2thfxr

This roadrunner kept coming around our timeshare room in Palm Desert.

MW

Native plants - try Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix) or Boyce Thompson Arboretum (Superior).

Distressed architecture - Superior, Gila Bend, Florence, Miami, Globe. And further north: old Highway 66 which parallels I-40.

Older, picturesque but well maintained architecture - Prescott, Flagstaff (city center across from train station), Jerome.

New architecture - Tempe Center for Arts ( Town Lake area), Mesa Arts Center (Main & Central), Deck Park area near the main Library, Skysong (Scottsdale).

Classic Landscape - Superstition Front Range (start at Lost Dutchman State Park). Don't know when you will be there but is starting to heat up so read and heed warnings about, heat water and rattlesnakes. (Check out funky gift/antique/junk shops across the road from Lost Dutchman.)

If near Flagstaff you should visit Wupatki National Monument. In my opinion, one of the most attractive of all the pre-Columbian ruins.

mrhea

Also, everybody watches the sunset in Sedona from the top of airport road. You get some good views but there is a much less visited walk up the "vortex" from near the bottom of airport road. From there you see the sunset reflected on the downtown area. Just be sure you get a parking pass from the local visitor's bureau that lets you access parking in otherwise restricted areas.

2thfxr

Some pictures from my last visit to the Grand Canyon. THese were taken at sunrise by the El Tovar Lodge and down the Bright Angel Trail.

zincgt Loc: Tucson AZ

Yep the Desert Museum is a place to shoot. Another is the Botanical gardens in Tucson. The "Graveyard" for Air Force is just off the Davis Monthan Airbase in Tucson. Also took the Grand Canyon Railway trip from Williams AZ. to Grand Canyon last year. Great trip and scenics from rear platform on caboose car with drinks was a bonus.

MW

Desert Botanical Garden also currently has an outdoor exhibit of glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly. I don't care so much for the but a lot of people do. Good subject to practice back lighting.

Jim S Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,

Much better than the Southern Rim - In My Humble Opinion

HughB Loc: Minneapolis MN

We are in Phoenix right now. We visit each year for 6 weeks. This past weekend we did exactly what you are planning only wit a couple of different turns. Might I suggest the following:
Leave Phoenix and drive north to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Park there for 45 minutes, join the crowds, then back into the car and head East towards Cameron, still in the Park. Stop at the Viewpoints along the way not to miss the last one with the Tower. Doing it this way you get away from the crowds, the scenery is more spectacular, and you get a full view of the Colorado River. This would all be done in the PM so colors are somewhat more vibrant.
Then drive out of the park going east to Cameron and highway 89.
Go north to Page. We stayed the night at one of the Best Western's for $90 tax inc. We had booked through Overland Tours in Page a tour of the Upper Antelope Canyon at 10:15 am. You are driven out there by a very competent driver/guide with good photo knowledge. This tour is not to miss! If you think the GC is spectacular, you ain't see nothing like this canyon! Bring a tripod and a lens of say 24-110 or there abouts
We were up early so we went down to the Glen Canyon dam and Lake Powell first.
Driving up to Page on 89, at the village of GAP you will take the detour 89t for 'temporary'. This road is cut ally 15 minutes shorter and will land you in Page.
Book both the Motel and Overland Tour now.
After the Antelope tour which lasts 1 1/4 hours or 2.5 hours for the Photo tour we left for Sedona and spent a couple of hours there. Do not go on this trip on a weekend!! Crowds!!
In Sedona if you stay the night there then go up the Airport Road for the Overlook at Sunset.
During the day, walk the Main Street but south of town there are some really good Viewpoints to stop at. One really interesting one is on Chapel Road east off a roundabout. You will come to the Church of the Holy Cross on the hillside.
The house below and before belongs to an individual who sold a Med Tech company a few years ago. It's worthwhile to peer through the fencing to see the beautiful gardens
From there back on to 179 south there are other View Stops which are worth the stop.
Then back to Phoenix. Enjoy

HughB Loc: Minneapolis MN

I forgot to add the Horseshoe Bend Vista about 2 miles south of Page on 89.
Spectacular either at Sunrise or Sunset. It is the Little Colorado River. Take a Tripod.

r.reeder Loc: Mesa, Arizona

If you're into aircraft, & driving from Williams to the South Rim, stop in at the Planes of Fame Museum in Valle. If there isn't an airshow going on, every time I've been there to visit, I've had the place to myself. They've got 2 WWI aircraft (Bristol Brisfit, Siemens-Schuckert D4), many WWII aircraft, & a few 1930's aircraft, along with many other aircraft related items. You can't miss the place, as there is a big Lockheed Constellation (3 rudders, 4 piston engines, passenger plane from the 1940's) in front, highly visible.

bertloomis Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

The places that have been highly photographed are so beautiful that you should take photos there as well.

rrayrob Loc: Las Vegas, NV

Thanks for all the information. Very helpful. Unfortunately, not going to Page this time. But going to Sedona on Monday and Grand Canyon on Tuesday before returning to Vegas. Hopefully, will miss some of the crowds.

Wanderlustphoto Loc: Tucson<az

One of the most stunning places I've photographed is Havasu Canyon and Havasu Creek in the Grand Canyon. The many waterfalls and unique geological features are highlighted by it's beautiful "Baby Blue" waters.
It is not easy to get to, but your effort will be rewarded immensely. I don't think you could take a "bad" picture there, even snapshots will be stunning. http://www.havasupaitribe.com/

rrayrob Loc: Las Vegas, NV

Thanks Wanderlust. Not going to have the time to hiking down to the falls on this trip.