AZ people- can you help me make AZ vacation plans? thanks!

[Beaverhausen]

My boyfriend wants to attend a concert in Phoenix on August 12 and we want to plan a 4 day vacation around it.

We will fly into Phoenix from Burbank, spend some time in Sedona and some time at Canyon De Chelly.

I know it will be crazy HOT but...how far are all these from each other? should we just hotel in Phoenix the whole time or move to nearer that Canyon while we go there?

Personally I want to stay in Sedona instead but I'm worried about the price. Any recommendations for lodging/attractions/restaurants, etc will be much appreciated!!!

:hi:

[democrat_patriot]

1. Sedona is about 2-2.5 hours from Phoenix

Sorry I don't where Canyon De Chelly is...recently moved here.

There are some moderately priced places in Sedona ($70-90 a night)that are on the outskirts of the main area. Sedona's great, you'll want to stay there when you see it I think.

Some places in Sedona offfer $50 a night but you have to go through a sales pitch on there resort.

Good luck!

[DBoon]

2. Be sure to visit a cosmic vortex while you are in Sedona!

nt

[Beaverhausen]

3. I keep thinking Sedona is closer to Phoenix

but its not. But that's not too far.

My boyfriend has been to Canyon De Chelly and said its really beautiful. From what I've found at different websites I am really looking forward to it:

http://www.nps.gov/cach/

http://www.desertusa.com/ind1/du_cdc_main.html

[NMDemDist2]

6. i live in NW PHX and can get to Sedona in 90 minutes

but Chelly is a long way from either

best affordable hotel rates for that area are in Flagstaff. just a quick trip to sedona and a couple hours from Chelly

see your concert, overnight PHX, next day in Sedona, overnight Flag for two nights with a day trip to Chelly then another stop in Sedona on the way back to PHX, fly home in the evening would be my recommendation

1 night Phx post concert then base in Flag the other two nights will be the best bet.

PS Flag and Sedona are very mild usually not at all "crazy hot" like Phoenix. Flag is surrounded by aspen and pine forests. nice summer weather (bring a sweater)

[hippiegranny]

4. August in Arizona!

Perfect! Ha! Well, it will still be fun. Sedona is slightly cooler than Phoenix. After you fly in to Phoenix and rent a car, Sedona is about a 2 hour drive away. Once there, you may not want to leave. The place is magic. Especially when you realize Canyon de Chelly is another 4 drive from there.

http://maps.yahoo.com/dd_result?newaddr=&taddr=&csz=Sedona%2C+AZ&country=us&tcsz=chinle%2C+az&tcountry=us

from Sky Harbor Airport to Sedona:
http://maps.yahoo.com/dd_result?newaddr=Sky+Harbor+Airport&taddr=&csz=Phoenix%2C+AZ&country=us&tcsz=Sedona%2C+AZ&tcountry=us

Have fun and report back to us after your trip!

[demzilla]

5. If you're coming to Sedona

this is a great hike to take in Oak Creek Canyon:

http://www.americansouthwest.net/slot_canyons/oak_creek/canyon.html

It is (relatively) cool there in summer, shaded fairly well, and crosses the creek at several points, so you can play in the water and cool off. On your way up 89A through the Canyon, you can stop at the apple stand at Garland's for delicious fresh apples.

[Beaverhausen]

9. That looks great!!! thanks

I got chills looking at those photos. That's just the kind of place we like to see!

THANKS!!! :hi:

[Hello_Kitty]

7. Check out Sedona and Flagstaff

Also there's Jerome, which is a really cool former mining town with a lot of little art shops. Bisbee is another neat place to visit and is usually cooler than the average Phoenix or Tucson temp. And don't fear the Valley in August! There's lots of indoor stuff to do and you don't have to contend with winter crowds. The Phoenix Zoo and Botanical Gardens are very nice. Plus, 115 degrees in August here is still more bearable than 90 with crazy humidity back East.

[Beaverhausen]

8. Thanks for your tips so far-keep 'em coming!

:loveya: Duers!!!

I think we decided against Canyon De Chelly because it is too far.

We are arriving on a thursday morning and leaving early on sunday morning. The concert is in Phoenix on Friday night- I wish it was on saturday but oh well...

I want to stay in Sedona but with the concert right in the middle I don't know if we can (the boyfriend has friends in the band that he hopes to party with and I don't want to have to go 2 hours to our hotel after the aftershow party...)

[blondeatlast]

10. You might take a quick side trip to Williams and then to the Grand Canyon,

which can easily be done in a day or two. Williams has a train that goes to the canyon and the ticket seller is our very own ZombyWoof (at least he still was the last time I checked, sometime previous to the election).

I like AzDem's advice about staying in Flagstaff--pretty centrally located and should be an easy drive from Burbank.

Here's some info about the train. I've heard it's quite enjoyable, although I've never taken it myself. I did spend some student teaching time in Williams and I LOVED the town--great people.

http://www.thetrain.com/home.cfm

I figure with just four days you want to relax as much as possible.

[NMDemDist2]

11. the train is a waste of $$ IMO unless you are a train lover

no good scenery and it takes twice as long to take the train than to drive it.

Unless you have lots of time and loves trains, I'd suggest that a "miss"

[Beaverhausen]

12. We are now just doing Sedona exclusively

any more tips on hotels, restaurants and sites are welcome!

[demzilla]

13. More on Sedona

Lunch on the terrace at the Enchantment Resort in Boynton Canyon -- good food, incredible view . . . The Airport Inn on airport mesa is comparatively reasonable and has dramatic views (also some airplane noise). . . Don't bother with uptown unless you like overpriced tourist shit shops. . . . Probably the best food in town is at Cucina Rustica in the Village of Oak Creek or Dahl & DiLuca in Sedona (owned by the same people; Italian/Mediterranean; not cheap). Dara Thai in the Village and Thai Spices in Sedona are both quite good. Red Rock State Park offers ranger-guided walks. Slide Rock State Park is popular for swimming in Oak Creek (maybe a little too popular). . . . New Frontiers is a good natural food store with an excellent deli.

[tyedyeto]

14. Check out Oak Creek Canyon Brewery in Sedona

while you're there.

Good brews and good company,