mid-April Arizona itinerary
 

First time visit to Arizona from the east coast! Here is our itinerary for hiking,shopping &amp; relaxation. Thoughts?<BR><BR>Day 1 Sunburst Resort in Scottsdale, go to<BR>Diamond-Back game.<BR><BR>Days 2,3 Drive to the Grand Canyon and stay at the El Tovar.<BR><BR>Days 4,5,6,7 Drive to Sedona and stay at the Enchantment Resort. Casita Junior Suite Getaway package. QUESTION: Is the drive to Sedona via Oak Creek Canyon a white knuckle<BR>drive? If so, is there another route from the Grand Canyon?<BR><BR>Days 8,9 Back to Scottsdale for a stay at the Royal Palms. QUESTION: What your your recommendations for best shopping malls/plaza<BR>and casual dining? Thank you!<BR>

Oak Creek is not a white knuckle drive. You'll be fine. Regarding the restaurant and shopping information, I can't improve on what has already been given in depth on this forum. Do a search and you'll find tons of information.<BR><BR>Otherwise your itinerary sounds fine.<BR><BR>Have fun.

The drive through Oak Creek Canyon is nto to be missed, and it isn't difficult at all. Do ty to stop at the scenic view at the top (I beleive it's a state park), b/c apart from the view, Native American crafts are sometimes sold up there by park service-approved vendors.

No problem driving thru odak creek.<BR><BR>Staying at the Royal Palms, I would recommend shopping at downtown Scottsdale and 5th Ave shops and Fashion Square Mall. Could also shop at the Biltmore shops. Both are easy drives along Camelback Rd from the Royal Palms

Your itinerary sounds great! For fun shopping, go to the Borgata in Scottsdale and the Biltmore Fashion Park in Phoenix. Both have fun farmer's markets on Friday afternoons. Walking around Old Scottsdale can be fun too. Check out Cowboy Ciao's for lunch or dinner (very yummy!) Dinner at T. Cook's at Royal Palms is a must....make reservations now.

The Oak Creek drive is not a white knuckler, but the Sedona Snebley trail was, without a doubt, the scariest 4,000 ft. dropoff no guardrail dirt road I've ever experienced (although the views were tremendous)! I don't think it's been developed in any way since she first took her wagon through the pass!<BR><BR>Just got back from a stay at the Royal Palms -- pure luxury and romance. Same goes for Enchantment Resort. You'll have a great time. And just ask the concierge at either resort for shopping/dining recommendations. They're excellent.

wagsdvm.....the Sedona Snebley trail sounds exactly what I want to avoid. Do I need to travel this road when exploring the town and surrounding area?<BR>Thanks.

Wow Tom, We may be following you! When are you going? Here is our itinerary, we arrive Friday April 11th:<BR><BR>Day 1 Arrive at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs (we have kids who love water slides) relax at pool<BR><BR>Day 2 Drive to Sedona - Hike, still haven't booked Sedona hotel, stay in Sedona. Would love Enchantment but it's over the budget.<BR><BR>Day 3,4 Drive to Grand Canyon, have El Tovar booked for first night, couldn't get it for second night so are moving to Kachina unless a room at El Tovar opens up. Have mule ride booked for 4 of us.<BR><BR>Day 5 Drive to Page, do raft trip or rent powerboat, Stay at Wahweap Lodge.<BR><BR>Day 6,7 back to Scottsdale at the Arizona Biltmore for R&amp;R.<BR><BR>So we are at El Tovar the 13th and (hopefully) the 14th. Will we run into you?<BR>

Hi Nina....We will be starting on April 11 as well! The 12th &amp; 13th will be at the Grand Canyon...we can't wait! Have fun!

TomThumb -- no you don't have to take the Sedona Schenbly trail to get around Sedona. It's just an alternative to Oak Creek on the drive down from Flagstaff.