xxx

Which book would you suggest for great ideas, suggestions for planning a trip to Arizona, New Mexico,Utah and possibly Los Vegas. I am searching for info for the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas including, rafting, hiking and a dam (Hoover/?) tour.

I know for Disney the best book would be the Unofficial Guide to Disney or Baumburn (sp)

Any suggestions?

RB

Highly recommend "Scenic Driving Utah" by Joe Bensen, published by Falcon Publishing. Excellent drives mapped in book that give a great feel for this beautiful state. Also "National Geographic Driving Guide to America Southwest" by Mark Miller, et al., published by National Geographic Society. This book would be helpful in planning your overall trip.

TC

Don't know if its still in print, but we loved "Travel Arizona, Full color tours of the Grand Canyon State" by Arizona Highways Books. ISBN # 0-916179-03-6 It is driving trips of 1-3 days duration from Phoenix. Great color photos and excellent trip planning. Let me know if you find it.

Tara

Hi xxx,
The following books are recommended reading for planning a trip out west:
1) Lonely Planet Southwest by Rob Rachowiecki
2) Frommer's Arizona
3) Frommer's Utah
Also, if you are a AAA member, you can get Tour Books that are good. AAA also supplies you with maps, not to mention the discounts that are available.
I'm going out west with my family next June. These sources have all been excellent in helping us plan our route.
This fodors.com site has been great with tips and information from people also. Have fun with your planning.

Sandy

Last month I began planning my fall hiking trips in AZ/UT. I skimmed through all the travel books at Border's Books and Barnes & Nobel and settled on a book published by Fodor's/Compass American Guides called "Utah" by Tom and Gayen Wharton. Rather than simply running through the obligatory sights/accommodations/restaurants, it provides interesting information on the history and geology of Utah. It also contains beautiful color photos. Accommodations, etc., are listed in the appendix. I love this book! Another wonderful book full of color pictures and historical and practical information about towns is The Smithsonian Guide to Historic America--The Desert States. Finally, another interesting book is Journey to the High Southwest, A Traveler's Guide, by Robert L. Casey. No pictures, but a detailed account of traveling the various roads throughout N.Mex, AZ, CO and UT.

Once I decided where I wanted to go, I used the internet to locate accommodation.

As for the Grand Canyon, a few of the internet sites I found were more useful than the guidebooks. Just use a search engine and have at it. I may have saved one of the better sites in my "favorites" folder; let me know if you want it.

J T Kirk

If it's still in print get Arizona, Utah & Colordao, A Toruing Guide by Larry Ludmer. No photos, but he tells you the best way routes to take and describes the sights along the way. Also, National Geographic has a great series of books out, one of which is The American Southwest. Filled with photos and a good commentary, but nothing on touristy things such as hotels and restaurants. There's another book that I've always used, I think it's called The High Desert, and it covers the four corner area. Very good detail in this book, very thoroughly researched. Unfortunately, I can't remember the exact title or author's name. It's a thick, paperback book that is larger than most travel books.

lisa

I used Frommer's Arizona with great success for my trip to the Grand Canyon and Sedona last year.

judith

My can't-do-without-it book is "Southwest USA, the Rough Guide", paperback, by Greg Ward. I have used it for my 3-week tours of the southwest for the last 3 years. Very down to earth and informative. Tells you where to go, where not to go, where to stay and eat. Also thumbnail sketches of every city, little town and four corners, etc. I use it to plan my trips. Two other authors are Tony Hillerman and Edward Abbey (Desert Solitaire). Marvelous history of the Indian Country and southern Utah.

Rafting, biking, Moab. Hiking, Zion. Waste of time, Las Vegas.

marj

I'm looking for similar. We'll be flying into Vegas, and driving from there, leaving from Phoenix. WOuld like to go to Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Sedona, Phoenix and Tucson. I'm interested in the scenic routes in between cities and where interesting places to stop may be along the way. Which book is best for this? We'll be traveling in March. I already have the AAA material. Thanks.

travellyn

I aso like Journey to the High Southwest. Very interesting and informative with some off-the-beaten- track kind of material. I used the book to visit the area 13 years ago, and now I live here!

Sukie

We were very happy with the Hidden Southwest book. Some great, off-the-beaten path suggestions, and fun to read.