kymomto3

Considering flying our family of five (kids ages 8-12) out to see the Grand Canyon for fall break this year. We have a week. Is a week too long to spend there? What other attractions would be good to combine? Maybe consider flying into one airport and out of another? What area of the GC is best to stay? I know...a lot of questions.

(was originally planning to visit Yellowstone for fall break but thinking of switching that up to summer of 2016)

starrs

I think a week is too long. You can fly into Flagstaff but that may be too expensive. We usually fly into Phoenix and drive up, stopping in Sedona along the way.

Stay IN the park at any lodging they have available. 2 or 3 nights would be plenty. You may consider the mule ride into the canyon if the youngest is old enough and if they are still operating at that time of year.

starrs

Definitely stop at Cameron's Trading Post on the east side and eat at their restaurant. Drive through Monument Valley.

Petrified Forest NP may be of interest and a stop at Meteor Crater. If you want kitsch, you could stay in "tee pee" hotel rooms along the old Route 66.

You could drive into Durango and visit Mesa Verde NP.
You could drive over to Chinle and take a guided tour of Canyon de Chelly by a Navajo guide. If you do, stop at Hubbell Trading post.
You could drive up to Arches NP.

It depends on your interests.

Definitely take a Pink Jeep tour out of Sedona!

utahtea

A week being 5 days won't be to long if you add something else like Lake Powell at Page, AZ. There are many activities to do here including a boat tour to Rainbow Bridge National Monument, float trip on the Colorado River, Upper Antelope Slot Canyons and Horseshoe Bend hike.

Sedona is also another option but it's to civilized for my liking. Near by is Montezuma's Castle National Monument. There are other things just outside of Flagstaff like Walnut Canyon National Monument and Meteor Crater.

If you have 7 or more days you might consider doing a circle from Las Vegas and visit the Grand Canyon south rim, Bryce and Zion National Parks. We are usually in this area the first week of October and usually have good weather.

Utahtea

starrs

I'll clarify: I think a week at only the south rim of the GC with three kids is too long. I'd spend some of the week there and then see other sites during the other days of your vacation week.

J62

I like utatea's itinerary - I love Bryce, and especially Zion more than the GC rim for a family visit.

My bucket list vacation is actually a full week in the GC - hiking down to the river from the North Rim and camping, but that's not a family with kids type of vacation.

NewbE

I agree with the above, generally. I would stay in the park at the GC 2-3 nights, then spend 2-3 nights in Sedona and visit Flagstaff from there. Fly in and out of Phoenix.

MikePinTucson

Unless you are really into hiking, 2 nights at the GC is more than enough.

I suggest flying into and out of Phoenix. Using different airports usually means a very steep car rental drop-off fee.

From PHX, I would go to Sedona and spend 2 nights there. Lots to do for adults and children.

I would spend two nights at the GC, then head to Page for 1 or 2 nights, depending on how many days you have.

I think this is about all you would reasonably want to do in a week (5-6 whole days). If you start adding things, you end up spending too much time changing hotels and driving from one location to another.

Ozarksbill

Agree that two nights at Grand Canyon might do it. It is awesome though. And we spent a Road Scholar week over west in Havasupai country out of Peach Springs. Sedona might be fun and also on out to Prescott. We are awed by the scenery of Arizona. Bryce Canyon is worth exploring and I'll add Canyon de Chelly Monument as not so far away if you can over there. We enjoyed a jeep ride into the canyon. Wonder why they call it "du shay."