weekend getaway recommendations?

[lucas8930]

We moved to Phoenix this summer, but have yet to really explore any areas outside the Valley. Any recommendations for some worthwhile roadtrips? We are especially interested in jaunts that include tucked away treasures and that are off the beaten path. Co-workers have recommended Sedona and Rocky Point, but we were hoping for something a little less obvious and a bit more quirky/adventurous/or enriching....Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!

[PixelPixie]

Bisbee
Arcosanti (stay in the Sky Suite)
Jerome
Oak Creek Canyon (not sedona)
Route 66 / Kingman

[IbModSteve]

Kartchner Caverns

[nichefindyours]

Prescott
Happy Jack
Oak Creek Canyon esp. now after a fresh snow.

[PhxJohn]

All of these are great suggestions. Honestly AZ has some of the most diverse adventure potential out there.

The wifey and I went to Jerome last October for our anniversary. We couldn't get a full weekend away from work/clients/life so we just went up there for the day.

We stopped at the Out Of Africa wildlife park on the way there, and it was AWESOME.
When we arrived in Jerome we ate a late lunch, and just walked around town exploring a bit and picking up on some local history. We had arranged for a ghost tour of the city at night and it was also amazing! Super spooky and a fun history lesson about a really neat old creepy town. They have tons of wine places if you're into wine.

I highly suggest Jerome as a little day/weekend trip. It was super fun and really low key.

[PixelPixie]

Boyce Thompson Arboretum on the way to Globe, go for their fall and spring plant sales
Picacho Peak during wildflower season

[KARLITO]

Have you been to Tucson yet?!

[MrX]

Tonto Natural Bridge
Crown King
Estrella Sailport
Tent City

[PixelPixie]

The sailport is cool! You can just sit there and watch the sailplanes come and go, or go up yourself! The nice fellah there let our kid climb into the cockpit for a minute.

Also Natural Bridge is really pretty and has a short hike around the site that is nice.

[nichefindyours]

We drove up to Crown King once and it is a bear to get there. We had 4 wheel drive and still was fairly brutal. It is defintely pretty once we made it. It might be fun in a jeep or something. Better yet use rent a car instead of beating up your own vehicle.

[MrX]

the sailport is way cool. I took lessons there and got my solo certificate. Compared to flying conventional aircraft it is also a lot more affordable.
One of the most zen moments of my life was being up at about 7000 feet in a thermal with a hawk.

There are some fantastic campsites up the mountain from Crown King also.

[Na]

Go to Eloy and jump out of a plane! Not done it yet but, its on the list.

Also, plan to visit Bisbee and stay at The Shady Dell, a Midcentury Modernism 1950's trailor park. http://www.theshadydell.com

[matthew]

Tent City

where's that? how do you go there?

[MrX]

All roads in Maricopa County lead to Tent City. Just pop open a 40oz Schlitz, hit the road, and drive as fast as you can for as long as you can. Before you know it you will be there. It is a great way to experience the outdoors and make new friends. I have had some of the most zen moments of my life there at an altitude of zero feet. Plus, you don't even have to bring your own tent.


Tent City:
33° 25′ 39.77″ N, 112° 7′ 25.59″ W