<p>I am about to plan a 8-9 day “get-away” to Phoenix area for late March/early April and have never been there before. We plan to have a rental car and stay with family for about half that time (this time can also be used for sight seeing). I would like some tips on what to do- we like walking, hiking, music, art, nature, shopping, food! And don’t mind driving. Is it too late for spring training baseball? Would also appreciate opinions on nice (“upscale” is OK) resorts for a few days of R+R (to be combined with sight-seeing). We are not golfers, but would like scenic surroundings, a nice meal or two, maybe a spa treatment. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Sedona is about a two hour drive but is worth it IMO…I would even stay there for a couple of nights. Gorgeous scenery, lots of hiking, fun pink jeep tours. Lots of cool art and shops. We stayed a Los Abrigados. A little dated in the condos but comfortable and right next to a very neat shopping area. They also have a really good spa. It’s very “new age” in Sedona so you’ll find lots of spas, yoga, organic foods, etc. Some great restaurants. Love it there…always feel like I come out feeling 10 years younger!</p>
<p>I go to Spring Training every few years. Nothing better to get away from the cold for a few days of warmth and baseball! They go until pretty late in March, so you may be able to go. We always try to take a side trip up to the Grand Canyon – breathtaking!</p>
<p>Don’t miss Taliesen West (Frank Lloyd Wrights’ western home/school). Also, see what show is at the Gamage Auditorium on the ASU campus. Last spring break we saw Rent there. It’s another FLW building.</p>
<p>I’d break up the trip - part in Sedona, part in Phoenix/Scottsdale.</p>
<p>BTW, I heard that due to budget issues, the state is “permanently” closing some state parks and I seem to remember that Red Rock was one of them. If you plan to go do any state parks, check to see if they are still open.</p>
<p>Great upscale resort–not too far from Scottsdale: The Boulders. Great spa and golf.
[Scottsdale</a> Spa Resorts & Carefree Arizona Vacation Packages - The Boulders & Golden Door Spa](<a href=“http://www.theboulders.com/golden_door_spa/]Scottsdale”>http://www.theboulders.com/golden_door_spa/)
Taliesin is nearby as well.</p>
<p>mp…wow looked the AZ state parks up…yeah Red Rock will be closing.
[Arizona</a> State Parks: Home](<a href=“Arizona State Parks & Trails”>Arizona State Parks & Trails)
So sad, this is a BEAUTIFUL park with great trails. That said, there are still many hiking trails in Sedona…my favorites are the ones along Oak Creek Canyon.</p>
<p>Sedona is great if you have the time. When we were in that area we also visited Walnut Canyon, but we also drove all the way to the Grand Canyon. Closer in, I also highly recommend a visit to Taliesin West. We had a great hike up Camelback Mountain, right in Scottsdale.</p>
<p>On Monday, Ruelala will be selling some weekend getaway hotel packages in CA and AZ (Royal Palms and Wigwam Golf are listed as their Phoenix hotel options), check and see if the packages are a better value than what Expedia or other travel sites could offer. Royal Palms is listed as one of the Tripadvisor’s Top 25 Traveler’s Choice hotels of 2010.</p>
<p>I recommend driving south to see the saguaro cactus deserts.</p>
<p>The Boulders is having some specials so check their website. It is really top notch. The casitas are very cute. In addition to Camelback, you can climb Squaw Peak as well, right in the Phoenix area. Go to the Scottsdale Fashion Mall (high end stores) and then to Old town Scottsdale for a little touristy Western stuff (boots, hats etc.). A few years ago we stayed at the Hilton Squaw Peak, but I think it is no longer a Hilton. They had all suite rooms, which was nice for a little more space, and they have a spa.</p>
<p>thanks for some great ideas to get me started- keep them coming!</p>
<p>Some day trips - </p>
<p>You can head on a drive east from Phoenix through Apache Junction then on the Apache trail, route 88, through Tortilla Flat, and up to Roosevelt lake. Then you can head back from Roosevelt lake by heading south/southeast on 188 to Globe and then back towards Apache Junction/Phoenix on 60 making for a nice loop drive. This is a very scenic drive and very close to Phoenix. Maybe pack a lunch and have a picnic at the lake. </p>
<p>I don’t know where you’re coming from but if you’re not used to the desert/mountain scenery I think you’ll really enjoy it (you’d enjoy it anyway I’m sure).</p>
<p>You can also head south of Phoenix and visit the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum which is really a zoo with species native to the area. It’s done very nicely. Also in that area is ‘Old Tucson’ which is an old movie studio set where a lot of the old westerns were shot. That area has a lot of very scenic and beautiful Saguaro cactus.
[Arizona-Sonora</a> Desert Museum](<a href=“http://www.desertmuseum.org/]Arizona-Sonora”>http://www.desertmuseum.org/)
[Old</a> Tucson Studios](<a href=“http://www.oldtucson.com/]Old”>http://www.oldtucson.com/)</p>
<p>On the way to Tucson from Phoenix, there is a place called Picacho Peak park. The “peak” is just a very large rocky remnant of a mountain, and is very hikeable. The trail leading to the top meanders through the surrounding Saguaro “forest” - beautiful! DD loved that place. I just looked it up - it is scheduled to close June 3rd 
So sad… You HAVE to hike it before it closes! And I second the Old Tucson Studio suggestion - it is a very cool place unless you are totally alergic to Westerns. :)</p>
<p>I love the Heard Museum and the restaurant in it. It is a beautiful hacienda style museum in downtown Phoenix. It features southwestern Native American collections.
I like the Papago Museum because it features the archeology of the native population and it is a great time of year to be outdoors there. Also the Desert Botanical Museum is wonderful. Both are close to the airport. I love the Boulders for brunch also La Hermosa.
The spa at the Camelback Inn is a classic, recently remodeled and beautiful. Tempe is fun to walk around, especially for the younger set. (Mill Ave and ASU). Gammage theater is beautiful and it has a Frank Lloyd Wright connection. I like the Biltmore Hotel
at 24th and Camelback for lunch and outdoor shopping at the Biltmore Plaza at 24th Street and Camelback. Notice even the airport has art as do several highways and medians. Go to the Phoenician and have a cocktail if you can, it’s an experience.</p>
<p>Jerome is also interesting–a mining ghost town not far away.</p>
<p>Love the Heard Museum too.</p>
<p>Maybe eat at the Phoenician Hotel up on Camelback Mountain. It’s a beautiful place to stay, but probably over-priced. Ooops–thecheckbook already mentioned the Phoenician.</p>
<p>The zoo is wonderful. It took a leadership role on saving the Arabian Oryx from extinction.</p>
<p>Papago Park is lovely. I got my PhD at ASU and really enjoyed Tempe. One thing I liked, because I have no sense of direction, is that I could drive toward a mountain range and finally get where I wanted to go.</p>
<p>If you like trains, take the Verde Canyon railroad tour. Fun day trip.</p>
<p>[Welcome</a> to Verde Canyon Railroad - Home](<a href=“http://www.verdecanyonrr.com/]Welcome”>http://www.verdecanyonrr.com/)</p>
<p>If I were independently wealthy, I would live in Sedona. My favorite place.</p>