Talk to Me About Arizona.

[tarheelmjfan]

After determining October isn't the best time for us to visit Yosemite or DL, I went down a Google search rabbit hole looking for ideas. Phoenix caught our attention. That led us to decide to spend the week in Arizona.

We will have 8 nights for the visit, which means we won't be able to do everything we'd like. We're considering flying into Phoenix, but that could change. We could even skip Phoenix completely, if there are better options.

The things we definitely want to see are Grand Canyon & Canyon de Chelly to see the ruins & cliff dwellings. We're thinking we'll save money & stay outside these parks, since we're still planning an inside the park stay at Yosemite in May. Ideally, we have a lot of hotel points that we'd like to use.

We enjoy history, so Tombstone made the potential list. Sedona also sounds nice. Other things we enjoy are culture, good food & live entertainment of all kinds. A vibrant nightlife would be nice for at least a few nights of the trip.

We know we can't do all of this & we're open to changing anything for a better option. So, if you had 8 nights in Arizona, what would you do? Keep in mind that I have health limitations that make steps, exaggerated uneven terrain & long hikes impossible. As of now, I do not use a wheelchair, but will be using a cane or walker. I realize I'll be limited in what I can do in the parks, but we're willing to book whatever tour that's necessary to make sure we can see as much as possible. We're also good with a guided, self driving tour, if that would allow us to see what we want. It appears a self driving tour may work in Grand Canyon, but not Canyon de Chelly, unless I'm missing something.

 

[jimmymc]

October is a great time of year to visit Arizona.

I would check the in-park hotels near the Grand Canyon. Aside from small town right outside the park entrance, there isn't a lot else in the area. Plus you're just so much closer to the views. There is a lot to see at the South Rim that is flat or accessible by shuttle busses. Sedona is a nice resort town if you're looking for somewhere to relax.

Scottsdale has a lot of good places to eat, shop and play golf. There is an old-town Scottsdale, but it's not very historic. I haven't been south of Phoenix yet, but I'm sure there's some great natural landscapes.

 

[easyas123]

Tombstone

I've only been to the area once, and it was just for the afternoon while visiting our son who was stationed in the area...Tombstone. Underwhelming. Not that big, what was there seemed touristy and not very 'historic'.
Now - I'll say this, the cemetery was very interesting. Especially since we enjoy cemeteries and we are from the East Coast so the topography? geography? was very different.

Bisbee was a bit more interesting, if memory serves we did a mine train tour there was was pretty cool. Town was artsy.

It's been about 8 years since I was there, and I'll say I was only there for a few days and if I every went back I would love to see the cliff dwellings and more of the older historic stuff and natural beauty.

I can't help with the nightlife - I'm hard pressed to stay up passed 8:15

Have fun planning your trip.

 

[longboard55]

Do not know why you say October is not a good month but we love Arizona. To the north Sedona and Grand Canyon. Also love Tanque Verde ranch in Tucson. Phoenix is pretty
Much urban sprawl.

 

[Kestryl]

We did an Arizona trip in October a few years ago. We flew into Phoenix, rented a car, and based ourselves in Flagstaff.

Day 1- arrived in Phoenix, Montezuma Castle National Monument, Montezuma Well, Tuzigoot National Monument, drove to Flagstaff

Day 2- Walnut Canyon National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano, Wupatki National Monument

Day 3- Grand Canyon

Day 4- Petrified Forest, Route 66

Day 5- Bearizona (it snowed quite a bit this morning, so we opted to chill out at our AirBnB and stay close to Flagstaff)

Day 6- Grand Canyon

Day 7- Sedona, back to Phoenix (specifically for UnderTow bar- themed like an old-world ship)

Day 8- back home


I wasn’t particularly impressed with Sedona from a self-driving perspective. Parking anywhere was a nightmare. Maybe if we had stayed there and hired a tour it would have been better.

I wouldn’t consider most of the parks/monuments to be particularly accessible for walking, but I think it’s worth it for you to check out Sunset Crater and Petrified Forest. I remember paved trails at each, and lots of pullover areas to get out and take in the views.

And the Grand Canyon is pretty accessible on the south rim. They have a paved trail from the visitors center and a shuttle that hits up a bunch of different lookout points.

The nice thing about most of the stuff I listed is that it’s included with the America the Beautiful pass. A Grand Canyon pass is $35, Petrified Forest is $25, Tuzigoot/Montezuma is $10 per person, the rest would have been $45 for a combined pass. The AtB pass is $80. We saved $45 for the two of us, plus we used the pass for the next year to visit other parks (like the Everglades).

 

[irlandaise]

Tucson: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Kitt Peak National Observatory, Saguaro National Park, Pima Air and Space Museum, beautiful area.

https://www.desertmuseum.org/

https://kpno.noirlab.edu/

https://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm

https://pimaair.org/

https://www.visittucson.org/

 

[tarheelmjfan]

October is a great time of year to visit Arizona.

I would check the in-park hotels near the Grand Canyon. Aside from small town right outside the park entrance, there isn't a lot else in the area. Plus you're just so much closer to the views. There is a lot to see at the South Rim that is flat or accessible by shuttle busses. Sedona is a nice resort town if you're looking for somewhere to relax.

Scottsdale has a lot of good places to eat, shop and play golf. There is an old-town Scottsdale, but it's not very historic. I haven't been south of Phoenix yet, but I'm sure there's some great natural landscapes.

Glad to hear October is a good time for Arizona. We were starting to think we needed to get divorced, so we could get married in a better month for anniversary trips.

The hotel we're considering is in Grand Canyon Village. What do you think about that location? I'm glad the South Rim is mostly accessible. We'll probably rent a car for the entire stay. Would the shuttle buses still be preferable to driving ourselves?

ETA: Please feel free to offer an honest opinion on the hotel location.

I've only been to the area once, and it was just for the afternoon while visiting our son who was stationed in the area...Tombstone. Underwhelming. Not that big, what was there seemed touristy and not very 'historic'.
Now - I'll say this, the cemetery was very interesting. Especially since we enjoy cemeteries and we are from the East Coast so the topography? geography? was very different.

Bisbee was a bit more interesting, if memory serves we did a mine train tour there was was pretty cool. Town was artsy.

It's been about 8 years since I was there, and I'll say I was only there for a few days and if I every went back I would love to see the cliff dwellings and more of the older historic stuff and natural beauty.

I can't help with the nightlife - I'm hard pressed to stay up passed 8:15

Have fun planning your trip.

Good to know. Looks like we should skip Tombstone.

Do not know why you say October is not a good month but we love Arizona. To the north Sedona and Grand Canyon. Also love Tanque Verde ranch in Tucson. Phoenix is pretty
Much urban sprawl.

After seeking advice here, we decided October isn't a good month for us to visit Yosemite or DL. We plan to go to Arizona instead. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We did an Arizona trip in October a few years ago. We flew into Phoenix, rented a car, and based ourselves in Flagstaff.

Day 1- arrived in Phoenix, Montezuma Castle National Monument, Montezuma Well, Tuzigoot National Monument, drove to Flagstaff

Day 2- Walnut Canyon National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano, Wupatki National Monument

Day 3- Grand Canyon

Day 4- Petrified Forest, Route 66

Day 5- Bearizona (it snowed quite a bit this morning, so we opted to chill out at our AirBnB and stay close to Flagstaff)

Day 6- Grand Canyon

Day 7- Sedona, back to Phoenix (specifically for UnderTow bar- themed like an old-world ship)

Day 8- back home


I wasn’t particularly impressed with Sedona from a self-driving perspective. Parking anywhere was a nightmare. Maybe if we had stayed there and hired a tour it would have been better.

I wouldn’t consider most of the parks/monuments to be particularly accessible for walking, but I think it’s worth it for you to check out Sunset Crater and Petrified Forest. I remember paved trails at each, and lots of pullover areas to get out and take in the views.

And the Grand Canyon is pretty accessible on the south rim. They have a paved trail from the visitors center and a shuttle that hits up a bunch of different lookout points.

The nice thing about most of the stuff I listed is that it’s included with the America the Beautiful pass. A Grand Canyon pass is $35, Petrified Forest is $25, Tuzigoot/Montezuma is $10 per person, the rest would have been $45 for a combined pass. The AtB pass is $80. We saved $45 for the two of us, plus we used the pass for the next year to visit other parks (like the Everglades).

Wow! Sounds like an amazing trip. I don't think we could keep up with you guys.

Now, we have to find a way to get to Phoenix. Unique bars are right up our alley.

How many nights do you think we'll need to see all of Grand Canyon that I'm capable of seeing?

I'll look into Sunset Crater & Petrified Forest. Fortunately, we already have an AtB pass that we bought earlier this year.

I can already see that we're going to have to eliminate some things we would really like to see. It's pretty much impossible to see the highlights in any state in such a short amount of time though.

Tucson: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Kitt Peak National Observatory, Saguaro National Park, Pima Air and Space Museum, beautiful area.

https://www.desertmuseum.org/

https://kpno.noirlab.edu/

https://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm

https://pimaair.org/

https://www.visittucson.org/

Thanks for the suggestion. I didn't have Tucson on my list. I'll check out your links & mapping.

 

[irlandaise]

In addition to the fascinating National Park Service sites that Kestryl mentioned, there's also Lowell Observatory:

https://lowell.edu/

(Some of us still believe in Pluto. )

 

[Micca]

Some of us still believe in Pluto.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

In addition to the fascinating National Park Service sites that Kestryl mentioned, there's also Lowell Observatory:

https://lowell.edu/

(Some of us still believe in Pluto. )

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

Never been to Arizona but I hear there's a pretty famous corner in Winslow...

 

[irlandaise]

Never been to Arizona but I hear there's a pretty famous corner in Winslow...

Yeah, they have a little area dedicated to that song.

Which reminds me: Meteor Crater is just a few miles from Winslow.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Never been to Arizona but I hear there's a pretty famous corner in Winslow...

I'm embarrassed to admit I had to look that up. After mentioning it to DH, he knew the song. Apparently, you're old. That's okay. He's old too.

ETA: Scratch that. I just saw you're 41. You're young!

 

[Clifton Tesh]

I'm embarrassed to admit I had to look that up. After mentioning it to DH, he knew the song. Apparently, you're old. That's okay. He's old too.

Old is subjective... I'm 41, to some I'm old but to @Dan Murphy I'm a baby

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Old is subjective... I'm 41, to some I'm old but to @Dan Murphy I'm a baby

I just saw that on another thread & edited my post. Obviously, I was too late.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

I just saw that on another thread & edited my post. Obviously, I was too late.

See, old is subjective

I'm a truck driver so that song is kind of an anthem for us...

Ridin down the road
Tryin to loosen my load
Got seven women on my mind
Four that wanna own me
Two that wanna stone me
One says she's a friend of mine

 

[Imzadi]

I posted this in another thread about a place being not what you expected. I'm reposting it here.

I would fit this place in after going to the Grand Canyon. I'd also visit Sedona. I've done the GC, Sedona and Monument Valley loop several times over the years. We stay in Flagstaff as a central location in between the three places.

Monument Valley, AZ: one of my favorite places in the world. I've been there a good 10 times and hope I go back once more in this lifetime. So, it's on my bucket list again.

When I go there, I feel small and connected to a greater whole at the same time.

It's on Navajo tribal land, thank God. Or would have been turned into a money grubbing theme park by now, with each natural monument turned into some ride.

Instead, it is protected, sacred land.

The area the natural stone monuments are in is called: the Valley of the Gods. Yes, plural: Gods. You can see their artistic handiwork on the monuments, where they must have had a "play day", (God length "day,") or had a competition of building the monuments, with the last God setting down his/her clay "Mittens" at the end of building the monuments.

Evidence of the play day/competition:

The Mittens: (They are really named that!)

 

[easyas123]

well dang, now I'm thinking we need to head back to Arizona sometime...

 

[anniemae]

AZ is a beautiful state. It is absolutely stunning. We flew into Phoenix and stayed in Scottsdale for a few nights. Lots of nice restaurants and shops in Old Town. We went to the zoo and drove up South Mountain. We also drove to Flagstaff for a few nights to do Sedona and Grand Canyon. One of our most memorable trips.