Arizona Spring Break Help

Chi-town · Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:37 pm

Hey All,

Me and my roommates are going to Arizona in March for spring break. I need some suggestions/advice.
First of all, these are the things we would like to do....

1. Suns Game (Phoenix)
1a. Tour Chase Field (Phoenix)
2. Cubs Spring Training Game (Mesa)
3. Take a tour of University of Phoenix Online Stadium (Glendale)
4. See ASU's campus and climb "A" mountain (Tempe)
5. Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall (Scottsdale)
6. Go Tubing on the Salt River and/or white water raft.
7. Check out some local bars
8. Possibly go to the Grand Canyon

Ive been to Arizona before but since we want to do all of this, where would be a good place to stay? A centralized hotel would be nice so we could easily drive to all of this. I was thinking maybe Scottsdale/Tempe?

EWRCabincrew · Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:48 pm

Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter):
I was thinking maybe Scottsdale/Tempe?

Very good to start and centrally located to all you need.

Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter):
climb "A" mountain (Tempe)

For a better climb, hike Camelback. The "A" mountain isn't much of a hike.

Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter):
Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall (Scottsdale)

Shopping? With the great weather here, you want to go shopping? Indoor shopping?

Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter):
Go Tubing on the Salt River and/or white water raft.

http://www.saltrivertubing.com/

Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter):
Possibly go to the Grand Canyon

4 hour drive. Worth it, if you have never been. http://www.nps.gov/grca/

Welcome to our neck of the woods.

bristolflyer · Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:10 pm

Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter):
6. Go Tubing on the Salt River and/or white water raft.

You can rule that out as it doesn't open 'til May. I think the white water rafting trips in the Grand Canyon are 5 days min.

desertjets · Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:14 pm

Quoting EWRCabincrew (Reply 1):
Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter):
Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall (Scottsdale)

Shopping? With the great weather here, you want to go shopping? Indoor shopping?

Never understood the fascination of going to another town just to go shopping. There isn't anything at Fashion Square that you won't find at any other higher end shopping mall in the US. Plus with the exception of the newer south wing, Fashion Square is older than most of the other major malls in the Valley. If you want to hit a mall for an afternoon, grab a movie, I'd hit up Arizona Mills.... which would also be in the area you want to stay in.

Otherwise definitely go to a Spring Training Game. Go tubing, I've never been but a good way to spend a warm afternoon.

Grand Canyon (I lived in AZ for over 10 years and never went) is worth it. If you have a car I'd also hit Sedona along the way. Though in March it will still be chilly up there.

Since you are an aviation buff head out to Falcon Field in Mesa and go to the Chaplin Fighter Museum and the Confederate Air Force Museum. Then get dinner at Anzio Landing.... not exactly top notch food, but the views are nice from the dining room.

EA CO AS · Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:18 pm

Quoting DesertJets (Reply 3):
I'd hit up Arizona Mills....

Be sure to wear kevlar though. That place has gotten really shady.

National757 · Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:20 pm

Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter):
8. Possibly go to the Grand Canyon

As others have said, it's a must see! Move that up to the top of your list.

Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter):
where would be a good place to stay?

When I went last month, I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Airport. Pretty good place, moderately priced, and centrally located off Interstate 10. I recommend it.

Tom in NO · Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:27 pm

Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter):
where would be a good place to stay? A centralized hotel would be nice so we could easily drive to all of this. I was thinking maybe Scottsdale/Tempe?

We stayed at the Embassy Suites just north of Sky Harbor (North 41st at East McDowell) in early June for something like $90/night.....winter rates might still be in effect in March, so you might end up paying a bit more for hotels. And for the spotting nerds, like me, the airport is perhaps two miles down North 41st.

The Grand Canyon is definitely worth the roadie.....and Sedona is an easy diversion to take off I-17. Don't try to do the roundtrip in one day.....stay a night in either Flagstaff or Tusayan/Grand Canyon Village and enjoy the trip that much more.

Tom at MSY

FlagshipAZ · Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:02 pm

Enjoy Arizona, but please stay away from Lake Havasu City. It's a waste of of time & money there.
I should know, I've lived there for 3 years, and during spring break it's just overcrowded, dirty & the cops are dicks.
Rest of the state is much more tasteful & enjoyable than Havasu will ever be.
Regards.

EWRCabincrew · Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:07 pm

Quoting FlagshipAZ (Reply 7):
the cops are dicks.

You might be too if you had to deal with the Spring Break clientele (not known for its peacefulness). I'd be a dick if I had to deal with that mentality.

FlagshipAZ · Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:16 pm

Let me clarify on Havasu's cops being dicks. Cops there are little dicks during off-season, but they're nothing but viagra-induced boners during spring break. They treat the town's own citizens like crap as well, during the rowdy days & nights of spring break...and spring break is the #1 source of dollars for Havasu. Avoid them if you can.
Regards.

Chi-town · Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:26 pm

How about the sports events??

Is the University of Phoenix Online stadium worth going to get a tour? I have heard that it is amazing and state of the art.

Quoting DesertJets (Reply 3):
I'd hit up Arizona Mills.... which would also be in the area you want to stay in.

Where is that by the way?

Oh, I forgot to add one more thing to our list....

We would like to go on a ATV desert tour as well. Any places in the Phoenix metro area for that?

EWRCabincrew · Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:37 pm

Quoting FlagshipAZ (Reply 9):
Cops there are little dicks during off-season, but they're nothing but viagra-induced boners during spring break.

Point taken.

Quoting Chi-town (Reply 10):
Where is that by the way?

Noooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!

http://www.arizonamills.com/static/n....jsp;jsessionid=a70JFSn-I8rbvchXRA

desertjets · Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:18 pm

Quoting National757 (Reply 5):
When I went last month, I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Airport. Pretty good place, moderately priced, and centrally located off Interstate 10. I recommend it.

Quoting Tom in NO (Reply 6):
We stayed at the Embassy Suites just north of Sky Harbor (North 41st at East McDowell) in early June for something like $90/night.....winter

While both decent hotel choices I don't think anything near Sky Harbor would be a good choice. Neither of those places are anywhere near anything, except maybe a freeway offramp. Unfortunately during March with spring training in full force there won't be any screaming deals on hotels. I would think Priceline would be a good bet. And I'd stick the Tempe/Scottsdale. Downtown Scottsdale may just be the best location overall IMHO. Especially if you want some nightlife.

Chi-town · Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:21 pm

Keep it coming!

Thanks for all of the great information everyone

bristolflyer · Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:19 pm

Quoting Chi-town (Reply 10):
We would like to go on a ATV desert tour as well. Any places in the Phoenix metro area for that?

There are a lot of companies doing ATV, Jeep and Hummer tours. They'll pick you up from your hotel, and then take you out to the desert (NOT in metro Phoenix!).

If you want shopping, Fashion Square Mall in Scottsdale is ok, as is Chandler Fashion Mall. If you want to fo higher end then Biltmore Fashion Park will suit you.

Tempe has got good nightlife (mainly students), as has Scottsdale (mainly MILFs and 30k Millionaires - check www.dirtyscottsdale.com). There are some exceptions though before people rag on me for that!

Get to the Grand Canyon, you won't regret it. Four Peaks is also worth a drive out to, though I have never hiked it a few friends say it's a good hike.

fumanchewd · Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:23 pm

Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter):
2. Cubs Spring Training Game (Mesa)

Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter):
1. Suns Game (Phoenix)

Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter):
6. Go Tubing on the Salt River and/or white water raft.

All Good.

I really like an old mining town of Jerome. Beautiful view and cool atmosphere. Its only about a 1.5 hour drive from Phoenix. Old town scottsdale has alot of clubs/bars. If you prefer regular types of clubs than Martini Ranch is good. There are also trendy clubs there all within a square mile.

Hit up Mill avenue one weekend night as well in Tempe. Its the ASU bar street.

Sedona is beautiful but don't spend too much time there. It is a overcrowded tourist trap. Look at the mountains. Check out the stream and get the hell out.

Camelback and Supersitition mountains are the best hikes. Camelback is a quick couple of hours up and down. Superstition is an all day thing. You can see all of the huge mansions from Camelback and the Superstitions have more nature to see. I saw my only Gila monster there. Look out for rattlers too.

A cool mall to check out is Kierland Commons in N Scottsdale. It is outdoor with a different kind of atmosphere. Lots of Scottsdale snobs and fake tits (same as at fashion square) but there are some cool stores. In 2008 they are building a whole new mall across Scottsdale road that will compliment it even more.

One of the coolest places to eat and drink out here is Greasewood Flats out in my neck of the woods in N. Scottsdale. I can't even begin to describe it, just make sure you wear a tie.

jmc1975 · Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:27 pm

When you go to the Grand Canyon, take a couple of days to take the long way, either there or back...it will be well worth it. Must-see places in geographical order are Prescott, Jerome, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon and Flagstaff, which can be done in reverse if you chose to see them after the Grand Canyon.

EWRCabincrew · Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:31 pm

Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 15):
Sedona is beautiful but don't spend too much time there. It is a overcrowded tourist trap. Look at the mountains. Check out the stream and get the hell out.

Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 15):
Old town scottsdale has alot of clubs/bars. If you prefer regular types of clubs than Martini Ranch is good. There are also trendy clubs there all within a square mile.

AZ88 is a good place.

Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 15):
A cool mall to check out is Kierland Commons in N Scottsdale. It is outdoor with a different kind of atmosphere. Lots of Scottsdale snobs and fake tits (same as at fashion square) but there are some cool stores. In 2008 they are building a whole new mall across Scottsdale road that will compliment it even more.

AirCop · Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:05 am

Quoting Chi-town (Reply 10):
Is the University of Phoenix Online stadium worth going to get a tour? I have heard that it is amazing and state of the art.

It is only stadium with a retractable field, now if we can just do something about the team..and Chase Field tour is also interesting, since its March, chances are you will get to visit the clubhouses. Cubs spring training games sell out quickly so order your tickets as soon as they go on sale. For hotels- the Mariott-Mesa (Phoenix-East) is the place where Cubs fans stay, and Sluggo's across the street has a Cubs favor to it. The ASU campus is a sight in the spring time (coeds). Forget Scottsdale Fashion Mall, and as stated tubing is out. Please come and spend your money..

Fly2HMO · Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:42 am

Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter):
climb "A" mountain

Why climb when you can drive? duck

Quoting DesertJets (Reply 3):
I'd hit up Arizona Mills....

I like the chandler mall more, but thats just me

Quoting FlagshipAZ (Reply 7):
Rest of the state is much more tasteful & enjoyable than Havasu will ever be.

Except for PRC

Quoting FlagshipAZ (Reply 9):
Cops there are little dicks during off-season,

At least you have an off season, here in PRC cops are out for blood 24/7 banghead

bristolflyer · Thu Dec 06, 2007 10:21 pm

Quoting FLY2HMO (Reply 19):
Except for PRC

What's up with Prescott? I've been there a few times and it's pretty cool - the town has got some interesting buildings as well.

jmc1975 · Fri Dec 07, 2007 1:05 am

Quoting BristolFlyer (Reply 20):
What's up with Prescott? I've been there a few times and it's pretty cool - the town has got some interesting buildings as well.

Prescott is beautiful and is a must-see town. The courthouse square, Whiskey Row, Thumb Butte, etc. Perhaps its one of the best towns in America. Maybe I should shut up now because I grew up there. Smile

AirframeAS · Fri Dec 07, 2007 3:37 am

Quoting DesertJets (Reply 3):
If you want to hit a mall for an afternoon, grab a movie, I'd hit up Arizona Mills....

I do that a lot, since it's closer to me.

Quoting DesertJets (Reply 3):
If you have a car I'd also hit Sedona along the way. Though in March it will still be chilly up there.

Anything NORTH of Sunset Point is chilly. Be prepared.

Quoting EA CO AS (Reply 4):
That place has gotten really shady.

Arizona Mills Mall, yes. Lots of the merchants are vacating and new ones moving in and doing the same thing.

Quoting Tom in NO (Reply 6):
stay a night in either Flagstaff

If you do this, I highly suggest the Little America Hotel. That's a really nice hotel with a victorian touch. Its right along the 17.

Quoting Chi-town (Reply 10):
Quoting DesertJets (Reply 3):
I'd hit up Arizona Mills.... which would also be in the area you want to stay in.

Where is that by the way?

I-17 and the beginning of US60 in Tempe.

Quoting Jmc1975 (Reply 16):
...Jerome...

This is a fascinating place in Yavapai County. Jerome is a small mining town...WITH a mental hospital at the top of the mountain, which is now a hotel. Worth a look!

Quoting Jmc1975 (Reply 16):
...Oak Creek Canyon...

I used to live in Oak Creek Canyon. If you want to stay a night here, I suggest Briar Patch Inn. It's only 3 miles from Uptown Sedona.

Quoting FLY2HMO (Reply 19):
I like the chandler mall more, but thats just me

I miss that place! Very spacious and a beautiful mall! Too bad I moved out of Chandler. Sad

fumanchewd · Sat Dec 08, 2007 3:47 am

Quoting AirframeAS (Reply 22):
WITH a mental hospital at the top of the mountain, which is now a hotel. Worth a look!

The Grand Hotel was actually a hospital for the miners. Supposedly it is haunted because so many miners died there. I've stayed there a couple of times with girls that I've been dating. Awesome atmosphere.

There is a restaurant by the hotel that is called The Haunted Hamburger.

You can sit on the patio and have an awesome view of the Sedona Valley.

I saw one of the most beautiful sunsets of my life there. Reddish/purple thunderclouds were rolling over the horizon as the sun went down. Didn't have a camera though.

[Edited 2007-12-07 19:48:11]

Fly2HMO · Sat Dec 08, 2007 6:37 am

Quoting BristolFlyer (Reply 20):
I've been there a few times and it's pretty cool - the town has got some interesting buildings as well.

Ahh... you see that's the thing, PRC is all cute and what not to passersby, but it's when you actually live here you realize what a redneck-riddencrystal-worshipping hobo-loving crackhead-sanctuary and god-awful-crappy-driving person town this is. I could write a whole dissertation on why else but I'll leave that for another thread. Same applies to Cottonwood/Chino Valley/Kingman towns. The only semi-decent places in northern AZ are FLG and Sedona.

But that's just me.

AirframeAS · Sat Dec 08, 2007 3:35 pm

Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 23):
...Sedona Valley...

Acutally, that is Camp Verde Valley.

jmc1975 · Sat Dec 08, 2007 10:09 pm

Quoting AirframeAS (Reply 25):
Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 23):
...Sedona Valley...

Acutally, that is Camp Verde Valley.

Isn't it simply known as the 'Verde Valley'?

Fly2HMO · Sat Dec 08, 2007 10:11 pm

Quoting Jmc1975 (Reply 26):
Isn't it simply known as the 'Verde Valley'?

AirframeAS · Sun Dec 09, 2007 12:16 am

Quoting Jmc1975 (Reply 26):
Isn't it simply known as the 'Verde Valley'?

Yes, but Camp Verde is actually there.

jmc1975 · Sun Dec 09, 2007 1:39 am

Quoting AirframeAS (Reply 28):
Yes, but Camp Verde is actually there.

Yes, Camp Verde is in the Verde Valley. But there is no such thing as the Camp Verde Valley, or you may as well call it Cottonwood Valley. Big grin

AirframeAS · Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:16 am

Quoting Jmc1975 (Reply 29):

My bad, totally. I should have omitted the 'Camp' part. Im such a dumb *bleep* today.... wave

asuflyer05 · Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:31 am

Quoting FLY2HMO (Reply 19):
I like the chandler mall more, but thats just me

The scenery is better at Scottsdale. Or better yet, Kierland.

EA CO AS · Sun Dec 09, 2007 10:48 am

Quoting Asuflyer05 (Reply 31):
The scenery is better at Scottsdale. Or better yet, Kierland.

Both are excellent, but for the best scenery Scottsdale Fashion Square gets the nod. bigthumbsup

AirframeAS · Sun Dec 09, 2007 11:08 am

Quoting EA CO AS (Reply 32):
Scottsdale Fashion Square

Yep, I forgot about that place. It has an open air atmosphere like the Horton Plaza Mall in SAN, only Scottsdale's mall is more on one level, rather than 5 levels like Horton Plaza is.

fumanchewd · Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:48 pm

I agree. Chandler Fashion Square is all families and knocked up women. I feel like a bachelor outcast walking around that place. Scottsdale fashion square is nice, but its full of the same stores that can be found anywhere else in the country. Kierland has a few unique botiques and has more implants per capita than any other mall. Wink

I would say forget the malls altogether. I don't like to shop on vacation but the OP asked, so.

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