NVR. Going to Phoenix, AZ. Any tips?
Hello again.
I'm a couple of weeks I'm going on vacation to Phoenix! I've been there once before, but it was just for the weekend. Plus it was in July and SO HOT! I spent most of my free time in air conditioning because I couldn't take the triple digit temperatures. Now I am going for a whole week and I just checked the temperature. A beautiful 81 degrees :)
Is anyone from the Phoenix area or has traveled there before that could give me some insider tips? I'd like to travel to see the Grand Canyon while there. VegHeadZelia, I know you are from AZ but I don't know if you are near Phoenix or not. I'm checking travel guides, but nothing beats first hand experience. (Note: laughing to myself because everytime I type Phoenix I have to say "Fo-e-nix" in my head to remember to add the O, duh ::))
There is a really cool vegan place in Tempe, which is right near Phoenix, called Green: http://www.greenvegetarian.com/
And I recommend checking out Sedona while you're out there. There is also an AWESOME raw place and another awesome vegan place: http://sedonarawcafe.com/
http://dlishsedona.com/
I have an uncle who lives in Prescott, about 2 hours from Phoenix. So I go out there every year or so. I'm sure there are people who are more knowledgeable than I am, but let me know if you have any other questions!
I live in Tempe (right next to Phoenix--literally 2 seconds away). There are quite a few veg-friendly places around here. Green is pretty good--fun atmosphere, decent food. I recommend their vegan crabpuffs, most of their Asian dishes, and their (t)soynomis (vegan Blizzard, pretty much). I DO NOT recommend their veggie burger--it's weird and gross in my opinion. There are also tons of Mediterranean-style restaurants that are veg-friendly, and even a pasty restaurant that will make you a vegan pasty if you call an hour ahead of time and you can pack it full of whatever you want! It's called Cornish Pasty Co. and it's also in Tempe.
Wow, you probably want to do more than just eat, though, right? ::)
If you want to go to the Grand Canyon from Phoenix, you should definitely plan to leave early in the morning because it's a few hours of driving, more if you want to go to the North Rim. Arcosante is just an hour outside of Phoenix and is really cool if you are into that sort of thing. The Payson area/Mogollon Rim are beautiful, Sedona is gorgeous, and Flagstaff is nice. What types of things do you like doing? I can make further recommendations... ;D
Oh, and good call about NOT coming again in the summer...it's hell here!
There is a really cool vegan place in Tempe, which is right near Phoenix, called Green: http://www.greenvegetarian.com/
And I recommend checking out Sedona while you're out there. There is also an AWESOME raw place and another awesome vegan place: http://sedonarawcafe.com/
http://dlishsedona.com/
I missed out on Sedona last time I was in AZ (it would have meant leaving the air conditioning!) But I really want to check it out this time. Thanks for the recommendations!
Kbuettne, I heard that the north rim was "closed" from November to May. Is this true?
Kbuettne, I heard that the north rim was "closed" from November to May. Is this true?
It likely is. It gets much colder up there and the Grand Canyon + massive amounts of snow = danger ;D
The south rim is still nice. I've heard hiking it in the fall/winter is neat because there is snow at the top, but then as you go down, you can strip down to a t-shirt and be comfy. You get to experience multiple seasons!
I was there about 8 years ago, and ate at this AMAZING place that was totally vegan. I think it was called Suma Ching Hai's Vegetarian House. Obviously Asian, and super yummy. I don't know if it is still there, but it is definitely worth checking out.
Unfortunately, I don't remember much else...I had a rather bizarre travel companion. And we won't get into that....
I'm leaving for Phoenix in a couple hours and will be there all weekend. Any more tips or restaurants I need to check out would be FAANNNNNTASTIC! (I love raw restaurants, so those recommendations are always super appreeshed)
There is a restaurant in Tempe that opened recently called The Center Bistro. They do serve meat (organic, free range), but the majority of their items are vegan. They have two raw desserts, lots of yummy salads, sandwiches, smoothies, appetizers. Their raw chocolate mousse is yummy and so is the cheesecake (cheesecake isn't raw, though); I haven't tried the raw apple pie, but it's next on my list. They also have two vegan wine options. Here's a link to their menu:
http://www.iamthecenter.com/pdf/iam_menu_07.pdf
There's a place in Scottsdale called "In the Raw", but it's crappy--don't waste your time. The only raw things they have are smoothies. I really think it's just so rich, snobby Scottsdalians can say that they eat at a "raw" restaurant. There is another vegan place in Scottsdale called the Mandala Tea Room. It's not fabulous. The food is expensive and just OK, but it's a fun atmosphere for like tea and dessert or something.
If you don't mind a little chilly weather, a day trip to Sedona would be fun, and the restaurant mentioned below (D'Lish) is really good!
Have a fun weekend! Let us know where you ate/what you did :)
The Desert Botanical Garden is pretty nifty: http://www.dbg.org/
I was there in fall, so I don't know what it's like in winter.
Hi y'all. My flight leaves tomorrow and I'll be in Phoenix area all weekend. I'm staying downtown at the Clarendon. If you live in AZ, we should do lunch