Phoenix in late January
Dec 4th, 2006, 05:16 PM
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Phoenix in late January
My wife and I are going to be in Phoenix for a week at the end of January. Have never been to the area. Need ideas about; restaurants (where the locals eat), sights not to miss, old neighborhoods to wander and hiking. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Dec 4th, 2006, 06:16 PM
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two neighborhoods worth wallking. Arcadia area. Depending on how far you want to walk, I would park at Indian School rd and 56th street, then walk north, going up as far up the road up Camelback Mtn as you want (it doesn't go too high up and it is a road, not a trail). Or just walk around anywhere between 48th and 68th st between the canal and Camelback Rd.
Also the Encanto and surrounding areas. Park at Encanto Park and walk south, the eventually east to around the Heard Museum.
Also the Encanto and surrounding areas. Park at Encanto Park and walk south, the eventually east to around the Heard Museum.
Dec 8th, 2006, 03:55 PM
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There was a thread on Guadalupe, AZ posted last year on Fodors. You can find it at: http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34789873
Aside from the random shooting, which I'm sure is NOT an everyday occurrence, the community sounds very interesting. They also have a website at: http://www.guadalupeaz.org/default.htm
As for hiking and/or day trips, you have a multitude of choices. There's always the option to drive up to the Grand Canyon for a day/overnight. But if you're looking to stay closer to the city, a good day trip is the drive along the Apache Trail. Take 60 east to Apache Junction, then 88 northeast to Roosevelt, head south on 188 to Globe/Miami, and complete the loop by taking 60 west back to Phoenix. This could easily be a 2-day trip if you want to do some hiking. You'll pass Lost Dutchman State Park just outside Apache Junction, and there are several good trails there. The park website is here: http://tinyurl.com/saqae . The Superstition Mountains Wilderness Area is within the loop, and there are a number of good trails within that area. A link to the forest service website with the trail listings is here: http://tinyurl.com/y56aek
Also along this loop is Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park (website here: http://tinyurl.com/w2qza ). This park alone would make a decent day trip aside from driving the rest of the loop. It has great displays of desert plants from the area, as well as around the world, and would be a great place to learn about the plants you'll see around the Southwest.
In the metro area, there are several city or regional parks with hiking. This will link you to the city website for parks: http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/hikemain.html . My favorite is South Mountain. The hike to Hidden Valley, either from the Buena Vista or Mormon trailhead is good. You could also hike Camelback Mountain or Piestewa Peak, but both are more strenuous. There are other regional parks administered by Maricopa County. The county website shows their location on a map, and you can click on Hiking under the Outdoor Activities to get more specific info on them. Go here: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/ . I think Cave Creek, White Tanks, Estrella, McDowell and Usery are the more popular ones on that list.
Aside from the random shooting, which I'm sure is NOT an everyday occurrence, the community sounds very interesting. They also have a website at: http://www.guadalupeaz.org/default.htm
As for hiking and/or day trips, you have a multitude of choices. There's always the option to drive up to the Grand Canyon for a day/overnight. But if you're looking to stay closer to the city, a good day trip is the drive along the Apache Trail. Take 60 east to Apache Junction, then 88 northeast to Roosevelt, head south on 188 to Globe/Miami, and complete the loop by taking 60 west back to Phoenix. This could easily be a 2-day trip if you want to do some hiking. You'll pass Lost Dutchman State Park just outside Apache Junction, and there are several good trails there. The park website is here: http://tinyurl.com/saqae . The Superstition Mountains Wilderness Area is within the loop, and there are a number of good trails within that area. A link to the forest service website with the trail listings is here: http://tinyurl.com/y56aek
Also along this loop is Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park (website here: http://tinyurl.com/w2qza ). This park alone would make a decent day trip aside from driving the rest of the loop. It has great displays of desert plants from the area, as well as around the world, and would be a great place to learn about the plants you'll see around the Southwest.
In the metro area, there are several city or regional parks with hiking. This will link you to the city website for parks: http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/hikemain.html . My favorite is South Mountain. The hike to Hidden Valley, either from the Buena Vista or Mormon trailhead is good. You could also hike Camelback Mountain or Piestewa Peak, but both are more strenuous. There are other regional parks administered by Maricopa County. The county website shows their location on a map, and you can click on Hiking under the Outdoor Activities to get more specific info on them. Go here: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/ . I think Cave Creek, White Tanks, Estrella, McDowell and Usery are the more popular ones on that list.
Dec 17th, 2006, 07:52 PM
#6
Weasel, your first link was to my thread, and my DD's experience at the festival in Guadalupe. I'd forgotten that I posted it!
As a sort of interesting addition to that initial saga, she may indeed have had a guardian angel in that old Yaqui who befriended her and pulled her down to avoid the shots that were whizzing by. She didn't realize it at the time, but she was just days pregnant at the time. Her baby, her first, is due Dec. 30! We're headed out just as soon as we get the call. I suspect I'll skip Guadalupe this trip...maybe Easter!
OO (aka Malesherbes, briefly)
As a sort of interesting addition to that initial saga, she may indeed have had a guardian angel in that old Yaqui who befriended her and pulled her down to avoid the shots that were whizzing by. She didn't realize it at the time, but she was just days pregnant at the time. Her baby, her first, is due Dec. 30! We're headed out just as soon as we get the call. I suspect I'll skip Guadalupe this trip...maybe Easter!
OO (aka Malesherbes, briefly)
Dec 18th, 2006, 01:33 AM
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I would avoid Guadalupe. It's not a very nice place. Wandering through the neighborhoods in grid layout Phoenix is the most exciting thing. You might try the neighborhoods around the Biltmore. Also some interesting old neighborhoods around ASU campus in Tempe. I'd suggest the Desert Botanical Gardens/Phoenix Zoo just across the Salt River from Tempe. Some decent hiking there too. You can always to the hike to the top of Piestewa Peak (Squaw Peak). The Siphon Draw Trail at Lost Dutchman State Park is great (take the full hike to the Flatiron if you are experienced).
For restaurants, I highly recommend Los Dos Molinos for Mexican Food (service is hit/miss, but the food is excellent if you can handle spicy food). Carolina's Mexican food is also very good, but probably better as a lunch stop.
For restaurants, I highly recommend Los Dos Molinos for Mexican Food (service is hit/miss, but the food is excellent if you can handle spicy food). Carolina's Mexican food is also very good, but probably better as a lunch stop.
Jan 8th, 2007, 10:49 AM
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Great hiking, is Camelback Mountain, there are two trails, Cholla on the east side, easier and longer, and Echo, steeper and shorter. Both give you great views of the valley. Places to eat where the locals go. If you are intersted in downtown scottsdale, try Bandera's-wonderful grilled foods, or Grazie, wood-fire pizza, good wine, great desert!!!!
If you are in Phoenix, a good place to go for breakfast is Le Grande Orange. It is definitely the place to see and be seen, especially after a hike. They have a wonderful breakfast menu to order from!
Other eateries that the locals eat at would be Vincents Market, on Saturday Mornings, wonderful crepes and sandwiches. You can also head over to Rancho Pino Grill for dinner. Kind of pricey, but great sw food!
There are a few new places that have opened up and are gaining popularity, Taneko (Japanese grill), Olive & Ivy (Britney Speirs goes there often), and Chelsea's Kitchen.
Have fun!!!!
If you are in Phoenix, a good place to go for breakfast is Le Grande Orange. It is definitely the place to see and be seen, especially after a hike. They have a wonderful breakfast menu to order from!
Other eateries that the locals eat at would be Vincents Market, on Saturday Mornings, wonderful crepes and sandwiches. You can also head over to Rancho Pino Grill for dinner. Kind of pricey, but great sw food!
There are a few new places that have opened up and are gaining popularity, Taneko (Japanese grill), Olive & Ivy (Britney Speirs goes there often), and Chelsea's Kitchen.
Have fun!!!!
