AZ (Phoenix) trip question
 

Hi – I’m taking a trip to Arizona at the end of May (5/27 – 6/4). This is a retry from last year’s canceled trip - keeping fingers crossed that it is happening this year!

I will be in Phoenix from Thursday afternoon – Saturday noonish and then heading to Flagstaff for a rim-to-rim backpacking Grand Canyon trip. I’ll then be back in Phoenix the next Thursday afternoon and leaving Friday night on a 9 pm flight.

So although I don’t have a ton of time, 3 days in total, in Phoenix, and I won’t have a car, I am trying to ensure I see as much as possible. I do plan to bike while I am there – for instance, I already plan on biking to the Dessert Botanical gardens and zoo on the first Friday I’m there (unless I'm informed that's a really stupid idea?).

I'm looking for a list of "must see" things in Phoenix or close enough that I could either bike there or get a ride share. I will only have a few hours on 2 different days in Flagstaff, but will take suggestions on anything downtown I should see or amazing food choices (applies to both cities!).

I am traveling solo in case that has any bearings on ideas etc. Thanks for any suggestions. I have never been in the area - Massachusetts resident - and I am really looking forward to it!

Beth

No comments on Phoenix or Flagstaff, but a comment about R2R hike.

I'm assuming that you either

a) already have camping reservations below the rim, or
b) plan to do the rim to rim in a single day.

Solo implies you're meeting an organized group, which is good.

You definitely would need reservations at Phantom Ranch area/ Bright Angel camp. I'm not 100% sure if they are also needed for the halfway points on both N (Cottonwood) and S. (Indian Garden).

I had never considered b until I was there on a rafting trip and encountred a group traveling fast and light.
In early June the temps at the bottom of the canyon will be horrid, so I don't think that's the time of year for a one day rim to rim...
If I get back in trail running shape I'll put b back on my bucket list.

You'd want to start your trek out before sunlight to beat the heat as you climb.

As for biking, even on days that it is hotter than Hades, an early morning ride could be great. As long as you are off the trail/out of the sun by no later than 10 or 11am you should be ok. If you do bike alone (which I've done many times, even though not best practice....) be sure to give someone you trust your detailed itinerary and agree on a return-safe check in plan...

I'm dashing out so only one very quick comment (there are several Fodorites who can provide great AZ info/advice) . . . But do have Plan B's in mind for the days you want to bike ride. Late May /Early June can be OK in Phoenix - but it can also be hotter that Hades.

. . . was posting the same time as J62

Hi J62 - I am meeting a group and it is a guided 4 day r2r hike so they have handled all the arrangements. I do realize the bottom will be hot! Date wise it was not my first choice - I wanted earlier, but had to go with my work schedule and when they received permitting. As to biking, this more of a getting around, seeing thing locally, not trail riding. Again, I do know it will be hot, but I'm not looking at more than a few miles at a time without a break to see something and I will look for alternate transportation if the weather is just too disgusting :)
Thanks!
Beth

Hi Janisj - Absolutely! I am only using the biking as local transportation to see close things so won't be riding super far, and if it's ridiculously hot I can look for alternate transportation too! :)
Beth

Sounds fantastic. GC is a magical place, espcially well below the rim.

The two best places I found in Flagstaff are The Riordan Mansion State Park (tours start on the hour) and the Lowell Observatory on Mars Hill. I saw Percival Lowell's mausoleum near on of the telescopes that he used. In the library, I saw a mounted tire from one of the space shuttles.

Phoenix area:
The Heard Museum of American Indian Art is very special.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesen West.
Musical Instrument Museum
Desert Botanical Garden
It will be very hot, too hot for me to consider biking.
Right now is the best time for outdoor activities in Phoenix area.

Since you are from MA and are used to bilking at less than 2000 feet elevation, remember that Flagstaff is about 7000 feet elevation which may cause you some distress riding a bike. My wife and I stayed at a big motel along the old Rt. 66 in Flagstaff and made day trips from there including the Grand Canyon and Sedona in Nov. 2019.

I've done three R2R trips in mid-May and it was even stifling hot then. I'm glad you're going with an organized tour. You want back up just in case.

You don‘t say where you will be staying in Phoenix. There is a bike path that goes by the DBG.

tomfuller - I'll look into those for Flagstaff, thank you. I only have a few hours of free time the days I'm there though. I definitely need to keep the elevation in mind regarding any biking! I really only plan to use it for a point A to point B trips. Nothing long. I just won't have a car.



HappyTrvlr - I had the Heard Museum and the Desert Botanical Garden on the list and I'll look at the others. I know it's going to be extremely hot but I didn't have a lot of choice in the timing. Thanks!


Podie - I am a little worried about the heat in the canyon, but I just didn't have a choice on the timing. I would never do a trip like that without a guide. I don't trust myself!



bigtyke - I'm staying on E Jefferson street downtown. Thanks for the heads up on the bike path!

Not that far to the Arizona Biltmore for a drink on the patio. They are COVID-closed now but should be open for your trip. Not sure I would be biking there, maybe a taxi/Uber would be better. It's fancy