Hey guys,

I didnt' want to tie anybody up...but me and the soon-to-be missus are heading for Phoenix from Aug 18-25, and while we were there I wanted to get some input on things to see and do while in the area from anybody who might actually LIVE there! We are staying in Carefree actually, and I rented a Grand Cherokee for the week (have you seen what WRANGLER goes for???????).

Any input would be appreciated!!! Thanks alot!

 

Mike, it's gonna be HOT here. What do you want to do? Off-roading? Sightseeing in Sedona? Grand Canyon is a bit far from Phx, about 4+ hours each way. There's lots of sightseeing around AZ; I think Phx is a bit weak for sightseeing. There are some cool things: if you like architecture, go see Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West. Baseball? Dbacks are in town--only ballpark with a pool beyond right field and airconditioning throughout. Shopping? Your wife will be in heaven. Golf? You're set in Phx.

If you are off-roading be careful as it is easy to get desert pinstriping here and you don't want that liability in a rental. If you want to chat more, PM me.
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Your new wife will want a divorce after dragging her around in a JEEP!

 

Hahaha..oh man!

 

ok, other thoughts--Spa day at Camelback Inn. Great dinners--Binkley's (near where you are staying); Cowboy Ciao, downtown Scottsdale; Roy's Pacific Rim cuisine; Scottsdale; Roaring Fork, Scottsdale; most of those are pricey, so check menus first. [/align]

 

Thank you very much for the input. I'll take a look at the restuarants...really appreciate the suggestion. As far as the Jeep thing goes...well...we own one anyway, so...

If only I could have rented an H3 (or a Wrangler that wasn't $275 for three hours

 

When you get to Phx just ask the rental agency if they have a Wrangler available for the same price. It's hot here, car rentals are slow at least compared to spring. When I travel around the country I often get the car I want just by asking and I always rent a compact or mid-size. Usually I end up in a Chrysler 300, Sebring convertible or nice SUV (usually Thrifty or Dollar). Heck, it was by asking that I ended up with this Hummer. I rented one in Denver for a week and initially they gave me a mini-van. I groaned and asked if I could have an H3 instead. They said "Sure!" and they gave it to me for my original price of a Pontiac G3 (Thank you Avis). I liked the Hummer so much I bought one when I got off the plane back in Phoenix.

So, ask the agency when you get here, you might just end up in a Wrangler at no extra charge, especially since you're already paying for an SUV.
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I live in PHX also. Lots to do. Good restaurants, golf, and shopping (scottsdale). As Alrock says, would definitely head up north to Sedona and maybe up to Flagstaff (only about 2 hrs.), all pine trees and Mtns. up there. May also want to head down to Tucson (bout 2 hr. drive). Scenery there is a bit nicer than PHX, I think, it will be probably 6-10 degrees cooler. Lots to do there, nice drive up to Mt. Lemmon (8K feet), nice town at the top, Summerhaven. Desert Museum gives you a good idea of the outdoor life. Between Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Tucson, thatgivesyou a real good idea ofAZ with the desert and high country.Wheel that Jeep out in the desert! Just take I-10 towards Tucson and dump off somehwere in the desert and have fun.