Phoenix, AZ

Serious Business 29 replies 1,321 views
Apple's avatar
Apple
Posts: 2,620
Feb 3, 2015 7:46am
We are thinking about heading to Phoenix for a few days. What's the best time to go, things to do/see, restaurants in the area?

We've looked at some things on TripAdvisor. Thought I'd throw it out to the OC to see if anyone has any suggestions.
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Gardens35
Posts: 4,929
Feb 3, 2015 8:31am
Sedona.
Belly35's avatar
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
Feb 3, 2015 8:39am
Stayed a week at the Hyatt Regency in Scottsdale ... really nice place to stay
4cards's avatar
4cards
Posts: 2,551
Feb 3, 2015 8:44am
...AZ sounds great right now, enjoy your trip Apple!
Fab4Runner's avatar
Fab4Runner
Posts: 6,196
Feb 3, 2015 8:49am
Grimaldi's Brick-Oven Pizzeria in Scottsdale = GOAT.

Edit: It looks like they have several locations around Scottsdale and PHX now. When I was there in 2006, we went to the Old Town location. It's a cool little area.
Apple's avatar
Apple
Posts: 2,620
Feb 3, 2015 9:31am
4cards;1702516 wrote:...AZ sounds great right now, enjoy your trip Apple!
No doubt! …definitely suffering some mid-winter snow-covered Stark County blues right about now!

Sedona is on our radar, also doing a wine trail in Cottonwood (had no idea there would be wineries in the desert mountains of AZ!!!).
Uz2Bon36's avatar
Uz2Bon36
Posts: 1,135
Feb 3, 2015 9:43am
Stay East, in Scottsdale near McDowell Rd. Tons of resorts and nice places available. Who is "we" you are going with and what kind of night life are you looking for?

If you'll have a rental consider making a road trip to Flagstaff for an afternoon and go find Snow Bowl ski report. It's beautiful up there. Also go to Cave Creek, Az. which is North-side of Phoenix/Scottsdale. A very tourist friendly little town.
lhslep134's avatar
lhslep134
Posts: 9,774
Feb 3, 2015 10:13am
I live in Phoenix. What do you really want to know instead of generic travel questions? Asking where to eat is too general, what kind of food are you looking for?

What types of things are you looking to do out here? That will better determine where you should stay.
brutus161's avatar
brutus161
Posts: 1,686
Feb 3, 2015 11:28am
[video=youtube_share;Y2kIPN1SQe4][/video]
Apple's avatar
Apple
Posts: 2,620
Feb 3, 2015 11:46am
lhslep134;1702537 wrote:I live in Phoenix. What do you really want to know instead of generic travel questions? Asking where to eat is too general, what kind of food are you looking for?

What types of things are you looking to do out here? That will better determine where you should stay.
We would really like to do something during spring training and catch a couple games at different parks since so many teams work out there. Probably looking at staying in Goodyear area for obvious reasons! Unfortunately, depending on vacation-time approval, late Spring/early summer might be the time we'd end up going though.

We've been looking at some of the micro-breweries like Saddle Mountain, Peoria Artisan, North Mountain and Sun up. Also want to check out outdoor stuff so Sedona, Red Rocks etc. sound cool. I'll google Cave Creek like mentioned above. "We" is the GF and me and neither of us are into skiing. Might be too late anyway but cool to check out the scenery once we get there.

edit: Hometown/local Mexican/Southwest restaurants.
lhslep134's avatar
lhslep134
Posts: 9,774
Feb 3, 2015 11:55am
Apple;1702582 wrote:We would really like to do something during spring training and catch a couple games at different parks since so many teams work out there. Probably looking at staying in Goodyear area for obvious reasons! Unfortunately, depending on vacation-time approval, late Spring/early summer might be the time we'd end up going though.

We've been looking at some of the micro-breweries like Saddle Mountain, Peoria Artisan, North Mountain and Sun up. Also want to check out outdoor stuff so Sedona, Red Rocks etc. sound cool. I'll google Cave Creek like mentioned above. "We" is the GF and me and neither of us are into skiing. Might be too late anyway but cool to check out the scenery once we get there.
Definitely need to check out the scenery. Most people who have never been to Arizona leave surprised at how much beauty there really is out here.

If you're going to come out for spring training, I actually wouldn't recommend staying in Goodyear because it a far west suburb. I can help you with this in terms of logistics, but your best bet if you want to see as much as possible of Arizona would be to stay somewhere more central and see the Reds at other Cactus League parks. I only plan on driving out to Goodyear once or twice this spring training from east-central Phoenix because I live much closer to the ballparks in Scottsdale and Mesa where the Indians (and Reds) play away games.
lhslep134's avatar
lhslep134
Posts: 9,774
Feb 3, 2015 11:56am
Do you golf? Late spring/early summer is when the prices really start dropping
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Feb 3, 2015 12:13pm
Apple;1702522 wrote:No doubt! …definitely suffering some mid-winter snow-covered Stark County blues right about now!

Sedona is on our radar, also doing a wine trail in Cottonwood (had no idea there would be wineries in the desert mountains of AZ!!!).
Definitely head to Cottonwood, and while you are there take the short trip and visit Jerome.
Uz2Bon36's avatar
Uz2Bon36
Posts: 1,135
Feb 4, 2015 4:01am
Apple;1702582 wrote:
We've been looking at some of the micro-breweries like Saddle Mountain, Peoria Artisan, North Mountain and Sun up. Also want to check out outdoor stuff so Sedona, Red Rocks etc. sound cool. I'll google Cave Creek like mentioned above. "We" is the GF and me and neither of us are into skiing. Might be too late anyway but cool to check out the scenery once we get there.

edit: Hometown/local Mexican/Southwest restaurants.
Even if not into skiing I still recommend visiting Flagstaff and Snow Bowl. Tons of hiking trails and you may like the view on the summer skyride.


Quite a fun drive, I'm always amazed by the weather difference in such a short distance.
Bust ass for a tad over a hour heading North out of the valley. More fun if not driving your own car....you're going straight up the side of a mountain.

Going snow skiing in the AM then swimming in an outdoor pool that afternoon does not happen around here.

Always said I want to retire to Flagstaff.
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baseballstud24
Posts: 547
Feb 4, 2015 9:36am
justincredible;1702597 wrote:Definitely head to Cottonwood, and while you are there take the short trip and visit Jerome.
That's hilarious. I have a really good friend from Cottonwood..Spent a few days out there this summer.
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Feb 4, 2015 9:54am
baseballstud24;1702890 wrote:That's hilarious. I have a really good friend from Cottonwood..Spent a few days out there this summer.
Did you visit Jerome? I really loved that entire area.
Uz2Bon36's avatar
Uz2Bon36
Posts: 1,135
Feb 4, 2015 10:02am
To add - Cave Creek is really fun during football season, especially on Sundays.

Harolds (Steelers country) and Buffalo Chips (Green Bay country) share a parking lot in Cave Creek.

[video=youtube;rjM6WVH-hAY][/video]

*e/ If ya head up to Cave Creek, consider heading back through Carefree, Az and check out Black Mountain.
Here is a view looking SW towards PHX from Black mtn. Even cooler looking if more towards dusk...
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Gardens35
Posts: 4,929
Feb 4, 2015 10:56am
If you're going to be in Flagstaff may as well take the hour or so drive east to Winslow and Stand On The Corner.......catch the Meteor Crater on the way back.
Apple's avatar
Apple
Posts: 2,620
Feb 4, 2015 11:36am
justincredible;1702597 wrote:Definitely head to Cottonwood, and while you are there take the short trip and visit Jerome.
Will probably try to do the Sip and Stay Wine Package at the Tavern Hotel www.thetavernhotel.com Wine tasting at 3 wineries in old Cottonwood, King bedroom and $50 GC for dinner at Nic's Italian Steak and Crab restaurant across the street.

Not sure what all there is in Jerome... what I found was some old guy with a junk yard! Area looks nice if you look past the old trucks in his yard.
Apple's avatar
Apple
Posts: 2,620
Feb 4, 2015 11:41am
Uz2Bon36;1702854 wrote:Even if not into skiing I still recommend visiting Flagstaff and Snow Bowl. Tons of hiking trails and you may like the view on the summer skyride.


Quite a fun drive, I'm always amazed by the weather difference in such a short distance.
Going snow skiing in the AM then swimming in an outdoor pool that afternoon does not happen around here.

Always said I want to retire to Flagstaff.
We took the tram up to the ski lodge on Mount Alyeska in Girdwood, Alaska last summer. I don't know if I could get her on a ski lift like that pic in AZ!
Uz2Bon36's avatar
Uz2Bon36
Posts: 1,135
Feb 4, 2015 11:43am
[video=youtube;eJNAx4BsUtE][/video]
[video=youtube;HL9yYyp-bEA][/video]
Uz2Bon36's avatar
Uz2Bon36
Posts: 1,135
Feb 4, 2015 11:46am
[video=youtube;vypR2hEgzyE][/video]
*2 minutes into vid is view coming back down.

Don't mind me...enjoying looking up shit and posting about Flagstaff. Granted its a hour+ road trip from Phoenix but an awesome place. ;)
Apple's avatar
Apple
Posts: 2,620
Feb 4, 2015 11:52am
We'll be heading north of Phoenix anyway so I appreciate seeing other things to do up there. Thanks!
Uz2Bon36's avatar
Uz2Bon36
Posts: 1,135
Feb 4, 2015 11:58am
Apple;1702958 wrote:We'll be heading north of Phoenix anyway so I appreciate seeing other things to do up there. Thanks!
It used to be a ways North of Phoenix but one of the exits is nothing but outlet malls....friggin' how quickly that place grows it's prob' all metro now.
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Feb 4, 2015 12:00pm
Apple;1702947 wrote:Not sure what all there is in Jerome... what I found was some old guy with a junk yard! Area looks nice if you look past the old trucks in his yard.
Caduceus Cellars.

https://www.facebook.com/CaduceusCellars