Phoenix & Scottsdale
Thanksgiving celebrates a legendary dinner between Pilgrims and Indians – why not tip your hat to America’s original inhabitants this Thanksgiving and head to Arizona, where the ubiquitous presence of ruins and reservations hold living tribute to the nation’s Native American past. Lively Phoenix makes for a good home base, boasting such jewels as the Heard Museum, housing a wonderful Native American art and archaeology collection that highlights works by indigenous peoples of the Southwest – Navajos, Hopis, and Apaches – many of whom still reside on nearby reservations. It’s also a great base to head out on a local road trip along the legendary Apache Trail, a 40-plus-mile route marked by breathtaking scenery, ghost towns, and ancient Indian ruins. Meanwhile, the posh resort city of neighboring Scottsdale offers such diversions as Western-themed Old Town Scottsdale, a good spot to pick up turquoise jewelry and Navajo rugs. Even the local “pamper-me” spa culture reflects the area’s Native American heritage and desert setting; get smothered in an adobe clay body mask or exfoliated with a cactus and aloe moisturizer at an area spa.
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Under $200: Round-trip US flights w/taxes included CheapOair
$208+: December fares to/from Midwest (round-trip) Midwest Airlines
$36/nt: Phoenix boutique and tower hotels – 50% off Priceline.com
$119+: Early booking at Scottsdale resort & villas Carefree Resort & Villas
$56/nt+: Beach, golf & ski resorts – penny Sundays Shell Vacations Hospitality
$149/nt+: 4-star Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort Expedia
$150/nt+: 3-star Embassy Suites Phoenix - Scottsdale Expedia
$179/nt+: 3-star Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains Expedia