Vacation ideas (Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa: rental car, spring break, rental)

[jdhall1]

I will be in Phoenix from April 3 (arriving at 11:45 AM) to late April 8th for a wedding and some much needed r&r. I will be staying in east Mesa, and will have a car. I found some stuff that look interesting online, but wanted any touristy recommendations. I'm not into golf. Willing to travel.Mid 20s and this will be my first true vacation as an adult. Thanks

[phxgreenfire]

Vegas is relatively close by car.

[jdhall1]

Vegas is too far to drive. Pretty mature for my age, but like to have some fun

[khuntrevor]

Ever see that Quentin Tarantino Movie From Dusk Until Dawn? There are some bars in Nogales, Sonora that are actually like that. Geared towards someone in their 20s. It's a three hour ride.
An abundance of soldiers with machine guns has made the area more safe from all the killing going on in Northern Mexico. Probably a lot safer than where the students are going on Spring Break.

The Grand Canyon, Laughlin, and Nogales are about the three top tourist' destinations in Arizona, and two of the three aren't in Arizona. You'll need Passport or trip ID for Mexico.

[observer53]

Nogales and Laughlin as two of the top three tourist destinations? I'd like to see figures on that. As far as people coming in from out of state, for a quick vacation, they don't fly in to Phoenix and then go to Nogales or Laughlin. Nogales is a tourist destination for cheap prescriptions and dental work. The locals take the bus trips to Laughlin, but I'll bet not in the numbers they used to before all the Indian casinos.

To the OP: Go to Mill Ave in Tempe and look around; that's the entertainment district for Tempe, and for the university. Lots of students around, but it's not all students down there.. twentysomethings too. Go to downtown Phoenix and catch a Suns or Diamondbacks game.

If you want to venture out from Phoenix, take a drive up to Sedona, it's definitely worth seeing. You can then drive up through Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff. All along that drive from Phoenix, you can really appreciate the variety of terrain in Arizona from the low desert to the pine forest. You could stay overnight in Flagstaff and look around if you wanted to go on up to the Grand Canyon the next day.

[twiggy]

Definitely go to down town Tempe on Mill and University and check out ASU and the shops. A lot of unique people up there, fun to see, cool shops!

[RCR]

Since you're in the East Valley, head out 60 to Apache Junction then take the Apache Trail. Go passed Canyon Lake and stop at Tortilla Flats. Then continue on out the trail passed Apache lake and out to Roosevelt Lake. One warning, after you leave the Flats the road turns to dirt and can be rough. You will also have to navigate fishcreek hill which is about 2 miles down the canyon wall of mostly one lane. There are pullouts you need to use if you meet traffic coming up the hill. The good part about the direction you would be traveling is you would be on the inside. If you don't want to come back on the Apache trail you can either come back through Globe or go north on the 188 and turn south on the beeline hwy (87) then stop in Fountain Hills. Depending on how much you stop it will take you anywhere from 4 to 6 or more hours.

[AndroidAZ]

What kind of activities are you into? Do you want to see desert scenary? If so, Tortilla fltas is really nice. More touristy stuff? If so here are some items to do:

1. Sedona - a must see for most people. Gorgeous scenary and a nice "little" busy touristy town.
2. Grand Canyon - can drive, or take the train from Williams (about 1.5 hours north of Phoenix). Did it once and loved it.
3. Verde Canyon railroad - a fun drive up to the rail yard, and simply stunning ride with open rail cars. I've done it twice and it is amazing.
4. Just drive around Tempe and downtown Scottsdale to get a taste of the party scene.
5. Go hiking at Camelback mountain, or any of the mountains in town. You'll get an amazing view of the city.
6. check out the biosphere near Tucson. I've never seen this yet but wanted to.
7. just relax at the resorts. that can be very relaxing and fun.

I love phoenix because the options are so many, the activities so varied. Have fun!

[Finger Laker]

Do not waste time/money on the biosphere .... for the love of god do not do this

the rest of the above post I'm on board with ..... #7 is one that a lot of people don't think about, but it's something I enjoy doing even as a local ..... just grabbing a drink & the view from one of the resorts or walking the grounds

if you are driving up towards flagstaff I would try and work in a full day trip that would also have jerome, sedona and maybe prescott in there as well

[jdhall1]

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't think Hertz would like it if I drove their rental car up & down the Apache Trail. Was planning on checking out Camelback. Other things on my list include Taliestin West,H heard museum and the botenical garden. Definatly planning on just relaxing for some at the hotel (the Arizona Golf Resort).
Might be up for the full day trip up to Jermone,Sedona,Flagstaff & Prescott. What's there to do up there.