Vacation Questions (Phoenix, Flagstaff, Kingman: rental car, rental, how much)

[collinsl]

Hi all,

My family and I are planning to take another vacation in July and August 2010 to AZ/NM/NV. Just a couple of questions to ask:

1. How much does the Monsoon season affect Sky Harbor during July/August? As in delays, airport closures etc.

2. How different does the northern part of AZ feel humidity/temp wise compared to Phoenix in July/August?

3. Can anyone recommend any good attractions in the Kingman area? Like museums, historic sites etc.

4. Can anyone recommend any good attractions in the Flagstaff/Four Corners area? Like museums, historic sites etc.

Thanks very much for the help!

[observer53]

Monsoons CAN affect Sky Harbor on a temporary basis, occasionally. The way to solve that is not to fly in or out between, say, 5 and 8 or so in the evening.

Northern Arizona is MUCH cooler, esp if you go as far north as Flagstaff or into the White Mountains. Kingman is cooler than Phoenix, but significantly warmer than Flagstaff (it's much lower in elevation than Flag, and is more like a high desert). Nights are cool, though. Because it's cooler in the northern part of the state, you don't notice the somewhat higher humidity in the summer. Flagstaff has a monsoon storm almost every afternoon in the season, they don't last long, usually, and cool the temperatures even further. There, they get rain with their storms, in Phoenix, we often don't get much or any rain, just wind, dust, lightning, thunder.

I'm not as familiar with attractions around Kingman. Around Flagstaff, there are lots.... the Lowell Observatory, Museum of Northern Arizona, Walnut Canyon National Monument, the Arboretum, Pioneer Museum, Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon just down HWY 89, Indian art galleries downtown Flagstaff, along with other interesting shops. With the University in Flag, there may be other galleries, museums, etc. Going out toward Four Corners, you have Meteor Crater Natl. Mon., Petrified Forest Natl Mon, etc.

[Master Shake]

Things to do:

Kingman is about 45 minutes to Laughlin, NV -- if you like gambling/casinos.

I also second the Meteor Crater park -- 35 miles east of Flagstaff.

[collinsl]

Another question: How busy tourist-wise is AZ during the July/August period?

And how much do KOA campsites fill up at that time?

Thanks again

[sassy2]

Kingman has some pretty scenery but can get hot in the summer and the Colorado River area and Havasu are very hot. Kingman has a pretty cool little museum, if you enjoy history and there's an old house you can tour. I believe it's called the Bonelli house. The staff is really nice and informative. You really need a boat or PWC to enjoy the Colorado river area and the lakes around it in summer. It's just too hot to enjoy the area without one in summer.

[collinsl]

Okay, major change to Itinerary. We will now not be stopping in Kingman, but my other questions still stand:

How touristy is AZ during July/august?

How much do the KOA campsites, especially around the Las Vegas, NV area fill up?

Thanks again for all help: Reps on the way!

[observer53]

It's not extremely "touristy". Those of us who live down in the desert may come to some of the cooler northern areas for a break; Grand Canyon is popular with out of state and foreign tourists. Southern areas are NOT touristy in the summer. So, it depends on where you are planning on going now. If you are coming out of Vegas and not stopping in Kingman, where are you headed from there?

KOA campsites around Vegas I can't help you with. I'll bet someone else can.

[collinsl]

We've been round the southern areas last Easter, and in 2006, so we are planning to head further north next year, mainly around the reservation/four corners area.

When we come out of Phoenix (from the flight), we will first be heading over to Lake Havasu, and on to Vegas from there. Then we are going east to the reservation area. Past that I haven't thought of any ideas yet.

[observer53]

I don't think you will have problems with too many tourists in those areas at that time. Havasu will be HOT while you are there, but the last part of the drive there, through Buckhorn Mountain and the Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge, is quite pretty.

I've lived in AZ almost all my life, and never been up to the Four Corners area. So, you get top marks for going off the beaten tourist path.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Co...(United_States)

[Head coach]

Originally Posted by collinsl

We've been round the southern areas last Easter, and in 2006, so we are planning to head further north next year, mainly around the reservation/four corners area.

When we come out of Phoenix (from the flight), we will first be heading over to Lake Havasu, and on to Vegas from there. Then we are going east to the reservation area. Past that I haven't thought of any ideas yet.

Well, Easter time is a good time to come because it's not really that hot yet. However, if you plan on coming to in July and August up in the Lake Havasu area, you might get over heated...Take water with you. It could get up to 125 degree in that area. So becareful! If you are not preparied, you can get heat stroke in the shade!

If you are leaving Phoenix via rental car, there are a lot of things to see on your way up to Vegas.

First stop: Cave Creek, AZ. It's just north of Phoenix and there is a place called the Satisfied Frog. It's a really good steak house with a rustic western town feel and they are famous for their Brewed Chili Beer.

Second stop: Mayer, AZ. This place is home of Arcosanti Project. It is a place were people live in a commune and they build Cast Iron Bells. They have an outlet store in Paradise Valley. They are a little pricy, but taking the tour is free. It pretty cool to see and hear all of the different sounds of the bells. Arcosanti : Project : Activities : Foundry (http://www.arcosanti.org/project/activities/foundry/main.html - broken link)

Thirds stop: Sedona, AZ. Just before you get to Sedona on the main highway heading north to Flagstaff, There is a place called Montezuma Castle National Park. This castle was built back in the 1300's by Sinaqua Cliff Dwellers.
Montezuma Castle National Monument Arizona

Fourth stop: Sedona, AZ. I recommend that you spend the night in Sedona and take in all of the sites. Make sure you bring your camera. This area is one of the beautiful area within the state. The red rock hills and red lime stone hills where the water has carved out paths along the walls are breath taking.
Sedona, Arizona Natural History | Sedona Nature | Arizona Geology | Arizona Natural History | Sedona Natural History

All of these links will help you with thing to do in this state. Hope you have fun!