Hi everyone...this is my first post and of course I have a question. We will be traveling out west for the first time over Spring Break next year (April 16-22) and will be taking my then 6 yo grandson. We are looking to fly into Phoenix, stay there for about 2-2 1/2 days...maybe 3 days...then drive down to Tuscon. What I'd like to find out is what we should try to plan on seeing in the Phoenix area while we are there...we are definitely doing the Phoenix Zoo, but after that I'm lost...we've chosen not to visit the Grand Canyon this time and will plan a future trip there.

Can anyone give me some ideas of what is in the Phoenix area that will be good for the whole family? We like National Parks, zoos, historical areas, etc. We're not too big into museums...we'd like to concentrate on seeing the nature and history of the area...and maybe an indian reservation. Also, anything of interest that we should try to see between Phoenix and Tucson?

I don't want to squeeze so much into the trip that it turns into more stress than vacation, but some ideas of what the area offers would be great. I've looked on line and have ordered some travel books, but I'd really like some input from people who know the area well. We'll be visiting Tombstone while in Tucson, and Old Tucson so I have that part of the trip pretty well "put to bed"...it's the Phoenix area I'm having a hard time with.

Any help would be greatly appreciated...I have never traveled beyond the East Coast so I am a complete novice as far as the southwest goes and want to make sure I plan an enjoyable trip for my grandson.

Thanks so much.

Donna Curran
MA