Phoenix
 

Trying to book a trip to Phoenix for a baseball game, but the websites keep directing us to Scottsdale or Tempe. A few questions:
Is there public transportation from those 2 cities to Phx?
Why aren't there more accomodations in Phx?
Recommendations for what else to do over a long weekend in May in that area?

Thanks!

Are you going to a Diamondbacks game or to a spring training game? The Diamondbacks stadium is actually in Phoenix, but the spring training stadiums are not - they're in Scottsdale, Mesa, etc.

Most of the great resort hotels are in Scottsdale.

Sorry, I just reread and see that you're going in May, so obviously that's not spring training.

There are plenty of hotels in Phoenix -- did you look at hotels.com? Go to hotels.com, click on Phoenix, AZ, and "city center".

There are some great restaurants near the Diamondbacks Stadium - Pizzeria Bianco and Nobuo are just 2.

http://www.pizzeriabianco.com/
http://nobuofukuda.com/
http://www.theroseandcrownaz.com/

A little more out of the way, there's a really nice Mexican (but not your standard enchiladas and tacos) restaurant:

http://barriocafe.com/barriocafe.html

by "nice", I mean very good food for a very reasonable price in a "cafe" (casual) atmosphere

<b>websites keep directing us to Scottsdale or Tempe. A few questions:
Is there public transportation from those 2 cities to Phx?</b>

Majority of tourists get a rental car since public transportation is lacking, but it's possible to get a hotel near the light rail system and use that to travel to the stadium. Here's the LR map ... http://raillife.com/light-rail-info/...ight-rail-map/ If light rail access is important to you then make sure you discuss it with a hotel before reserving.

<b>Why aren't there more accomodations in Phx?</b>

There are plenty, not sure why you aren't seeing them. Try Priceline and use the "hotel near" function and enter an address near where you want to stay, ie, downtown near the stadium (which is actually a somewhat boring area to stay, but there are convention-type hotels) ... most of the better, more relaxed resorts are on the periphery of Phoenix or in places like Scottsdale, but light rail doesn't serve many of these areas.

Some OK resorts in Tempe near the ASU campus that aren't far from downtown PHX and are likely near the light rail. Tempe would be a nicer place to stay than downtown Phoenix.

I agree with Bill_H that if you want to use ligth rail that Tempe is a good choice. There are also hotels downtown that you could use the light rail. Possibly some on the western end of the rail, but I'm not sre.

Don't even think about using the bus system!

Thank you everyone for your responses. Can anyone recommend a hotel that is: near the light rail system, has a good pool, and hiking? Sounds like Tempe is OK.
Thank you in advance!

<b>Can anyone recommend a hotel that is: near the light rail system, has a good pool, and hiking? Sounds like Tempe is OK.</b>

My first choice would probably be Tempe Mission Palms, which is real close to a light rail stop. Hiking paths alongside nearby Tempe Town lake. Not far from Arizona State University.

http://www.missionpalms.com/

In the Phoenix area, we liked:
Heard Museum
Taliesen West
Desert Botanical Garden

Heard Museum and Desert Botanical Garden (with a short walk) are doable with the light rail - Taliesen would not be - even by bus would be nearly impossible