I'm going to Phoenix next week...

[Kim]

for a conference and I need some fun suggestions for downtime. I will be traveling with a diverse group, half very conservative LDS and the other half are riding their harley's. Has anyone been here and have some ideas for me? I don't want to spend the entire time in the hotel nor partying, and don't mind going solo.

[Sirrich3]

Just came back from there. Saw the D'Backs play the Dodgers. Hmm, the Suns will be playing on Sunday and Tuesday against the Lakers...

[kgsilvas]

Paging dbax791...

Too bad you just missed Spring Training. We caught a game a Surprise Stadium between the Rangers and the Royals, it was great!

[dbax791]

There are tons of things to do in Phoenix. Depends on what you want. The thing about Phoenix is that it is a HUGE city geographic-wise, so it might depend on what part of town you are staying in.

If you like hiking, you can hit Piestewa Peak and see the whole city from the top. That or South Mountain. You can take a 90 minute drive to Sedona and see Oak Creek Canyon and hang out with art freaks. You can go take in a movie at the IMAX theater or visit the Heard Native American museum. Diamondbacks might be in town so you can go catch a game there. You can go shopping at MetroCenter and ride a rollercoaster. There are horseback riding places if you want to do that. If you gamble, you can hit one of the Indian casinos.

Too many things off the top of my head - PM me if you have more specific questions.

[MrGreg]

I spent close to a year in Phoenix for work, and I remember playing A LOT of poker in the indian casinos. That and pretty good bbq restaurants.

[dsuds]

snip... traveling with a diverse group, half very conservative LDS and the other half are riding their harley's.
Lemme guess - you're riding with Hell's Mormons

[Markel]

In the past I did a lot of work as a vendor for Intel (Chandler) and Motorola (Mesa). My favorite memory was getting Motorola rates at what was then called the Westcourt in the Buttes (now The Buttes, owned by Marriott). That was one of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed in (and it didn't hurt that I got put into the executive wing with a private lounge with breakfast buffet and evening complimentary snacks & beverages).