OT: Need your Help :)

pidi · Post #1 » by **pidi** » Thu Aug 9, 2018 8:25 am

Hi guys,

i need you´re help, me and my girl are planning to travel the long way from germany to the united states, we want to visit phx in November and i want to attend a suns game ( still waiting for the final schedule )

Can you please give me some tipps about what to do in phx, what you better don´t do in phx.
where to buy the tickets, where to stay ( hotel or motel )
where to have dinner??

I realy appreciate every answer from you guys

Thank you

Long Time Member Pidi

TheLogician · Post #2 » by **TheLogician** » Thu Aug 9, 2018 10:56 am

Rent a car. You will want to drive around the broad expanse of Phoenix metro. Downtown is decent but I'd save your money.

Frank Lee · Post #3 » by **Frank Lee** » Thu Aug 9, 2018 11:24 am

Rock on Pidi

Eat a lunch at the Chuckbox in Tempe (mesquite grilled burgers)

Go to the heard museum downtown (native Americans)

Hike Piestewa Peak

Personally I’d stay in downtown Tempe and try to utilize the limited train/rail combined with Uber

If you have time, rent a car and do an over nighter in Jerome Az. (2hr drive) Check out Sedona on the way. Can be a bit touristy that time of year, but will give you a great taste of the desert. Might as well get it all and stay at the Jerome Grand Hotel ... semi confirmed haunted and good margaritas

To be honest, Phoenix is rather boring if you are not drinking....

so I’m never bored

Good luck

nevetsov · Post #4 » by **nevetsov** » Thu Aug 9, 2018 12:06 pm

If you're flying into PHX Sky Harbour and staying for a short time with the primary purpose of watching a Suns game, stay in Tempe.
Use the airport monorail link to get to the light rail, which runs east to Tempe and west to downtown (including TSRA). It's around $2 a trip I think.

If you're staying a little longer and are cool with driving, get a car. I usually fly into/ out of LAX, and rent a car from there to save on connecting flights because im a tightass. Sure it's a six hour drive, but it's cool once you cross the border and start to see all the cacti. You could get connecting flights into PHX (go with Southwest) and rent a car from there (Alamo usually the best) if that's more your thing. In this case, stay in Scottsdale. Way more going on there. Best place I've stayed so far is Hilton Double Tree.

I also enjoy hiking Camelback (Scottsdale) and going to the Desert Botanical Gardens. Favourite restaurant is Bootleggers, apple pie moonshine to die for.

If you have time, head to Sedona, Grand Canyon south rim and Monument Valley. If you can get permits and have a few spare days, head out to Havasu falls, it's a long trip but it's one of the best things I've ever done.

As always, frank's recommendations are on point.

LukasBMW · Post #5 » by **LukasBMW** » Thu Aug 9, 2018 5:50 pm

November is a great time to check out Phoenix! The weather will be perfect.

- Book a hotel in Tempe near Mill Ave. Splurge a little. Get a nice one.
- Buy Suns tickets on ticketmaster.com ---- Pro tip, the closer you wait until game day, usually the better the prices.
- Frank is spot on with the Chuckbox recommendation. Best burgers in AZ!
- Hike Camelback mountain - It's challenging!
- Hang out on Mill Ave in Tempe. Enjoy some drinks. Walk by the ASU campus
- Go to Scottsdale gun club and rent a few guns. Yeeeee Hawwwww! Enjoy the wild wild west.
- If you are into the party/club scene, spend a night in old town Scottsdale. It's like a mini South Beach in the desert.
- They have Jeep Tours where you can drive around in the jeep and explore the desert
- The Phoenix Zoo is always interesting.
- Play volleyball on the shores of Tempe town lake
- Rent a boat or kayak or paddle board on Tempe town lake
- Try to catch and Arizona Cardinals game too!

Son of Ra · Post #6 » by **Son of Ra** » Thu Aug 9, 2018 8:02 pm

I don't know what your budget is but we have an Airbnb in Tempe that is currently available in November. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/23450849 If you're interested you can either go ahead through the website or pm me (auch auf Deutsch wenn du willst

)
We don't ever stay in hotels/motels anymore unless we just need a place to sleep on a road trip.

I second renting a car or at least have Uber/Lyft installed (get a prepaid US sim card). For everything else it really depends on how old you are

YouTube · Post #7 » by **Kerrsed** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 1:17 am

If its the weekend, Westgate Westgate Westgate WESTGATE!

About 27 or so restaurants.....and at the end of the strip, an entire double floor section that houses 12 or so club-atmosphere bars. Its the place to go on the weekends. Might even see a few Suns or whoever our opposing team is there as well.

There is also the Tangler Outlet Mall right across the street if you are interested in doing some cheaper-than-usual shopping (Ralph Lauren/Coach/Nike/Guess/Gap/Hilfiger/Calvin Klein/AE/Kors).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westgate_Entertainment_District

Spoiler:

pidi · Post #8 » by **pidi** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 6:01 am

thank you guys so far... awesome

We´ll stay in PHX for some days and than rent a car to go to a west coast trip, we´ll be there for around three weeks, can´t wait to finaly see a suns game live

Post #9 » by **bwgood77** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 6:51 pm

pidi wrote:thank you guys so far... awesome We´ll stay in PHX for some days and than rent a car to go to a west coast trip, we´ll be there for around three weeks, can´t wait to finaly see a suns game live

I haven't lived in Phx for awhile, and it really depends on what you like to do....go to bars? Hike? Well I liked both.

A good place to stay in a prime location would be somewhere like this https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/scottsdale/phxsr/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-EX-_-US-_-PHXSR

Which is right in old town Scottsdale within walking distance to tons of great restaurants and bars/clubs. Like many others said, if you want a nice hike that is a pretty good workout, and only takes about an hour or maybe a little more, hike Camelback mountain. That hotel is a good spot because not only is it walking distance from restaurants and bars, but it's only about 3 miles from Camelback mountain if that's something you want to do.

It is also only a few miles south on Scottsdale road to hit a freeway that will take you all the way downtown near the arena.

Son of Ra · Post #10 » by **Son of Ra** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:01 pm

pidi wrote:thank you guys so far... awesome We´ll stay in PHX for some days and than rent a car to go to a west coast trip, we´ll be there for around three weeks, can´t wait to finaly see a suns game live

Schedule's out! https://www.nba.com/suns/schedule#

Mischa · Post #11 » by **Mischa** » Sat Aug 11, 2018 7:11 pm

Need a fresh cut? In between? Head over to Shaving Grace in Old Town. Ask for Sulik.

m1chal · Post #12 » by **m1chal** » Sun Aug 12, 2018 6:55 pm

Is this the hair salon Bledsoe liked to visit? :-)

sunstrooper · Post #13 » by **sunstrooper** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 1:59 am

Hi guys,
I am reviving this thread with similar questions as pidi.
I plan to come to Phoenix on March 1st, stay for the weekend and with luck go to both home games (NO and LA).
I'll arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport. Unlike pidi, however, I am 100% on foot and reliable on public transport. I am also on a budget and would like to avoid overpaying for hotel and/or transport (if I stay too far from the arena).
My idea for accommodation cost is around $150/night. I don't want to go to bars or clubs, as I will be alone, so a nice walk after the game would be enough. Don't particularly care about food either.
So, the questions:
1. Relatively safe area to stay with good connectivity to the arena and the airport ( I am willing to walk if it is safe and up to 30-40 min walk) and reasonable hotel prices
2. Good destination for a walk, preferably outside of the city. Keep in mind I am on foot and alone, so - connectivity and safety. I have heard of a very famous mountain near Phoenix (near Sedona if not mistaken). Is it possible to reach with public transport?
3. I usually look on stubhub for tickets, but if there is a better website, please advise. Especially for the LA game the prices are insane.
4. In case I can't manage to buy tickets for the LA game, is there a sports bar close by where the game would be televised?

Thank you in advance!

Post #14 » by **bwgood77** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 2:16 am

sunstrooper wrote:Hi guys,
I am reviving this thread with similar questions as pidi.
I plan to come to Phoenix on March 1st, stay for the weekend and with luck go to both home games (NO and LA).
I'll arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport. Unlike pidi, however, I am 100% on foot and reliable on public transport. I am also on a budget and would like to avoid overpaying for hotel and/or transport (if I stay too far from the arena).
My idea for accommodation cost is around $150/night. I don't want to go to bars or clubs, as I will be alone, so a nice walk after the game would be enough. Don't particularly care about food either.
So, the questions:
1. Relatively safe area to stay with good connectivity to the arena and the airport ( I am willing to walk if it is safe and up to 30-40 min walk) and reasonable hotel prices
2. Good destination for a walk, preferably outside of the city. Keep in mind I am on foot and alone, so - connectivity and safety. I have heard of a very famous mountain near Phoenix (near Sedona if not mistaken). Is it possible to reach with public transport?
3. I usually look on stubhub for tickets, but if there is a better website, please advise. Especially for the LA game the prices are insane.
4. In case I can't manage to buy tickets for the LA game, is there a sports bar close by where the game would be televised?

Thank you in advance!

There are sports bars right across the street...or were last time I was there. I used to just buy tickets from someone selling them outside...if you don't mind waiting until close to tip off you can get for less than face value. Though you can probably get cheap ones online...I doubt they sell out and I used to move down to lower levels at halftime or even a quarter...but you kind of have to have your hands full with food or a drink or something to pull that off or they will ask to see ticket.

Sedona is not near Phx. You may be talking about Camelback Mountain. It's not too far

Spoiler:

This one is pretty good too..I used to hike Camelback often and this one on occasion...it's a little easier and less crowded.

Spoiler:

Not sure about hotels, but if you don't stay too close to downtown, like a few miles away from arena, I imagine you can find something at your price and perhaps a bit lower.

I'm sure others who live there have more and better information.

Frank Lee · Post #15 » by **Frank Lee** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 2:38 am

The Heard Museum (downtown on the rail line) has its Native American Indian Fair Mar 2 and 3.
I'd put this up on the unique entertainment list and an excellent thing to do during the day... also easy to get to and relatively close to the arena.
https://heard.org/fair/the-fair/special-events/performances-program/

good luck

wheezy · Post #16 » by **wheezy** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 3:19 am

For hotels/getting around:
Check along the light rail route. The rail will drop you off right in front of the arena. I've had great luck with the hotels tonight app finding staycation spots in town at good deals and you should be able to cross reference spots between the map and hotels tonight or whatever you use. Found:Re is really nice and right up the street from the arena. AirBnB can be really good too.
Besides the rail though, download uber and lyft to get around to places you need a car to get to. It's about $15-25 to get most places you'd want to go from downtown.

For sports bars playing the games:
Majerle's is right across the street from the arena. Lucky Strike and the restaurants at city scape probably show the games. The Vig, Main Ingredient, and Mother Bunch are a little further but have better food than the other places.

Feel free to hit me up while you're in town or have questions!

bigfoot · Post #17 » by **bigfoot** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 3:19 am

I make sure to visit the Desert Botanical Garden ... must see ... https://www.dbg.org/

In terms of places to stay I would look for airbnb in the uptown location (between Camelback road and Bethany Home road and 7th st and 7th ave) . Close to the light rail for access to arena, Tempe, the zoo, botanical gardens, heard museum, etc. Not a far from hiking Dreamy Draw or Piestwa Peak. Actually a greenbelt in the middle of the city with the Bridle Path going down tree lined Central Avenue for those who like to walk. Nearby farmers market and tons of great restaurants in that area. Probably some of the best in the state.

https://tinyurl.com/y48mmouj

sunstrooper · Post #18 » by **sunstrooper** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 5:11 am

Thanks for your replies, guys! :-)

I am up for my first Suns game after being a fan for 26 years...so if you go to the games and see a crying 250lbs guy - that's me :-D

Mischa · Post #19 » by **Mischa** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:05 am

Hi. There is a shop called LoveSac in Scottsdale Fashion Square near Nordstrom’s (I think) that you should check out that sells bean bag chairs filled with foam. It’s just a big sack.

Post #20 » by **Qwigglez** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 9:06 am

sunstrooper wrote:Hi guys,
I am reviving this thread with similar questions as pidi.
I plan to come to Phoenix on March 1st, stay for the weekend and with luck go to both home games (NO and LA).
I'll arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport. Unlike pidi, however, I am 100% on foot and reliable on public transport. I am also on a budget and would like to avoid overpaying for hotel and/or transport (if I stay too far from the arena).
My idea for accommodation cost is around $150/night. I don't want to go to bars or clubs, as I will be alone, so a nice walk after the game would be enough. Don't particularly care about food either.
So, the questions:
1. Relatively safe area to stay with good connectivity to the arena and the airport ( I am willing to walk if it is safe and up to 30-40 min walk) and reasonable hotel prices
2. Good destination for a walk, preferably outside of the city. Keep in mind I am on foot and alone, so - connectivity and safety. I have heard of a very famous mountain near Phoenix (near Sedona if not mistaken). Is it possible to reach with public transport?
3. I usually look on stubhub for tickets, but if there is a better website, please advise. Especially for the LA game the prices are insane.
4. In case I can't manage to buy tickets for the LA game, is there a sports bar close by where the game would be televised?

Thank you in advance!

March 1st, you can probably check out First Friday which is in downtown Phoenix. It's like an art-walk thing on the streets that is a relatively close walk to the arena and it's free. It opens from 6-10PM, so you can check it out before the game starts at 7PM, and then go back to it after the game is over. Around that area is several bars and such, there is an arcade bar that is by First Friday, I don't remember the name. It's okay, probably better than a lot of other arcade bars in the US, however it's nothing compared to the arcade bar here in Portland Oregon. A sports bar that is literally like a mile away from the arena my girlfriend used to work at is Tilted Kilt. It's like Hooters except the girls are wearing kilts.
Also, there is a science museum or science center that is downtown that is pretty cool to check out.

For something safe, I'd say don't go anywhere immediately west of the arena in Phoenix by foot. It's pretty ghetto. Unless you are going to Westgate which is in Glendale, but you can't get there by walking and likely have to take a car.

Sedona is pretty cool, again though you have to take a vehicle to get there. For mountains in Phoenix, I'd say BW is right on the money and to take a look at Camelback Mountain.