My husband and I are visiting Phoenix in July for about 10 days. We are planning to do the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Jerome area, maybe a day trip to Tuscon and some shopping. Any suggestions on tours, must sees or hotels would be greatly appreciated. We are considering the Comfort Inn on Gold Dust Ave. in Scottsdale.

The Arizona Biltmore is a must for at least a one night stay. Frank Lloyd Wright protege designed and it has FLW all over the hotel. Stunning.

That Comfort Inn is a pretty nice location.......can I suggest that you eat b'fast/lunch at any of our fabulous resorts/hotels??? We always do those two meals at the really fabulous places, certainly less expensive food, but we get to experience the finer dining rooms, food and service and we have some winners in this area. Absolutely do Az. Biltmore, Camelback Inn, The Boulders, The Phoenician, Hermosa Inn, Royal Palms and numerous others. It doesn't matter where we visit, we stay in nice places, but put on the dog for b'fast and lunch at the most gorgeous places.

Phoenix in July? Even the natives run for the high country. Be prepared for temps over 100 and warm, 80-90 in the evening. You should be able to get a great rate at a variety of high end hotels.

Hi Calamity,

July is low season for PHX, so you should be able to find great hotels deals. It does get REALLY hot then, so most people limit outdoor activity during the heat of the day. For day trips out of PHX, I'd highly recommend the Grand Canyon - it's a 3-1/2 to 4 hour drive one way, so you could break up the trip with a stay in either Sedona or Flagstaff. In Sedona, it will also be hot but the elevation is about 5,500 feet, so not nearly as bad as PHX. I've taken guests on the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour (make reservations a few days ahead) to experience the red rock country beyond where cars can go. From PHX, it will take about 2 hours to drive to either Sedona or Flagstaff. Flagstaff is at 7,000 feet and very nice in summer, with a quaint downtown. If you are into shopping, then PHX will not disappoint. The Scottsdale Fashion Square has Nordstrom, Macy's and Nieman-Marcus as a few of its anchors. Further north up Scottsdale Road is Kierland Commons, an outdoor shopping area without big anchors but lots of upscale stores such as Crate & Barrel, JJill, Talbots, and such. Speaking of Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesin West is in Scottsdale and offers tours of the buildings and grounds. Oh, yes, for a leisurely way to go to/from the Grand Canyon, the historic Grand Canyon Railway makes a trip up and back from Williams. Their website is www.thetrain.com. Hope this helps!

Hello Calamity!
First I want to tell you that you're very brave for taking on the Phoenix heat in July.
As for suggestions:
Sedona is gorgeous. I would do a Jeep tour or a airplane tour. Slide Rock is a pretty big thing it's just a big rock you slide down into the river. Take a hike in Oak Creek Canyon it's just so beautiful. I would suggest going through Wickenburg into Jerome then into Sedona. When you reach Sedona keep going and then go into Flagstaff it's a big town but that's besides the point. There are several outdoor things to do there but it would take days to list them all, but driving around the San Francisco peaks is pretty cool. Also if you need a place to eat in Flagstaff there are many great restaurants. They are all kinda hole-in-the-wall looking but have the best food. The first is Granny's Closet a lot of people like it there. Another is hard to find and has little parking but everyone knows it for big breakfasts and great food, it's called Mike and Ronda's "The Place". Another is a Chinese Restaurant, it kinda looks like a barn and it's called China Garden. Don't let the building scare you because it is the best Chinese food and a great price they've been there since the 70's. Another great place if you like hamburgers and fries and onion rings is Bun Huggers. They have the best hamburgers ever. Don't let the building scare you because it is the best Chinese food and a great price. This is a college town so there are a lot of less expensive things to do . All these restaurants are on the main drag, if you come off of I-17 they are all about 5 miles in. I do suggest going into Williams and maybe get a hotel there. A train leaves from there and goes all the way into the Grand Canyon and then you pick another train back later in the day and go back. It's a great train ride and I highly recommend it. It's called the Grand Canyon railway if you want to search it. Hope this helps. If you're looking for scenic drives or something like that I would suggest www.arizonascenicroads.com Hope you enjoy your trip.
-Jenna

if you are going Tucson way, don't miss the Desert Museum it is wonderful. other posters above have covered a lot of ground.

No matter what the age, go to oak creek canyon between sedona and phoenix. stop at the dairy queen there and get american indian jewelry at the outside stands, better than the prices in scottsdale!

Sunset Crater on the way north to the canyon, also the little grand canyon on the way into the grand canyon. you should find these "things to do" listed in guide books with more detail. enjoy AZ

Thanks to everyone for all your great suggestions and advice. I'm a little scared by the constant mentioning of the heat. Has anyone stayed at the Comfort Inn on Gold Dust Ave.? We are looking for clean, comfortable, safe. It doesn't have to be 5 star but we don't want a dump. From the description and pictures on the website it looks like it may fit the bill and they certainly gave us a good rate. BUT, if anyone has another suggestion, we'd like to hear it.

My husband and I have visited Az in July many times and enjoyed it. Living in Fla wehre it is hot and humid most of the year, we enjoyed the dry heat in Az. We always took at tubing trip down the Salt River. The water is ice cold and so refreshing - is the most relaxing day for so little money! You park your car, they bus you to one of four points (ranges from 3hr - 7 hr trip) and when you get out of the river a bus takes you back to your car. Here is their web site: http://www.saltrivertubing.com/;

I sent the last posting by accident before I could correct typos and complete it. Sorry I am going in June this year and most likely will be staying at Inn Suites in Scottsdale (www.innsuites.com). I have read mixed results on Chapparal Suites but their web site pic looks good. The Tapatio Cliffs (Hilton) has some great rates - $89 for a suite. You'll enjoy Az in July - don't let the postings scare you away !

To flbronc: I was interested in the Inn Suites you mentioned and went to the website. They list locations in Tempe & Phoenix, but nothing in Scottsdales. Which location are you referring to? Have you stayed there before? Thanks.

Sorry ! I was incorrect - the Inn Suites are in Tempe and Phoenix - the Chapparal Suites is in Scottsdale. I have reservations at the location near the airport at Inn Suites. Sorry for the misinformation ! BTW, no, I have never stayed there - hoping what I have read and the pics do it justice.

Just back from AZ. Sedona is one tourist store after another. Lots of hotels on the main drag; I'd avoid. Try staying outside of town. (do a search for cabins)

The real reason to visit is the RED rocks. But it will be hot. Even short hikes are stunning. The jeep tours are an alternative to hiking in the heat.

I wish I'd taken a plane ride in Sedona instead of Grand Canyon, believe it or not!

Cool off at Slide Rock park, rte. 89A, with cabins down the road -but make sure they have air conditioning.

Museums- great on a hot day. Many around Phx (Pueblo Grande) & Flagstaff, and full of historical native american art.

Write the AZ tourist bureau & they will send you lots of info; specify what areas/interests.

Thanks, flbronc. Please let us know how you liked the hotel upon your return. Have a great trip!