We stayed in these cute little cottages in Williams, Arizona when my mom graduated from Northern Arizona University this May.
—
May Photo: Cottage
The Ups and Downs of The Canyon Motel (Williams, AZ)
It’s not every day that your mom gets her master’s degree. So if her graduation is in another city, you make travel plans.
After getting back from our last big extended-family trip to my cousin’s wedding in Virginia, we started planning for Mom’s Northern Arizona University graduation in May. We were looking for somewhere that everyone making the trip to Flagstaff could stay.
Cast of Characters:
My mom (a.k.a. Graduate with honors) and dad (vital support system and expert pancake maker)
My brother Ian, sister-in-law Christine, niece and nephew (yep, they flew in from Seattle!)
My aunt (Sister of the Graduate), uncle, and their dog
Phillip and me
Turns out that, even four months ahead, we were a little late. Flagstaff hotels were filling up for graduation weekend, and the rooms that were available tended to cost double or triple their regular rates. We looked at cabins and Airbnb and weren’t finding anything that could accommodate all of us well. (Some of these places have like a million bedrooms but one bathroom. #badideas)
We were excited to find The Canyon Motel and RV Park, which fit what we were looking for:
- Kitchenettes (microwave, mini-fridge, coffeemaker) so we could bring some of our own food.
- Picnic tables for family meals.
- ADA accessible rooms.
- Playground for the kiddos.
- Dogs allowed.
Williams
The motel is not actually in Flagstaff but in Williams, about 30 minutes away.
Williams, Arizona’s claims to fame:
- “Gateway to the Grand Canyon” – most routes to the Grand Canyon go through Williams. It’s an hour south of the visitor center on the South Rim.
- Grand Canyon Railway – train from Williams to the Grand Canyon
- Route 66 – the historic route still goes through Williams and turns 90 this year!
The Property
Canyon Motel is minutes from historic downtown Williams one direction and Bearizona animal park the other.
The motel part is actually a series of renovated 1940s cottages with exteriors made from the local flagstone. There are 3 separate rooms next to each other in each building.
Besides the cottages, you have the option of staying in a vintage train car or caboose, pulling up your RV or tent camping.
There are fire pits and grills near the picnic tables, a heated indoor pool, and a “hidden patio” (for rent).
The office doubles as a general store selling snacks and Route 66 souvenirs.
Rooms
While each room is different, the whole place is decorated with a kitschy Route 66 / railroad theme. There are vintage travel posters, benches with backs made from Chevy truck tailgates, and lots of railroad and road signs.
All rooms include kitchenettes. Some also include sofa beds. Ours had shelves near the mini-fridge and also in the bathroom, which is nice. We didn’t have a closet but there was a clothes rack and hangers.
Service
Plot twist: A few weeks out, my aunt realized they wouldn’t be able to make the trip.
When she called to cancel their reservation, the motel couldn’t find it in the system. Which is disconcerting. If they had come with us, they may not have had a room when they arrived.
Check-in Drama
Although the motel had the rest of our reservations, our arrival still wasn’t exactly smooth.
Act I
- A white minivan, carrying my parents and Ian’s family, pulls up in front of the Canyon Motel office.
- Dad is told he can’t park there.
- Misdirected by signs meant for RVs, he pulls forward a few feet, and sends me a warning text.
- Meanwhile, Ian is checking in. The desk clerk goes over where everything is, circling recommended restaurants on a map.
- They go into their respective rooms, where my niece promptly throws up on the bed.
- Someone from the motel brings a change of bedding.
Intermission.
Act II
- 30 minutes later, Phillip and I arrive.
- Confused, we follow Dad’s text and park in front of the office.
- Phillip is told to move the car. (Exits)
- I check in and receive a single room key.
- The desk clerk patiently goes over where everything is, circling recommended restaurants on a map – as if she hadn’t just done that when Ian arrived and probably 10 times that day.
- As we wrap up, Phillip returns from moving the car and is told to now park it next to our room.
And…scene.
I Saw the Sign
Of course, not all the check-in drama was the motel’s fault. (They did not, for example, ask my niece to get sick.) Actually, every employee we spoke with was friendly and helpful.
There are just a lot of things design- and policy-wise that make the place itself feel unwelcoming.
Besides the confusing parking, there are baffling rules about all kinds of things, like which picnic tables to use. There are do-and-don’t signs posted all over the place.
More importantly, even though our bed was comfortable, not everyone’s was. The sofa bed where my niece was slept was basically all springs. Fortunately, she’s small enough she could curl up on the one useable corner. (My even smaller nephew slept on a cushion. Awww…)
Conclusion
Our stay wasn’t all bad, but it was a mixed bag. It was great for multiple families to be close together, still have our own individual space (and bathrooms!), and room for the kids to run around. They loved the playground, and the picnic tables were a good gathering spot.
If we were to do this trip over, I’d probably still stay there, because it worked for what we needed at the time. In other circumstances, though, I’d probably opt to stay somewhere that made me feel less like an intruder – or a hassle – and more like a guest.
—
We received a media discount for our stay from The Canyon Motel and RV Park.
Snapshots of Phoenix Comicon 2016 #PHXCC
Here are a few shots from last weekend’s Phoenix Comicon. We’ll be filling you in more soon!
—
Phoenix Comicon 2016 Picks #phxcc
Wading through the Phoenix Comicon schedule can be a bit daunting, so I wanted to highlight some panels and events I thought you lovely maker geeks might be interested in.
I’ve asterisked the items that don’t require a Phoenix Comicon membership pass for anyone who can’t make it to the whole Con but still wants to be a part of the action.
For more recommendations on what to eat/drink/see around the Convention Center, check out our last post.
Thursday, June 2
3pm Cosplay 101 – From Closet to Convention Floor – I love that this panel is about making your own costumes with what you already have!
*6:30pm Comi-PAWn Pet Parade – Probably the cutest event of the Con, pet lovers can bring their dogs in costume to the Herberger Theater patio to be part of a show and parade.
7:30pm The Phoenix Ultimate Geek Smackdown (PUGS) – preliminary round of the annual, hilarious geek debate tournament
*8pm Star Wars vs Star Trek – The Music of Deep Space – The Phoenix Symphony will be playing music from Star Wars and Star Trek films, and the audience will vote for their favorite franchise! (Event tickets required.)
Friday, June 3
1:30pm Making the Game: The Art, Design, and Imagination of Iconica – how to design your own tabletop game. (More info on Facebook.)
*4:30pm Geek Girl Brunch Phoenix: Comicon Meetup – cocktail hour with a group of geek girls who usually meet for brunch. (h/t friends Anne and Eileen)
7:30pm The Phoenix Ultimate Geek Smackdown (PUGS) – geek debate tournament finals
8pm Star Party with the Phoenix Astronomical Society – telescopes will be set up for star/planet-gazing
Saturday, June 4
1:30pm Cosplay for All Sizes – modify costumes and patterns to work for your body
7:30pm Dancing for Everyone! – introductory-level English and Irish community set dances
Sunday, June 5
10:30am Confessions of a Cosplay Boyfriend – trials and tribulations of being in a relationship with a female cosplayer
4:30pm Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest Preview – apparently, this year’s Fan Fest will be at a new venue and in October (instead of December). Hopefully, they’ll let us know what’s up. (And hopefully I’ll make it to Sunday afternoon.)
While the car show will stay on Third Street (full schedule under Phoenix Comicon “outdoor events.”), there will be a lot happening on Adams Street, as well.
Fri-Sun: Con on Adams
This year, Phoenix Comicon is taking over Adams Street, where there will be live music, a party pavilion, San Tan Brewery beer garden, and food trucks.
Bands:
- Cockswain – 7-piece Celtic folk punk
- Dratini on the Rocks – video game cover band
- Luminatus – Otaku symphonic metal
- Open Beta – Geek-folk
- People Who Could Fly – indie-pop
Food truck line-up:
- Queso Good – quesadillas. Fri: 11am-10pm, Sat: 11am–10pm, Sun: 11am–5pm
- Pho King – pho, stir fry, fusion burritos
- Gelato Spot – pizza, paninis, salad, gelato
- Cactus Corn – flavored kettle corn
- Cheese Love & Happiness Food Truck – grilled cheese
What are you looking forward to?
—
PS Travelcraft Journal turns 3 today! I’ll probably raise a celebratory glass – or spoon – at Comicon. Cheers to all of you for being a part of this community!
Phoenix from the Convention Center
Updated last: February 23, 2021 (to reflect permanent closures and changes, not temporary measures due to COVID-19).
Originally published May 30, 2016.
Let’s say you’re in town for a thing at the Phoenix Convention Center. You have a spare hour here and there. Maybe a spare afternoon. And then you have a flight to catch. How can you get a little taste of Phoenix while you’re here?
Or maybe you’re a local, looking for somewhere new to eat or hang out while you’re downtown for an event like Phoenix Fan Fusion (formerly Phoenix Comicon) or before you head to a symphony performance.
Here are some tips for a Phoenix experience with the Convention Center at the epicenter. All these locations are easy to get to from there without a car.
At the Convention Center
View: There are places to sit and experience the Arizona climate outside of all 3 of the Convention Center buildings (North, South, West). In the North Building, check out the view from the second- and third-floor (200 and 300 level) terraces on the south side of the building. Look for the mountains beyond the downtown. (Building maps)
Food: While all the Phoenix Convention Center Food is managed by Aventura, a Phoenix-based division of Aramark, they do contract with local companies such as City Central Coffee in the Metro Marché food court in the North Building. Some events (like Phoenix Fan Fusion) may also have locally-owned food trucks outside.
Music: The West Building of the Convention Center is actually connected to Phoenix Symphony Hall, where there is a variety of performances throughout the season. Check the Phoenix Symphony’s online schedule for concert and ticket information.
Bike Share: There are bright green Grid Bikes you can rent by the minute from kiosks outside the Convention Center, in Heritage Square, and several other locations downtown. Sign up first online or via the Social Bicycles app – membership is required even for a single “Pay as You Go” ride.
In the Neighborhood
There’s tons of stuff to see/do/eat within walking distance. Here are some recommendations, in order of their (rough) distance from Phoenix Convention Center.
.2 mi Cartel Coffee (1 N 1st St)
Relax and sip some really good coffee. It’s very close to the Convention Center, but just far enough away to be much less hectic.
They share space with Kaleidoscope Juice, in case you also need a smoothie, salad, or breakfast sandwich. Update: This Kaleidoscope location has closed. However, you can still find them in Scottsdale, Gilbert, and North Phoenix.
.3 Cityscape (1 E Washington St)
Two blocks of mixed-use space, including residences, offices, fitness centers, a hotel, salon, barbershop, drugstore, comedy club, shopping, and restaurants.
- Patriots Park – Before the high rise buildings of CityScape, there was Patriots Park. The newer development includes a park-like central plaza with a grassy area, splash pad, and a solar-powered charging station.
- Check the event schedule for music, comedy, and free outdoor movies.
- The Arrogant Butcher offers a straight-up delicious variety of new American dishes, plus charcuterie and a raw bar.
.3 Arizona Center (455 North 3rd Street)
The best thing about Arizona Center is probably its Garden Grotto. Pathways wind through desert plants and past a pond. There’s a fair amount of shade and lots of benches. I feel like a little garden walk is a great remedy for convention hall chaos.
There is also shopping and restaurants.
.4 Heritage Square (113 N 6th St)
Part of the original Phoenix townsite, the Square is now home to several museums, a couple restaurants, and cultural festivals throughout the year.
- Rosson House – Victorian House and History Museum. You can only go inside with a ticket for a 60-minute tour.
- Pizzeria Bianco – Possibly the best pizza in the U.S., and people fly to Phoenix to eat here.
.5 Sports Venues
- Chase Field – Watch some Diamondbacks baseball under the famous retractable roof or take a tour.
- Phoenix Suns Arena – For basketball, big concerts, and other arena-y events.
Just stops away…
The Valley Metro light rail is a convenient way to get around Central Phoenix (some tips). There’s just one line and automatic ticket kiosks at each station.
You can catch westbound trains off Washington in front of the West Building / Symphony Hall. The eastbound stop is on Jefferson, just across from the South Building.
Hop on the westbound train (it’ll curve north) to check out these places, listed by number of stops from the Convention Center.
2 stops: Civic Space Park area – Van Buren/Central Ave
- Her Secret is Patience sculpture
- Crescent Ballroom – Bar, Mexican restaurant, and concert venue near park. Free live music in the lounge daily, including flamenco shows on Saturday nights.
Phoenix Public Market – Cafe open daily,farmers’ market on Saturday,food trucks midday Friday.Update: The cafe has closed but Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market still happens on Saturdays.
3 stops: Roosevelt Row – Roosevelt/Central Ave
- First Fridays – Roosevelt Row, the arts district of Roosevelt Street, comes alive for the monthly First Friday night artwalk, when the street is taken over by pedestrians and art galleries are open late. Boutiques and cafes have extended hours. There is live music, an outdoor arts market, free trolleys to transport you from place to place, and a party atmosphere.
- Third Fridays are a newer addition with fewer crowds and more gallery openings.
- MADE Art Boutique offers locally handcrafted items.
DeSoto Central Market – Food court of great local restaurants, bar, and coffee shop with lots of room to meet up with friends.- Pita Jungle is a vegetarian-friendly, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant with a nice, big patio and local art on the walls. They offer specials for happy hour
and reverse happy hour (9pm to close).
- Lola Coffee Bar is right next door to Pita Jungle. It’s a warm, welcoming place to hang out.
- FilmBar – Cinema showcasing indie, local, cult, and classic films with a beer and wine bar.
4 stops: Phoenix Art Museum – McDowell/Central Ave
Collections include American, Asian, European, Latin American, and Western American Art, fashion, photography, and contemporary installations, such as the interactive You Who are Getting Obliterated in the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies.
The museum also hosts traveling exhibitions, like Hollywood Costume, Michelangelo, and Super Indian – Fritz Scholder’s bold, bright pop art.
- Extended hours/voluntary donations times on Wednesdays (3-9pm) and First Fridays (6-10pm), plus all afternoon on Second Sundays (12-5pm). During these times, no admission ticket is required for general entry. You have the option of making a donation via a cash box in the lobby.
5 stops: Heard Museum – Encanto/Central Ave
Fantastic museum of the historic and contemporary culture of indigenous peoples of the Americas, especially the Southwest. Collections include work on canvas, jewelry, pottery, texiles, and video interviews.
Extended hours and free admission on First Fridays, 6-10pm.
