For restautants, you might try Los Olivos in downtown scottsdale for Mexican food. It has ben there for 50 years or so. For those with kids, try the Sugar Bowl for an old fashioned ice cream parlor. It has been there at least 40 years.

The Grand Canyon is NOT to far for a day trip. There are several tour operators in Phoenix who do the tour several times a week. Gray Line, Open Road, Southwest Custom Tours. It is a long day and most day tours take about 14 hours to do the trip. Some people prefer driving themselves.<BR><BR>Take the time to go, it is worth the drive. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

For a nice drive through the rich part of town, drive east to Fountain Hills. See the largets fountain, have a picnic in the park around it and snoop at the giant homes. If you go May-Sept go tubing down salt river. Great fun! You get to float down the river looking at mountains for 1 1/2 hrs - 4 hrs which ever you prefer.

Message to kkj re the 14-hour day trip to the Grand Canyon. If you think a 14-hour day with an 11-year-old and a 3-year-old is do-able, obviously you've not traveled much with kids (or you sedated them heavily.)

I'm not allowed to visit malls when I'm abroad?

Gee, Tony, you can do whatever you want when you're a broad.<BR>But while dressing straight, try to avoid malls, OK? Helps with the 'in the closet' thing.

The Greyhound Race Track might be a fun family outing.

I saw a post before for good restaurants but cab't remember the names.<BR>For an evening outw/o kids where would you reccommend? Budget - who cares!<BR>Type? - Anyghting fun,maybe SW food,something you cannot get in KC.<BR>Or something romantic, small, good view is always a plus<BR>Ideas??????

To tokkj: <BR>Regarding doing the Grand Canyon in one day. Hate to disagree, but I work for one of the companies I mentioned and we take kids and families all the time. We've never had a problem even with the infants. So, perhaps your children don't behave, but kids are welcome on our tours. We stop every couple of hours for them to get out and move about.<BR><BR>By the way, the 14 hour day is not just driving time, it is touring time. <BR><BR>You have to decide what your children are capable of. I say if your 11 year old can't ride for a couple of hours at a time, perhaps you shouldn't be traveling with them. <BR><BR>