Vacation in Arizona, need tips

iam_thatdude
iam_thatdude Posts: 1,266 Member
edited December 18 in Chit-Chat
Gonna b based out of phx for 7 days in June....plan to hit grand canyon and sedona....what else would u recommend?

Note ill have 3 kids 12,8 & 5
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Replies

  • ThePhoenixRose
    ThePhoenixRose Posts: 1,978 Member
    Don't go in the summer. That would be my recommendation.
  • iam_thatdude
    iam_thatdude Posts: 1,266 Member
    Don't go in the summer. That would be my recommendation.

    Lol purposely going in summer to see of fam would consider moving there...
  • If you're going to Sedona - take a little trip to Montezuma's Castle... very cool cliff dwelling. Also, Lake Havasu is awesome. You can see the actual London Bridge... it's not that cool, but your kids might think it's neat!

    Other than that, the Colorado River runs through Bullhead and Laughlin NV is just on the other side!

    Also - I love the summers here. There are petroglyphs that are not really marked but if you have 4WD I can get you a little map. Some really, really neat stuff to see. Take them out in the desert and show them the cacti. It's crazy beautiful... some of the rock formations are just out of this world.
  • iam_thatdude
    iam_thatdude Posts: 1,266 Member
    If you're going to Sedona - take a little trip to Montezuma's Castle... very cool cliff dwelling. Also, Lake Havasu is awesome. You can see the actual London Bridge... it's not that cool, but your kids might think it's neat!

    Other than that, the Colorado River runs through Bullhead and Laughlin NV is just on the other side!

    How far a drive from phx??
  • If you're going to Sedona - take a little trip to Montezuma's Castle... very cool cliff dwelling. Also, Lake Havasu is awesome. You can see the actual London Bridge... it's not that cool, but your kids might think it's neat!

    Other than that, the Colorado River runs through Bullhead and Laughlin NV is just on the other side!

    How far a drive from phx??

    Mont Castle is on the way from Phoenix to Sedona. Probably 30 min from Sedona - Camp Verde area. I think you can get to Sedona from Phoenix in about 2 hours. Flagstaff to Bullhead/Laughlin is about 3 hours. You could make a loop.... drop down 95 along the Colorado River to get back to Phoenix.
  • SofaKingRad
    SofaKingRad Posts: 1,592 Member
    You will hate Phoenix in the summer. I would recommend hanging out in Flagstaff if you can tolerate hippies. The Grand Canyon will have tolerable summer weather, as long as you don't hike down to the bottom. With kids, you probably won't. Sedona is beautiful and you will like it there. A lot of weird psychic people though. Jerome is a cool little town just southwest of Sedona and it has a lot of history there.
  • alias1001
    alias1001 Posts: 634 Member
    A drive to Vegas would be like 5-6 hours from Phoenix...

    If you like pizza, one of the best pizzeria's in the country is there: http://www.pizzeriabianco.com/

    Other than that, I can't really say because I go to Tucson, not Phoenix. Believe or not, there's wine-tasting tours you can take near the Mexican border in Sonoita, AZ. Edit: Oops, sorry. Didn't see the children part.
  • Bahet
    Bahet Posts: 1,254 Member
    We lived in the Phoenix area for 5 years and loved it. People would complain about the heat but I loved that too. It seeps into your bones and feels great. I'd always say "People pay a lot of money to go to a spa and sit in the sauna. I just have to walk outside." Just don't walk outside barefoot in summer. You will BURN your feet!
  • iam_thatdude
    iam_thatdude Posts: 1,266 Member
    Well I live in east GA where the heat index is 110 in the summer with mega humidity...so im not worried about heat. I just need stuff for kids
  • If you drive to the South about 3.5 hours (or less, depending on your foot!), you can come to Bisbee. It's a small town south of Fort Huachuca. It was an old mining town. Lots of history but now it's an "artists' town." Good restaurants, galleries, a neat old mine tour the kids would love (the guides are old men who worked in the mines). It's a good place for a day trip. And, since the altitude is higher it's usually a good 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix!
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    As an Arizona girl, I will warn you that it will be very hot, but not at all humid yet, which will make a big difference.

    As far as where to go? Anywhere - enjoy our gorgeous sunsets while you're here.
  • Nimbkar
    Nimbkar Posts: 63 Member
    Havasupai Falls- 12 mile treck to Indian Reservation.It is off of high way 89. Breathtaking falls, the best I ever seen.
    or
    Try hiking the Usery Mountains. - The landscape is sonora desert, and the weather is always cool and windy there. I would definitely suggest getting there early in the morning to beat the AZ sun.
    Usery Mountains should be at 1 hour driving distance if you are in Phoenix proper.
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    Arizona Science Center (fun for kids)
    Golfland-SunSpash (Minigolf and waterpark) or WaterWorld or Stay at a resort with a waterpark
  • pullipgirl
    pullipgirl Posts: 767 Member
    Wildlife world zoo and aquarium http://www.wildlifeworld.com/
  • We have several waterparks and you can also tube the Salt River (though people drink quite a lot and the kiddos might see some inappropriate stuff). You could go to a D-backs game. We have several museums the kids would like. You can go rent a paddleboat at Tempe Town Lake. We have tons of lakes within an hour drive. We have several mini golf places and an indoor go-cart racing place. The Phoenix Zoo is cool but you'll want to go early before it gets too hot. We have roller skating rinks. TONS of things to do with the kids! :)
  • Bahet
    Bahet Posts: 1,254 Member
    Arizona Science Center (fun for kids)
    Golfland-SunSpash (Minigolf and waterpark) or WaterWorld or Stay at a resort with a waterpark
    The science center is wonderful! We had passes for a few years and would go about once a month. I don't think we did everything there was to do there anyhow.

    The water parks are really nice too. TONS to do but bring a lot of sunscreen.
  • Bahet
    Bahet Posts: 1,254 Member
    Wildlife world zoo and aquarium http://www.wildlifeworld.com/

    That's a few miles from where we used to live. It's a great zoo. They built a brand new aquarium that is only about 3 years old. My mom said they went to dinner there just a week or so ago and sat right next to a massive shark tank.
  • iam_thatdude
    iam_thatdude Posts: 1,266 Member
    We will also be looking at an area to potentially move to, I was wondering if anyone was familiar with the Anthem, AZ area.
  • Nimbkar
    Nimbkar Posts: 63 Member
    Yep, North Most end of Phoenix, next stop Flagstaff :-) Newly developed area- Honeywell and AMex have their Corporate centers and huge presence in the area
  • iam_thatdude
    iam_thatdude Posts: 1,266 Member
    Yep, North Most end of Phoenix, next stop Flagstaff :-) Newly developed area- Honeywell and AMex have their Corporate centers and huge presence in the area

    Good place to raise kids? Safe, schools, etc?
  • SirBen81
    SirBen81 Posts: 396 Member
    Spend 2 days in the Grand Canyon. Hike north rim to south rim. Sleep at the river.
  • jillb55
    jillb55 Posts: 3
    Be sure and see the Hoover Dam, I personnaly think it was one of the wonders of the world being built back in the early 1900's with the equipment they had to use! Finished in four years, ahead of schedule which was originall 6 years. It ruly is amazing and your eight uear old will enjoy the site and history.


    Have fun Jill
  • marzinator13
    marzinator13 Posts: 149 Member
    def go to sliderock. Its a nature made water slide .. also there is cliff diving there
  • iam_thatdude
    iam_thatdude Posts: 1,266 Member
    Good suggestions, but remember, will be with three kids 12, 8 and 5.
  • Nimbkar
    Nimbkar Posts: 63 Member
    Yes, School district is good but not the best in metro phoenix area. Then again, Our school districts are not the best in the country . LOL! But housing is great in the area, and some good charter schools are in the Athem area proximity. Not bad to raise kids.
    Also while you are here, consider Tempe or Chandler area, better schools. Of course, Scottsdale does have nice school too but it is the more affluent neighbourhood. Good luck! Hope this helps.
  • NaomiWhite77
    NaomiWhite77 Posts: 238 Member
    def go to sliderock. Its a nature made water slide .. also there is cliff diving there

    ^^^^THIS IS SO FUN!!!!! Sliderock is great for kids, wear old jean shorts.

    I grew up in Phx.. it's hot, but not humid.. it's great
  • _the_feniks_
    _the_feniks_ Posts: 3,412 Member
    Sliderock is overrated and you have to be very aware of the water... conditions. Lots of idiots use the creek as a bathroom so... Since your kids are pretty young there is a lot of fun things you can do. The Children's Museum of Phoenix is cool for all ages. The World Wildlife Zoo. Old Tucson. The kids would probably enjoy Montezuma's Castle as another poster mentioned. If you are going to Sedona, take a Hummer or Jeep tour with them.
  • Music_is_my_soul
    Music_is_my_soul Posts: 792 Member
    Tombstone is AWESOME!!!
  • SofaKingRad
    SofaKingRad Posts: 1,592 Member
    Anthem isn't a bad area to live. I know a few people who live there. It just kinda sucks because it's on the outskirts of everything. But yeah, someone mentioned Pizzeria Bianco... DO IT. It's in downtown PHX, and there is a wine bar next door. But the pizza? I will swear it can make anyone orgasm just off one bite. I'm not even exaggerating.
  • newata
    newata Posts: 75 Member
    I think Phoenix has it's ups and downs. There's some nice areas and bad areas like any place. I've lived in Flagstaff for 7 years. It's one of my most favorite towns I've ever lived in (out of california, arizona and georgia!) There's tons of biking and hiking trails all around here. There's artwalks in the summer and movies in the square downtown. It's also nice only being an hour from the grand canyon and 40 minutes from Sedona, and Oak Creek Canyon! I don't have any kids but my coworkers do and there are some good schools here along with extra things for children to do (ice rink, ski team, karata and gymnastics). Hope this helps.
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