Arizona: A Detailed Road Trip Itinerary for Kosher Observant Travelers
Arizona’s stunning landscapes, national parks, hiking opportunities, and vibrant cities make it a perfect destination for observant Jewish travelers seeking both adventure and kosher dining options. This comprehensive guide provides a flexible itinerary filled with activities, sightseeing suggestions, and tips to keep your trip both exciting and kosher-friendly.
This is the itinerary that I completed in January 2024 over “Yeshiva Week” flying directly from NYC-PHX on JetBlue. We spent two Shabbats in Arizona, the first in Scottsdale (part of the Phoenix metro area) staying at a hotel resort within walking distance of one of their Chabad shuls, and the second in the beautiful Sedona, also staying at an Airbnb within walking distance of their local Chabad.
Planning must be done to ensure that you have enough kosher foodstuffs with you on your travels outside of the Phoenix area; and travel you shall. While Phoenix alone has beautiful landscape all around, the state of Arizona is one of the most spectacular in the country, and it begs to be explored by nature and hiking lovers.
This is a perfect trip for any time of year, but a few words of caution: for those traveling in the Wintertime, the Grand Canyon (and many other parts of the state) can experience all sorts of weather, including snow; many trails will be closed off and inaccessible due to icy conditions; foggy days can mean non-existent views of the canyon, which we experienced on 1/2 days there. On the plus side, there are much smaller crowds in the winter and very little vehicular traffic. If you’re traveling in the Summertime, expect brutally hot days (over 100ºF regularly) throughout the state, making hiking and other outdoor activities brutal to enjoy for long periods, and hazardous to health and lives if not properly planned for.
For those who need a slightly shorter trip, cut out Days 5-6 in the below itinerary and go straight north to the Grand Canyon instead.
Day 1: Arrival in Phoenix
Driving Time: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Scottsdale ~20 minutes
Kick off your Arizona adventure with a flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Once you’ve picked up your rental car, and this trip is impossible without one, head to Scottsdale, a chic and well-to-do suburban city adjacent to Phoenix. Check into a comfortable hotel such as the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, which offers an excellent location for exploring the region, and is within a 25 min walk to Chabad, although there are closer hotels to the Chabad, we chose this one because it had a large property, with beautiful grounds and lots of amenities for us to enjoy while we were in town.
If time allows, stroll through Old Town Scottsdale, a charming area with art galleries, unique boutiques, and southwestern flair, we did this in the evening on a Thursday, when many of the art galleries were open late. For those wanting a scenic introduction to the area, explore the Arizona Canal Trail or visit Papago Park, which features easy walking trails and iconic rock formations; but these may be done on another day as well on your itinerary.
Grab a kosher meal at Kitchen 18 or La Bella Pizzeria.
Day 2: Exploring Scottsdale and Phoenix
Begin your day with a kosher breakfast at Milk+Honey Espresso Bar, a delightful café inside the local JCC offering coffees, pastries, and great brunch options, including traditional Mexican breakfast dishes we enjoyed. Spend your morning or afternoon at the Desert Botanical Garden, home to an incredible variety of desert plants and cacti. Enjoy exploring the garden’s winding paths and soaking in the serene desert beauty.
For lunch or dinner, head to Fata Morgana, a kosher Mediterranean restaurant that opened in 2022 serving dishes like falafel, shawarma, and fresh salads. We loved their hummus plates and felt that it rivaled anything we’ve had anywhere in the US. Alternatively, grab lunch to go from Phoenix’s kosher market, Imperial Market & Deli, where you can order deli sandwiches and other glatt kosher items to take with you on any hike or exploration.
After lunch, immerse yourself in Scottsdale’s natural beauty with a hike. Options include the challenging Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain or the more moderate Gateway Loop Trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Or, visit the S’edav Va’aki Museum, formerly known as the Pueblo Grande Museum, which provides insight into the ancient Hohokam culture that once thrived in the region.
As the sun begins to set, I highly recommend visiting Hole in the Rock, a natural sandstone formation offering stunning views of the Phoenix skyline and desert landscape. This require a short uphill climb, which is worth it. Arrive early to get a good spot.
Make sure you have the YeahThatsKosherNearMe app downloaded to your iPhone or Android device to map out the kosher businesses in the region.
Day 3: Cultural Highlights and Shabbat Prep
Spend your day at Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece nestled in the desert foothills. Take an audio guided tour to learn about Wright’s innovative designs and his connection to the Arizona landscape. This is a must for those who appreciate art and architecture.
For kosher provisions, visit Imperial Market & Deli (early in the day since they close early for Shabbat), which offers groceries, prepared foods, and kosher wines. This is also a great time to pick up any last-minute essentials for Shabbat at Trader Joe’s in Scottsdale which has a selection of kosher-certified items as well.
If time permits, explore more of Scottsdale, such as the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art or McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, a family-friendly spot with miniature train rides.
Set up a foldable travel hotplate, which we purchased on Amazon. This is something we often travel with domestically and internationally.
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Day 4: Shabbat in Scottsdale
Walk to Chabad of Scottsdale, near Kitchen 18. Lunch is often served over Kiddush after Shabbat morning davening.
Spend the rest of Shabbat at your hotel, enjoying a restful day in the serene desert environment. Arrange for kosher catering or pre-order meals from Imperial Market, Kitchen 18, or Fata Morgana, all of which offer delicious Shabbat-friendly options.
Get some good strategy games to play at the hotel over Shabbat. Here are some games we love to play on trips.
The aforementioned Hyatt has large grounds for walking around, pickleball courts for those who play ball on Shabbat, and a large lobby area for board gaming.
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