Phoenix anyone?
 

Heading off to Phoenix in the middle of the freaking summer in a few weeks. We're coming from DC, though we were in Palm Springs, CA a few months ago, so we're used to the desert.

Any "must see" things in the city? Touristy or not, just looking for stuff to do. We're staying at the Marriott Desert Ridge Resort on the north side of town and we have a rental for at least a few days. I scrapped a trip to the Grand Canyon cause it would have been hellacious to drive there and back right after a flight. Sedona is even too far at this point.

Any ideas?

How Long you down here for?

Big piece of advice would be to find things that are indoors, or very accessible to water or A/C. Take in a Diamondbacks game, and while you're in the downtown PHX area there's a variety of stuff to see(shops, PHX art museum, AZ science center, Az center/gardens, etc) . Whether you're coming with youngins in tow or not might change what else to reccomend reccomend, but from your hotel there's at least two lakes within an hour's drive that are pretty nice, but saw your comment about driving so not sure if even that's too far for you- Sedona's about 2 hours out of town.

I hate to sound discouraging; but you are picking the absolute worst time to visit AZ. It truly sucks here during that time. Image standing in an oven with wind that feels like a hair dryer blowing on you, now throw in some sand and dust- welcome to Phoenix.

However; mid September to March theres no place Id rather be.

Well, unfortunately, we couldn't choose the time. My wife has a conference out there. We're there for approx. 5 days. Since we're coming from the East coast, we're going to take advantage of being on EST and hit things way early in the morning to try and avoid cancer season in the middle of the day. I think we're even going to see Harry Potter one day to get out of the sun.

Any of the museums are a great place to get a feel of the local history, I know the Tempe Historical Museum is free on Sundays(not sure if only once a month or every week though). Tempe Town Lake is near the airport, and usually has some sort of thing going on during the weekend, as will Mill Ave in the evenings. There's Old Town Scottsdale if you like seeing the cowboy settings.

I live in Scottsdale and Desert Ridge is about 20 minutes from my house.

There's good shopping places around (Desert Ridge is cool and by your hotel), you could probably play golf somewhere if you go early (courses here are AWESOME, and it's not too expensive in the summer), check out old town Scottsdale, if you're here on June 30th there's the Warped Tour (hell yeah!), maybe go to a rodeo or some old cowboy town. If you see a movie, go to Cine Capri off the 101, it's awesome with big screens and stadium seating. Just make sure you plan out your trip before hand so you don't spend a lot of time sitting around.

Email me at falcon5018@hotmail.com if you have any questions, I'll be happy to help you out.

Last time I was out there we rented 4 wheelers and rode through the desert. It was a blast but it may be too hot in the summer.

If you golf, take advantage of playing some nice courses for around $40 / round. The rest of the year they cost $150 and up. If you really want a treat, drive 100 miles southeast to Tucson and see the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.

However, I would really recommend sucking it up and doing some driving - go to Sedona and the Grand Canyon, or drive up the Salt River Canyon to the White Mountains, then back thru Payson. Arizona's a beautiful state - sleep when you get home.

Oh! Oh! Oh! If you're going to Tucson check out Sabino (sp?) canyon. It's absolutly awsome! Many good childhood memories from that place. Also near Tuscon is Biospere 2. I alway thought it was more economical than scientifical (how's that for crappy english?)

I'd really reccomend trying to atleast get to Sedona. It's one of my favorite places in the world. Payson, like yournamehere mentioned, is also lovley. Flagstaff is cool too (man there's tons of hot girls at that school! :))

It's kinda sad that after living in Phoenix for 14 years there's not anything I can really think of to do. It's one of those places thats great to live in, but not neccassarly to live, unless your a snowbird (an old person that comes to PHX in the winter to get away from the cold).

BTW, check out the chuck box:
http://phoenix.citysearch.com/profil..._0_profile_2_1

I live down in Tucson and there is much more culture and a few less degrees down here than in Phoenix. Phoenix does have a better nightlife (Martini Ranch, Rula Bula, Anderson's 5th Estate, etc). I'd steer clear of Old Town Scottsdale myself. Real touristy and drab. Scottsdale Fashion Square is a monstrosity of a mall and you could find everything you wanted there in nice, cold A/C.The summer does suck in the Arizona desert, but I usually just stay inside during the day and have fun at night.

Also, if you want to see some history, you could always head down to the State Capitol building at 1700 W Washington in Phoenix. There's a museum there and they will give you a tour of the legislature, etc. I work for the House of Rep., so I have to mention it.

Glad to hear you are visiting out fine state and hope you have fun.

I'll take 105 degrees in Tucson over 85 degrees in Houston anytime!!! If you think <i>"It's a dry heat"</i> is a stupid cliche, it's because you haven't been unlucky enough to live in a "not dry" heat! Plus - in the desert, it cools off at night quite a bit.

IMO, Arizona summers are great - it never rains (till mid-July - and then usually only an hour a day, which cools everything off by 30 degrees). Hotel rooms that usually go for $200/night are only about $75 May thru September. Same with green fees - (see my earlier post).

Enjoy!

Sounds like someone really misses home! It's true that those sights are worth all the driving...the Grand Canyon is a must! Never seen Sedona but want to and soon...

What's the biggest, most imortant difference between Phoenix and Tuscon? Is there a 'Best golf course' in the state?

How would you describe fun things to go out & do or see there at night?

Is Star Gazing from a mountaintop included? :)