anuta77

Dear fellow travelers,

I'm looking for some feedback and suggestions on our first Arizona trip in April (Spring break). Our goal is to see the major sites, do some kid friendly activities and spend some relaxing family time. This will hopefully be not our last trip to AZ so we do not need to cram everything that there is possible to do into this trip. Our kids will be 5 and almost 9 by the time we go there. Here is a rough outline of what we planned so far:

04/01 - fly to Phoenix ( catch an early am flight from NY), rent a car, drive to Sedona

04/01-04/03 - spend 2 nights, one full day in Sedona ( is that enough for the 1st visit? Pls recommend activities to do with kids, and a hotel to make our base)
04/03 - early morning drive to Page, visit Antelope Canyon - doable in 1 day?, o/night in Page
04/04 - early morning drive to Grand Canyon, stay one night at El Tovar (already reserved), do a sunset tour, o/night in GC

04/05 - head out after lunch to Phoenix, stop in Flagstaff on the way

We booked Arizona Biltmore hotel for 4 nights, 04/06-04/09. Flying back to NY on 04/10.

Is this itinerary doable? Our kids are good travelers but I still want to make sure that we are doing this at a normal pace, allowing ourselves time to see the new sites and get a good taste of what AZ has to offer.

Also, I am looking for recommendations for things to do in/around Phoenix/Scottsdale area, we are early risers and prefer to do 1/2 sightseeing trips with coming back to the resort to splash in the pool and relax in the evening...

All suggestions/comments will be greatly appreciated and welcomed!

Thank you,

Anna

amnonfeiner914

IMHO Sedona will be boring for a 5 & 9 year old kid, unless of course you are going to take some 4x4 tours. Phoenix has a great children museum as well as a great music instrument museum (Scottsdale), all depends of course on their interest. Butterfly world is about an hour visit. The Grand Canyon is a must see however once again, the kids age and interest count.

StantonHyde

I wouldn't go to Page. There are much better slot canyon experiences than Antelope Canyon. It was a dud for my kids because it is so crowded. You basically walk in a long line the whole way through or you have to watch to make sure you are not in somebody's photo. I would spend more time at the GC.

Or--go to Tucson, there is a ton to do there with kids. We spent a week there and loved it!!!!

emalloy

Just a short distance east of Flagstaff is Walnut Canyon. This has cliff dwellings that you can climb up into. Hang onto the kids and let them see how Native children lived.

voyager61

We have stayed at both the Oak Creek Golf Resort and the Sedona Best Western Plus Arroyo Roble, and each has its advantages. The Best Western Plus AR (make sure it's this one because there is another Best Western in Sedona) is right next to downtown, has a pool (not huge) and most rooms have a red rock view, plus breakfast is included. This is convenient if you don't want to get back in the car for dinner because you can walk 1-3 blocks and have a choice of places to eat. Oak Creek is a separate town next to Sedona and feels a little less hectic; the condo we stayed in at the resort was nice and the development had more than one pool.

At the Grand Canyon, do the shuttle tour and get off at a few of the viewpoints to see different perspectives. We liked El Tovar very much; it's in a great location on the south rim. The Desert View tower is a good stop on your way in or out of the park.

In Phoenix, try the zoo and desert botanical garden for outings. Since you are staying at the Biltmore, you might enjoy visiting Taliesen West, Frank Lloyd Wright's Arizona home. It's a pretty spot and my son actually enjoyed it when he was around that age, plus it's interesting for adults. There are also some Old West type tourist spots, which might be fun for the kids and I'm sure the hotel will have info on those.

And for kids that age, the afternoons in the pool will probably be just as appealing as anything.

woodshed48

Don't forget the distances that you will be driving in AZ. Sedona to Page is about 3-1/2 to 4 hours.Page to Grand Canyon is about 2-1/2 hours. That said, if Sedona is sunny, the kids might like some hiking in Oak Creek Canyon. But Sedona will be very crowded because of its popularity, and other people's spring breaks. Also, AZ doesn't do Daylight Savings Time, so you will be 3 hours off of NY time. Your kids will be tired about dark.

Your second night could be in Flagstaff after driving through Oak Creek Canyon; then you would be an hour closer to Page.

I live in Page. There are 2 Antelope Canyon tours-upper and lower. I'm sure you are planning on the Upper Canyon, which has the famous slot. If you plan on trying to photograph it with the rays of sunlight, be sure to try to get in a tour around lunchtime (Google recs on time of day). (that will also be the most popular time) Your kids would enjoy riding in the tour trucks from town to the Canyon. You sit in the back; the trucks have big tires to drive up the canyon in the sand.

Lower Antelope is also very beautiful, but is more open and requires some climbing. Another fun thing to do with kids is to take a cruise on Lake Powell. There are several time length choices. Most popular is to go to Rainbow Bridge, but that is at least a 1/2 day tour. There are also scenic flights.

Hopefully that gives you some choices. You should have a great time.

Don't forget that Flagstaff (7000'), Grand Canyon (8000') and Page (4300') are at a higher elevation than Phoenix, so they could be much cooler or cold, depending on weather patterns.

WhereAreWe

I would skip Page, it is out of the way and I doubt your kids would find Antelope Canyon to be very interesting.

Replace that with a day in/around Flagstaff. Visit Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, Sunset Crater and/or Lowell Observatory.

Maybe check out the Lava River Cave on your way to or from the Grand Canyon.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cocon...a/?recid=55122

Phoenix: South Mountain hiking is always great, my favorite is the Hidden Valley loop hike. Your kids might like climbing around on Papago Butte. The Apache Trail is a great scenic drive that would take up 1/2 a day or more.

RVvagabond

Re:
anonfeinder - Grand Canyon - yes spend more time there. Don't just 'ride the bus' You must walk down into the canyon on Bright Angel Trail. Remember this rule: Allot 1/3 of your time down and 2/3rds back up.
Woodshed 48 - Rainbow is an excellent recommendation. Boat ride will be a thrill for the kids. Standing is a long line walking through it - good grief ! How can you take a foto? Best time is summer solstice (21 Jun) when sun is directly overhead at noon. Wide angle lens required.
WhereAreWe - Wauatki - ditto above.
emalloy - Walnut canyon is in the shade and an 800+ stairs down into their ruins. Then back up. Ruins are totally different from Wuptaki.
Personal Rant -
> Sedona is way overrated and expensive. There are some good Anasazi Ruin available with high clearance or a jeep tour.
> Phoenix - a city is a city is a city. I'd minimize my time there. Add a day to El Tovar.
> Flagstaff - many excellent micro-brews. Lowell Observatory may be interesting to the kids. That is where the distant planet Pluto was discovered. Scientists in 2006 reclassified Pluto to a small orbiting rock. Stay in Flagstaff a day and go visit Meteor Crater which is not far from Flagstaff. http://meteorcrater.com/

Vaga

karolinark

Anuta77, did you ever visit the Antelope canyon or the lower canyon on your trip? I will be there with 7 year olds and a 9 year old this April and I wonder which one would be easier to handle for my 7 year old who is scared of everything...Thanks!

lynni

If you end up going to Sedona, check out the Enchantment Resort. It is not inexpensive but has beautiful views of the red rocks, a beautiful pool, croquet and all kids of programs for kids! Crafts, Indian themed with native dance performances etc. if it’s in your budget, your kids are the perfect age for it!! You could base yourself there for a few nights and enjoy!

This is is a lot of driving time, as mentioned... I’d probaby pick two places to stay and not move or drive so much, that’s just what works for my kids.

tomfuller

karolinark, this thread is over 3 years old. I don't think the OP came back to give a travel report. Please start a new thread with your own questions.

janisj

lynni: It seems you are responding to the OP -- that trip is long over and done with. Hopefully karolinark will start a new thread w/ questions re their trip.

lynni

I know! I was a total dork, not paying attention! Oh well...

janisj

I didn't think you were a 'dork'

Just that maybe when we know more what karolinark needs, we can help her . . .