Going to fly to Phoenix the end of Sept and first of Oct for 5 days. Taking European friends that have never seen the American west nor experienced the desert. What would you do for 5 days? They really like the outdoors and country side, although they don't totally shy away from the city. Also, we must hit the Canyon. They have mentioned seeing Vegas. Is it too much to do? Any recommendations on lodging or unique restaurants? Do we really need hotel reservations in advance for that time of year (except maybe at the Canyon)? All suggestions appreciated!!

Lower elevations in Arizona will still be hot that time of year. Of the various places I think are fun to visit I rank Canyon de Chelly National Monument up the list as well as Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona.
Then there is the Petrified Forest National Park and The Painted Desert and the Meteor Crater in the eastern part of the state.
If you get a good map, you will notice that there are National Monuments scattered all over the state. Places like Sunset Crater come to mind. Also, in the northeast, there is Monument Valley. There is a lot to see.

A fabulous place to stay, just outside Phoenix, is The Boulders in Carefree. A series of casitas are built at the base of--appropriately--some huge rock formations. It's all very southwestern in style and the pool area has a wonderful view of a waterfall coming down a sheer rock face. Oak Creek Canyon is wonderful--and Auberge de Sedona has little cottages built right on the banks of a creek. Canyon de Chelly has a Navajo-owned and operated motel next to the Canyon, the Thunderbird Lodge, that has some pleasant new rooms. Go to AAA and get their map entitled Indian Country for a very detailed map of the reservation area. If you go to Canyon de Chelly, be sure and stop at the Ganado trading post which is an interesting historic site still in operation. Monument Valley has a good place to stay, Golding's Lodge, that has incredible views of the valley. If you do go, be sure and book soon as all of these places are fairly small.

I would give Phoenix and surrounding areas at least two of your five days. There are so many centrally-located motels/hotels/resorts, it would really depend on how much you want to spend or if you have a special location you'd prefer. Many of the chain hotels would probably not require reservations, but then, maybe you'd like reservations so you don't have to spend looking for accomodations. I, personally, like the Embassy Suites Biltmore...a great location for getting around Phoenix and Scottsdale and loads of restaurants within easy walking distance...it is also very close to several hiking areas if you and your friends walk to do some hiking or walking. I would then head north on I-17 with a stop at Montezuma's Castle and on up to Flagstaff for lunch and on to the Canyon You should have reservations at the canyon..I would only stay rim-side..Call either the Bright Angel Lodge or El Tovar Hotel and ask for rim-side reservations at Thunderbird Lodge. When you head back south again, I would stay overnight in Sedona, many motels/hotels there...we usually stay at Poco Diablo. When you head back into Phoenix, be sure you go from Sedona to Jerome and see the museum and walk around the town...it is an old mining town...was pretty much a ghost town till the 60s. I would highly recommend Monument Valley, my favorite area, if you can squeeze in the time and, as Kathy says, Gouldings is the place to stay there with reservations probably necessary. If you need phone numbers for any of the accomodations, let me know. It will surely be a very busy five days.

Five days in Arizona is a tease. So, don't try to cover everything, because you can't. The previous posters have made some good suggestions. However, if it's only for five days,I recommend one of two itineraries:
1. Just cover the Phoenix to Grand Canyon route, spending a day or two in Phoenix, then driving north to Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon and on to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. (From there, you've got to leave a day to get back to Phoenix for your departure, I assume.)
2. Leave Phoenix immediately (the rest of the state is much prettier!), heading north to and through Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, then on to Grand Canyon. From there, head west to at least see Monument Valley (it's my favorite too). Stay at Goulding's Lodge and get up early enough to see the sun rise over the monuments. Magnificent, beyond description. Then, if there's time, go to Canyon de Chelley. Altogether, this makes for a hectic pace, but what sights!

I used to live in Phoenix. First, I disagree with the poster that said to leave Phoenix immediately. The desert in and around Phoenix is one of the most scenic parts of the Arizona desert. However do NOT try to do too much. Visiting Las Vegas would be too much to do in 5 days. Make that another trip. I am a frequent visitor to Las Vegas and I love it. However you would not be able to do justice to either Arizona or Las Vegas if you tried to do both.

The others suggestions are pretty good. The weather should be pretty decent at that time. It could be a little warm in the Phoenix area for you and/or your friends. I love that time of the year but I am used to warm weather.

I recommend an alternative route out of Phoenix going north. Instead of going straight up the freeway, consider going via Carefree. You travel north out of Scottsdale to Carefree and then continue north through Pine, etc. This way will swing west and meet up with the main freeway north. It is a very scenic way to go.

I didn't mean to dis Phoenix. It's just that IMO, there are other parts of the state that are higher on my list of must sees, and those are the ones suggested. As nice as some of the sites are in Phoenix, with only five days to visit Arizona, I'd head north and east!

Everyone has good ideas...but the only problem is the time involved.
Once you fly into Phoenix you'll be in a big city; if you decide to spend a day I like the idea of the Embassy Suites in the Biltmore area. The area is in midtown; suggestions would include hiking up Squaw Peak or around the Squaw Peak area; or going to the Heard Museum which is the most outstanding Native American museum in existence. The Boulders Resort, mentioned above is gorgeous AND Pricy.
Another thing to do would be to take a drive North on Scottsdale road into North Scottsdale. Although it is being built up quickly, you'll still be driving through beautiful desert. You'll come across an 1880's themed western town, "Rawhide" which your visitors might like. There's a western steakhouse in the town and they also have facilities for a hay ride out to a camp site where steaks are cooked and eaten around a campfire etc. I assume the hotel would have lots of infoon these things. assuming you're going north, I would take I 17 north (the scenic route mentioned above is very pretty, but it depends on the time you have. Actually I 17 north from Phoenix is pretty scenic in my opinion. You would want to go to Sedona (exit 178). Again there is a wide choice of motels/hotels. If money is not a problem, the Enchantment resort in Boynton canyon is beautiful. Even if you don't stay there, consider going there as there is a nice hiking trail right at the entrance which leads to some ruins. (relatively easy to moderate hike...not long). Drive up 89A through Oak Creek Canyon; beautiful canyon drive; there are places to stop and walk along the creek bed (especially near the top). From there head toward Flagstaff and on to the Grand Canyon. The suggestions above about hotel rooms are right; but you'll need to book early ( which will require some serious planning!) As you can see you are already at least 3 days into the trip and you'll need time (5-8 hours) to get back to Phx. The suggestions of Monument Valley and Canyon de chelly are good but probably will require you to pick and choose among the various options. If you want to drive around for most of the time you can probably do it; if you want more time at each place and a more leisurely pace you will need to exclude things.
Good dining in Sedona includes L'Auberge; expensive but much more reasonable for lunch. It is a french restaurant at creekside. There are good southwest cuisine restaurants in Phx. ask at the hotel. Downtown FLagstaff has a funky atmosphere with a few good restaurants (Flagstaff is also a College town).
Enjoy your trip.

We went to AZ last year. Flew into Vegas to get a cheaperr airfare, then drove to Flagstaff, staying 7 days. That is a good base for seeing most of the north and eastern sites. Of course, we drove about 500 miles per day, but we saw ALOT. Remember the desert is very hot and dry. Take plenty of water with you in the car. There were times when we were running out, and there are not any stores along the way in many parts.
My favorites are Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, and Oak Creek Canyon leading down into Sedona. Didn't think to much of Meteor Crator, Petrified Forrest, Jerome or the Indian Reservations.
Note: when we got back to KY I wanted to kiss the green grass!