Day on My Own in Phoenix Area
 

Visiting my wife's friend in Phoenix for a few days and may have a day on my own during girl's day.

Any ideas of outdoor sights of interest in the area?

Desert Botanical Garden is nice
http://www.dbg.org/

Thanks. I'll look at that.

I'm not sure why but I keep picturing something like Valley of Fire or a wildlife Sanctuary.

Second vote for the Botanical Garden...Also the Heard Museum and South Mountain Park.

In Scottlsdale, Taliesin West (Frank Lloyd Wright).

You could make a day or even two days a drive to Tucson. Arizona Sonoran Museum(really more like a zoo). I haven't been there but it is high on my list. Sabino Canyon is supposed to have good hiking. We are planning on going next year(2014)towards the last of March.

South Mountain Park is great. I love the Hidden Valley loop there.

If you really want to make a full day of it, drive the scenic Apache Trail. http://byways.org/explore/byways/2058

You'll pass by Lost Dutchman State Park, Tonto National Monument and Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park (among other things). All are worth a stop.

Tagging along...

We're also going to have a free day (until about 6 p.m.) in the Phoenix area. Is the Apache Trail doable in a regular rental car or does it require a 4WD? Is it scary?

We did the Apache Trail- I was happy to not be doing the driving but I did see all kinds of vehicles on the road- not just 4WD. The drive to Tortilla Flat is windy but not difficult so maybe just go that far? There is a restaurant there so stop for lunch ( restaurant is unique with $1 bills stapled all over the walls) or drive to Canyon Lake and take the boat cruise of the lake- there is also a restaurant at the marina with lake views. You reach Canyon Lake before Tortilla Flat.

We went past Roosevelt Dam to some cliff dwellings which were interesting

I second Heard Museum, Frank Lloyd Wright House, Lost Dutchman for some easy hiking.

4WD is not at all necessary. I've heard various warnings and don't really understand why - to me it's just a gravel/dirt road with some hills/curves. There is one steep section that seems to freak out people but it wasn't a big deal to me, certainly not something you need 4WD for. I've taken a rental car (compact) twice.