Phoenix, Glendale, etc.....stuff to do?

[ckay87]

Oh thank goodness...I get to escape the Northeast winter for 5 days in March. DH travels to Glendale AZ for work, and I said "not without me buster!" Geez I can't wait. Anyway, I've been to Phoenix once before, long ago. LOOOOVE the landscape. It feels like a different universe. Therefore, I want to spend as much time as possible outdoors. I have two days to myself and I'd love to spend them hiking around a park or doing anything outside. So I'm looking for ideas, if anyone has any. Don't want to do any heavy duty hiking on my own. I can physically, but I'm not sure if it's safe. Some kinds of dangerous critters out there, aren't there? Don't laugh! So are there any nice hiking trails or parks that aren't too remote? Any other outdoor activities to recommend? I'll spend the last 1/2 of the week at the Grand Canyon with DH. Can't wait. TIA!

 

[jsmith]

the Desert Botanical Gardens are amazing-i couldnt believe how much i enjoyed that-also Sedona is less than a 3 hour drive north-and its beautiful there.

 

[luvflorida]

We've only been in Arizona for less than two years, so I'm sure there are dissers here that can probably be of more help. However, we have traveled up to the Phoenix/Glendale area quite a bit from Tucson since we moved out here.

There is a large shopping/restaurant complex in Glendale called Westgate City Center. It is a great place to walk around outside, and there are several very nice areas to just sit and relax. We love to eat at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, sitting outside and enjoying the fountains "dancing" to accompanying music. There are a lot of shops, restaurants and a cinema.

Right next door to Westgate City Center is the University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the 2008 Super Bowl. It is quite a sight to see! It is the only stadium in the USA that has a retractable real grass field and a retractable roof. You can even take a tour of the facility, something that my husband and I want to do but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

I hope you enjoy your visit to Arizona. You're right when you say it's a totally different environment! It has taken us awhile to get used to the vastly different scenery than what we're used to seeing in New England. It really is a different kind of beauty!

 

[ckay87]

Thanks for the advice. I probably will visit the botanical gardens. Saw that listed somewhere and was not sure how good it was.

LuvFlorida - I think our hotel will be right near that shopping complex. It does sound neat and I wasn't aware that it was outdoors. DH told me I could spend some time at this mall and I just thought "no way, I want to be outside." Nice to know it is outside.

Still wondering about any good walking/light hiking trails. Knowing that I'll be able to get a Cheeseburger in Paradise, I will NEED those walking trails!

 

[brasswillow]

Just 20 minutes from Glendale is the White Tank Mountains. It's $5 to park and there are all kinds of trails. My favorite is the Waterfall Trail. They recently opened some new trails that are easy and give you a great view of the landscape.

 

[RN2003AZ]

We lived in Scottsdale for 2 years and loved it! If you go up the 101 to Peoria and Surprise you can probably hit some of the Cactus League games for very cheap (MLB spring training)! Check the schedule, you may be able to see the Red Sox when they play the Diamonbacks or something!

 

[pigletgirl]

Hmm, I'm not as familiar with that part of the city...

The zoo is pretty good! Especially that time of year, you can see lots without being too hot.

There is also a world animal park at like 175th and Northern. There is an aquarium too. You could also hike up Camelback Mtn too! Its a definitely a hike, but you get some amazing views of the city.

Have fun at the GC! It may either be really nice or snowy. Regardless its an amazing place to visit. I recommend doing the rim hike or hiking down to indian gardens on the bright angel! I've also done the in and out hike too (down south kaibab and up the bright angel). Going in especially makes it even more spectacular!

 

[ckay87]

Hmm, I'm not as familiar with that part of the city...

The zoo is pretty good! Especially that time of year, you can see lots without being too hot.

There is also a world animal park at like 175th and Northern. There is an aquarium too. You could also hike up Camelback Mtn too! Its a definitely a hike, but you get some amazing views of the city.

Have fun at the GC! It may either be really nice or snowy. Regardless its an amazing place to visit. I recommend doing the rim hike or hiking down to indian gardens on the bright angel! I've also done the in and out hike too (down south kaibab and up the bright angel). Going in especially makes it even more spectacular!

Do you have any information about those GC hikes you mentioned? How/where to access the trails, etc? I do not know where to start. I just picture us driving there, looking down, and saying "now what?" And it's something that, when you research it on the internet, you get so much info, it's impossible to sort through. That's why I appreciate the advice!

 

[pigletgirl]

The trails are really easy to find. They are well marked in the park.
This website is really informative: http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/bc/gc_tr_ba.htm

Also, I would go to your local barnes and noble or borders (or whatever you have) and pick up a few books on the canyon. Its definitely a harder hike than a traditional one, and there is very LITTLE water. You will have to carry it all yourself. A camelback is a good option.

Have fun researching! It's an amazing place to be.

ETA: Hiking poles were very useful. It helps down the steep stuff.

 

[SKWDW]

South Mountain Park/Preserve is an amazing place in Phoenix. Plus it's just a few miles from your hotel area!

South Mountain Park
At over 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park/Preserve often is referred to as the largest municipal park in the country. It boasts 51 miles of primary trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking for all ability levels. The park/preserve's main entrance is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hours vary at other trailhead locations; check the hiking map for specific hours.

South Mountain Trail Guide

Additional info on South Mountain

Day trips to Sedona or the Grand Canyon are great too. Enjoy!!!

 

[luvflorida]

I just picture us driving there, looking down, and saying "now what?"

That's pretty much what my husband did when we visited the Grand Canyon last year. Kind of like Clark Griswold when they stopped at the GC in National Lampoon's Vacation. A perfunctory look and then he wanted to know where we were eating lunch.

Well, it wasn't quite that bad, but he definitely felt that one day was enough to see it all! We spent a day at the South Rim and hiked a bit along the edge of the canyon, and we took the shuttle bus out to Hermit's Rest. We got off at several stops along the way and walked from one stop to the next.

The Grand Canyon is one of the most fascinating and awe-inspiring sights I've ever seen. My husband did find it an amazing sight, too! It still scares me when I think about how open and unguarded most of the trails are. I mean, there are places where you are literally walking within feet of the canyon. One push or misstep, and over you go!

 

[pigletgirl]

To fully enjoy the GC you have to hike in it. Its that simple. But, also doing the rim hike, you see things that would not otherwise see if you took the shuttle the whole way.