Phoenix, Scottsdale Tempe areas

[mtgianni]

I will be in Scottsdale area for a week with my wife next month and would appreciate some must see ideas. We like museums, non franchised restaurants and one of likes art galleries.
We will start with the Fall Stars, see a few more AFL games, and take a day to revisit Kartchner caverns and Tombstone.
What else ya got?

 

[Maddog 521]

The Heard Museum in Phoenix is a must see, IMHO. There is a wonderful restaurant there also. One can spend a whole day there.

If you get close to Bisbee, it's worth a stop too.
Have fun

 

[Andy Lowry]

Maddog is right, the Heard is excellent. If you like plants or the desert ecosystem, the Desert Botanical Garden would be worthwhile. There are various types of ancient Indian sites scattered all over the state, if you like archeology-- the closest to the Valley I can think of is some Salado cliff dwellings up the Beeline Highway (87) near Lake Roosevelt. November is a great time to be in that area!

 

[PeterJ]

If you can make it up to Sedona, it's certainly worth a look as is Jerome, a little old mining town on the side of a mountain just south of Sedona.

 

[italiansport]

If you'll be here at the end of November the biggest gun show of the year will be held at the Phoenix fair grounds. This is the Crossroads Show (1500 tables) combined with the SAR machine gun show (500 tables).
Jim

 

[chaparrito]

Two other archaeology stops closer than the Gila Cliffs are Pueblo Grande and Casa Grande Ruins.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

For us Aircraft guys - The Pima Air and Space Museum is like going to Church!
The Kartchner Caverns are a wet cave. I have been there and fulfilled my Wet Cave requirement for life!
If you do go over toward Tombstone -Benson, I like the Empire Ranch.
Are you guys talking about the NM Pima Cliff Dwellings?
They are a fairly long drive from the nearest town, Silver City.
And when you get there, let’s just say they are a little underwhelming!
You want to see some OMG Cliff Dwellings?
Mesa Verde. Between Cortez and Durango, CO.
Closer to Cortez.
Most spectacular Native American Ruins in these parts?
Chaco Canyon, NM. Off Highway 550 between Bernallillo and Bloomfield, NM.

 

[mreracp2u]

The music instrument museum, MIM, is a great place if your into it.

 

[rwsmith]

Sonora Desert Museum.....

Sonora Desert museum - Natural life in the desert.

Organ Pipe Monument

Taliesin West - Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and school.

Pima Air Museum

 

[RobertJ.]

Tom's Thumb (also known just as "the Thumb") on E. Bell Rd. in Scottsdale has the best smoked brisket I've ever eaten.

It's an interesting store. It's a gas station, wine shop, and restaurant all in one, and their food is hard to beat. I highly recommend it.

 

[mtgianni]

For us Aircraft guys - The Pima Air and Space Museum is like going to Church!
The Kartchner Caverns are a wet cave. I have been there and fulfilled my Wet Cave requirement for life!
If you do go over toward Tombstone -Benson, I like the Empire Ranch.
Are you guys talking about the NM Pima Cliff Dwellings?
They are a fairly long drive from the nearest town, Silver City.
And when you get there, let’s just say they are a little underwhelming!
You want to see some OMG Cliff Dwellings?
Mesa Verde. Between Cortez and Durango, CO.
Closer to Cortez.
Most spectacular Native American Ruins in these parts?
Chaco Canyon, NM. Off Highway 550 between Bernallillo and Bloomfield, NM.

My wife has worked in two wet caves and as far as public caves go Kartchner is one of the best on the planet.