Arizona to New Mexico: We will be heading to NM July 2-6 staying with friends. Planing on driving half way to N.M. and staying somewhere in Arizona for a night. I heard Gila bend was...

Genessi Loc: SoCal

We will be heading to NM July 2-6 staying with friends. Planing on driving half way to N.M. and staying somewhere in Arizona for a night. I heard Gila bend was half ways. We have never been to Arizona and would like some tips on where to stay and explore as we head out to Silver City next day.
Thanks for any information.. I am excited!!

Quixdraw Loc: x

If you can, stay at the Arizona Biltmore - great and VERY photogenic. Visit Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West. Soleri's Arcology (I didn't have time for that one, but got to Cosanti Arcosanti foundry and residence) Sedona & Flagstaff worth a visit. One of my best photo trips. Obviously too much for your plans, but you reminded me of a great trip, so got it all!

Arcadia1969 Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Saguaro National Park in Tucson is worth a look. Pima air and space museum if you’re in to old aircraft. Not much in Gila Bend.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

My one gripe about driving through NM on the interstates is that there are no pullovers at highly photographable areas.

Genessi Loc: SoCal

We are driving from Inland empire 10 fryway so this first trip our route will be traveling through Tucson. Some other time I look forward to Sedona. Will check out Biltmore Hotel.

quixdraw wrote:

If you can, stay at the Arizona Biltmore - great and VERY photogenic. Visit Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West. Soleri's Arcology (I didn't have time for that one, but got to Cosanti Arcosanti foundry and residence) Sedona & Flagstaff worth a visit. One of my best photo trips. Obviously too much for your plans, but you reminded me of a great trip, so got it all!

Genessi Loc: SoCal

That is on our route. Only mentioned Gila bend because friends said that was half way to them if we wanted to stay over night.

Arcadia1969 wrote:

Saguaro National Park in Tucson is worth a look. Pima air and space museum if you’re in to old aircraft. Not much in Gila Bend.

Genessi Loc: SoCal

We will only be going as far as Silver City. Once there friend will takes around. However like to explore more on our day returning..

SteveR wrote:

My one gripe about driving through NM on the interstates is that there are no pullovers at highly photographable areas.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Genessi wrote:

We are driving from Inland empire 10 fryway so this first trip our route will be traveling through Tucson. Some other time I look forward to Sedona. Will check out Biltmore Hotel.

Be sure to check online for room "specials" significant savings!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Genessi wrote:

We will only be going as far as Silver City. Once there friend will takes around. However like to explore more on our day returning..

Last summer my daughter and one of her closest friends took a 3 1/2 week road trip, with four children, through the southwest to San Diego and back through Denver before returning to Texas. They were great planners and saw more than I would ever have gotten in. One of the highlights was Saguaro N.P. If you're going by it, try to stop. It was mentioned previously, as well.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

quixdraw wrote:

Be sure to check online for room "specials" significant savings!

Spot on. Ask about "staycation" rates - the Biltmore is pricey, but during the heat season, you can get much better rates if you ask for them.

Bananapuppy Loc: Sunny Tucson, AZ

The Arizona Biltmore is in Phoenix, about 100 miles north of Tucson on I-10. It is a wonderful place, very classy, a total Frank Lloyd Wright art deco project. I've stayed there several times, and once, in the summer heat, got a $119 room rate with breakfast and dinner included! The food was excellent and plentiful. Enjoy your trip! Bp

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

SteveR wrote:

Last summer my daughter and one of her closest friends took a 3 1/2 week road trip, with four children, through the southwest to San Diego and back through Denver before returning to Texas. They were great planners and saw more than I would ever have gotten in. One of the highlights was Saguaro N.P. If you're going by it, try to stop. It was mentioned previously, as well.

There are actually two parts of Saguaro National Park, one is East of Tuscon and the other is West of Tuscon. I would recommend the one West of Tuscon because it's near Old Tuscon (a movie lot) and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (which is also a zoo).

A couple of other things, many on your way back if you take I-10, Benson is a small town you pass by on I-10. Tombstone is only about 25 miles south of the interstate and is an interesting visit. Also near Benson is Katchner Caverns, certainly worth a trip and a tour (no cameras or cell phones allowed in the Cavern unless you are on a specific Photo tour that only happens about once a month).

Arcadia1969 Loc: Tucson, Arizona

As an afterthought, Gila Bend needs a diversion from interstate 10 down Arizona 85 to interstate 8, which is a Phoenix avoiding route. Phoenix is worth avoiding, especially in the rush hour. Unless the Biltmore beckons!

Genessi Loc: SoCal

Not going through Phoenix so I am looking at other stays with a view.Have my route mapped out through 85 and 8 then 10 towards tucson..

Bananapuppy wrote:

The Arizona Biltmore is in Phoenix, about 100 miles north of Tucson on I-10. It is a wonderful place, very classy, a total Frank Lloyd Wright art deco project. I've stayed there several times, and once, in the summer heat, got a $119 room rate with breakfast and dinner included! The food was excellent and plentiful. Enjoy your trip! Bp

Genessi Loc: SoCal

Yes was told to avoid and the Biltmore sounds nice but perhaps for another time.

Arcadia1969 wrote:

As an afterthought, Gila Bend needs a diversion from interstate 10 down Arizona 85 to interstate 8, which is a Phoenix avoiding route. Phoenix is worth avoiding, especially in the rush hour. Unless the Biltmore beckons!