Suggestions Please for a Day in Phoenix
 

My husband and I are flying into Phoenix on a Wednesday night and will have all day in the city before traveling to Sedona Friday morning. Our previous Phoenix experience was flying in/out, getting a car and driving out/in. This time we'd like to experience a bit of the city so we planned our trip for the extra day. Since we will be spending quite a bit of time outdoors in Sedona we'd like a more city-type experience as that's always fun for us (rather than going to one of the area's many resorts). No hotel yet but we are planning on staying downtown.

Suggestions please on things to do. I see from a quick search that there are museums. We are both interested in history and architecture. We aren't foodies but do enjoy a tasty meal.

Thank you!

I would HIGHLY recommend staying at The Royal Palms - it is heaven on earth. Such a tranquil oasis, yet near everything. It is small enough to feel very personal, yet private enough to relax and enjoy the lush grounds and wonderful service.

http://www.royalpalmshotel.com/summer.php

https://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/RoyalPalms

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West:

http://www.franklloydwright.org/fllw...1104/Home.html

The Musical Instruments Museum [it was amazing!]
http://www.themim.org/

The Heard Museum:
http://www.heard.org/

The Phoenix Art Museum:
http://www.phxart.org/

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...x-dec-2007.cfm

I second the recommendations for Taliesin West and the Heard Museum.

I always try to make time to see the Heard Museum and the Desert Botanical Garden every year when I visit my brother in Tempe.

We also liked Taliesen West, the Heard Museum, and the Desert Botanical Garden.

Thank you all for your responses. My brief research had turned up the Heard and the botanical garden as good choices for us but not the Taliesin West which sounds like a definite must.

I've seen all the posts praising the Royal Palms in researching--couldn't afford it and even if we could, it's booked.

As I mentioned we've been thinking about staying downtown, not picking up a car until Friday morning (and not pay for hotel parking) (yes, I do know about the difference in rental prices between the airport and city locations so no worries there) and depending on the light rail to get around that day. That would negate the garden and Taliesin. But those both sound like WOW soooooooo, I don't know.

Given your suggestions we could stay in Scottsdale to do the garden and Taliesin that day, which sounds like fun.

But just to really make me think before I book the hotel I'd like to focus my question more on downtown Phoenix and that area. If we spend a half day at the Heard as our sole museum experience is there any other place in walking or light rail distance of interest? Is Phoenix a fun place to just walk around and experience; do we really need a destination at all?

He visited Phoenix in April and stayed at the Bolders in Carefree, but we wanted a great hotel closer to the airport for our last night and we chose the Royal Palms. We loved that hotel.

When is this trip?

I don't know when you are going, but it might be too hot to go to the botanical gardens.

Don't forget about all of the sporting options in downtown Phoenix - men's/women's basketball, baseball and concerts.

There are high rise hotels downtown but if you're into funky charm try the San Carlos on Central Ave. Right in the thick of things, a great Irish pub/restaurant below on Monroe (Seamus McCaffrey's), and get a map to the artist spaces (first Friday of the month artists downtown open their doors), local art scene is along Roosevelt and Grand Ave. Check out the food trucks at Urban Market and absolutely do breakfast at Matt's Big Breakfast. All of this is within walking distance of the San Carlos. CenPho is a good website. Don't forget to wear sunscreen.

We're going in mid-October but unfortunately not the first Friday of the month. Thanks for the suggestion for CenPho...and I ALWAYS wear sunscreen. Hopefully it'll be hot but not too hot. :)

What's your price for hotel, before taxes?

I'm doing Priceline for the two night hotel stay. I've always been successful with getting a great room at a discounted price. Before I start the process I'm trying to discern what area or areas to bid on.