tmh

Was in PHX a few weeks ago. We enjoyed TeePee's restaurant on Indian School Rd. One of those local places where it's casual, unpretentious and great food.

What ever you do don't go to Los Dos Molinas on the south side. It had truly bad service. It was so bad we asked to speak to the manager who was nonplussed. After talki to some locals they said it has become a huge tourist trap with increasingly bad service. I wished I had talked to them before we went.

I went to Heard musuem and was fortunate to be there for the annual Market Days. Fabulous museum of local art. They have a gift shop that is filled with native art for sale.

Be prepared for the dry desert air. After only 1 day my skin needed lotion on a nonstop basis.

seetheworld

Kerry, Patsy's is the same as the one in Brooklyn!

http://www.patsygrimaldis.com/default.asp

Grimaldi's pizza has spoiled us and pizza where we live does not compare. We've gotta check it out!

Thanks gardyloo and tmh for the recommendations.

orangetravelcat

Another place I thought of you might like to visit, as part of your trip to Sedona, is Jerome, an old mining town on a mountainside, and now full of shops and restaurants.

lvk

Hey, STW. Do you remember this thread?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34900016

Have a great time!

seetheworld

lvk, that is too funny! Well so far my DH has come up with the following list of fun activities for me to try:

-A helicopter tour (even though we are not going to the GC)
-Cliff diving??
-Skywalk (I'm deathly afraid of heights)
-donkey ride

I sense a theme here...think he's trying to tell me something?

I guess I'll have to add a wax to the excitement, lol.

amwosu

You HAVE to go to Jerome if you go to Sedona. Just don't go on a Sunday when the cute little shops close early. Skip the shops altogether in Sedona- go for the scenery and definitely do the Broken Arrow tour.

I've not stayed at Desert Ridge but spent a day at the spa there. With such limited time I doubt if I'd do it.

I love having dinner at Elements at Sanctuary on Camelback right at sunset. Check sunset times online then make your reservation.

Definitely hike up at least part of Camelback. Just going up a little bit you can overlook the Phoenician grounds and get a good view. Going all of the way up takes some effort and little bit of moxie. You'll be scrambling up boulders just before the very top but you feel like the king of the world (or queen) at the top.

I love Greasewood Flat for a fun evening with music, burgers, and beer under the stars. Just google for the website to get info. Great on a Friday or Saturday to see locals and tourists, young and old mixing it up.

I'd also hit Cave Creek one day for a little shopping and eating.

seetheworld

Thanks, amwosu! I think I'll somehow have to at least squeeze in a massage while I am there. My DH spoke with the hotel today and they said that there is a market near the hotel on the Saturday we arrive -- so we'll check that out.

I'm a little hesitant about the jeep tour because of my back (although some people say it isn't too bad). Have to give that some thought.

Thanks again!

amwosu

Don't knoqw how bad your back is so can't help you with an informed decision on the jeep tour but I remember the ride to be very slooooow in the really bumpy parts. Tere was no risk of being bumped out....

starrsville

stw, my sister and I chose the Scenic Rim tour instead of the Broken Arrow tour for just that reason. She did fine. We scheduled the tour for just before sunset and we lucked out - were the only ones in our jeep with the driver. Great tour and great time!

On a previous trip I took the biplane ride at sunset and it was a spectacular way to see the red rocks.

Tiff

My STW

Bless your heart. Your excitement is adorable and inspiring.

I am still learning that area, so I'm afraid I can't offer too much help as far as attractions.

However, I have stayed at that resort and it is lovely. Additionally, if you are too tired to go out one night, the Roy's that is located at that hotel was delicious. We have beent here twice. Once during our stay and then another time when were not guests.

April is an excellent time of year to be there.

Remember your sunscreen and decaf earl grey tea bags, darlin, and you and that delightful Mr.STW have a fab time!

maria_so

Hi STW!

I believe they have gallery walk nights on Thursdays (at least they did when I was last there in August) during spring & summer in Scottsdale. Love sedona more than phoenix itself.

Sedona definitely doable in a day and if you can, go by slide rock state park and/or do a hike on west fork trail. Really lovely and during April too. You lucky woman you! GC might be too much of a stretch if you alreayd have 5 days b ut if you have extra days and can squeeze it in (and have not been), I agree it's a must especially that you are so close.

Another really cool day trip is the Apache trail near the superstitious mountain. Definitely stop by tortilla flats (about midpoint of the trail) for some food and at the end, there's also tonto ntl monument which is a cliff dwelling.

Have fun on your trip and lovely of your hubby to suprise you like that. Just ignore the rest and keep getting excited for your trip.

maria_so

I meant love scottsdale (ald sedona too) more than phoenix. Too many s's.

Bisbee

If you actually plan on hiking around the PHX area, do it early in the morning. It will most likely be 100 during the middle of the day.

orangetravelcat

The temp in mid-April will most likely NOT be 100 degrees midday. April is one of the most beautiful months here.

Bisbee

February and March are better months. It can quite easily be at or near 100 mid-day in April. It's happened on numerous occassions. It's been 100 in March before. Check to weather almanac.

TheWeasel

It would be pretty unusual to hit 100 in April. The all-time record for Phoenix in April is 105. It's really stretching to say that it's necessary to hike early because you're likely to hit 100 mid-day.

Of course, this debate is pretty meaningless because I'm sure OP will be able to check the weather and forecasted temps when she's in town and plan her day(s) accordingly.

Bisbee

Nah, it's not stretching it. Either way, it's better to be hiking when the temps in the 70's than in the 90's, at least for me anyway.

Mzsparks

Seetheworld: Don't miss the Pink Jeep, Broken Arrow tour, while in Sedona, it's truly amazing. When you call for a reservation, ask to sit up front with the driver, instead of on the bench seats in the back..must easier on the back and the view is even better..(the guides are wonderful).

Mzsparks

oops...much...not must..

fromMA

Heres another vote for The Apache Trail. It has fabulous scenery and you really feel like youre in the middle of nowhere yest its less than an hour east of Phoenix. Tortilla Flats at a nice place to have a drink and split up the trip. The whole trail takes about 3 hours but it consists of very slow driving (on hard dirt roads in part of it) with numerous turn offs to see the scenery.