If you were going to fly into Arizona and rent a car to do sightseeing, would you go to Tuscon and that area, or Phoenix?

The Grand Canyon isn't a priority, we may do that on a TT tour, but we have to spend some time in Casa Grande (and maybe Eloy) and since they are both pretty much between Phoenix and Tucson, we are undecided as how to go.

Do either of you live anywhere near any of the aforementioned?

We have never been to this part of the States before, so we are a little clueless.

I'd like to check out Nogales as well, unless it's a total dive like Tiajuana. I was afraid in Tiajuana!!

Shannon.

Shannon. My favorite sights in Arizona, aside from the Grand Canyon, are Sedona (beautiful red rock country), and the Desert Museum in Tucson.

I love Museums of any type. Is it an outdoor one?
I am looking forward (even though this might sound silly) to seeing cactuses (cacti?) "in the wild", especially those big saguaro ones.

Shannon

Shannon. The Desert Museum is an outdoor museum with lots of cactii and desert plants. There are even areas with javalinas and other typical desert animals. It's a great museum. See their website: http://www.desertmuseum.org/. Also, on the outskirts of Tucson is Saguaro National Park. See the website: http://www.saguaro.national-park.com/.
We go to Tucson relatively frequently, since my sister lives there. In fact, my brother-in-law is a docent at the Desert Museum.
Expect hot and dry weather if you go in the summer.

Sandy~

Thanks so much for those websites, I was having a hard time finding any info.

We plan to go in May, and from what I can see, the weather will be in the high 80's-low 90's, which is something I am already dreading, not being a heat lover, but it's either that or August, and I understand August can be as hot as 120!!

Shannon

Hi sdkelly2000,

May is the best time to go since it normally is in the 90's or high 90's if you go at the end of May. I would recommend Sedona which is about 1.5 hours drive from Phoenix. Tucson you could go to Old Tucson Studios if you are into themeparks with a western flare. In Phoenix you can go shopping because we have so many malls you cannot believe. Also a lot of dining choices. Do not go to Nogales Mexico you will not like it. I been to Tijuana and Nogales which I did not like either one. Tijuana was a lot nicer than Nogales. Let me know if need more questions answered.
Regards
Moz

I second Sedona. A hike in Boynton Canyon is an experience that you'd never forget - if you enjoy hiking. The red rock formations there are fantastic. Sedona is relatively small with lots of galleries and quaint shops. Nearby you can drive to a ghost town and also the ruins of Indian Pueblos.

Sdkelly2000: I have to agree with all that has been said before. I live in the Phoenix area and have all my life. It is probably cheaper to fly into Phoenix, as its airport is bigger than Tucson and you are more in the middle of many places. Phoenix is a much larger metropolitan area than Tucson and so will have more varieties and facilities than Tucson, although Tucson has great ones, too. There is a beautiful Desert Botanical Garden in the middle of the Phoenix area that is beautiful. I have put the website at the bottom. . Tucson is about 2 hours south from Phoenix (depending on how fast you drive). It is a beautiful place, and the two mentioned museums there are great, definitely places to go to see cacti. (Especially since we are the only state that have the saguaros). Some of the cacti might even still be in bloom in May. There is also Sabino Canyon there, which is a great place to hike. You can take a tram up to the top and hike down or take the tram both ways or hike both ways. Take a jacket, it�s cool at the top of the canyon. Near Casa Grande are some Indian ruins that are pretty fun to see. Tombstone is also accessible from Tucson�has a little bit of Arizona history. (Although don�t believe all of the story about the Clantons�I am related to them and the public story isn�t very accurate.)
Up north on the way to Sedona, which is a great place to visit in itself, there are also Montezuma�s well, and Montezuma�s Castle, also more Indian ruins.
I agree about Nogales�if you didn�t like Tiajuna, you won�t like Nogales�it�s all the same. Trust me, if your choices are May or August, DEFINITELY take May. Sometimes we luck out and we are still in the �cool� 80�s!
As for the Grand Canyon, it is about 4 hours from Phoenix. If you really want to take a side trip there, I would suggest staying in Flagstaff, which is about another hour north of Sedona. You might want to bring clothes that you can layer. If you are more north near Sedona, it can get cool in the evenings. Usually, shorts will do the trick, with layering long sleeves on top. Also, bring a hat and sunblock for your face. Although it might be cool in some parts of the state, the Arizona sun really likes your face wherever you are.

Hope this has helped. Feel free to ask any other questions�.

Sabino Canyon in Tucson http://www.sabinocanyon.com/
Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix area http://www.dbg.org/
Sedona http://www.sedona.net/
Casa Grande Indian Ruins http://www.nps.gov/cagr/
Montezuma�s Well http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/montezuma_cast...tional_monument.html
Montezuma�s Castle http://www.nps.gov/moca/
Tombstone http://www.tombstone.ws/

Shannon, I took a trip to Arizona in 2000. We flew in to Phoenix, rented a car, drove to Sedona where it is absolutely beautiful and stayed there for about five days. We took a coach tour to the Grand Canyon (a day trip) which was breathtaking. Then we drove straight down to Tucson for about five days. I can also recommend the Desert Museum outside Tucson. I loved driving around Arizona. It was easy to navigate and I loved all the cacti. Oh and we also drove down to Tombstone which was touristy but fun.

J. Vimira...Tempe is very close to the aiport...it's only about 10 miles to the southeast. How long to get there depends on the time of day, where in Tempe you are going and which freeway you take and whether or not you are driving in rush hour traffic. I heard that they have built a new rental car center but don't know if it is open yet. If you are renting a car, they will be able to give you driving directions, if not, let me know if you need directions to anywhere. I lived there went I went to ASU and now live in Mesa (a few more miles to the east.)

You shouldn't have any problems at that time of day....not a very long drive. You are coming at a wonderful time of year....we've had lots of rain lately and it will be nice and green and if you are going outside the city, the cactus and wildflowers will still be in bloom...
Have a great day!

Azgirl~

Those websites are fantastic, thanks so much. I guess now I have to actually sit down and decide what we plan on doing, and where. Arizona just seems to get more fascinating at every turn.

Thanks so much for all your info everyone, and don't hesitate to share some more!!

Shannon