ot: Traveling to Phoenix - Looking for advice!

[raygunner]

I'm traveling to Phoenix, AZ in late Feb with my girlfriend.

We have a long weekend and we'll be mobile so any advice on places to see, eat, stay, hike and bike (though we'd have to rent).

We're thinking about staying somewhere central to alot of hiking since that might be the default outdoor activity but have no good frame of reference for AZ.

After all, I've never been to AZ before but after another awful Chicago winter it'll be great to get warm.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!!

[Ralph]

It's a big city.

[katematt]

I'll start the bidding with some food rec's

Filiberto's - Carnitas Burrito w/ beans and guacamole inside.

Carolina's - anything but I prefer the Carne Asada

Don't be deceived by appearance they cook at very hot temperatures.

[verticaldoug]

If your girlfriend is outdoorsy and likes to hike, you can go find some trails in the Superstition Wilderness. You should be able to pick up a map at the local REI from Beartooth Publishing with all the trails.

You can drive out on the Apache Trail and park at a trail head and hike. The scenery is so different from the midwest, it is really energizing.

[azrider]

Having lived here for 10 years this would be my list:

1. Hike Camelback. I prefer Echo over Cholla.
https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/camelback-mountain

2. Walk around Old Town, Scottsdale
http://www.experiencescottsdale.com/explore-by-area/downtown/

3. Hike Gateway Loop in McDowells
http://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/trailhead/displayHike/1#sthash.BAAfFDOU.dpbs

4. Happy Hour and dinner at El Charro (amazing views of Camelback on patio)
http://elchorro.com/

5. Barrio Queen in Old Town (best Mexican grub in town. period)
http://www.barrioqueen.com/#!menu/crrl

7. Happy Hour at Biltmore. Go grab a drink, sit by fire on main patio and soak it all in
http://www.arizonabiltmore.com/

[azrider]

We're thinking about staying somewhere central to alot of hiking since that might be the default outdoor activity but have no good frame of reference for AZ.

Phoenix- Downtown is pretty nasty and not worth seeing. Unless you want to watch the worst team in NBA

Tempe- I'm personally a fan of Mill Avenue and Tempe Lake. My wife is a little uncomfortable with the scene: college kids, bums, patchouli oil, etc......but I get a kick out of it

Scottsdale- I'd recommend looking in or around somewhere close to Old Town. Of my previous rec's, 6 of the 7 listed are all within a 4 mile drive of Old Town area. North Scottsdale is more high rent district with areas like Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter which is all shopping and dinning but again....be on look out for speeding Bentleys, lots of attitude, and Ed Hardy types........

just my two cents

[raygunner]

Great, thanks for the heads up!

[jmoore]

Chelsea's Kitchen for dinner.

La Grande Orange if you want some killer pizza. They have a dessert place next door that has really good gelato and coffee.


There are a zillion places to hike. Just find a trail and start walking. It will be great.

[BobO]

Sedona is a 2 hour drive, take I-17 to RTE 179 through Village of Oak Creek then to Sedona. This is a very scenic drive and worth the trip if you're that close.

http://visitsedona.com/what-to-do/

http://www.tlaq.com/

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Arizona/Sedona-750304/General_Tips-Sedona-Town_of_Sedona-BR-1.html

[Cicli]

Superstition for hiking.

LoLo's Chicken and waffles downtown or Pizzaria Bianco are good places to eat.

[josephr]

When we visited Tucson a few years ago, we flew in/out of Phoenix and we took the morning tour of Taliesin West --- Frank Lloyd Wright's desert home...

I like architecture, but if they allowed self-tours, I'd be happy with a 5 minute walk-thru....but my wife really enjoyed all the stories and particulars about FLW's life there, so I'd say it was worth it.

http://www.franklloydwright.org/taliesin-west/plan-a-visit.html

Joe

[alexstar]

if you like an old school steakhouse... go to Durant's in Scottsdale. That is all.

[JAGI410]

Los Taquitos on Elliot. JP Pancake on Guadalupe. Arizona Wilderness brewing is solid too. Lots of good food to be had without relying on "chains".

Hiking Camelback or Superstition this time of year is nice as well.

I second the old town Scottsdale walk around experience. Enjoy!

[Cicli]

if you like an old school steakhouse... go to Durant's in Scottsdale. That is all.

Is there still one downtown?
If so, go in through the kitchen. :beer:

[Highpowernut]

Az rider has great advice.
Barrio queen is great.

Old town is fun, take a golf cart wherever you want to try next.

North central Phoenix is great . Lots of trails and parks. Good area.
Apache trailhead is an awesome spot for road,mtn bike , also hike.

Thunderbird park is another north side area .

Humble pie has good gourmet pizza. There are multiple locations, Scottsdale and north Phoenix.

[sweet_johnny]

It's been a while since I've lived in Tempe, but I'll second a couple of the places that people have mentioned.

- Filibertos for the best, nastiest, localist, cheapest mexican food. The chicken burrito is cheap up front, but you'll pay for it later.

- Four Peaks in Tempe is a great brew pub. The food is awesome, the beer is awesome, the waitresses are, um... well... very nice. Get the sampler of beer, but establish who is driving you home ahead of time.

- Hike up Camelback for some great views of the city.

- Mill Ave is cool for the college town feel, but if you're looking for a more authentic experience (read: not 19 years old) go to Four Peaks or Casey Moores.

[azrider]

Humble pie has good gourmet pizza. There are multiple locations, Scottsdale and north Phoenix.

Good call. The Humble Pie in Scottsdale is the wife and I's Thursday night date night: appetizer, two salads, and Large pizza for $24. Can't beat it.

Forgot one last thing. Breweries.

Four Peaks on 8th St in Tempe, AZ is the original and still my favorite. Even if Anheuser-Busch just bought them out. (eyeroll)

OHSO Brewery (on Indian School) has the best patio atmosphere by far.

Huss Brewing in Tempe: two words.....Scottsdale Blonde

[Idris Icabod]

Good call. The Humble Pie in Scottsdale is the wife and I's Thursday night date night: appetizer, two salads, and Large pizza for $24. Can't beat it.


Funnily enough I ate at the downtown Humble Pie on Sunday, the pizza was excellent but it was the worst dining experience I have had for ages. I watched every table being seated and every single one started with an apology and the service didn't improve after that. I saw 3 tables walk to the bar to try to pay!
I did eat at the Scottsdale location over the holidays and the service was the polar opposite, in fact I remember commenting to my wife how great it was. So if you do Humble Pie go to the Scottsdale location!

[lovethesport]

Just came back from Scottsdale/Carefree.. wonderful place to visit.
all recs have been good. Rent your bikes from AOA, they are outstanding not only as outfitters but guides as well. If you mountain bike try Browns Ranch for a wonderful scenic ride through the desert with trails everyone can enjoy. Hike Pinnacle Peak..fun.
Great Mexican restaurant in Old Scottsdale is The Mission.
Try to go star gazing as well . Have fun

[bking]

Durants is on central ave in phx, don't think theres another...would be sacrilege.
that being said, while i do like durants better than any of the named steak joints here in vegas, isnt' the op from chicago? they know steak.
i'd do some of the other spots, biancos for pizza. and yes for hikes, head out to superstition and find that lost gold mine.

[Gummee]

I'm traveling to Phoenix, AZ in late Feb with my girlfriend.

We have a long weekend and we'll be mobile so any advice on places to see, eat, stay, hike and bike (though we'd have to rent).

We're thinking about staying somewhere central to alot of hiking since that might be the default outdoor activity but have no good frame of reference for AZ.

After all, I've never been to AZ before but after another awful Chicago winter it'll be great to get warm.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!!If you wanna try a B-n-B try the Bespoke Inn up in Scottsdale

Buddy of mine runs the place.

He's a steel bike guy thru and thru

M

[zmudshark]

PM sent.

[christian]

I haven't been there since 1997, but I can't imagine that hiking in the superstitions and eating Mexican food isn't still the right answer. Have a great time.

[jlwdm]

A few comments on prior posts.

Bicycle Haus is a great high end bike shop and I like the people that work there.

LoLos Chicken: Never went there they are opening one near me in Southlake.

Old Town Scottsdale: I don't get it. My first move to Scottsdale was in 1984 and Old Town seemed like it had seen better times back then.

Humble Pie is a great place.

Jeff

[Highpowernut]

All this Phoenix talk makes me want to get a pace line group ride together.
Bike;)

[zmudshark]

All this Phoenix talk makes me want to get a pace line group ride together.
Bike;)There is one coming up, but you have to be old, fat, slow and injured to be invited.

Knowing how to cook over wood and mix drinks is a plus.

[jmoore]

There is one coming up, but you have to be old, fat, slow and injured to be invited.

Knowing how to cook over wood and mix drinks is a plus.
No carbon!!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

[Highpowernut]

No carbon!!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk


It's Ti with carbon bits.
1697914055
Will that be accepted?

[kingpin75s]

T.C. Eggington's in Mesa for breakfast.

[zmudshark]

It's Ti with carbon bits.
1697914055
Will that be accepted?Allowed, but there is a fine.:beer:

[adrien]

Rent a bike, ride a downloaded route and marvel at the notion that it's so dry you're getting chapped lips.

I've rented all over the world, and these guys are definitely in the top tier. Nice bikes, great service and good folks:

https://aoa-adventures.com/scottsdale-phoenix-bike-rentals/

[raygunner]

Big thanks to Zmudshark and his suggestions for Sedona!

Great weather, great accommodations, great hiking.

I thought it was weird turning to Paceline for travel suggestions but I have just say thanks again!!

[Cicli]

Big thanks to Zmudshark and his suggestions for Sedona!

Great weather, great accommodations, great hiking.

I thought it was weird turning to Paceline for travel suggestions but I have just say thanks again!!

Glad it was a good trip.
This is a good place for suggestions. Everything from travel to colon exams. Sometimes bikes too.

[twangston73]

+ 1 on the Bespoke Inn if you can stay there - really nice. The adjacent bike shop is fun to perus and the attached restaurant is excellent.

And, this is just a tip on where to find tips - Keith Law has a detailed food guide to the area on his blog, Meadow Party - he is a baseball writer and foodie and does recommendations for all the spring training area dining options - but the tips are good year-round!

[raygunner]

We stayed at the Junipine resort. Super relaxing and exactly what I was looking for.

[zmudshark]

:D:beer::hello::banana:We stayed at the Junipine resort. Super relaxing and exactly what I was looking for.

[Highpowernut]

Glad it was a great trip.

[FL_MarkD]

We stayed at Junipine a dozen years ago, I still think about that couple of days. Just a beautiful place. I hiked the trail to the rim, wish I had taken enough water with me or drank less beer the night before :D

Glad you had a great time.

[BlueFly]

sedona is a 2 hour drive, take i-17 to rte 179 through village of oak creek then to sedona. This is a very scenic drive and worth the trip if you're that close.

http://visitsedona.com/what-to-do/

http://www.tlaq.com/

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/north_america/united_states_of_america/arizona/sedona-750304/general_tips-sedona-town_of_sedona-br-1.html

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