Arizona for Vacation (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Flagstaff: art , offer, marketplace)

[Rapture]

We just decided to visit AZ for our vacation in Sept.

Is that a good time to visit? I really can't change the date anyway but would like to know.

Plans are to visit Phoenix, Sedona then go to the Grand Canyon and on to Las Vegas for a couple days. Any suggestions of sites to see, places to stay (inexpensive but clean/safe) and things not to miss?

My SO will be meeting a friend for football game in Phoenix which will leave me with the day to myself. Is there an area of Phoenix I can go walk around (safe) by myself. I would be interested to know if there's a shopping area similiar to NY's Greenwich Village or Melrose Ave. in LA.

Thanks for the tips!

[MichaelinWA]

Scottsdale - Borgata, El Pedregal Festival Marketplace, and Scottsdale Fashion Square might interest you.

[AzDreamer]

You might want to see if your local library has any AZ travel guide books. Frommer's guide books are pretty good.

September in Phoenix will be hot so your outdoor plans should be for the morning or evening. Higher elevations like the Grand Canyon will be comfortable during the day but you'll need a jacket at night.

[esselcue]

Phoenix has some wonderful places to visit, especially the museums...Natural History and Art for starters. Shopping malls are good and available...but it will be hot so my guess is you will want to stay indoors during the day as much as possible.

Northern AZ will be beautiful in September, warm days and cool nights...lots of history in the Verde valley with Fort Verde, Montezuma's Castle and Well, and on up to Sedona. You could fill a week looking at various sites of interest: Jerome ghost town, Tuzigoot and other ruins, the Verde Valley railroad through the Verde Canyon, and of course the Grand Canyon, which should be seen by everyone who is interested in natural beauty and wonders.

Vegas will be hot, but there is lots to see and do, even if you do not gamble. It is a rather drab city during the day, in my opinion, with a lot of not-so-nice areas and "interesting" people hanging about...but by night it's sort of surreal in its beauty. Have fun!

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by Rapture

We just decided to visit AZ for our vacation in Sept.

Is that a good time to visit? I really can't change the date anyway but would like to know.

Plans are to visit Phoenix, Sedona then go to the Grand Canyon and on to Las Vegas for a couple days. Any suggestions of sites to see, places to stay (inexpensive but clean/safe) and things not to miss?

My SO will be meeting a friend for football game in Phoenix which will leave me with the day to myself. Is there an area of Phoenix I can go walk around (safe) by myself. I would be interested to know if there's a shopping area similiar to NY's Greenwich Village or Melrose Ave. in LA.

Thanks for the tips!

Hey, Rapture, glad to hear you're going to be visiting my "neck o' the woods". Northern AZ (Prescott, Sedona, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon) will be beautiful in September with highs in the 70's, low 80's.

esselcue offered some great ideas. I second especially Jerome and I might add in Oak Creek Canyon. This is a beautiful drive from Flagstaff to Sedona on Hwy 89a. There is a scenic overlook at the top before you begin your descent into the canyon, which is a beautiful tree-lined canyon along Oak Creek. There's red rock cliffs up the sides and spectacular views as you get closer to Sedona.

If you get to Prescott, stop by and say, "hi".

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Rapture

I would be interested to know if there's a shopping area similiar to NY's Greenwich Village or Melrose Ave. in LA.

Thanks for the tips!

MichaelinWA gave some good tips. Id avoid the Scottsdale Fashion Square though... its just like any other mall, but it does have many upscale joints. El Pedregal is beautiful, Id recommend that. You might also want to check out Old Town Scottsdale (close to the SFS) too. Make sure to hit BOTH sides of Scottsdale Rd. The western side has all the art galleries, the eastern side has more restaurants, jewelry, t-shirt shops, things like that.

[AzDreamer]

If you like to shop then Old Town in Scottsdale might be interesting. There are lots of western themed shops selling everything from acrylic covered scorpions to Navajo jewelery.

[Rapture]

Thanks everyone! I didn't realize it would be that hot in Sept. but that's ok, I'll plan indoor stuff during the day as suggested. I have already been to Las Vegas so I know what to expect and what to do there. I have been wanting to go to AZ for years and so happy I'm finially going...everything sounds great. Gretchen, thank you and I will let you know if I'm passing by your area.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by Rapture

Thanks everyone! I didn't realize it would be that hot in Sept. but that's ok, I'll plan indoor stuff during the day as suggested. I have already been to Las Vegas so I know what to expect and what to do there. I have been wanting to go to AZ for years and so happy I'm finially going...everything sounds great. Gretchen, thank you and I will let you know if I'm passing by your area.

LOL, Sept is one of the hottest months!

[sheena]

Originally Posted by Rapture

We just decided to visit AZ for our vacation in Sept.

Is that a good time to visit? I really can't change the date anyway but would like to know.

Plans are to visit Phoenix, Sedona then go to the Grand Canyon and on to Las Vegas for a couple days. Any suggestions of sites to see, places to stay (inexpensive but clean/safe) and things not to miss?

My SO will be meeting a friend for football game in Phoenix which will leave me with the day to myself. Is there an area of Phoenix I can go walk around (safe) by myself. I would be interested to know if there's a shopping area similiar to NY's Greenwich Village or Melrose Ave. in LA.

Thanks for the tips!

Hi Rapture! Glad to see you are visiting Phoenix.......I don't think Phoenix is anything like Greenwich Village or Melrose Ave in L.A. but we have plenty of shopping areas.

I am missing Myrtle Beach, especially since it's beach time again but what can you do.

While they are at the Football game head over to Scottsdale and shop around at Fashion Square. September can be kinda hot still but you'll be fine going from air conditioner to air conditioner. You can also drive through Fountain Hills and take some pictures at the lookouts and if you like to gamble stop in at Ft. McDowell Casino.