Will be traveling from Boston to Phoenix mid-February...have no choice of time or hotel....would love some advice and/or opinions....am staying at the Hilton in Mesa...good, bad or ugly? Can we walk to anything worth seeing....should we rent a car for a day or two...and if we do what is to see and where should we go for a day trip? Suggestions for restaurants in the evening ... will be there for five days ... weather in mid-February? Are the restaurants casual? Shopping...Sites...what shouldn't we miss? Any and all help will be much...much...appreciated....Thank you!

Don't expect culture, class or a big desire to go back to Phoenix anytime soon. Yse, it's a casual town. Lots of strip malls, not much for unique shopping or unique anything else.

HELP!

Hilton in Mesa: very generic, may as well be the Hampton Inn in Anytown, USA.
Not close to anything.
I'm not trying to be negative here, just very honest.
If you want to do ANYTHING worthwhile in PHX, you will need a car.
Best shopping is: Biltmore at Camelback and 24th St; Scottsdale Fashion at Camelback and Scottsdale Rd; Borgata and other assorted places as you go north on Scottsdale Rd.
Weather will be high 60's on average.
Everything is casual except the most expensive (very few) restaurants.

The Hilton in Mesa is nice on the inside, but it is not in a great location for a tourist. It's across the street from a mall, but that mall is nothing special. But, as you said, you have no choice of hotel so just make the most of it - sleep there and be SURE to rent a car so you can enjoy all that the area has to offer. A nice day trip (a full day) would be to drive to Sedona - the red rocks. It's about 2 hours each way and once you get there the scenery is tremendous and there are shops, restaurants, art galleries,etc. Aside from the day trip, I would suggest visiting Old Town Scottsdale - around Scottsdale Rd. and Indian School. Again, interesting shops, galleries, restaurants. Other shopping areas with pizazz are the Biltmore Fashion Park and the Borgata. There are lots of great golf courses, if you're interested. Also, there are some Indian casinos that could be a fun evening activity after dinner or whatever, if you're into that. There are TONS of wonderful restaurants in Scottsdale/Phx area - I wont go into all that but you can check them out on Fodors. Weather will be mild - today it should be around 73 I think, in the middle of January. Not so bad! Have a wonderful time - I loved visiting here so much that I moved here!

can't do anything in phoenix carless. the hilton's basic, nothing horrible or special. what to do depends on interest. architecture? frank lloyd wright's taliesin. shopping? not outstanding anywhere, but focus on scottsdale (the stuff on camelback in prev. post). specifically downtown scottsdale if you're interested in meandering through galleries & unique shops, vs. a mall.
the best restaurant i remember eating in was Roxanne's, which i believe is on camelback (biltmore fashion mall?).

Can't comment on Mesa, but will say that you need a car in Phoenix. The shopping as described above is worthwhile. RoxSand's at the Biltmore Fashion Square is a nice place to eat, I agree. Somewhat cliche but good for viewing the valley is the revolving restaurant atop the Hilton in downtown Phoenix. I found dressy casual to work just about everywhere. Phoenix has a Desert Rock Art Museum that is really very nice. Sedona is a worthy day trip, but don't get too hopeful for seeing the red rocks-it can be overcast this time of year.

If you're an outdoor person, go hiking/strolling in the desert park located at the end of Phoenix. I can't remember the name but it's the largest city park in the country and it's desert, brush, mountains and very accessible with toilets and facilities. My husband and I drove there from our hotel (a mediocre Best Western just off the strip malls) and went running. It was amazing and we saw lots of folks biking, walking dogs, etc. Also, we ate at the most incredible taco/burrito place located in a strip mall. I forget the name, but it was recommended in a Rough Guide book. Something with "blue" in the title. Totally non-descript but it was the most memorable lunch I'd had in a long time. Super fresh!
Phoenix isn't so thrilling, but for a day or it's ok.

Thank you all!!! I must admit I am a little concerned....doesn't sound like there is a lot to see or do....I will rent a car and go to Sedona for the day...would love restaurant recommendations....Thank you from Boston......

I will be going to Phoenix soon too and I heard about 2 museum exhibits that sounded interesting (to me anyway). They are the Secret World of the Forbidden City: Splendors from China’s Imperial Palace at the Phoenix Art Museum (www.phxart.org) and a Titanic artifact exhibit at the Arizona Science Center (www.azscience.org). Unfortunately, I'll be busy working and may not even get to see these...

Hi Boston,
My personal favorite restaurant in the area is Roy's. There is one on Scottsdale and Indian Bend and there is one around 24th(?) St. and Camelback. You say you are concerned that there is not much to see or do...As far as activities / sights, can you give an idea of what are you looking for? Museums, hiking, sporting events? If you give an idea of that, maybe we can be of more help.

Hi Boston - there are lots of things to do in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area - visit the Heard musuem (native American), Frank Lloyd Wright's home (Taliesin West, I think), the zoo, the Out of Africa Wildlife park, the Desert Botanical Gardens, take a desert jeep tour (the one I took included horse back riding), take a hot-air balloon ride. And the day trip to Sedona is definitely worth the time, stop at Montezuma's Castle (Indian cave dwellings). In Phoenix, I've had good meals at RoxSands, and Maria When in Naples.

Thanks to all....Some of the things we would enjoy are going to a play...shopping.....great handmade jewelry or pottery shops....sightseeing (but remember we really have only one day to explore anything at a distance) anything else would be leaving after 3:00 and returning by 9 or so in the evening...goodrestaurants...museums...
would you suggest we visit one of the resorts and have lunch there....and can you suggest one....? How about Sedona for a day...is it worth the trip...and how about the Grand Canyon...is it a day trip....Again...thanks to all ....

One more suggestion for you - check out www.azcentral.com. From there, go to Entertainment, and Calendars. You can look at the arts/entertainment events that are going to be taking place when you're in town. There are lots of small theatre productions, art fairs, etc. Also on that site I believe you can find restaurant reviews and other great stuff!

I disagree that there is nothing to do in Phoenix. We are more than shopping centers. I would recommend staying at one of the many resorts in Scottsdale and renting a car. Many are advertising great rates now.
In the civic center in Phoenix there is the science musuem, theatre with the symphony and other shows, and museums. The advice to check out azcentral was right on the mark. Scottsdale also has great Museums. For hiking there are many trail including South Mountain Park, and don't overlook the Mcdowell Mountians. In Popagano park there is hiking and the zoo and the botanical gardens. These are just a few items. If you golf bring your clubs there are courses everywhere. The weather varies in February from the mid-60's to mid-70's and can be cool at night. The desert really cools down when the sun goes down. Sedona is very much worth the trip just 1 1/2 hours away, take a jeep tour.

Previous post - that was Papago Park where the zoo is.

Another previous post referenced the largest city park - that would be South Mountain Park, but I have never been there when there have been lots of people. Perhaps Jill was refering to the Phoenix Mtn Preserve, which around Squaw Peak is quite busy

Hi ET,
There is nothing wrong with Phoenix especially if you're visiting from our neck of the woods ( I'm in Providence)in February. However, there are lots more things to see/do in Tucson. I have been in both cities for business many times and I would choose Tucson if I had the coice. The drive from the Phoenix airport to Tucson is easy and it usually takes me 2 hours or less.

To Steve, Jill, and Anyone Else:

I will also be in the Scottsdale area in a few weeks for ten days and would love to know what the name of the restaurant is that Jill described as,

" we ate at the most incredible taco/burrito place located in a strip mall. I forget the name, but it was recommended in a Rough Guide book. Something with "blue" in the title. Totally non-descript but it was the most memorable lunch I'd had in a long time. Super fresh!"

Anyone have any ideas? I am always on the hunt for the unusual!

Happy Trails,
Paul

The name of the restaurant is the Blue Burrito. You should buy your jewelery
at the Heard Museum. They have the best
of everything because they deal directly
with the native americans. Do not miss
this museum it is outstanding. you can find their hours in AZCentral.There is
also an exhibit of Zimbabwe sculpture
at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum not to
far from you on 60 . You will have to
come back because there is too much to
do in the time you have.

Thank you so much for the great information Susan, and everyone else here too. My list of things to do is getting so long you wouldn't believe it!

Happy Trails,
Paul