Heading out to Canyon Villas for christmas

We have 6 nights in total. What are the "must see" things that we should plan for ??
Thanks

Must go to the Musical Instrument Museum. Walking distance from CV. We loved it. Also, ask the concierge about the different hikes in the area. Also Tallesin West. Frank Lloyd Wright home.

Grand Canyon

You don't mention your transportation method, but I assume you have a car. You could/should go to the Grand Canyon if you have never been. It will be a long day (a bit over 3 hours one way), but if you start early you should be able to enjoy at least the main visitors' areas. Plan for cool weather. It is the desert, but it is also chilly! Enjoy Arizona.

Safti said:

Must go to the Musical Instrument Museum. Walking distance from CV. We loved it. Also, ask the concierge about the different hikes in the area. Also Tallesin West. Frank Lloyd Wright home.

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+1 for the M.I.M -- we had a ball, and it can easily consume 1/2 a day or more, depending on your interests.
As for hiking, the City of Phoenix has over 200 miles of hiking trails in its parks!! The concierge will have some info, but check the City's website for more info. Some of the hikes are quite challenging - hiking boots, extra water, and a power bar recommended for Pistewa (previously known as Squaw Peak) and Camelback.
The Hurd Museum has also been good.
Drinks at the Biltmore Hotel, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
The Desert Botanic Gardens - take binocs for bird watching.
There's so much in the immediate area, I'd suggest saving Grand Canyon (and Tucson, in the other direction) for a longer trip when you can stay there overnight.
We love Canyon Villas ...and we'll be there during Spring Training next March for the first time!

Taliesin west

Quite close to the Villas is Frank Lloyd Wrights western home. They have tours regularly. We enjoyed the tour and learned a lot. I would strongly recommend it for adults, but not for little kids.

Mahou said:

We have 6 nights in total. What are the "must see" things that we should plan for ??
Thanks

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Day trip to Sedona.

n777lt said:

+1 for the M.I.M -- we had a ball, and it can easily consume 1/2 a day or more, depending on your interests.
As for hiking, the City of Phoenix has over 200 miles of hiking trails in its parks!! The concierge will have some info, but check the City's website for more info. Some of the hikes are quite challenging - hiking boots, extra water, and a power bar recommended for Pistewa (previously known as Squaw Peak) and Camelback.
The Hurd Museum has also been good.
Drinks at the Biltmore Hotel, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
The Desert Botanic Gardens - take binocs for bird watching.
There's so much in the immediate area, I'd suggest saving Grand Canyon (and Tucson, in the other direction) for a longer trip when you can stay there overnight.
We love Canyon Villas ...and we'll be there during Spring Training next March for the first time!

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We have never been to Canyon Villas - but we also are going to be there for Cactus League in March. On a recent trip to Poland, we met some retired farmers from Canada who live in one of the many retirement villages there in the cold weather, and we are going to meet up with the for a game, or dinner, etc. I will PM you closer to the time we are going - maybe we can meet up! Never met Tuggers before while on a trip!

Mamianka

We went in Dec. of 2011- great trip. Spend a day or parts of two walking around the artsy area of Old Scottsdale and the shopping district, Frank Lloyd Wright's home was surprisingly a real highlight, visit the Botanical Gardens, make sure to go to Sedona for a day, and the Grand Canyon is amazing. Another interesting day is to drive the Apache trail.

Not one for tours, we actually did the GC via a tour and were glad we did. It's a long day, and the mountain roads can be a challenge after dark if you're not used to them, and the tour guide was great. We all really enjoyed not only the GC but the tour itself, even though as I said we generally do everything on our own.

The concierges are very helpful there, btw.

Have a great trip! We loved it, and want to go back, but next time we'll spend a few days in Sedona. Lots to see en route to Sedona and in the area. The weather was too muddy so we couldn't do a jeep ride in the red rocks (they cancelled them the day we had planned), but that has gotten rave reviews and there are ones for all levels of physical ability.

The Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior is well worth a visit. There is a wonderful trail that goes from landscaped gardens, to desert, to a narrow canyon along a stream, and then into a forest. The variety of plants and trees and landscape within a small area is really cool. It is about an hour east of Mesa, and it is well worth the drive. Here is the website (which doesn't really do it justice, but does provide some helpful information): http://arboretum.ag.arizona.edu/index.html

If you like zoos, the Phoenix Zoo is located in Papago Park near the Desert Botanical Gardens. It is a large and very nice zoo with extensive trails. http://phoenixzoo.org/

For a short drive with a good view of the Sonoran Desert, I enjoy going to Bartlett Lake. You can stop in the funky little old-west-town-turned-resort of Cave Creek on your way. http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/bartlett_reservoir/index.html

Another place that I like to visit is Fountain Hills. There is a nice path around the lake, the fountain is very impressive, and the surrounding scenery is beautiful. http://fountainhillsguide.com/

I hope these ideas are helpful.

Steve

Mamianka said:

We have never been to Canyon Villas - but we also are going to be there for Cactus League in March. On a recent trip to Poland, we met some retired farmers from Canada who live in one of the many retirement villages there in the cold weather, and we are going to meet up with the for a game, or dinner, etc. I will PM you closer to the time we are going - maybe we can meet up! Never met Tuggers before while on a trip!

Mamianka

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Our exact dates are 3/14-21...it would be fun to meet up. PM me if our dates overlap.

And as for Sedona, YES! We have friends who live there, and a visit to them is part of every stay at CV. Again hiking in the area is great - lots of easy trails with beautiful views. Lots of artsy places, some good restaurants - a fun day trip.

I've made note of Steve's suggestions for future trips. That's my idea of a great MVCI destination - where there's always something new to try...

must do's:

1. On Monday night, down by the fire-pit by the lobby, there is a BBQ ($10) and the entertainment is Marshall Pepper, Cowboy singer. It is great fun for all ages. The guy is humorous and a great singer. It will be an enjoyable evening.

2. Beer tasting - this is a free activity and will introduce you to 5 special beers.

3. Hiking at Pinnacle Peak - Marriott will drive you to the hike site. The hike is on a well maintained trail but has some inclines. Good hike. Perhaps 2 miles total?

4. Happy Hour at Pinnacle Peak Patio - 4 pm to 6 pm M-F. The appetizers are half price and 2 appetizers will fill you up. Beer (including microbrews) is $3.

5. Ask about the $350 Children's Mirracle Net-work Marriott > II 2BR week deposit. It is actually quite a good deal. While there is a lack of documentation it is a great deal. The deposit made by Marriott into your II account appears to have a Marriott preference when exchanging but is not limited to Marriott exchanges. 1 plus year to use. I did this and can see a lot of exchange inventory.

6. Segway experience - $45 or 50 if you ask for the Canyon Villas discount. It is a very interesting 1.5 hours. Go to the Monday morning activities meeting to sign up (or go to concierge any time actually)

n777lt said:

Our exact dates are 3/14-21...it would be fun to meet up. PM me if our dates overlap.

And as for Sedona, YES! We have friends who live there, and a visit to them is part of every stay at CV. Again hiking in the area is great - lots of easy trails with beautiful views. Lots of artsy places, some good restaurants - a fun day trip.

I've made note of Steve's suggestions for future trips. That's my idea of a great MVCI destination - where there's always something new to try...

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We'll be there 15-22 - so I will PM you after the holidays. I also am taking note of all the great advice here!

ATB
Mamianka