winslow, AZ ("standing on a corner in winslow arizona...") or Holbrook, AZ are kitchy towns to explore on the old historic Route 66.

There are just countless things to do out west besides shopping (which i DO adore, too!)!

Have a great time!

 

[amp078]

Thanks for the tips- we did the PHX Zoo today- It was fantastic!! We are members of the Buffalo Zoo so we got in for 1/2 price. We also hit Mill St in Tempe and had lunch at My Big Fat GREEK Restaurant- great food and very reasonable prices!! We walked up and down Mill St for a couple of hours and stopped in a few shops but didn't make any purchases.

Tomorrow we may head up to Cave Creek but keep the ideas coming!!

Thanks!

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

A pretty neat and inexpensive place is the museum in downtown Mesa. It's a little bit of everything--dinosaurs, art, AZ history, etc. The original jail (where they threw the outlaws, cattle rustlers, etc.) is still there, and outside they have a manmade stream where you can pan for gold.

 

[maleficent1959]

My daughter is hoping to go to ASU next fall, we would like to go there for a short visit too....anyone have any input about that college?

I went there for 8 years for grad degrees. I also worked as an academic advisor for incoming freshmen and prospective students. Another poster was right...ASU is definitely working hard to shed its party image. It is a fantastic school that is often overlooked because of its reputation. It is one of only a few Research 1 institutions (translation: many highly ranked programs and lots of grant money coming in among other things), more and more Rhodes and Marshall scholars as well as Javitz and many of the other big scholarly programs, top-ranked engineering programs (in more concentrations that you can believe), architecture, creative writing, anthropology, public history... I could go on and on listing the outstanding programs. It really is a top-notch public university.

Definitely try to get in to see an advisor at Cross-College Advising Services. Take a tour of the residence halls. Enjoy Mill Avenue. Sigh, I really miss it.

Sorry this was OT.

To the OP, we also like visiting Jerome. It's an old mining town, on a mountainside (literally, some of the building have slid), that is now a funky sort of artistic community with great shops and museums.