Phoenix/Tucson/Sedona travel help if you feel like it

[nicolewi]

DH has a free conference trip to Phoenix area at the end of January. The timing is tough for us, it's a lot for my parents to cover the four kids and the dog, and Phoenix isn't super exciting as it's not that warm in Jan and also I've been to the area on a couple trips already (albeit not for at least 20 years!!!)(and no offense to Phoenix!)(just like, if it were Key West or Mexico or something that would be better). 

We weren't going to go, but now we ARE leaning towards going b/c my parents have the dates free and we're thinking we should just take advantage of the opportunity, even if it's not the most exciting trip ever. 

So if we go, we would probably try to extend the short trip and take a mini road trip after the conference. I've been to Sedona (hardly remember) and Tucson (remember really liking it) but as noted it was ages ago. 

Where would you go with your spouse in or around Phoenix (probably within about 2 hours?) for a day trip, and what would you do? Any recommendations for attractions, dining, etc?

[Jalapeñomel]

In Tucson, you can do the Desert Museum or Old Tucson studios, but I cannot imagine taking a day trip just to see either one of those things. Kartchner Caverns are amazing, but that would be almost 3 hours from Phoenix.

[nicolewi]

…or just what would you do in general with your spouse if you had a day to just hang out in that area? Doesn’t have to be a road trip.

[sdlaura]

I'd honestly just hang in the Scottsdale area. Hike Camelback, then go to the Phoenician Spa. Get a treatment and hang at the heated rooftop pool and in the sauna. Then a nice dinner.

I also have four kids and would not pass up a chance to get away. And honestly I think Phoenix is great in January (especially coming from Wisconsin, which I assume from your screen name

[pugz]

the botanical gardens in Phoenix are amazing

[nicolewi]

pugz, that is one thing I remember doing and really enjoyed. Might do that again.

[ellipses84]

I’d want to go to Sedona because it’s magical, but my DH would 💯 want to stay in Phoenix.

I’d also consider going to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, but if you are trying to get away from cold weather you may not want to spend any time there.

There are so many great restaurants and spas in Phoenix. Last time we were there we got caught in a wind storm so we pulled into a casino parking garage and ended up spending half our date night at the casino. We stay on the opposite side from Scottsdale and DH hates even driving that far, so if we go out it’s usually in downtown Chandler. There’s also some good museums and Taliesin, if that interests you. Also if you stay at a hotel with a large hottub you could use that.

[pugz]

Dec 20, 2023 14:41:53 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

pugz , that is one thing I remember doing and really enjoyed. Might do that again.

We had never been around cacti before so it was all SO interesting and new to us. There was also a lot of great public art there at the time too, not sure if that was permanent or not. I'd like to go back and take the kids.

[sent]

I would go to Sedona. I seem to end up in Phoenix annually for conferences. I find it to be a boring place IMO. Luckily these last 2 years, I have a friend from Tucson who knows the restaurant scene in Phoenix and has taken us to some good places. Most recently I went to Flagstaff for a wedding. Because of an Airbnb mixup, I had to get my own hotel room for a night and drive far away toward Phoenix for it. I drove through Sedona and was like "now this is cute and interesting all at the same time." It was just different than driving around Phoenix.

[tiki]

In January I'd go south to Tucson and hope to catch some early desert in bloom, but I'd want to at least stay overnight since there's a ton to do - Desert Sonoran Museum, the Planetarium, Biosphere, Old Tucson, Tombstone, Hiking Mt Lemmon, Colossal Cave, etc.

Eta: if staying in Phoenix, I'd go hiking in Lost Dutchman State Park and then drive out to Tortilla Flat for ice cream or dinner. 

[lucybrown]

H and I are doing a long weekend in January and chose Sedona. We’ll probably also do a day trip to the Grand Canyon. Neither of us have ever been to AZ. We’ll probably hike and chill out.

[Jalapeñomel]

The food is excellent in Tucson should you choose to go. Just go eat.