Sightseeing By Road

We will be in Phoenix March 1-7 of this year. We would like to take some day trips (via car) from Phoenix to some interesting historical or scenic destinations. Are there any suggestions. We are thinking of Tuscon for one day, Scottsdale another. We have been to Sedona and the G.C.

Thanks

Sightseeing By Road

Depending where in Phoenix you are staying, the daytrip to Scottsdale could be anywhere from a 5 to 45 minute drive. The cities border each other.

The drive to Tucson is about 2 hours, probably less, and there is a poster here who has a page full of stuff to do with links...hopefully he%26#39;ll respond.

If you go to Tucson, I%26#39;d also recommend going further south to Bisbee/Kartchner Caverns. It is another great part of our state.

A great daytrip by car is the Apache Trail. Take US-60 East (through Mesa), to Idaho Drive. Go north, then follow the signs. You can get just past Tortilla Flat on pavement, after that it turns to dirt.

If you want a scenic drive in town, I%26#39;d highly recommend a very relaxing drive on Lincoln Dr from Phoenix through Paradise Valley to Scottsdale. There are several speeding and red light cameras through PV, so be careful, but there are some amazing mountain views and houses that you%26#39;ll see.

Sightseeing By Road

Day trip to Tucson can include a stop at St. Francis Xavier del Bac, a Spanish mission. The Sonora Desert museum is a treat as well as a stop by the University of Arizona. A great planetarium is on campus and the planetary science building has all the Mars rover data and pictures. You could keep going to Tombstone. The courthouse there is a mandatory stop.

Flagstaff is two hours+ north and has maintained its charm. Go further in closer to the mountains and see route 66. There are lots of small little towns to explore (Bumblebee, Jerome, Strawberry).

Fountain Hills has seen a boom lately but still has some amazing views of the whole valley. Cave Creek still has some cool places.

I would suggest a day at a spring training game. You can always get lawn tickets for cheap and that is a great way to see the whole Phx valley (from Surprise to Mesa) or a few spots in Tucson.

I always tell people if they drive one place outside of Phoenix it should be Sedona. Sedona, with its red rocks and funky people, is a MUST. I suggest a drive up Oak Creek Canyon, shopping in Tlaquepaque, and a stop at Chapel of Holy Cross, which is built into the side of a mountain.

If you%26#39;re going to Tucson, my favorite thing down there is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Its less Museum, more a zoo of animals from this part of the country and it is amazing. And in March you might even see the start of the wildflowers there.

Highly suggest the Vulture Mine, just outside Wickenburg, W. of Phoenix.

This is the real, authentic deal. A real old west town.

They used to do B%26amp;B on the weekend nights, not sure about that now, but the Hassyampa Inn in Wickenburg is worth an overnight anyway.

If you do the Apache Trail ride, go on into Globe%26#39;s downtown district. They are trying to get it going there. And there is a great old Indian excavation and museum there.