Stuff to do around Phoenix

[1SloLMM]

Visiting some family in Mesa and was just wondering what there is to do around here. Any secret places to eat that are good? Are there any tracks that have any driving experiences that aren't outrageous in price? Also would like to do some off road stuff. Staying in Scottsdale so we're close to paradise valley I believe.

 

[TheBac]

Golf, golf, and more golf.

Grand Canyon if you want to take a day. The Painted Rocks area that you drive thru to get there is pretty cool.

 

[AZlml]

Find a swimming pool and some beer and beat the heat :thumb: I think the only track with driving experiences is Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park but i'm not sure on the prices (few hundred $$ i'd imagine) There's a place in Tempe by ASU called the chuck box that does burgers that are really good, cash only tho. It's probably 15-20 mins south of you depending where at in Scottsdale you are.

And like Tom said golf is dirt cheap in the summer here because of the temps, but we have a ton of courses. There's a place near you off the 101 freeway called Top Golf that is a multi-level driving range with a full restaurant and bar. Very fun to take a group of people and you pay by the hour.

 

[Chevy1925]

Let see....

There is octane raceway, indoor kart racing. Top golf. Bondurant race school where you can do shifter karts, cars and all kinds of fun stuff. Casinos. 2 hr north is flagstaff where it's a high of 85 this time of year and stromy after 12pm. Plus it's 6800ft and pines. Lake pleasant or canyon lake are about the same distance. Water parks are a big thing in this heat like wet and wild or golf land sun splash.

Food wise, tilted kilt has awesome scenery lol, chino bandito is a Mexican/Chinese food restaurant that is absolutely awesome. If you like spicy, Mexican food restaurants are great here.

If you are going to rent a rzr for off roading, there is a ton of riding you can do. I heavily forewarn you though, do not go alone, drink/bring a ton of water (not just beer), and just do morning rides if you are not used to this heat. It can get dangerous in a hurry out there.

What kind of off roading you want to do? I can get you all kinds of trails

 

[1SloLMM]

We are at the scottsdale plaza resort. We may switch hotels to get closer to mesa but its pretty nice over here. We came down here without a plan essentially because I knew it wouldn't be that busy being summertime.

Golfing is out. Haven't done it in years and no one I'm with wants to either.

I'll have to look up those places to eat. We went to a place they thought was good tonight and it ended up being just another bland Chinese buffet lol.

For the off roading it doesn't really matter. Just something to get out and see the scenery. Probably have to be something somewhat guided since it would only be me and my wife I'm sure. I've seen atvs, jeeps, and the H1 hummers. We have my father in laws car so I think we are going to just go out west from where we are and drive around. Saw some pretty scenic roads from the plane that would be nice to find.

For the driving experience I've been trying for years to find a track to go to to drive a few super cars around. Vegas or LA seems to be the closest places for that though. I would dedicate a day to that and some decent coin to do it.

Is the air and space museum worth the trip in Tucson? Anything else interesting to do there?

 

[rcr1978]

James whats up with the Salt River? I floated that sucker a couple times in 99 when I went to school down there and that was a good time except the hangover and sun burn. Is it still the same or did the law take the fun away?

 

[Chevy1925]

If you can, do karshner caverns down there, tombstone is cool if your into the old west stuff, the air and space museum is pretty cool. Went there as a kid about 15-17 years ago. Probably got cooler things now.

If you drive up to Sedona, you can hop on a pink jeep tour. You will want to make sure it takes you on broken arrow. Hardest trail there that will give ya some thrills in those top heavy rigs. Super pretty area up there too as you drive in and awesome shopping/dining up there too. Then you can head up 89a through oak creak canyon and come into flagstaff if you want. All 2 lane through the canyon which is really nice. You will take the i17 to camp verde. Just out side of camp verde is highway 179 which will take you to Sedona.

West of phx, there ain't shit. Either go north, south or east.

From mesa, if you take the 60 all the way to superior, miami, and globe, then follow it north to show low, you will again hit some beautiful scenery and a really cool water fall to stop and look at. Globe and superior are old mining towns too so you can split off and find some old ones if you wanted. Its about a 4 hour drive to show low that way. Then you can either take the 260 around to heber/Payson or head back the way you came. You will hit the mogillon rim if you take the 260 back and again, breath taking veiws.

Btw, the food joints I suggest are more on the west side of where you are. Might be a drive just for some food. Out east there, I don't know a ton of places. If you head into desert ridge shopping area off Tatum and the 101, there is good food there to pick from. When you get into mesa, I'm kinda out of my realm there.

How long you guys here for?

 

[1SloLMM]

We take off next Wed early. We just got back from driving around the valley and some of downtown Scottsdale. Can't believe how different and nice everything is around here. Finding a lot of cool places just blindly driving. Seems like teslas, Mercedes, porches, and maseratis are the norm for cars in this part. Not seeing much on the diesel scene though.

I finally got moved to day shift a month ago so I'm used to getting up at 5am back home so I wake up 2 hours before dawn here. I'm going to look up some of those routes you suggested and we will probably get up and drive to Tucson and a few places in between that day and then another day to the north.

 

[gassux]

scottsdale gun club if you wanna pay out the ass to shoot full auto

 

[Chevy1925]

We take off next Wed early. We just got back from driving around the valley and some of downtown Scottsdale. Can't believe how different and nice everything is around here. Finding a lot of cool places just blindly driving. Seems like teslas, Mercedes, porches, and maseratis are the norm for cars in this part. Not seeing much on the diesel scene though.

I finally got moved to day shift a month ago so I'm used to getting up at 5am back home so I wake up 2 hours before dawn here. I'm going to look up some of those routes you suggested and we will probably get up and drive to Tucson and a few places in between that day and then another day to the north.

Scottsdale is the "rizty" part of Phoenix. Diesel scene is really spread throughout the state and mainly held on fb. There isn't much in Scottsdale though lol. They are mostly mesa/chandler/queen creek area or out on the west side with me

 

[carter_44]

This time of year go north as fast as you can and get out of that hot shit hole valley. Come visit me in Flagstaff. Currently sprinkling rain and 75 degrees. Beautiful. All the outdoor playing you can handle. Biggest pine forest in the country and it's all public land.