gapper

We are planning a trip to Arizona in November with our two boys, ages 11 & 7. Could you help out with some type of itinerary as to what we should not miss. I would like to see Phoenix, Sedona and Scottsdale. Is that possible in one weeks time? How far are they from each other and also, what is the weather like the beginning of November. Thanks for any info.

Celine_fyly

Hello,

I came back from AZ a week ago. (my review is still somewhere, just click on my name to find it)

I thought the heard musueum and the botanical garden were great for kids. In both you have hands-on exhibition. You can learn you make some of the local craft at the Heard (paper flower, fabric dolls) there always was paper, sissors, crayolas available to duplicate hopi baskets. In the botanical garden I made a yucca brush and grinded some mesquite (and I am 30 ;-) ).

I had a dinner at the rustler rooste restaurant, which is a perfect place for families, not so for 3 adults looking a a simple salad ;-)

Scottsdale and Phoenix are in the same area. It takes 2 hours to go from PHX to Sedona.

While in Sedona i recommand Walnut Creek Canyon (but I don't know the weather there in november). In the canyon you'll find ruins in the cliffs, and it is allowed to go in the ruins, I thought that was perfect for kids, for once they can touch and feel...

have fun.

Celine

lsb

I would suggest staying at least one night in Sedona. My kids, ages 8 &12 loved climbing the red rocks. We also did the jeep tour. It was fun but very bumpy. Personally I prefered climbing the rocks to driving over them. I also recommend the botanical gardens ,allow about two hours. The zoo is right next to the gardens. Have fun!

TravelinMom

My trip to Arizona with my 9 and 13 year olds is also somewhere on this site. FYI, Walnut Canyon is great, but it's in Flagstaff, a little bit north of Sedona. But your trip is definitely doable.

If you go to Flagstaff, I'd recommend the Museum of Northern Arizona. Not worth a special trip, but very interesting about all the Indian culture, past and present. Around Sedona there's Tuzigoot and Montezuma's Castle, which are other interesting cliff dwelling sites. In very nearby Cottonwood, we went to the Blazin'M Ranch for a cookout -- replica western town, cowboy music, and chuckwagon meal -- which would be great with the kids. We also all stayed overnight at, and liked, Arcosanti (between Sedona and Phoenix), although my younger one liked the bakery the best! (Some contrary opinions are also posted on this site.)

As for weather, we went in April. Walnut Canyon closed the dwellings until the end of the day because of snow. But 2 days before, the weather was in the 80s! So you can never tell.

Have fun.

ceg

All suggestions here are great and I would add the Science Museum in Phoenix to the list a fav with our kids and our visitors. Also check out Rawhide in Scottsdale. Tourist attraction, fake Western town that kids love. (Adults probably will be less than thrilled.) The steak house there is decent too.