citiboy50

We arrive in Pheonix on April 7th and depart April 18th-11 nights. My proposed itinerary is 3 nts tucson.3 sedona, 2 Grand Canyon-South rim, and 3 in Scottsdale.. We enjoy moderate hikes and relaxing in beautiful settings. Any suggestions? Thanks.

boom_boom

Many good day hikes in the red rock county of Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. I'm sure if you search this site you'll find lots of specifics for all your areas.

Uma

If you have the chance, have lunch at Enchantment Resort in Boynton Canyon (in Sedona). It's worth the very short drive just to see the stunning red rock views surrounding the resort. You will need to make a reservation for lunch to get into the resort if you aren't staying there. Get a table outdoors at either of their two restaurants. There is also hiking in that area. We like the food at Heartline Cafe in Sedona. You can also have lunch at the creekside restaurant at L'Auberge de Sedona. Check out Airport Road vortex. Drive up Oak Creek Canyon. Explore Sabino Canyon in Tucson. If you are at all interested, would recommend
The Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum, Musical Instrument Museum and Taliesen West(Frank Lloyd Wright)
in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.

bigtyke

Hike Sabino Canyon in Tucson

citiboy50

Your suggestions sound exciting. We were thinking of staying at Enchantment, Sky Ranch or Briar Patch B and B in Sedona. In Tuscon, we are looking at Hacienda del sol or the Best Western Arroyo Roble. Any thoughts? Where would you stay at the Grand Canyon?

DebitNM

In Scottsdale, The Royal Palms is amazing! Smaller just over 100 rooms] and top of the line luxury without attitude.

https://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/RoyalPalms

http://www.royalpalmshotel.com/

In Tucson, Marriott Starr Pass
http://www.jwmarriottstarrpass.com/

In Phoenix:
Heard Museum
Desert Botanical Garden

http://www.dbg.org/
http://www.heard.org/

The Musical Instruments Museum [the MIM]; The Phoenix Art Museum are 2 things we just did and we really like each one; we spent over 4 hours at the MIM and could have stayed longer. Lots of interactive stuff at the MIM. Art Museum is pretty cool as well.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesen West is wonderful place to visit. {read Nancy Moran's book, "Loving Frank" first to really appreciate it}

DebitNM

In Scottsdale, The Royal Palms is amazing! Smaller just over 100 rooms] and top of the line luxury without attitude.

https://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/RoyalPalms

http://www.royalpalmshotel.com/

In Tucson, Marriott Starr Pass
http://www.jwmarriottstarrpass.com/

In Phoenix:
Heard Museum
Desert Botanical Garden

http://www.dbg.org/
http://www.heard.org/

The Musical Instruments Museum [the MIM]; The Phoenix Art Museum are 2 things we just did and we really like each one; we spent over 4 hours at the MIM and could have stayed longer. Lots of interactive stuff at the MIM. Art Museum is pretty cool as well.

http://www.themim.org/

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesen West is wonderful place to visit. {read Nancy Moran's book, "Loving Frank" first to really appreciate it}

http://www.franklloydwright.org/fllw...104/Tours.html

Uma

Stay at Enchantment in Sedona if you can. We like Loew's Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson. We've stayed at El Tovar at the Grand Canyon; wonderful location there.
Royal Palms is nice in Scottsdale, as others have mentioned.

bellhouse

Any kids with you? Sliding Rock in Oak Creek Canyon area was a blast!

tuscanlifeedit

We also enjoyed Slide Rock, and really loved Oak Creek Canyon.

In Phoenix, our best day out was driving the Apache Trail. I seldom see this mentioned, but I originally read about it on Fodor's destinations on this website. We loved it, and stopped so many times that we ended up loosing the light before we saw all that we had planned.

DebitNM

We have done Apache Trail, all the way to Roosevelt Dam. After Apache Junction, the road gets kind of tricky and not sure everyone would be comfortable on it [ narrow, twisty, curvy, single lane areas]. Just know before you go.

https://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/ApacheTrail

DebitNM

Sorry, it wasn't the section after Apache Junction - it was after Tortilla Flats, heading to the Roosevelt Damn.

http://phoenix.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi...s/routemap.gif

DebitNM

duh, it's Tortilla Flat - no S on the end. Still wishing for edit function.

MikePinTucson

Citiboy50, the Best Western Arroyo Roble is in Sedona. Hacienda del Sol is a great choice for Tucson. Starr Pass is wonderful, I am sure, but it is not near anything.

For other things to see and do around Tucson, check my list:

http://www.mikepintucson.blogspot.com/

DebitNM

We liked that Starr Pass is a bit removed, great sunsets and tequila toasts on the patio. It is really a short hop back to the main areas of Tucson by car.

slknova

In Tucson - Hacienda del Sol is a good choice and I also like the Westin La Paloma. Not a big fan of the JW Marriott at Starr Pass; the grounds around La Paloma and Hacienda del Sol far surpass the Marriott. They're also in a better part of town and close to a lot of great restaurants and a short drive to Sabino Canyon. Enjoy your trip!

HappyTrvlr

Tucson: Hacienda del Sol is lovely.. You'll be isolated if you stay way out at Starr Pass. If you can't get into Hacienda de Sol look at Westin La Paloma, Loew's Ventana, Westward Look. Don't stay at any of the Best Westerns in Tucson as they're not in great locations.

chs29445

Be aware of the possible Gov't shutdown that will affect the National Parks. Deadline April 8. Hope it doesn't come to that - for vacation and job purposes- as planning to be at G.C. on 7th-9th.

razzledazzle

In Tucson, do not miss a visit to the
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
http://www.desertmuseum.org/
and definitly some hiking out in Sabino Canyon.

The Starr Pass Marriot is too far out from anything.
Ventana Canyon would be my pick.

I think it's a bit late for reservations on the
South Rim if you are going in 2011. Think you need to
make that your first priority.

R5

DebitNM

We like solitude, what can I say? And the free tequila at sunset doesn't hurt