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Arizona?
Arizona?
Hey guys... been working on this a few days but it looks like it is finally coming together. We are fortunate enough to have been given a week in a friends time share for ... get ready .. NO CHARGE! Thought we were going to be going to be at a place in Sedona but that didn't work out so we are now going to be in Scottsdale at the Westin Kierland Villas.
Don't know if this is a "must stay" location but did i mention it is FREE??
What I want to know is what to do while out there for a week. Have never been. What to see, where to go, where to eat, drink, etc.
We check in to the villa 9/25 but we might head out a few days early and stay in another area. Sedona perhaps but not sure.
Appreciate any tips!
Thanks.
Mary Beth
Don't know if this is a "must stay" location but did i mention it is FREE??
What I want to know is what to do while out there for a week. Have never been. What to see, where to go, where to eat, drink, etc.
We check in to the villa 9/25 but we might head out a few days early and stay in another area. Sedona perhaps but not sure.
Appreciate any tips!
Thanks.
Mary Beth
Mary Beth, I've only had the pleasure of visiting Scottsdale once last March. We didn't have time to go up to Sedona which would have been my first choice. My husband was at a conference and I tagged along. I also wanted to see Taliesin West but it was closed for some reason that I can't remember.
I don't know if you are a golfer but I very much enjoyed a golf lesson and 9 holes with one of the pros at the resort which was a very different experience than back here in New England. It was beautiful with rare birds and a visiting Great White Heron which I had never seen so close and warnings to beware of rattlesnakes.
We also rented a sporty little convertible and drove up to the Cave Creek area and drove some through the Tonto National Forest. It had rained quite a bit that winter and the wildflowers were beautiful. Scottsdale itself has suffered from urban sprawl, IMO, which made us want to drive out into the open. The landscape is so foreign to me....but spectacularly beautiful in a stark catch your breath kind of a way. You can see forever. I hope you enjoy it!!
I don't know if you are a golfer but I very much enjoyed a golf lesson and 9 holes with one of the pros at the resort which was a very different experience than back here in New England. It was beautiful with rare birds and a visiting Great White Heron which I had never seen so close and warnings to beware of rattlesnakes.
We also rented a sporty little convertible and drove up to the Cave Creek area and drove some through the Tonto National Forest. It had rained quite a bit that winter and the wildflowers were beautiful. Scottsdale itself has suffered from urban sprawl, IMO, which made us want to drive out into the open. The landscape is so foreign to me....but spectacularly beautiful in a stark catch your breath kind of a way. You can see forever. I hope you enjoy it!!
Last edited by Agent99 on Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Hi Mary Beth!
The Westin Kierland is a great place to visit. not sure if you like to shop of not but right across the street is Kierland Commons (lots of good shopping). The restaurant at the Westin Kierland (Deseo) is great!!
When we visited Arizon we drove up to Sedona which is beautiful!!! We also took the time to drive up to the Grand Canyon - we acutally spent a night there and a night in Sedona. The drive is beautiful. We also drove to see the Meteor crater - I wasn't that excited to see this but hubby really wanted too. I have to say it is a very neat thing to see - it is hard for the eyes to comprehend exactly how big it is.
Hope you have a great time!
The Westin Kierland is a great place to visit. not sure if you like to shop of not but right across the street is Kierland Commons (lots of good shopping). The restaurant at the Westin Kierland (Deseo) is great!!
When we visited Arizon we drove up to Sedona which is beautiful!!! We also took the time to drive up to the Grand Canyon - we acutally spent a night there and a night in Sedona. The drive is beautiful. We also drove to see the Meteor crater - I wasn't that excited to see this but hubby really wanted too. I have to say it is a very neat thing to see - it is hard for the eyes to comprehend exactly how big it is.
Hope you have a great time!
Hi MB - Sedona does have a quirky mix of touristy T-shirt stores with an artsy fartsy/metaphysical scene so you need to get out into and explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the surrounding areas like Oak Creek and Cottonwood Canyon.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1V ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/SaQkO ... 0.jpg"></a>
In Sedona itself you have the Pink Jeep tours that take you out into the surrounding red rock country – touristy, but fun.
On the outskirts of town, we’ve had an enjoyable lunch at this place several times: http://www.shugrues.com/sedona/
Nice to eat out on that deck with those views – this photo taken there in 04. Geez my daughter looks young.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ec ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/SaQh9 ... a.jpg"></a>
This church just south of town is beautiful:
http://www.chapeloftheholycross.com/sto ... e=Pictures
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uP ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/SaQg9 ... h.jpg"></a>
The south rim of the Grand Canyon is about 120 mi. north of Sedona. Much closer and just north of Sedona on Rt. 89A is Slide Rock State Park. Fun easy hikes.
A little further north on 89A are the dramatic switchbacks through Sterling and Oak Creek Canyons with some overlooks/turnoffs.
Flagstaff on the way to the GC has a real good microbrew bar/restaurant with good food – the Beaver Street Brewery near downtown and the train station http://www.beaverstreetbrewery.com/
North of Flagstaff is Sunset Crater which is pretty neat to see with good paths to walk around (and I much much preferred it to Meteor Crater which is east of Flagstaff). Sections almost give the impression like had volcanic activity recently.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2m ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/SaQiW ... 4.jpg"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1L ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/SaQjv ... 6.jpg"></a>
AZ has quite the varied landscape. If you do some windshield time there, you’re bound to see vistas like this. A storm was coming up and I had to stop the car and take this – somewhere in the middle of nowhere in the NE corner of the state.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uu ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/SaQly ... 1.jpg"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1V ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/SaQkO ... 0.jpg"></a>
In Sedona itself you have the Pink Jeep tours that take you out into the surrounding red rock country – touristy, but fun.
On the outskirts of town, we’ve had an enjoyable lunch at this place several times: http://www.shugrues.com/sedona/
Nice to eat out on that deck with those views – this photo taken there in 04. Geez my daughter looks young.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ec ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/SaQh9 ... a.jpg"></a>
This church just south of town is beautiful:
http://www.chapeloftheholycross.com/sto ... e=Pictures
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uP ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/SaQg9 ... h.jpg"></a>
The south rim of the Grand Canyon is about 120 mi. north of Sedona. Much closer and just north of Sedona on Rt. 89A is Slide Rock State Park. Fun easy hikes.
A little further north on 89A are the dramatic switchbacks through Sterling and Oak Creek Canyons with some overlooks/turnoffs.
Flagstaff on the way to the GC has a real good microbrew bar/restaurant with good food – the Beaver Street Brewery near downtown and the train station http://www.beaverstreetbrewery.com/
North of Flagstaff is Sunset Crater which is pretty neat to see with good paths to walk around (and I much much preferred it to Meteor Crater which is east of Flagstaff). Sections almost give the impression like had volcanic activity recently.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2m ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/SaQiW ... 4.jpg"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1L ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/SaQjv ... 6.jpg"></a>
AZ has quite the varied landscape. If you do some windshield time there, you’re bound to see vistas like this. A storm was coming up and I had to stop the car and take this – somewhere in the middle of nowhere in the NE corner of the state.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uu ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/SaQly ... 1.jpg"></a>
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Hi Mary Beth---Mostly just wanted to mention that the Westin Kierland is a great place---I've been to the hotel portion for a business conference, and friends of ours have stayed in the timeshare portion. Would recommend cocktails just outside the main lobby---beautiful view.
Favorite nice restaurant is T. Cook's at the Royal Palms---very romantic, small boutique resort. Close to the hotel, as others have mentioned, is a shopping area called Kierland Commons. Mastro's Ocean Club is a good seafood restaurant here, as long as you don't mind somewhat crowded, noisy restaurants. "North" is a good vaguely northern Italian restaurant (also crowded and an "in" spot). "Roaring Fork" is not too far away and is a nice place with fairly serious southwestern food. Lots of new, hip spots in the "Scottsdale Waterfront" area that I haven't been to yet---Olive and Ivy and the Pink Taco come recommended from good sources. Enjoy!
Favorite nice restaurant is T. Cook's at the Royal Palms---very romantic, small boutique resort. Close to the hotel, as others have mentioned, is a shopping area called Kierland Commons. Mastro's Ocean Club is a good seafood restaurant here, as long as you don't mind somewhat crowded, noisy restaurants. "North" is a good vaguely northern Italian restaurant (also crowded and an "in" spot). "Roaring Fork" is not too far away and is a nice place with fairly serious southwestern food. Lots of new, hip spots in the "Scottsdale Waterfront" area that I haven't been to yet---Olive and Ivy and the Pink Taco come recommended from good sources. Enjoy!
---Jim
You've gotten some great recommendations so far. Sedona is beautiful. Grand Canyon too.
I am in the process of putting up some of my vacation snapshots. There are some Arizona ones posted here:
http://visualviolations.shutterfly.com/
I did really enjoy the tour we took of Taliesin West. Got some great photos. If you enjoy photography, the Tonto National Forest is also a great spot. You may wish to continue all the way on to Globe just to get a variety of terrain. There are some not really impressive ruins in Globe, but there's the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, on the road between Apache Junction and the Tonto National Forest.
If you like Petroglyphs, the Deer Valley Rock Art Center has hundreds of them on a flat easy walk with an interpretive center. If you prefer your petroglyphs "wild", there is a fairly challenging hike in the Gold Canyon area (out near the Superstitions and Apache Junction area) that goes up the side of the mountain. There is a pool and a gorgeous view of the valley below to reward you when you reach the petroglyphs.
Superstition Mountains/Lost Dutchman has nice hiking trails, but I got great photos without ever leaving the parking lot because Mr. Ifloat was too lazy to walk that day. Apache Junction area. Also if you just drive around that area and get lost you can find some nice scenery.
What else. Hmm. Arcosanti, which is 65 miles north of Phoenix. Hard to describe WHAT that is exactly. Google it! Or if you are only interested in the bells, Cosanti which is near Scottsdale. I enjoyed watching them cast the bells, and the female genitalia shaped buildings are quite amusing.
There are usually some tented art shows in the area. Also, if you like gallery hopping, Scottsdale is fun to walk through.
There might be an Arabian Horse Show going on while you are in town.
I like Joe's BBQ in Gilbert for the GINORMOUS baked sweet potatoes and pulled pork.
I am in the process of putting up some of my vacation snapshots. There are some Arizona ones posted here:
http://visualviolations.shutterfly.com/
I did really enjoy the tour we took of Taliesin West. Got some great photos. If you enjoy photography, the Tonto National Forest is also a great spot. You may wish to continue all the way on to Globe just to get a variety of terrain. There are some not really impressive ruins in Globe, but there's the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, on the road between Apache Junction and the Tonto National Forest.
If you like Petroglyphs, the Deer Valley Rock Art Center has hundreds of them on a flat easy walk with an interpretive center. If you prefer your petroglyphs "wild", there is a fairly challenging hike in the Gold Canyon area (out near the Superstitions and Apache Junction area) that goes up the side of the mountain. There is a pool and a gorgeous view of the valley below to reward you when you reach the petroglyphs.
Superstition Mountains/Lost Dutchman has nice hiking trails, but I got great photos without ever leaving the parking lot because Mr. Ifloat was too lazy to walk that day. Apache Junction area. Also if you just drive around that area and get lost you can find some nice scenery.
What else. Hmm. Arcosanti, which is 65 miles north of Phoenix. Hard to describe WHAT that is exactly. Google it! Or if you are only interested in the bells, Cosanti which is near Scottsdale. I enjoyed watching them cast the bells, and the female genitalia shaped buildings are quite amusing.
There are usually some tented art shows in the area. Also, if you like gallery hopping, Scottsdale is fun to walk through.
There might be an Arabian Horse Show going on while you are in town.
I like Joe's BBQ in Gilbert for the GINORMOUS baked sweet potatoes and pulled pork.
