On Friday we're off to AZ to celebrate my better half's 40th as well as our anniversary. We're greatful for all of the info we've gleaned from this board - wish we were visiting for a month so we could experience all that's been suggested. Unfortunately, we have 4 1/2 days but are trying to make the most of it - both relaxing and seeing the sights. Plans are below and, if anyone has any last minute suggestions, they're much appreciated:

Friday: Arrive PHX lunchtime. Pick up car at Budget fast break. Head to Doubletree Suites Paradise Valley. Relax by the pool during afternoon. Dinner at ____ (still waiting for a colleague to advise the name of a favorite restuarant on camelback - just in case, other restaurant suggestions appreciated)

Saturday: Up early to hike up Piestawa Peak (not too tough?), then on to Taliesin for the Summer Insights tour. Late lunch at Carolina's. Spend the afternoon relaxing (maybe shopping!). Drinks at the Biltmore, dinner at Lon's.

Sunday: Up early to head to GC. Plan to stop (not too long) at Montezuma Castle and Flagstaff for early lunch/some route 66 nostalgia. North on highway 89 to cameron, then West to South Rim, arriving mid afternoon. We're booked at Bright Angel, a fireplace cabin on the rim. Walk along the rim and watch the sunset. Dinner at Arizona Room.

Monday: Watch the sunrise! Hike a little ways down the Bright Angel Trail (1/2 hour down = hour back up). Breakfast at El Tovar hopefully - no reservations.

Any suggestions on best places to view Sunset/Sunrise most welcome!

Leave GC via route 64(?) toward Williams. Lunch in Williams, then over and south on 89A through Sedona/Red Rocks (not stopping though). Staying the night back in PHX at Hilton Tapatio. Tuesday, breakfast and early hike or relax - we fly out at lunch time.

Thanks again for any last minute tips. We're really looking forward to this!
E

Wow, you've planned a fun itinerary! I just spent 5 days in Arizona (8/30-9/3) seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time. Unfortunately there were controlled burns going on in the area while I was there. I didn't actually see the true shape of the Canyon till the morning I left because of all the smoke. They burn this time of year because the humidity is higher- less chance of the fire getting out of control.

I planned my trip at the last minute so my only lodging option was Maswik Lodge. I walked around and sat outside Bright Angel Lodge to watch a sunset one of the nights I was there. Great location to stay.

Because I'm a disabled person who can't drive anymore, I had to take the sunset and sunrise tours the park offers. I saw the sunset from Navajo Point on the east side. It's slightly higher in elevation than Lipan Point and Desert View areas. If you go to the Desert View area though, there's an observation tower you can climb up, as well as restrooms, a restaurant and a general store. I saw the sunrise from Yavapai Point, but I think Mather and Yaki Points would be good too. You'll have to take the Red Route Shuttle to any of those areas because you're not allowed to drive that road.

I have nothing good to say about the food they serve inside the park, but I didn't eat at the El Tovar. Maybe the quality's better there.

I spent my first day and last night in Flagstaff. I was disappointed by the Mexican restaurant, Kachina. Nothing special. But I had a nice lunch at Mountain Oasis before I left. My body appreciated healthy food after eating inside the park for 3 days.

Have a fun and safe trip!

Hi Elle,

I just returned from AZ on Sunday (trip report coming soon!). But to give some ideas:

Omaha steaks has a steakhouse in Phoenix. It was excellent. We had a great meal, and it was less expensive than a Morton's or similar.

Montezuma's Castle is very neat, and really only takes about 1/2 hour to see. If you have a national parks pass (which costs $50 a year), you get in free (although it's only $3 otherwise). I bought one, since GC costs $20 anyway and I live near Shenandoah National Park and visit several times a year.

The Grand Canyon is COLD at night. Bring warm clothes. As soon as the sun goes down, there is a dramatic drop in temperature from the 70s to the 30s. Phoenix, on the other hand, is still hot. Drink tons of water in both places, they are very dry. Even on your short hike in the canyon - bring more water than you think you'd need. The sun is quite strong during the day.

The shuttle buses will take you to Hopi Point for sunset. It is awesome and everyone goes there for the sunset. Don't be in a hurry to get back - there will be a line for buses getting back to the main village. Also, since everyone then goes to dinner, there is a 45 minute to an hour wait for dinner at either restaurant in Bright Angel if you go between about 7 and 8:30pm. But, there is a bar to get drinks while you are waiting.

The shuttle buses will also take you to the points for sunrise, they start running at 5:15am - the best is supposed to be Yaki Point, but I watched from Mather Point and it was beautiful too. You can also watch from Yavapai Point, it's about the same view at Mather. You can park for a little while at Mather, but I didn't because I followed watching the sunrise with a hike at Kaibab Trail, and you can't park at Mather for more than an hour.

Parking can be an issue. Since you are at Bright Angel, I suggest parking the car and using the shuttles to get around to other places. I stayed at Yavapai Lodge, so I usually drove to the Marketplace in the morning, parked, and left my car there all day.

Sedona is much cuter than Flagstaff. I'd suggest lunch in Sedona and not stopping in Flagstaff, but that could just be me.

Hope this helps, and have a great time!

Karen

As a long time phoneix resident, I like your itinerary. A few minor suggestions: For that one open dinner, try Barrio Cafe or Los Sombreros. Both hometown favorites with SW/Mexican type food you won't find anywhere else. This isn't gringo mexican, nor is it so hot that you remember nothing else but the burn. My preference would go to Los Sombreros for out of towners, also it's pretty close to your hotel. Trust me on this one, and you won't be sorry.
Re; lunch in Williams. Not much there, as far as I'm aware. Flagstaff, however, does have some decent restaurants and is a quaint town, if you can hold out that long. Re: The AZ Room at the Grand Canyon? I don't know it. If it's part of El Tovar Restaurant, wonderful. Stay away from the extra fancy preparations and stick with basics and you'll be pleased. Service is usually quite pleasant as well. However, the rest of the food at all restaurants at GC is mediocre at best, I'm sorry to say. Captive audience syndrome. At least it's not overly priced. Do have drinks at El Tovar bar before dinner. Enjoy.

Hello, Elle! My trip starts on Friday too, only to Boston. Have a nice one, and come back with a report!

As a resident of Flagstaff, I can recommend a couple of restaurants for your lunch here. Beaver Street Brewery (south of the tracks on Beaver St) is good, with a nice "historic" atmosphere. Pasto (Italian) downtown has noteworthy dishes, although I've dined only there for dinner, not lunch. Cafe Espress (also downtown) has an earthy menu and good food. The fish tacos at San Felipe's Cantina (downtown) are good but the service can be spotty.

The aspen trees in the mountains are at their peak right now, so your timing for driving around Northern Arizona is perfect - enjoy!

"We're booked at Bright Angel, a fireplace cabin on the rim." I do not see fireplace rooms listed on the Xanterra website - how do you book one of these rooms? Thanks, Doug