familythattravels

Hello - Our family of 4 with two kids (11 & 13) are flying into Phoenix then driving to Flagstaff (night time so no stops planned other than food). Departing Flagstaff and driving to the East Rim of the GC will ultimately land at El Tovar for two nights.

Couple of questions - Where to have breakfast in Flagstaff?
Best Route to take to get to the East Rim from Flagstaff - 64, 89, 180 - special things to see along the way?

We will be making our way back to Phoenix from the South Rim on a Monday. We will have lots of time to see things we missed on our way out. Must see places on our return to Phoenix?

Thanks in advance - happy travels.

familythattravels

Looks like 89 will get us to the Cameron Trading Post area which others have mentioned on previous posts.

MikePinTucson

What time do you arrive in Phoenix? If you arrive after dark, I would suggest you find a hotel just north of Phoenix rather than drive up to Flagstaff. Then hit the Cameron Trading Post for an early lunch before entering the gCNP through the east entrance (not east rim).

familythattravels

Mike why would you stay just North of Phoenix instead of Flagstaff? It is a 2 hour drive just thought it would give us a jump on travel the next day. We arrive around 8pm. I realize we won't see anything that night but we have to drive back to Phoenix (day time) on the way out. Just curious. Thanks

janisj

I'm not Mike and he may have different reasons. But I wouldn't want to drive that after dark. Too much wildlife on/near the roads.

MikePinTucson

Exactlywhat janisj said. Particularly when you get closer to Flagstaff, there could very well be elk on the oradway. Hitting one of those could end your vacation, if not more.

You didn't say where you are coming from, either. if it is EST or CST, your internal clock would put it later than 8 PM. After getting your luggage and your rental car, it would be probably close to 9:30 by the time you got on the road (if your flight is on time. Add in stopping for something to eat, and it is probably well after midnight when you get to Flagstaff. Check into hotel, probably 1 AM by the time you get to bed.

Better off finding a hotel north of Phoenix, having dinner, getting a good night's sleep, and starting early the next morning. You have 2 nights at the GC, so no need to rush.

Keep your plan to enter through the east entrance. Along the way, just north of Flag, take the loop road that goes to Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument, both are very worth seeing. Have lunch at the Cameron Trading Post (Navajo Taco can't be beat), then take your time visiting viewpoints along the east rim drive on the way to the Lodge.

familythattravels

I already have the Navajo Taco on the agenda and the sites around there seem very worthwhile. Will reconsider lodging options. Thanks for the suggestions.

Inakauaidavidababy

Of our two trips quite a few years ago, I'd stay in Scottsdale for the night and then do the Sedona/Jerome route to the south rim.

familythattravels

So we revised our trip to have the first night in Scottsdale. We will be driving to El Tovar near the South Rim the next day - what is the best route to take?

MikePinTucson

Get an early start. Take I-17 to Flagstaff, then I-40 east and 89 north. That will take you through the much less busy east entrance. Just north of Flagstaff, take the loop road to Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument. You will come back out to 89 further north. Then lunch at the Cameron Trading Post before entering the park.

familythattravels

Thanks again Mike - Read your response on the other thread too - appreciate your time and suggestions.