Arizona trip suggestions please
Comments (22)
PROMDLN
9 years ago
jlc712
9 years agoRelated Discussions
advice on trip, please
Comments (16)chispa, that is a great idea. She would probably like that too. She'd also get insight into how difficult it was for her friend to come to her school and converse in another language. They actually did invite us to stay with them right from the get go, but have also been gracious in saying that they totally understand us wanting to have our own space. I can not express what nice people they are. Last year we got to spend some time with them in Florida and we got along so well. However, I think I have to listen to that little voice in my head telling me to keep the hotel. We may play the car thing by ear when we get there. We weren't planning on renting a car, but rather getting tour guides to drive us to the places we want to visit. Reading all the thoughtful responses helped me to see what I really feel comfortable with. I can totally understand the arguments to stay with them, but each time I think of it, I get a bit of a knot in my stomach. REading Joanie's response made me feel calm. If the hotel really isn't working, we always have the option of staying with them. I think it is most likely, as others have noted, the difference in expectations of a hotel. I backpacked across Mexico and parts of Central America in my 20's and have (what I think are) realistic expectations of the hotel. Thanks everyone for helping me to clarify my thinking. I actually just spoke to DD about it and she'd rather stay in the hotel, too....See MoreNyc trip, advice please
Comments (41)Ate a slice at Ray's, saw Rockefeller center and tree (but not lit), I'm sure we did more, I just am brain fogged with sleepiness! We ate from street vendors, or wherever our nose led us. Had very nice dinners everywhere: Chinese, Thai, Indian, Persian, Italian.. Found a wonderful Japanese restaurant that was very inexpensive on 56th street between 5th and 6th avenue, beside the bicycle rental place that was so good we ate there twice. We walked 41 miles in the first 5 days after which we lost count, and I still managed to gain 6 pounds while I was there : / The things my daughter enjoyed the most were: hailing taxis, hearing all the different languages, pretzel vendors, Wicked, and seeing New York City from high places (the roof of our hotel, tram, Empire State bldg). We enjoyed it sooo much! Thank you all again for all your suggestions. If we missed something this time, it is still on our list for the next trip! -k...See MoreAdvise for California trip, please
Comments (27)Lived there for many wonderful years. Here in no particular order are some highlights that I don't think visitors should miss: Outside the City (SF): MUIR WOODS- a redwood grove north, over the GG bridge, which includes a beautiful drive there. Avoid on weekends. MONTERREY/CARMEL -including the beautiful 17 mile drive. A good couple of hours south of SF. Beautiful, quaint little towns with a fab aquarium as well as great shopping and dining. NAPA VALLEY -winery tours, great dining, gondola ride to see the area from above, hot air balloon rides for same... In the City: TAKE A BUS TOUR to see many highlights on your first day, including The SeaCliff district and Pacific Heights (many famous mansions, etc.) GG park especially on a Sunday where you can peoplewatch as well as attend art and science museum and Hall of Flowers. Rent bikes for a great day in the park. FERRY BUILDING along Embardareo, similar to Fanuel Hall in Boston, lots of food vendors, etc. CHINA TOWN -authentic, fabulous dining and shopping UNION SQUARE - lots of great hotels and shopping ALAMO SQUARE -for the famous skyline view of victorian houses GG BRIDGE -spend a morning in the Marina District and visit the Palace of Fine Arts, then rent bikes and ride across GG Bridge. Ride back to the Marina for lunch and shopping. FISHERMAN's WHARF -just kind of fun and touristy. Not really high on my list, but everyone seems to want to go SAUSALITO -wonderful, charming town across the GG bridge from SF. Eat dinner there on the water and you will feast on a fabulous, sparkling view of SF. There is soooooo much more. Be sure to check out TripAdvisor ad other sites for favorite shops and restaurants before you go....See MoreNeed Austin Area Trip Advice, Please
Comments (21)Lynn, let me preface my comments by saying I am a native Texan, have lived in Austin for over 20 years, and seriously dislike hot weather. Our goal when we retire is to spend our summers elsewhere-ie somewhere cooler like the mountains of NM or CO. In the summer, I basically run from my air-conditioned car to my air-conditioned house, restaurant, movie theater, etc. LOL Except for the last few days, our spring has been unseasonably warm and we have already hit 90. The bluebonnets bloomed a full month early this year, and I fear what the summer will bring. In my opinion, June is already hot and outdoor activities at that time are not very enjoyable. San Antonio is normally hotter that Austin. Even though I like SA, I probably would not visit there in the summer. Answers to your questions: 1) Maybe! 2) Lady Bird Wildflower Center, Blanton Museum of Art, UT campus and Harry Ransom Center, LBJ Library, Laguna Gloria, bats in the evening on Congress Ave. bridge, live music, Mt. Bonnell, Zilker Park (rose garden, Japanese garden, Barton Springs), eating some Texas bbq and Tex Mex, state capitol building 3) The two resorts Mtn mentioned are the best. I spent a long weekend with a gf at Lake Austin spa. The food was good, but the spa was a little tired. I do believe they have done a complete renovation since then, though. The setting is beautiful. I have only been to Travaasa for a day-long work retreat, but enjoyed it. They have many activities you can do, and the pool is nice. Both of these spas are a ways outside of town, though. Lost Pines is near Bastrop, and is definintely over-rated. We thought the food there was horrible. 4) Honestly, the Texas coast is not that great when compared to Florida, for instance. Again, just my opinion. 5) The Hill Country is generally a few degrees cooler. There are many good wineries there and also spring-fed rivers, my favorite way to cool off on a hot summer day. Wimberley is close to Austin and has the Blanco river and Blue Hole. However, the Blanco flooded and there is still lots of damage in evidence. We have stayed at different places for weekend trips, and the accomodations are pretty rustic there. Blair House did have good food the last time we stayed there. Staying a week would probably get boring. Other towns I like-Fredericksburg (very touristy German town with some great restaurants, wineries, WW2 museum, peaches ripen in June), Blanco (It's on the Blanco river and is small. I think the lavender festival is in June), New Braunfels (German town on the Comal and Guadalupe rivers with Gruene nearby-Gristmill is good, Gruene Hall for live music), Johnson City (hometown of LBJ-you can visit his boyhood home and his and Ladybird's home on the Pedernales river which was known as the TX White House, they are both buried on the property and you ride an air-conditioned bus). Castroville is nearer San Antonio, but we loved our visit there. It was settled by Alsatian immigrants, and has lots of history and historical buildings. Also, a great French restaurant. All of the above would require walking around in the heat, though. 6) I hear you! Ft Worth, Dallas and Houston have the best museums in the state. In fact, many of the ones in Ft Worth are world-class. I actually love Ft Worth, and might choose a visit there to the museums over anything else. Indoor activities would be best IMO. I would avoid Houston in the summer at all costs-too humid. Since your DH will have the next week off, maybe go back home and enjoy your time with him and just relax and do some fun things in your area. In other words, a staycation!...See More
MtnRdRedux
9 years ago
bpath
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OutsidePlaying
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diane_nj 6b/7a
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Sueb20
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Bonnie
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gyr_falcon
9 years agobpath
9 years agoGigi Johnson
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8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
Thank you so much to everyone for taking the time to post your advice and suggestions, we read and digested every one of them. We had 10 fabulous days in Arizona and have vowed to return as soon as possible.
We flew into Tucson with no fixed plans apart from 2 nights I had booked in a highly rated bed and breakfast in Sedona a few days in to our vacation. On impulse we decided to drive immediately from Tucson to Scottsdale. En route I reserved a room at the Gainey Suites Hotel. What a lucky find! It was lovely. Peaceful, comfortable and relaxing with complimentary hors d'oeuvres (and beer and wine) nightly, complimentary breakfast daily. We hadn't realized how deeply exhausted and in need of this vacation we were but after a night at the Gainey we knew we had to stay another!
We drove from Scottsdale to Sedona via Prescott (we had lunch at the historic Hassayampa Hotel) and Jerome. Jerome was fascinating and the drive was stunning. We arrived in Sedona a day too early for our reservations at the bed and breakfast but another room was available so we spent 3 idyllic days there. The photo above is from our private 2nd floor terrace at the Casa Sedona B & B. Wonderful place, best linens ever, and amazing food. We hiked the Doe Mesa and did the Ancient Ruins Pink Jeep Tour at sunset. We discovered the ChocolaTree organic restaurant, dining out in the peaceful gardens under the honeysuckle and stars! We also had lunch at the airport restaurant on the top of the mesa where the planes and small jets seemingly fling themselves off the top of the mountain!
From Sedona we drove to the Grand Canyon. It was our second visit but was just as breathtaking and awe inspiring as the first. We stayed in a nondescript hotel but drove back to the canyon for a delicious breakfast at the El Tovar before heading out to Monument Valley. What a place! It has to be seen to be believed! Monolithic rock formations rising 1000 feet from the desert floor!
We drove on to Canyon de Chelly. We took a jeep tour into the canyon with a Navajo guide. The history was fascinating as were the many ancient ruins and petroglyphs. Our guide was well informed, some of her family still live in the canyon. Only the women can own property.
From Canon de Chelly we returned to Scottsdale. We stayed again 2 nights at the Gainey, lured by the rest and relaxation it offered and the friendly, quietly sociable atmosphere.
Our plan had been to spend 3 or 4 days exploring the Tucson area but we were now left with only one night before returning home! We found a pleasant little B & B there for our last night. We explored as much as we could, including many wonderful hours at the Desert Museum, but the rest will have to wait for our next trip!
Again, thank you all, our trip would not have been so easy or so successful without you.
- PRO
MDLN
8 years ago MtnRdRedux
8 years ago
sableincal