Scenic drives close to Phoenix? (Mesa, Flagstaff: home, live, restaurants)

[Sunshine62819]

Hi all,

I moved to Phoenix last year but have been working almost every day, so I haven't been able to get out much and explore. That being said, my mom (who has never been to Arizona) is coming to visit and I would like to take her on a scenic drive or two, just something fun and cheap to do that can let an out-of-towner see what the desert looks like, lol.

Are there any recommendations for "scenic drives" close to Phoenix? (Yes, I know I could google this but I much prefer getting recommendations this way; I like to hear what others have to say).

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[infocyde]

You could also drive out to Wickenburg and then drive up through the Spar mountains and into Prescott...that is a nice drive but don't do it in Winter if the temperature is going to be low. Also you could head up the 17 and turn off and go to Sedona, then up through Sedona to the Flagstaff area. Just a few ideas. For all all day trip go Wickenburg->Prescott->Jerome->Sedona->Flagstaff and then come back down the I-17 from Flagstaff. That would be a long day but you can see a lot of nice country. If you wanted to spend two days you could spend the night in Flagstaff or Sedona and then head east beyond Flagstaff to the meteor crater and the petrified forest, both are pretty cool, then head home through Showlow and Payson. That would be a nice loop through the northern part of the state. Have fun and check the weather before leaving as it does snow in the high desert.

[DetroitN8V]

The Apache Trail is awesome. You could either take it to just Tortilla Flat and back or all the way to Roosevelt Dam for the full experience. It's a great drive.

[new2colo]

A quick drive that I enjoy is taking Ellsworth Road north through Usery Pass, turning right on the Bush Highway and taking the Beeline Highway back. Another choice would be to take the Apache Trail/Arizona 88 past Apache Junction and then taking US 60 in Globe west back into the Valley. This route does involve taking a dirt road, so keep that in mind. Even taking the Carefree Highway/Arizona 74 between I-17 and US 60 can be a nice escape into the desert.

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

The Apache Trail is awesome. You could either take it to just Tortilla Flat and back or all the way to Roosevelt Dam for the full experience. It's a great drive.

I suggest this one as well. Just know that not far pass Tortilla Flats it turns into a non-paved road and get be very bumpy for a car. It's worth it in my opinion though.

[ShampooBanana]

I used to like to take quick, scenic jaunts in Phoenix all the time when I lived there.

My favorites:

Drive to the top of South Mountain (Dobbins Overlook and TV towers). There are some stunning views up there of the whole Phoenix metro and it's a fun, twisty little drive, too. Just go down Central Ave. as for south as you can go and you'll run into South Mountain Park. It's worth checking out Mystery Castle nearby, as well. Est. time: 35 minutes each way (from central Phoenix)

The road to Tortilla Flat. Just take the 60 east to Apache Junction and then north on 88 which will turn into Apache Trail. Very twisty and you'll go by Canyon Lake and a lot of lookout points on the way there. Keep going and you'll hit Tortilla Flat, which was an old stagecoach stop back in the day. Now there's a couple bars, restaurants, and gift shops there you can stop at before heading back (or keep going, although I'd highly recommend an off-road vehicle if you're going to do that!). Est time: 1 hour 10 min each way (from central Phoenix).

Beeline Highway to Payson. Just head north up 87 from Mesa (you can get off from the north 202 loop). You'll go past Fountain Hills (sometimes can see the fountain shooting up from a distance) then up through the mountains where you'll see the ecosystem and scenery change from desert to high desert to finally pine trees. Payson has a bit to do and feels more like a little Colorado town that a place in Arizona. Est. Time: 1 hour 35 min each way (from central Phoenix).

Other suggestions:

Lake Pleasant
Prescott (longer)
Sedona (longer still)

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by Bungle

I suggest this one as well. Just know that not far pass Tortilla Flats it turns into a non-paved road and get be very bumpy for a car. It's worth it in my opinion though.

Bumpy is an understatement. We were there about a month ago and tried to drive the unpaved part. Had to turn around almost right away, it was far worse than just bumpy. You would need a dune buggy or some sort of ATV.

Tortilla Flat was fun to see, but not worth the drive if you plan to eat there or spend much time. An ice cream shop, a gift shop, and a restaurant/bar (I was hungry but we passed on eating there). It's not a real destination IMO.

We stopped at the old mining town/ghost town and found that to be pretty interesting.

The drive up there is beautiful, though!

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

Bumpy is an understatement. We were there about a month ago and tried to drive the unpaved part. Had to turn around almost right away, it was far worse than just bumpy. You would need a dune buggy or some sort of ATV.

Tortilla Flat was fun to see, but not worth the drive if you plan to eat there or spend much time. An ice cream shop, a gift shop, and a restaurant/bar (I was hungry but we passed on eating there). It's not a real destination IMO.

We stopped at the old mining town/ghost town and found that to be pretty interesting.

The drive up there is beautiful, though!

That wasn't the case for us at all. I guess it depends on the recent weather because we did the whole drive in a regular sedan without any issues.

The restaurant is definitely not worth the drive by itself. The drive is worth the drive.

[Susanks1]

Is the South Mountain road open yet?

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by Susanks1

Is the South Mountain road open yet?

Nope.