April-May in Arizona
Dec 14th, 2006, 11:22 AM
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April-May in Arizona
Hi
We are a couple (60 yr old Man & Women 57)planning 1st. trip to Arizona beginning mid to late April & spend 2-3 weeks. Main interest Grand Canyon and lots of sight seeing. Moderate hiking but not the difficult parts. Looking for lodging in the $75 to $100.00 per night,not big spenders.Would like to see as much of variety in Arizona as possible with out rushing. Not interested in Vegas or Cities just country ,wildlife Dessert Blooms etc.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Warren
Nova Scotia, Canada
We are a couple (60 yr old Man & Women 57)planning 1st. trip to Arizona beginning mid to late April & spend 2-3 weeks. Main interest Grand Canyon and lots of sight seeing. Moderate hiking but not the difficult parts. Looking for lodging in the $75 to $100.00 per night,not big spenders.Would like to see as much of variety in Arizona as possible with out rushing. Not interested in Vegas or Cities just country ,wildlife Dessert Blooms etc.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Warren
Nova Scotia, Canada
Dec 14th, 2006, 02:41 PM
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Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon are beautiful. Northern Arizona will probably be cold that time of year (not as cold as NS though).
I recommend driving down to Phoenix and stopping along the way. There are lots of things to see... Flagstaff (college ski town), Indian ruins (Beaver Creek, Montezuma Castle, Walnut Canyon), mining/ghost towns(Jerome)and hopefully a blooming desert. The father south, the warmer it gets. If you go south, I recommend a desert jeep or hummer tour. They are always interesting.
Here are two sites that might help you:
http://www.arizona-bed-breakfast.com...lanner-14.html
http://www.arizonahighways.com/
Have fun. It's a beautiful and diverse state!
I recommend driving down to Phoenix and stopping along the way. There are lots of things to see... Flagstaff (college ski town), Indian ruins (Beaver Creek, Montezuma Castle, Walnut Canyon), mining/ghost towns(Jerome)and hopefully a blooming desert. The father south, the warmer it gets. If you go south, I recommend a desert jeep or hummer tour. They are always interesting.
Here are two sites that might help you:
http://www.arizona-bed-breakfast.com...lanner-14.html
http://www.arizonahighways.com/
Have fun. It's a beautiful and diverse state!
Dec 14th, 2006, 03:10 PM
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If you are flying into Phoenix, I would suggest first seeing the southern part of our state -- it will be quite a bit warmer than around the Grand Canyon and Sedona.
I have a good list of things to see and do around Tucson and Southern Arizona at this site:
http://mikepintucson.blogspot.com/
By the beginning of May it will be getting warmer further north. put in some dates at the south rim at this site and you will see the lows will be right around freezing and the highs will be in the mid-60's F.
http://www.climatrac.com/choose.asp?...D=3&intLocID=0
Here is a trip report, with pictures, on our September trip to the Grand Canyon and Sedona:
http://p104.ezboard.com/feuropetogof...icID=252.topic
And here is a nice list of things to see and do all around northern Arizona:
http://p104.ezboard.com/feuropetogof...icID=270.topic
I have a good list of things to see and do around Tucson and Southern Arizona at this site:
http://mikepintucson.blogspot.com/
By the beginning of May it will be getting warmer further north. put in some dates at the south rim at this site and you will see the lows will be right around freezing and the highs will be in the mid-60's F.
http://www.climatrac.com/choose.asp?...D=3&intLocID=0
Here is a trip report, with pictures, on our September trip to the Grand Canyon and Sedona:
http://p104.ezboard.com/feuropetogof...icID=252.topic
And here is a nice list of things to see and do all around northern Arizona:
http://p104.ezboard.com/feuropetogof...icID=270.topic
Dec 14th, 2006, 05:48 PM
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If you're looking for variety, Arizona definitely has it. As MikeP suggested, you should fly into Phoenix and head south to start with. I think a nice route would be to head east from Phoenix a little and then south to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. From there, make your way to Tucson for several days, then keep heading east. Make a stop at Chiricahua National Monument, then head up 191 to get off the beaten path and see part of Arizona that most tourists don't even know exists. Between I-10 and I-40 you'll drive through the Apache National Forest, with some great scenery.
Once you hit I-40, you can keep heading north and check out the Navajo Nation area, and then make your way west to the Grand Canyon. After that, head south to Sedona for a couple days, and then I'd suggest going back east a bit to the Payson/Mogollon Rim area to explore. Head south on 188, then southeast on 288, and spend a bit of time around the Superstition Mountains before going back to Phoenix to go home.
Once you hit I-40, you can keep heading north and check out the Navajo Nation area, and then make your way west to the Grand Canyon. After that, head south to Sedona for a couple days, and then I'd suggest going back east a bit to the Payson/Mogollon Rim area to explore. Head south on 188, then southeast on 288, and spend a bit of time around the Superstition Mountains before going back to Phoenix to go home.
Dec 15th, 2006, 10:23 AM
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Try The Big Blue House bed and breakfast. They have kitchens and are great for extended stay. They offer weekly rates of about $70 per night for a very, very, nice kitchen room located in central Tucson 2 minutes from the freeway.
Dec 15th, 2006, 10:24 AM
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The Big Blue House Tucson bed and breakfast http://144university.com
Dec 15th, 2006, 01:22 PM
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We're older than you and were first timers in Arizona last March. We worked sightseeing around a high school reunion in Tucson and an Elderhostel at Grand Canyon West (Peach Springs) on Hulapai lands. Like you indicated, avoided Vegas and cities for the most part.
What did we like? Grand Canyon of course, for a spectacular view. As others have mentioned much to see: Sedona, Jerome, Tuzagoot/Montezuma Castle, Canyon de Chelly, Suguaro monument out of Tucson, Tumacacori, Prescott were some of our stops.
Our Sedona stay was in a B&B...Grace's Secret Garden, Oak Creek area. Very homey and nice.
Glad to advise. MikeP has excellent ideas and among others on Fodors gave us good tips. Are you driving all the way from NS or renting a car?
ozarksbill
[email protected]
What did we like? Grand Canyon of course, for a spectacular view. As others have mentioned much to see: Sedona, Jerome, Tuzagoot/Montezuma Castle, Canyon de Chelly, Suguaro monument out of Tucson, Tumacacori, Prescott were some of our stops.
Our Sedona stay was in a B&B...Grace's Secret Garden, Oak Creek area. Very homey and nice.
Glad to advise. MikeP has excellent ideas and among others on Fodors gave us good tips. Are you driving all the way from NS or renting a car?
ozarksbill
[email protected]
Dec 15th, 2006, 01:48 PM
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The Bright Angel Lodge on the rim of the Grand Canyon is in your price range. Last time I checked they weren't taking reservations for April yet---they are closing Jan. 1 for renovation, and probably don't have a fixed date to re-open yet. But it's worth checking the website for late April or early May:
www.xanterra.com
There are nice views from a walk along the rim trail in either direction. But if "moderate" hiking means an elevation change of 2200 feet or so, you could hike down the Bright Angel trail to 3-Mile Resthouse. Another 1,000 down takes you to Indian Gardens, where last year the canyon redbud and other plants were in bloom at mid-April. But then you'd have a 3200 foot climb back up. It's worth getting in shape for.
www.xanterra.com
There are nice views from a walk along the rim trail in either direction. But if "moderate" hiking means an elevation change of 2200 feet or so, you could hike down the Bright Angel trail to 3-Mile Resthouse. Another 1,000 down takes you to Indian Gardens, where last year the canyon redbud and other plants were in bloom at mid-April. But then you'd have a 3200 foot climb back up. It's worth getting in shape for.
Dec 15th, 2006, 04:37 PM
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You folks are such a wealth of information, I really do appreciate it. Osarksbill , We are flying from NS to either Phoenix or Tuscon and then picking up a rental car.The Bright Angel Lodge opens in May I see and the Big Blue House certainly looks great.
Thanks and any more info is welcome. We travelled to Newfoundland,Canada this past summer and stayed every night in places recommended by Foderites and had all wonderful experiances.Same thing 2 years ago when we went to Australia.
Keep up the great work and I offer help where ever I can.
Warren
Thanks and any more info is welcome. We travelled to Newfoundland,Canada this past summer and stayed every night in places recommended by Foderites and had all wonderful experiances.Same thing 2 years ago when we went to Australia.
Keep up the great work and I offer help where ever I can.
Warren
Dec 16th, 2006, 06:18 AM
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warrsher, I stayed at the La Quinta Inn and Suites at the Tucson Airport earlier this year, and it was nice. They have just renovated the rooms and the rates are around $90 per night during that time.
Flying into Phoenix will definately be less expensive, and easier for the return after being up north. It's an easy drive to Tucson.
Flying into Phoenix will definately be less expensive, and easier for the return after being up north. It's an easy drive to Tucson.
Dec 16th, 2006, 07:35 AM
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warrsher,
If possible, I would avoid the hotels along I-10 near downtown Tucson.
There is a La Quinta on East Broadway, which is in a good area, very central, and renovated about a year ago. It is also very close to a lot of good restaurants, including El Charro, my favorite for Mexican food.
http://www.lq.com/lq/properties/prop...699&propId=699
If possible, I would avoid the hotels along I-10 near downtown Tucson.
There is a La Quinta on East Broadway, which is in a good area, very central, and renovated about a year ago. It is also very close to a lot of good restaurants, including El Charro, my favorite for Mexican food.
http://www.lq.com/lq/properties/prop...699&propId=699
Dec 16th, 2006, 09:30 PM
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My DH and I spent a week in northern Arizona in mid-April last spring, and had a wonderful time - the weather was perfect - low 70's every day, and sunny. Definitely spend some time in Sedona; the surrounding red rock country, and Oak Creek Canyon, are stunning - there's lots of wonderful hiking there. Here's a web site that lists many trails, with descriptions:
<http://www.sedonahikes.net/catalog.htm>.
Take the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour, it's amazing. We also did a different tour with another jeep company, and it wasn't nearly as good.
I also highly recommend taking the half day trip on the Verde Canyon Railroad out of Clarkdale, near Sedona, that was one of the highlights of our trip. Here's their website:
<http://www.verdecanyonrr.com/index2.html>.
I would also encourage you to spend a couple of days in Page. When you leave the Grand Canyon you could drive along the road that goes out the east entrance of the park, stopping to see the sights along the way. In Page you can go to Antelope Canyon, the amazing slot canyon that you've probably seen pictures of - it's a photographer's dream. It's best to go at mid-day when the famous light beams shoot down into the canyon, it's amazing. It gets pretty dark in the canyon except in the middle of the day, so the colors wouldn't be as good at other times. There are several tour companies that take you into the canyon (you have to go with a Navajo Guide, it's tribal property). Here's a web site run by the Powell Museum in Page that lists all of the companies, tours, schedules, and prices.
<http://reservations.powellmuseum.org/CanyonTours.html>
Most tours give you 50 minutes in the canyon; we chose the Antelope Canyon Tours 2.5 hour photo tour, because it gave us a full two hours in the canyon, and lots of time to take photographs. It's more expensive, but was worth it to us.
The other reason we went to Page was to take the half day float trip on the Colorado River that goes from Page to Lee's Ferry (where the raft trips through the Grand Canyon leave from). That was the other highlight of our trip, it was really fun, and so beautiful! This is a smoothwater trip, so is very safe and not at all scary. Here's the website where you can find information about this:
http://www.canyon-country.com/lakepowell/rafting.htm
Other things to do in Page are: hike the short trail to the overlook of Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River - spectacular and breathtaking. Take a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam. Take a boat ride on Lake Powell - you can see info about that on the web site that has the rafting information. If we'd had more time there, we would have rented kayaks and gone kayaking on Lake Powell - maybe next time (a good reason to go back someday).
Enjoy your trip. Arizona is spectacular, and you'll have a great time.
<http://www.sedonahikes.net/catalog.htm>.
Take the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour, it's amazing. We also did a different tour with another jeep company, and it wasn't nearly as good.
I also highly recommend taking the half day trip on the Verde Canyon Railroad out of Clarkdale, near Sedona, that was one of the highlights of our trip. Here's their website:
<http://www.verdecanyonrr.com/index2.html>.
I would also encourage you to spend a couple of days in Page. When you leave the Grand Canyon you could drive along the road that goes out the east entrance of the park, stopping to see the sights along the way. In Page you can go to Antelope Canyon, the amazing slot canyon that you've probably seen pictures of - it's a photographer's dream. It's best to go at mid-day when the famous light beams shoot down into the canyon, it's amazing. It gets pretty dark in the canyon except in the middle of the day, so the colors wouldn't be as good at other times. There are several tour companies that take you into the canyon (you have to go with a Navajo Guide, it's tribal property). Here's a web site run by the Powell Museum in Page that lists all of the companies, tours, schedules, and prices.
<http://reservations.powellmuseum.org/CanyonTours.html>
Most tours give you 50 minutes in the canyon; we chose the Antelope Canyon Tours 2.5 hour photo tour, because it gave us a full two hours in the canyon, and lots of time to take photographs. It's more expensive, but was worth it to us.
The other reason we went to Page was to take the half day float trip on the Colorado River that goes from Page to Lee's Ferry (where the raft trips through the Grand Canyon leave from). That was the other highlight of our trip, it was really fun, and so beautiful! This is a smoothwater trip, so is very safe and not at all scary. Here's the website where you can find information about this:
http://www.canyon-country.com/lakepowell/rafting.htm
Other things to do in Page are: hike the short trail to the overlook of Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River - spectacular and breathtaking. Take a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam. Take a boat ride on Lake Powell - you can see info about that on the web site that has the rafting information. If we'd had more time there, we would have rented kayaks and gone kayaking on Lake Powell - maybe next time (a good reason to go back someday).
Enjoy your trip. Arizona is spectacular, and you'll have a great time.
Dec 18th, 2006, 03:20 PM
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Two good and distant locations for hotels are the Hotel at the Northern Arizona University http://home.nau.edu/hrm/theinn/ which has great, reasonable rooms in Flagstaff and the Cochise hotel in southern arizona http://www.cochisehotel.com/ which is a unique location close to many attractions in the south part of arizona. Also don't miss Karchner caverns close by.
Dec 18th, 2006, 05:52 PM
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Thanks again for all the info.
We just booked our flights tonight. We arrive in Phoenix April 30th at 9 PM so will be looking for a cheap room just away from the Airport noise and leave early the next morning to drive up to Grand Canyon area.Will be doing things North of Phoenix the first week and then South of Phoenix for the 2nd week and on the 13th fly from Tucson back to Halifax. I know this is sort of backwords from what MikePinTucson suggested but it is just the way it will work because of meeting up with others in the first week around GC,Hoover Dam etc.
Warren
We just booked our flights tonight. We arrive in Phoenix April 30th at 9 PM so will be looking for a cheap room just away from the Airport noise and leave early the next morning to drive up to Grand Canyon area.Will be doing things North of Phoenix the first week and then South of Phoenix for the 2nd week and on the 13th fly from Tucson back to Halifax. I know this is sort of backwords from what MikePinTucson suggested but it is just the way it will work because of meeting up with others in the first week around GC,Hoover Dam etc.
Warren
Dec 30th, 2006, 03:56 PM
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Since we are getting into Phoenix Airport at 20:47 on April 30th and just want a quiet cheap room for the first night, I see The Best Western Papago Inn in Scottsdale for $78.00/night and it is listed as 5 miles from the Phoenix Airport so should be quick and easy to get to. Does anyone have any comments on this place. On Expedia it is rated at 4.3 which I think is out of 5 so that is good.Still not sure whether we are going North of Phoenix for first week and South for 2nd week or the other way around.As MikePinTucson said south 1st and north 2nd would be the best so the GC would be a little warmer by the 2nd week.Waiting to see if and when my 2 daughters and there husbands may meet up with us. They would be flying down from western Canada to celebrate my 60th birthday with me .It is May 1st so the first day there.
Warren
Warren
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