WooHoo! First trip to Phoenix! So please tell me, what should we not miss?
Mar 22nd, 2007, 02:43 PM
#1
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WooHoo! First trip to Phoenix! So please tell me, what should we not miss?
Dear Fodorites~
I need your help!
I found out by email confirmation that my husband has booked us 5 nights at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa!! Nice surprise, huh?
We are going mid-April and have never been to Arizona.
Please share your recommendations...
*Where should we eat? We love all foods but would love some regional food. We do enjoy quiet surroundings and causal dress as well as seafood.
*What are some local cultural attractions that we should not miss? Museums?
*Shopping...not malls but places where I can find native finds (pottery, etc).
*The Outdoors...I don't want to be bitten by a snake!! Where are some safe places that we can walk? I think I read that there is a Botanical Gardens...
Nearby cities include:
Scottsdale (8.5mi/13.68km)
Peoria (15.6mi/25.11km)
Tempe (18.0mi/28.97km)
Mesa (22.7mi/36.53km)
Would you recommend that we visit any of these places?
Is Sedona too far for a day trip?
This will seem to be a stupid question, but are there any elevation concerns in this part of the state?
Lastly, has anyone ever stayed at the Desert Ridge Resort?
Sorry for asking so many questions! I'm very excited.
Thanks!
I need your help!
I found out by email confirmation that my husband has booked us 5 nights at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa!! Nice surprise, huh?
We are going mid-April and have never been to Arizona.
Please share your recommendations...
*Where should we eat? We love all foods but would love some regional food. We do enjoy quiet surroundings and causal dress as well as seafood.
*What are some local cultural attractions that we should not miss? Museums?
*Shopping...not malls but places where I can find native finds (pottery, etc).
*The Outdoors...I don't want to be bitten by a snake!! Where are some safe places that we can walk? I think I read that there is a Botanical Gardens...
Nearby cities include:
Scottsdale (8.5mi/13.68km)
Peoria (15.6mi/25.11km)
Tempe (18.0mi/28.97km)
Mesa (22.7mi/36.53km)
Would you recommend that we visit any of these places?
Is Sedona too far for a day trip?
This will seem to be a stupid question, but are there any elevation concerns in this part of the state?
Lastly, has anyone ever stayed at the Desert Ridge Resort?
Sorry for asking so many questions! I'm very excited.
Thanks!
Mar 22nd, 2007, 03:27 PM
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Gosh, some people are so lucky! All I got in the e-mail today... but I better don't post it on a public website!
As to your question what you shouldn't miss: tip the pilot properly so he won't miss the Phoenix airport!
(I must be really bored to open this post!!)
As to your question what you shouldn't miss: tip the pilot properly so he won't miss the Phoenix airport!
(I must be really bored to open this post!!)
Mar 22nd, 2007, 03:28 PM
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I can't tell if you're joking with some of these questions or not. If you were new to Fodors, I wouldn't doubt the legitimacy of them, but a person such as yourself who's been here for awhile must know about the search function.
The Sedona question has been covered about a million times. Put the city names into the search box and you'll come up with lots of stuff.
The Sedona question has been covered about a million times. Put the city names into the search box and you'll come up with lots of stuff.
Mar 22nd, 2007, 03:44 PM
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Hello,
We just returned from a Phoenix getaway. I strongly recommend the Desert Botanical Gardens in Papago Park. There is also a zoo if you are interested. The gardens were quite large and very pretty. We also did a hike in the South Mountain Preserve and enjoyed it very much. I think you could do Sedona as a day trip, especially since you will be there for five nights. I've also heard a lot of nice things about downtown Scottsdale, although I haven't been there. Have a great trip!
We just returned from a Phoenix getaway. I strongly recommend the Desert Botanical Gardens in Papago Park. There is also a zoo if you are interested. The gardens were quite large and very pretty. We also did a hike in the South Mountain Preserve and enjoyed it very much. I think you could do Sedona as a day trip, especially since you will be there for five nights. I've also heard a lot of nice things about downtown Scottsdale, although I haven't been there. Have a great trip!
Mar 22nd, 2007, 04:16 PM
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My husband and stopped by The Desert Ridge just to check it out. The grounds are beautiful, but they are very green. It is not the desert theme that we expected.
Sedona is definitley doable in a day. It is about 2 hours away; you should stop at Montezuma's Castle on the way. It is kind of interesting!
Scottsdale is definitley a fun place to check out. On Thursday night (I think), there is an artwalk in downtown Scottsdale; all of the galleries are open and there is live music. it would have been fun if it wasn't raining! Gilbert ORtega's in Scottsdale has a lot of western style jewelry, art, pottery, etc.
Patsy Grimaldi's Pizza in Scottsdale was pretty good. It is coal brick oven style pizza. We really enjoyed it! ALso, the Original PAncake House is quite tasty. The apple pancake was delicious; it was enough for 2 meals!
A hike up Camelback Mountain is definitley worth doing but it it a bit difficult. THe view from the top is pretty amazing! Also, South Mountain Park has a lot of trails.
If you do decide to go to Camelback Mountain, you should make a stop at the Camelback Inn. It is another JW Marriott resort and it is amazing! It sticks with the desert theme.
Sedona is definitley doable in a day. It is about 2 hours away; you should stop at Montezuma's Castle on the way. It is kind of interesting!
Scottsdale is definitley a fun place to check out. On Thursday night (I think), there is an artwalk in downtown Scottsdale; all of the galleries are open and there is live music. it would have been fun if it wasn't raining! Gilbert ORtega's in Scottsdale has a lot of western style jewelry, art, pottery, etc.
Patsy Grimaldi's Pizza in Scottsdale was pretty good. It is coal brick oven style pizza. We really enjoyed it! ALso, the Original PAncake House is quite tasty. The apple pancake was delicious; it was enough for 2 meals!
A hike up Camelback Mountain is definitley worth doing but it it a bit difficult. THe view from the top is pretty amazing! Also, South Mountain Park has a lot of trails.
If you do decide to go to Camelback Mountain, you should make a stop at the Camelback Inn. It is another JW Marriott resort and it is amazing! It sticks with the desert theme.
Mar 22nd, 2007, 05:58 PM
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Hi STW, if you two feel in the mood I would take a daytrip to Sedona. The redrock country is beautiful and so unusual. I haven't been there in ages and know Sedona has changed since I used to visit there due to a family memmber having a second home in Sedona but the landscape would be the same. Quite dramatic IMHO. Enjoy!!
Mar 22nd, 2007, 06:06 PM
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I adored Talesin West. If you are there on Fridays, they offer a night tour. Oops, not sure if the night tour is going on in April.
DEFINITELY go to Sedona as a day trip.
If you've never been to the Grand Canyon, I'd spend the night in Sedona and drive on to the GC. Don't know how to do that with your 5 night res. - unless you tack on an extra day or two. IT WOULD REALLY BE WORTH IT!
Spa treatment.
Laze around the hotel pools.
Enjoy the warmth!
DEFINITELY go to Sedona as a day trip.
If you've never been to the Grand Canyon, I'd spend the night in Sedona and drive on to the GC. Don't know how to do that with your 5 night res. - unless you tack on an extra day or two. IT WOULD REALLY BE WORTH IT!
Spa treatment.
Laze around the hotel pools.
Enjoy the warmth!
Mar 22nd, 2007, 07:15 PM
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What's with all the hostility? Is it for real? I feel like I'm missing something. If obvious questions were a sin, most of the posters on this board would be on fire. And obvious is in the eye of the beholder, anway.
Anywho, I concur with all the other comments re: Phoenix and Sedona, good ideas all.
Anywho, I concur with all the other comments re: Phoenix and Sedona, good ideas all.
Mar 24th, 2007, 04:01 AM
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Thanks, abram, rockie, Kerry, Love, and starrsville. Thanks for helping me figure out that Sedona was doable in a day -- the map in the guidebook was too small for me to make out.
Kerry is that the same Grimaldis as in Brooklyn, NY? If so, I can't believe it!
I had to take a moment to reflect on weasel's post. I thought my questions showed excitement and they are most definitely not a joke. In the time it took for weasel to type that response, he/she could have shared a recommendation. There was also the option to not respond -- which I wish you would have taken.
And Faina, is there something I should know about the Phoenix Airport? Do you have a legitimate safety concern? Hard to tell if YOU were joking or not.
I will say that I never came so close to de-registering my screen name. I've about had enough. Although there are plenty of kind people here that love to share their excitement for a place -- doesn't seem to be a chore for them.
See ya.
Kerry is that the same Grimaldis as in Brooklyn, NY? If so, I can't believe it!
I had to take a moment to reflect on weasel's post. I thought my questions showed excitement and they are most definitely not a joke. In the time it took for weasel to type that response, he/she could have shared a recommendation. There was also the option to not respond -- which I wish you would have taken.
And Faina, is there something I should know about the Phoenix Airport? Do you have a legitimate safety concern? Hard to tell if YOU were joking or not.
I will say that I never came so close to de-registering my screen name. I've about had enough. Although there are plenty of kind people here that love to share their excitement for a place -- doesn't seem to be a chore for them.
See ya.
Mar 24th, 2007, 06:22 AM
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April is a great time of year to be here in AZ. One suggestion is to take a sunset horseback ride in Cave Creek AZ (here's link: http://gosw.about.com/od/bestdaytrips/p/mtmranch.htm) thru the desert. Cave Creek is about a 20-30 minute drive from the JW Marriott at Desert Ridge.
After your horseback ride, you might check out El Encanto for dinner (Mexican food). The food is very great but the ambiance is great. There's a duck pond in the center of it all.
The Marriott is great and has a fantastic spa. If you get a spa service (their massages are wonderful) then you can use the spa pool (which is separate from the regular hotel pools) and is quiet and serene. For the last two years when I've there, there's been a pair of great horned owls nesting in the palm trees. Lay on your chaise lounge, look up and try to spot them.
Taliesen West is interesting if you like Frank Lloyd Wright.
Enjoy.
After your horseback ride, you might check out El Encanto for dinner (Mexican food). The food is very great but the ambiance is great. There's a duck pond in the center of it all.
The Marriott is great and has a fantastic spa. If you get a spa service (their massages are wonderful) then you can use the spa pool (which is separate from the regular hotel pools) and is quiet and serene. For the last two years when I've there, there's been a pair of great horned owls nesting in the palm trees. Lay on your chaise lounge, look up and try to spot them.
Taliesen West is interesting if you like Frank Lloyd Wright.
Enjoy.
Mar 24th, 2007, 07:52 AM
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<In the time it took for weasel to type that response, he/she could have shared a recommendation. There was also the option to not respond -- which I wish you would have taken.>
Stw, I did share a recommendation, one which I've shared with a number of people. You just chose to ignore it.
Specifically, my recommendation was to do a search for some of this info. As I've said before on other threads, ask a question about a destination and you'll get a few responses from a few people. In the case of this thread, you got about 6 people to respond, some with specific ideas, others with not so specific advice. If you do a search, you'll find tons of threads with literally hundreds of recommendations, far more ideas than you'll get from this thread alone. You'd also get your basic questions answered pretty quickly without having to put a magnifying glass over your guidebook map.
Stw, I did share a recommendation, one which I've shared with a number of people. You just chose to ignore it.
Specifically, my recommendation was to do a search for some of this info. As I've said before on other threads, ask a question about a destination and you'll get a few responses from a few people. In the case of this thread, you got about 6 people to respond, some with specific ideas, others with not so specific advice. If you do a search, you'll find tons of threads with literally hundreds of recommendations, far more ideas than you'll get from this thread alone. You'd also get your basic questions answered pretty quickly without having to put a magnifying glass over your guidebook map.
Mar 24th, 2007, 10:48 AM
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I really have trouble believing that you would book this trip with absolutely no idea of what to do, where to eat, etc.
It appears your research function has broken down.
Just think of the Phoenix area as LA Southeast.
Curious
It appears your research function has broken down.
Just think of the Phoenix area as LA Southeast.
Curious
Mar 24th, 2007, 10:52 AM
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Whew, some people need to take a chill pill.
Anyway, I wanted to add that Sedona is definitely doable as a day trip. If you go, I suggest taking a Pink Jeep tour. The Broken Arrow tour is the most popular and you will get to see some gorgeous views of the red rocks.
Enjoy.
Anyway, I wanted to add that Sedona is definitely doable as a day trip. If you go, I suggest taking a Pink Jeep tour. The Broken Arrow tour is the most popular and you will get to see some gorgeous views of the red rocks.
Enjoy.
Mar 24th, 2007, 12:40 PM
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weasel (and now curious)...well it appears that you have a bone to pick with me. You make an incorrect assumption that I did not use the search function. Isn't this forum here for people (including old-timers) to ask question related to travel?? And why is it that you have chosen my thread to have your little "search function" tantrum? What? Did I not read one of your trip reports and that upset you?? Can't figure you out. Everyday, hoards of people post about NYC and I either chose to positively respond or I don't.
You both need to take a "chill pill", really. My life is entirely too short to deal with this nonsense.
Orangetravelcat, thanks for the feedback on Desert Ridge. You have painted a delightful picture -- I can't wait to go.
Kerry,
You both need to take a "chill pill", really. My life is entirely too short to deal with this nonsense.
Orangetravelcat, thanks for the feedback on Desert Ridge. You have painted a delightful picture -- I can't wait to go.
Kerry,
Mar 24th, 2007, 02:10 PM
#20
Just came back from a baseball weekend in PHX and must cast a vote for Pepe's Taco Villa on W. Camelback. Mole sauce to die for, and the cabeza de vaca was proclaimed by my brother-in-law to be the best he's ever had (which admittedly is not a long list.) Highly recommended.
