Can you recommend "must see" places in Phoenix or Arizona in general?

I'm taking a driving trip from southern California area to Phoenix and I'm looking for ideas on places to visit along the way and once in Phoenix. Thoughts on Tucson, Flagstaff, Barstow, etc? Places to eat and things to do in Phoenix? Ideas welcome.

Public Comments

1. Firebird Raceway Arizona State Fair and all the touristy places like Grand Canyon hope this helps =]
2. I like the Phoenix Zoo. You might also see Sedona. Very beautiful and magical.
3. Tombstone.
4. Sedona and grand canyon are best. Based on traveller magzine, top 10 US visiting cities are: 1.San Francisco 2.New York City 3.Charleston, SC. 4. Santa Fe, NM 5.Chicago 6.Carmel, CA 7.Honolulu 8.Aspen, CO 9.Seattle 10.Sedona, AZ
5. The white tanks for hiking, Scottsdale for shopping, the Phoenix Zoo for the kids, Bisby for the history, and the Queens Creek Mine. Plus now that it's cool the Kartchner Caverns.
6. Grand Canyon State Fair
7. You should take the drive north though Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff and then Interstate 40 to Williams. Turn right and go to the Grand Canyon. That is one place no American should ever miss. Sedona is beautiful. Don't know much about Tucson. Barstow is just a pit stop. Eat, gas up, and hit the road. Near Barstow there is Calico Ghost Town. It's pretty interesting and a lot of fun. You will probably start seeing signs for it before you get to Barstow.
8. Once you arrive in Phoenix...I would eat at the best place in the valley..its called "Rustlers Rooste". Its on Baseline Road just west of the 10 freeway. Its at the South Mountain Point Resort on the top of the hill. You have to go down the slide into the dining room!! Thats the fun part...the food is absolutely wonderful...a little pricey but definitely worth it!!!!! Places to see In Phoenix are: 1)Phoenix Botanical Gardens 2)Phoenix Zoo 3)Hall of Flame Firefighting Museum 4)Southwest Museum-Mesa, AZ Hope that answers your question!!!!!!
9. Grand Canyon Bisbee Sedona Kartchner Caverns Tucson Desert Museum Biosphere 2 Madeira Canyon Mt. Lemmon Tombstone Sabino Canyon http://www.arizonaguide.com/
10. Tucson is more interesting than Phoenix and it's not far from Noglas, Mexico. There is Tubac, an art community, between Tucson and Nogales. Kartchner Caverns is in Benson, east of Tucson. I drove from Tucson to the Bryce Thompson Botanical Gardens and it was pretty scenic. You should try to go to Canyon De Chelly (sometimes spelled Chelly) in Chinle in the four corners. It's pretty cold there now so dress warmly. Vermilion National Monument on the road between the South Rim and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a beautiful drive. There is also the Chricahua ,Tombstone, the Grand Canyon, and Sedona. I did a night viewing at Kitt Peak National Observatory which was pretty interesting. You have to make reservations.
11. There isn't much on the drive up here, but once you get here, you should consider taking a drive to Payson, AZ. The Tonto Natural Bridge is really beautiful. http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/tonto.html
12. Scottsdale, Great for shopping! A new Trader Vics Restaurant opened up here if you like Polynesian food. Nogales Mexico (Border Town) neat restaurant called the Caves. Good shopping available across the border if you're looking for silver, jewelery, leather goods. Sedona (Yavapai restaurant at the Enchantment Resort). Nice to look at the beautiful scenery here from the rooftop deck. If your into spas there is a good one here. Kai restaurant in Chandler at the Wild Horse Pass was remarkable. Also a good spa available at this location.