Things to do in Phoenix - Tucson in April?

[rockfan4]

Our vacation is now about 2 months out. Right now, planning on spending about 5 days between Phoenix and Tucson. My wife has a friend she wants to visit in Tempe, I have an aunt in Eloy and cousins in Tucson that I haven't seen in 50+ years.
We're going to the Grand Canyon.
We'll probably go on a horseback ride / tour near Phoenix.

Most of the online lists list hikes, or nature gardens, or stuff like that. I don't really want to do that. What else is there to do?

Looks like we might catch the end of the Pima County Fair. Anyone been to it? What's that like?

Final question: Am I nuts to think of driving from Wisconsin to Arizona? Allegiant just started direct flights from La Crosse to Mesa on Mondays and Fridays, and they're cheap. I'm second guessing my "I'll never fly again" declaration.

The plan right now is to leave La Crosse on April 17, drive to Wall Drug / Mt Rushmore, then to Denver, and weather permitting take I-70 over the Rockies to Moab. From there, the Grand Canyon, then Phoenix, then Tucson, then make our way back to WI through New Mexico, Amarillo, Kansas City. The exact route for the way home isn't set and could change. Maybe sort of follow Route 66 where we can. We might skip Wall Drug / Mt Rushmore and just take I-80 west. Or do the route in reverse. We'll have to see what the weather is going to be like.

[KFC911]

I'd stick to my "I'll never fly again" (unless I must), hit the road at my pace ... and prolly stand on a corner in Winslow ... just because

Have fun!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Lots of great places to hike in the area. We did a Hummer desert tour north of Phoenix with our kids years ago, it was about 6 hours off pavement (not hardcore) in a converted Hummer and it was a blast. Pima Air Museum and the boneyard tour in Tucson is very good if you like airplanes and military history.

[icemann427]

Perhaps tell us what you like to do.

Be sure you don't miss the Grand Canyon! It is truly something else. From there you should stop in Flagstaff, have lunch in the old downtown parts and walk around a little.

Instead of taking Interstate 17 directly down to Phoenix, look at the map and take the single lane highway that goes through Sedona. Sedona is quite incredible with all of the red rock mountains. If you are into hiking, this is the place to do it! If not, walk around the shops in the touristy downtown area. There are Jeep tours that look pretty fun that go on some rocky trails, too.

There are so many things to do in the greater Phoenix area. Perhaps watch a spring training baseball game or a Phoenix Suns basketball game. If you watch a Suns game, eat at one of the downtown restaurants before the game. There are many good ones and many cool pubs and bars. Saguaro Lake is a lake perhaps a half hour from your friend in Tempe. Maybe rent a boat for an hour or so. If you are into motorcycles, you could leave Wisconsin earlier and go to Bike Week. But it is the 8th-12th, I think.

The Pima County Fair is from April 16 through April 26. It's your normal fair but generally has a couple of good bands that play a couple of the nights. Some fun art galleries to walk through in downtown Tucson. Saguaro Canyon is a fun easy hike if you choose and is beautiful. Go up Mt. Lemmon and have yourself some pie up at the top.

Perhaps, I will come up with some more ideas. If I do, I will post again....

[craigster59]

You'll probably hit Sedona while doing the Grand Canyon. That's up there on the list. There's also the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix...
https://mim.org

Mesa/Gateway Airport isn't very large, might be worth the flight to save on driving. I'm still new to the area, after finally getting settled I'm just starting to explore it myself. Lots of excellent restaurants. Prescott is a cool town for a side trip. So is Tombstone when
you're down Tucson way.

[Dantilla]

Pima air museum in Tucson,
Pink Jeep tours in Sedona

[Rick Lee]

The road you want from Flag to Sedona is 89A and that continues on to Jerome too. Pretty cool drive-thru zoo in Williams is called Bearizona. It's right off I-40.

[Tim Hancock]

Wife and I did this tour last year in Phoenix area. It was interesting but VERY dusty. We had a guide driving a side by side and my wife and I followed him in another side by side. Being an ex MX and dirt car racer, the driving was not such a thrill but being from Ohio the terrain was very interesting. It was a couple hour ride with the guide stopping several times for snacks and drinks.

https://phoenix.buyatvtours.com/

[thingmon]

Frank Lloyd Wright properties, if you're into architecture:
https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/arts/2019/04/22/frank-lloyd-wright-arizona-houses-buildings-biltmore-taliesin/3429646002/

[dlockhart]

If you like engineering and military tech, it is worth the trip. Getting to turn the launch key is quite a experience when one thinks it through.

The gentleman in this vid, guided my little group. Sadly, he passed away a few years back. Guys who were staff at the site are not going to be around forever.

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

Pink Jeep tours in Sedona

I'll bite, why are the tours pink? The Jeeps are pink, or it's somehow appealing to females? I ask because I don't want to go hiking, hunting, or camping, but maybe AZ could be a fun vacay for me?

[rockfan4]

I'll add Sedona to the route.
Right now, looking like we will spend the night in Tuba City, next day tour the Grand Canyon then drive to Flagstaff, see the sights and spend the night there. The next day would be Sedona and first day in Phoenix.

The Pink Jeep tours look interesting, I'll have to see what the wife thinks.

It looks like there's no more Boneyard tours. I think I'd still like to visit the museum. When I was there in the 70's, my uncle's house was only a couple blocks from the fence, and I remember walking down there with my cousin and staring at all the old planes.

I didn't know there were FLW houses in Arizona. I guess he found a spot where the roof wouldn't leak from the rain and snow.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by Dixie

I'll bite, why are the tours pink?

https://www.pinkadventuretours.com/tours/sedona-tours



There are a few outfits that offer Jeep tours. Pink Jeep is the largest, with the most options for different destinations.

[Rick Lee]

Pink Jeep tour in Sedona is pretty cool. Most of that area is not accessible by car, so, unless you have a horse, dirt bike or quad, Pink Jeep tour is the way to see it.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by KFC911

I'd stick to my "I'll never fly again" (unless I must), hit the road at my pace ... and prolly stand on a corner in Winslow ... just because

Have fun!

You too? Last plane I was on was about 2008. Before that some time in the mid 90's.

[Brian 162]

As others have said. Go to Sedona and take the pink jeep tour.
Penske Racing Museum in Scottsdale. Free admission, it’s tucked between a Ferrari and Maserati dealership
Frank Lloyd Wright house offers tours
We went on a Segway tour of Old Scottsdale, it was a riot
Pima Air and Space Museum.
Hope this helps
Scottsdale and Phoenix are close together.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

Pima air museum in Tucson,
Pink Jeep tours in Sedona

+1

Pima air has a real V2 rocket (on loan), and other very interesting aircraft. Last time I was there they had the a crewman from the b17 hanger they built. gentleman was in in his late 90's and loved to just talk. IIRC, they brought him from the home multiple times a week to hang out. Considering that hanger is one of the few with AC, it was a treat to just talk about general life experiences and not force war stories.

There's some cool geology in n. az, as such one can fossil hunt and other fun stuff like that.

Clarksdale has a train.