Arizona stay-cation suggestions!

meghanfeller

My fiance and I are pretty much funding our wedding and honeymoon ourselves, which means that we won't be able to afford a honeymoon that's more than a couple hours' drive away.

Does anyone have any awesome stay-cation suggestions? Northern AZ, Southern AZ, Central AZ, whatever. We're looking for some affordable options that are local and can occupy a week's time.

guamibear

What kinds of things do you like to do? Camping, resorts, hiking....

twoitalians

When's your wedding?
Flagstaff is always a great place to go, unless in the winter when the weather is iffy. There are some cute B&Bs there (just google Flagstaff bed and breakfast), there's always shopping in the cute stores downtown. In summer there's the scenic skyride at Snowbowl. I can't think of the names of the places but you can find stables that do horseback trail rides and such.

Sedona is great too, though the resorts/hotels can be a little pricey, but you can find deals if you look for them. Again, there's shopping. There's Oak Creek right there too you can go swimming in the summer, have picnics pretty much anytime. Food at the resorts in Sedona is AMAZING!

Um, let's see... Cliff Castle Casino and Hotel in the Verde Valley. Gambling, bowling, etc. PLUS it's 15-20 min drive from Sedona.

If you're really adventurous, you can hike to Havasu Falls to the west of the Grand Canyon... really it's just GORGEOUS down there, especially in the spring and fall. You can go camping (cheaper, it's about $75 per person for a weekend) or there is a small hotel at the Village in the canyon.

I know more about Northern Arizona than I do other parts of AZ, but I've seen the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson and it is beautiful there too. I can't think of any hotels or resorts in the area, but you can probably find tons on google.

You can also always do a stay-cation at any resort in the Phoenix area. Just don't take your phones or laptops, that way people won't bother you on your honeymoon. Pick a place that has a nice pool area, with waterpark-like feel or maybe and adult-only pool.... Arizona Grand Resort and I think Westin Kierland are some like that.

Hope that gives you some ideas!

mgumms

Sedona is AMAZING! I can't think of a better place in the state. We're going there for a mini-moon since we won't be able to take a real honeymoon for a few months after we get married.

melissaalawrence

If you're looking for something unique, check out Bisbee, AZ. It's a quaint, old mining town in southern AZ. Tons of bed and breakfasts and quite a few things to do. My fiance and I loved the ghost tour and Copper Queen mine tour. It's also near Kartchner caverns and Tombstone. There's also hiking in the area, if you're into that sort of thing. I heard that Patagonia, which is near by has wineries, although we never checked them out.

1DestinationBride

Oak Creek Cayon in very cool.

Look into Elgin, I think it's by Tuscon...there's a vineyard and a winery there that you can check out...you can even do a romantic picnic! (www.sonoitavineyards.com)

Syndelin

That Winery looks awesome!  I love wine tours...  I really need to do more of those. 

kpwedkk

Try Sedona - there are a lot of bed and breakfast places that are loads cheaper than the regular hotels that are there.  You can always ask if they are running a special as well!

We stayed at this place over July 4th!

http://www.adobevillagegrahaminn.com/rooms_and_rates.htm

Also in the comments area, we put down vegetarian going vegan, and they prepared food accordingly!  Yum!!

meghanfeller

awesome!!! thanks so much everyone!

twihard08

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_arizona-phoenix_arizona-stay-cation-suggestions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:71Discussion:1ca93dc5-4b3b-4560-ae09-107c52727c8ePost:071cba53-15ad-4de5-bfdc-7d7d6602321f">Re: Arizona stay-cation suggestions!</a>:
[QUOTE]If you're looking for something unique, check out Bisbee, AZ. It's a quaint, old mining town in southern AZ. Tons of bed and breakfasts and quite a few things to do. My fiance and I loved the ghost tour and Copper Queen mine tour. It's also near Kartchner caverns and Tombstone. There's also hiking in the area, if you're into that sort of thing. I heard that Patagonia, which is near by has wineries, although we never checked them out.
Posted by melissaalawrence[/QUOTE]
The Kartchner Cavarns were actually found on my FI's grandpa's land. :) We went there this last AUG while down in AZ. It was my first time, but definitely won't be the last! I got a 'Cave Kiss' and I told the guy it was because the cave knew I was going to be taking on the Kartchner name soon (we had gotten engaged just 4 days prior to going and visiting!)
I would recommend even if its already past your "stay-cation" to go and visit! It can be a bit pricey after it's all said and done, but if you budget for it you will be fine! We had a blast there! :)) And Tombstone is a nice little historical town if you like those sorts of things too! =]
Enjoy!!!