North vs. South in November
 

Planning a trip to Arizona in mid-November, flying into Phoenix, and trying to decide what to do for a week. We were here in February on the way to a conference in Palm Springs and just had time to drive up to Sedona, spend the night and then drive back. I would like to drive up to see the Grand Canyon this time but my husband is thinking it will be too cold and the driving could be tricky. We heard there might be icy road conditions. Would it be better to explore the Phoenix/Tucson area instead? I hate to get this close and miss the Grand Canyon again. I'm thinking maybe to just spend 1 or 2 nights up north and then spend the rest of the time in the warmer southern Arizona. I read an earlier post on Tucson and it looks interesting, and I thought a couple of "veg" days at a Scottsdale resort. Are there any must-sees in the Phoenix area? I saw on Amazing Race that the anchor for the Arizona is located in Phoenix as a memorial to those lost at Pearl Harbor. But not really familiar with anything else there. Are there any dinner theatre type places in Phoenix? We'll have a car so suburban theatre would be fine. Maybe I'm trying to cover too much in this post, but I've been struggling with the planning of this trip for some time and can't seem to come up with any answers. I just keep getting more questions.

The chances of a blizzard in November in N. AZ are remote. More likely than not it will be sunny and beautiful, crisp but certainly not cold by Midwestern or East Coast standards. In fact, in recent years entire winters have gone by with virtually no snow at all - much to the chagrin of Flagstaff Ski Resorts. Don't let the small chance of snow spoil your chances of seeing the G.C. Just be sensible, drive during the day and have a great time.

We've spent time at the Grand Canyon during Thanksgiving week for several years. When you visit in mid-November, snow and ice would be pretty unusual. When we've been there late in the month, the most we've seen is 1/2 inch of snow that fell overnight and was beautiful...and all gone by mid-morning.

Tucson is great if you want to spend sometime in warmer weather. sabino Canyon is opened now, as well as MT. Lemmon. In Tucson you can play in the sun and within in hour be on a mountain.

How cold does it get in Tuscon during Thanksgiving...too cold to swim outdoors...? Planning an anniversary trip and am hoping it's warm enough!

I have been to Tucson for Thanksgiving for the last two years and we have gotten nice swimming weather. You can't really know for sure, though.

Thanks! Another question...I assume Scottsdale is higher up and therefore, cooler than Tucson?

Tucson is actually cooler than Scottsdale because of the altitude. I assume that you mean north vs. south when you say higher up and it is confusing but you will find Tucson is generally cooler than the Phoenix area.

Thanks 'detraveler' ! Yes, I meant North / South but forgot about altitude!

One more thing - if I had to choose between Scottsdale and Tucson..which one would I go for? It's an anniversary trip...we want to be relxed, enjoy nature and venture out to some quaint areas or short hikes a few times. I have been to Tucson and its gorgeous...not seen much other than Mount Lemmon...but is Scottsdale like that?