Phoenix area must sees
 

Hi again,
We are a small group coming to Phoenix (Hyatt Regency) for a conference in April. What are some things or places you would consider a "must see" or a "must do"? We won't necessarily all be going together, sometimes 2-3 other times 5-6. A friend suggested a trip to the Superstitions? Is that something that is doable? Also the Painted Desert? I'm not even sure those places are near where we are, so any help would be appreciated. Also how much time would it take to visit these places? Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

How much time will you have? If just a couple of hours you could visit Casa Grande, although IMO it is not as impressive as other sites. In Phoenix is the Herd Museum which has lots of interesting displays. In Scottsdale there is Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West. If a bit longer you could drive up to Montezuma's Castle, an interesting ancient Native America site about an hour and a half north of Phoenix. Beyond that is Sedona and Oak Creek canyon. And a couple hours north of there is Grand Canyon, the ultimate "must see" for all humans. While you're up in the Flagstaff area, just east is Walnut Canyon, great place to hike around ancient cliff dwellings. Painted desert/petrified forest is about 100 miles east of Flagstaff, that would be an overnight from Phoenix. Grand Canyon is doable in one long day, leave early in the morning, drive up 17 to 89 and west on 64, stop at the overlooks, stop at Bright Angel Lodge, hike along the rim trail or Bright Angel trail for an hour or two and head back to Phoenix via, 64 to 40 to 17 or 64 to 180 to 17.

Be sure and link to previous threads on Phoenix activities. Several are extensive and provide good guidance.

We'll probably have only 2 hours in between things we have to do for the conference, which isn't a lot, I know. I have heard there is a light rail there? Does it go to many places, and is it convenient to use? Thanks!

The light rail doesn't go many places. with 2 hours between times, i think the Heard Museum is your best bet. There are also various places near the capitol - the capitol building, the mining and mineral museum. Drive up South Moutain

Things we liked:
Taliesen West
Heard Museum,
Desert Botanical Gardens
History Museum

Two hours between things you have to do for the conference is total time, including getting somewhere? By the time you leave the hotel and get somewhere, and leave that place to get back in time, you'll likely have an hour at most. Me, I'd be sitting at the pool.

Me, I'd be sitting at the pool.

sf, That's probably a good idea! We might have a bit more time, depending on how the conference is going, but I just don't know.

Abram, those sound like good ideas too, I'll check them out on line and see if we can swing any of them.

Bigtyke, what's up South Mountain?

Thanks everyone!

Just a good view of the city and a ride thru the desert

It really does depend upon you and your personal interests. Here's my "must do's"

Taliesen West is well worth the time and money. It's open at night on Thursdays (? check it out on the website) It's in Scottsdale, not far from Phoenix but Phoenix is a huge sprawling city. That's the first thing you should know. We went to AAA to get a map. East or West?

IMO, the Phoenix Museum of Art shouldn't be missed.

If your interested in architecture Paolo Soleri's Arcosanti isn't far out of town, Closer to Phoenix is Cosanti.

There's a Chihuly glass art exhibit at the Desert Botanical Gardens that might be of interest.

Unfortunately the Phoenix area is very spread out (think LA) The sites I can think of that would be delightful in April (Botanical Gardens, or the Zoo) would be not doable. I'd check out the Heard for sure, and the Orpheum theatre (an art deco theatre that was restored to its original, has tours), and the Phx Art Musuem (this last also has a decent cafe)

I'd second a drive up South Moutain, it really is a nice view

"spread out" is the understatement of the year :). I went to AAA to pick up a map and received 2 in the smallest font possible. And of course, the place we wanted to go was right on the edge of the maps.

Is the Orpheum theater downtown near the library and the Phx Art Museum? I began planning my next visit to Phoenix on the way home from the first.

Whats in Casa Grande??

There is nothing in Casa Grande. Casa Grande national Monument is, as its name says, a big (pre-columbian) house. It is in ruins with a shelter over it to prevent further erosion. It is not in Casa Grande, but in nearby Coolidge