Phoenix Travel Tips

[Calgary14]

I am planning on booking a trip to Phoenix in March and I'm not familiar with the area. Since lots of people here go down regularly I thought I'd ask about the city. No set plans yet but I'd like to do some hiking, golfing, maybe an ATV tour, catch a Coyotes game and possibly some shopping.

For accommodations I have no preference as long as it's clean, in a decent area and has a pool. The area around Gila River Arena seems nice but also isolated from everything else. Has anyone stayed in Scottsdale?

If anyone has recommendations on restaurants, hotels, areas to visit (or avoid) let me know.

[Stealth22]

Is everyone on CP looking for advice on travelling to Phoenix these days?

[TheAlpineOracle]

Guess so. My buddies booked us a place in Chandler. I would have preferred Scottsdale, but whatever I guess.

[Bigtime]

If you want to murder somebody in the middle of a street at 5pm Sun City is your place. Residents there are already in bed or dead by then.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

If you want to murder somebody in the middle of a street at 5pm Sun City is your place. Residents there are already in bed or dead by then.

I'll have to take my wife for a nice night in Sun City.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I'll have to take my wife for a nice night in Sun City.

Way to up it to first degree murder.

[Bigtime]

Then after the deed is done hit up an estate sale to get half a bottle of shampoo for 50 cents.

[Calgary14]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Guess so. My buddies booked us a place in Chandler. I would have preferred Scottsdale, but whatever I guess.

What's the appeal of Scottsdale over Chandler?

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

What's the appeal of Scottsdale over Chandler?

It's a bit more lively and busier than Chandler. Depends what your looking for.

[troutman]

Remember to check the Travel Thread sticky (above) for specific travel threads:

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=73537

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=131727

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=127773

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=126792

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ghlight=tucson

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ghlight=tucson

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...=pizza+phoenix

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...=pizza+phoenix

Cactus League in March:

http://www.cactusleague.com/

Phoenix:

http://www.dbg.org/

http://www.franklloydwright.org/abou...WestTours.html

http://www.pizzeriabianco.com/

https://www.desertmuseum.org/

http://www.scottsdaledowntown.com/

https://wetnwildphoenix.com/

http://www.hotelvalleyho.com/scottsd...ls/index.html?

http://mim.org/

[OBCT]

I found the Musical Instrument Museum (http://mim.org) to be tremendously fascinating. I recommend giving yourself plenty of time there, as it's a massive building.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

It's a bit more lively and busier than Chandler. Depends what your looking for.

It's also grossly over-priced and filled with total asshats. If you like pretentious jerks, Scottsdale is your destination. Chandler is definitely the Scottsdale wannabe of the valley, but is not yet reached the level of ######baggery of Snotsdale itself. Bang for the buck, Chandler is heads and tails better than Scottsdale. Unless you have your heart set on something specific in Scottsdale I'd stay elsewhere. Seriously, I can't think of anything in Scottsdale that can't be found elsewhere in the valley that is just as good, if not better, and a substantial savings for your wallet.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by New Era

Seriously, I can't think of anything in Scottsdale that can't be found elsewhere in the valley that is just as good

The SF Giants.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by New Era

It's also grossly over-priced and filled with total asshats. If you like pretentious jerks, Scottsdale is your destination. Chandler is definitely the Scottsdale wannabe of the valley, but is not yet reached the level of ######baggery of Snotsdale itself. Bang for the buck, Chandler is heads and tails better than Scottsdale. Unless you have your heart set on something specific in Scottsdale I'd stay elsewhere. Seriously, I can't think of anything in Scottsdale that can't be found elsewhere in the valley that is just as good, if not better, and a substantial savings for your wallet.

Staying in Chandler. We rented a house on the San Marcos Golf Course. I haven't saw the pictures, but my buddy says it's pretty nice and really close to downtown Chandler.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by troutman

The SF Giants.

I'll see your SF Giants and raise you the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs in their shiny new facility in Mesa. Way better facility and team. Plus, you're a stone's throw from the A's at Hohokam in Mesa and the Angel's at Diablo in Tempe. Great list of things to do btw.

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Staying in Chandler. We rented a house on the San Marcos Golf Course. I haven't saw the pictures, but my buddy says it's pretty nice and really close to downtown Chandler.

Oh wow, you're going to love it. San Marcos Resort is right in downtown Chandler. You will be stumbling distance to a lot of good restaurants and bars. Make sure you go to San Tan Brewing Company. Good beers and good food. Murphy's Law is also a pretty good Irish Pub, just down the block. Stumbled out of there a few times myself.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by New Era

I'll see your SF Giants and raise you the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs in their shiny new facility in Mesa. Way better facility and team. Plus, you're a stone's throw from the A's at Hohokam in Mesa and the Angel's at Diablo in Tempe. Great list of things to do btw.



Oh wow, you're going to love it. San Marcos Resort is right in downtown Chandler. You will be stumbling distance to a lot of good restaurants and bars. Make sure you go to San Tan Brewing Company. Good beers and good food. Murphy's Law is also a pretty good Irish Pub, just down the block. Stumbled out of there a few times myself.

Funny you should mention the San Tan Brewing Pub. My buddies were already talking about that place. According to Google Maps, I can walk to it in less than 5 minutes from the house we rented. I suspect we'll be spending a lot of time there.

I also noticed you can take the "Coyotes Express" to a Coyotes game from the Casino in Chandler. Total cost is $30 for a lower bowl ticket (including transportation to and from the game). Unbelievable this team still exists.

[InBurkeWeTrust]

In laws have a place here (currently in Peoria AZ for vacation) and some things I would suggest:

Sedona (it's a drive, but very good for hiking, food, and sight seeing)
Golfing (lots of good and inexpensive golfing)
Scottsdale shopping (too baller and expensive, but worth it to go to have some shake shack)

[Frequitude]

Heads up to those who chose Phoenix because of the super cheap New Leaf flights.

http://calgaryherald.com/business/lo...t-defends-turf

Discount airfare company NewLeaf Travel is cancelling its winter flights to Arizona and Florida in light of aggressive competition from WestJet Airlines.

NewLeaf president and CEO Jim Young said the company will no longer be offering those services and is in the process of issuing a refund to every customer.

[Jordan!]

Definitely go to Sedona.

Also, the area around Westgate is most definitely NOT nice.

[Lanny_McDonald]

A side trip I might recommend to anyone visiting is a day down in Tubac. Tubac is a small town between Tucson and the Mexico border. It is an active artist community and is filled with amazing galleries and stores to buy the artists works. For those of you who golf, they also have a 27 hole golf course where parts of Tin Cup were filmed. It is an outstanding day trip and you'll be certain to come home with something uniquely Sonoran that will remind you of your trip to Arizona. Another cool thing, it's the only stretch of highway in the southern states I've seen marked only in km/h. Also gives you a chance to stop in Tucson for a bite to eat on the way back. Definitely worth a trip, especially if you are traveling with your wife or girl friend.