Hi all,
I just booked a trip to the JW camelback, for a tired husband and 9 and 11 yr. old. We are arriving Feb. 18th for one week. What can i expect with the resort, weather, and excursions? we have never been here, and i would appreciate all assistance any one might have. thanks

Your first choice is great: Camelback Inn!!!! And you'll have a wonderful concierge desk to help you plan your stay. Weather SHOULD be great, past freezing, never know though. You will be in a wonderful location for getting around the valley, in all direction. The kids might like horseback riding, swimming and all of you would like the one hour tour of FLWright's Taliesin West. Carefree, Cavecreek, Fountain Hills, downtown to the baseball park, Phoenix Zoo, Botanical Gardens, Apache Trail drive and I would imagine Camelback might have a children's program.

HI desertduds, Thanks for the reply, I'm happy to here our resort choice is a good one, I was thinking desert ridge might be better. Do I need to plan excursions in advance or on property can handle it when we arrive? Thanks again.

I think you'll be fine with doing a little investigating before you arrive here, then leave it to the concierge, they're used to it......there are always nice cars and drivers parked ready to take people wherever they want to go, just in case you don't want to drive everywhere. The Camelback restaurants are excellent and you can walk down to El Chorro, one of our oldest Valley restaurants(not Mexican)they serve Sunday breakfast also, eat inside or outside. All my suggestions are easily driven, but if you don't want the hassle of the traffic, just let them do all the work for you.....Camelback also has an excellent spa if you are into that type thing. You are going to be one happy group!!!1

A great place to go with children is Rawhide. It's like an old western town.

What kind of stuff do you like to do?
Hiking, biking, walking, swimming, golfing, shopping, etc.

Don't forget to take the family to the Old Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor in Oldtown Scottsdale. It's been in Family Circus comics and the kids will love it!

thanks so much for the suggestions. i hope the weather allows for swimming and enjoying the sun, coming from the northeast in feb. shopping is always a plus, but i want to experience with the kids the natural beauty of the region. we are not hikers in the true sense so i am looking more for drive to sights, not more then an hour or two. thanks again

I forgot to mention the desert jeep trips, again, thru the concierge.....will be a good time for that, I'm sure.....isn't that positive???? You might want to drive 45 minutes west of Phoenix to Wickenburg, a really nice little town, quality southwestern shops, nice little restaurants....take a look at Rancho de los Caballeros, golf, swimming, horses, etc, good restaurant at the golf course and possibly a place you might want to stay on your next trip, really great picturesque upscale dude ranch!

Go one day to Tucson's Arizona Desert Museum. It is very beautiful, you will see animals( wolf, bear, snakes etc.) and a nice piece of the desert.
It is outside near Saguaro NP West.

http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/apache_trail/

Check out that link for info on driving the Apache Trail which is just east of Phoenix/Scootsdale. To the right of the screen you can click to see pics along the Apache Trail. This is considered one of the most beautiful drives in AZ.

We loved Taliesen just a few minutes from Scottsdale. It was the western home/art studio that was started by Frank Lloyd Wright for his archetecture students. Amazing place to tour and learn about his philosophy of archetecture and design. It is hard to describe, really, but just an amazing place that even children would appreciate, IMO. Worth the few hours to visit and experience. Unique and fascinating...

It will be too cold for swimming, unless one has access to a heated or indoor pool. But then it depends on what one is used to...know how we locals distinguish the tourists? They're the ones in T shirts and shorts in February.

Consider the Phoenix Zoo...one of the best in the West, and the largest privately funded zoo in the US. World Wildlife Park on the far west side of Phoenix is worth a look, too.

Ask about the Four Peaks run, if you're interested in a Jeep tour. It's not particularily difficult (one can do it oneself, and four wheel drive isn't really necessary) and the scenery is stunning. Up the Four Peaks in the morning, descend to Lake Roosevelt, and take the Apache Trail (AMW's comments are accurate) south to SR 60, which will take you home. Lovely drive. Leave early enough so that you can appreciate the Trail in full daylight and pack a nice picnic.

Thank you all so much for the advice, my husband is a fan of Frank Wright so that tour is a definite. I have been in touch with the resort now and feel better knowing we can arrange alot once we are settled. Thanks again