LeslieC

We have 7 - 10 days max April 9 - 18. Parents plus kids ages 15 and 13 (boy and girl). Definitely must see the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Live in LA area so could fly into Phoenix and rent a car pr drive from LA. Would like a mixture of nature, culture, adventure and relaxation.. We are thinking of 1 - 2 days at the South Rim of Grand Canyon, 2 nights in Sedona and possibly 2 nights at a really nice resort in Scottsdale...

Alternatively could head north to see Zion and Bryce Canyons which I have long wanted to see but will these be too cool in April?

Because of the kids would love some Native American experiences, perhaps the jeep tours and/or perhaps Monument Valley and cliff dwellings.

Can you make specific suggestions, including nice places to stay in the $200 - $250 per night range?

Also - my son is interested in archtecture. Would you recommend the Frank Lloyd Wright center in Phoenix? Otherwise, nothing in Phoenix is really of interest to me personally.

desertduds

I would do two nights at Sedona then one night each at GC, Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly and down to Phoenix and yes, definitely go to Taliesin West.

zurichhasbean

My wife and I travelled to Bryce and Zion in mid March and the weather was superb for hiking - mid 70's. We stayed at the Best Western in Springdale which is just outside Zion Park. Hope this helps.

hilaryg

Hi! I too live in LA and did a road trip to the Grand Canyon/Sedona/Scottsdale a few years ago. My first suggestion: don't bother to fly! It's not a bad drive at all. We bought a couple of books-on-tape to listen to in the car and honestly, the drive flew right by!

Second, Talesin West (the Frank Lloyd Wright home) in Scottsdale is totally worth a visit, but we found Scottsdale itself to be suburban and expensive. Absolutely nothing else of note to see there. I'd recommend staying only overnnight unless you're at one of the nice resorts.

You can definitely "do" the Grand Canyon in 2 days. My friend and I hiked down to the outlook on Angel Bright Trail and back in one day. I'd only recommend this if you're all in great shape. It's about an 8 or 9 hour RT hike, the second half being straight uphill. We were very sore the next day, but it WAS amazing! Most people do the donkeys instead.

As for Sedona, TONS of hiking. Really gorgeous and relaxing. Not much else to do in town besides hike, so my friend and I also stayed somewhere with a pool and just relaxed a few days as well. (I'd make hotel recommendations but we were doing our trip on a super small budget and stayed in motor lodges).

Hope this info helps, enjoy!

P.S. - If you DO decide to drive, I highly recommend getting a TripTik from AAA (if you're a member). It made the drive incredibly easy and memorable.

Postal

I agree with the Scottsdale comment. We enjoyed the Camelback Inn but not Scottsdale.

Carrabella

Just back - the donkey trips are no longer available at the Grand Canyon, due to track "rehabilitation".
I loved Walnut Canyon, not far from Flagstaff. Down a few hundred steps to ancient pueblo ruins built arond an island mesa. Interesting for the architecture student? The track goes around the "island" and back up the steps. The lava walk at Sunset Crater, on the alternate road from Flagstaff to the GCrMf

alexjas

We just did this trip. We flew into Phoenix. On the way to Sedona we stopped at Montazuma's castle (I won't recommend the Mont. well - not very interesting). We went to Sedona for the day/night and then onto the Grand Canyon.

In Sedona, we went on the Pink Jeep's Broken arrow tour (my kids - 8 and 11 years old loved it - it was a little expensive but our guide was wonderful and really explained the sites).

We stayed in the Canyon for 1 night (spending the good part of 2 full days). Sunset in the park is a must - WOW. We did a little hiking on the Bright Angel trail (but didn't go all the way down --- remember you need to walk back up!).

We then ended our trip with a long stay in Phoenix at the Hilton Pointe Squaw Peak. Wonderful water park for the kids, great golf, wonderful services. I would highly recommend this place. I got it on Priceline. Also stayed at the other (sister property) Hilton Pointe resort for 1 night at the start of the trip - also very nice.

loisagogo

We just got back from Sedona, Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. Spent 3 nights at Sedona at a private cottage rental. Check out the website www.sedonaheaven.com It was a 2 bedroom house with hot tub, fireplace, kitchen, laundry, extra floor bedding, a large bathroom with all amenities. It was located right off the intersection of 179 and 89A so it was real convenient to everything. Very reasonable for the area. Make sure you do the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour. It might be pricey for 4 people but it was the highlight of our trip. Great restaurants (try Javelina Cantina). We also stayed at the El Tovar at the Grand Canyon in a king size deluxe room. Great choice, right on the rim. Pricey but I'd stay there again if we ever go back. We had great service, good food in the El Tovar dining room. It's a historic experience since the hotel is almost 100 years old. Bright Angel Cabins looked like another great choice. Very close to the rim and not as expensive as the El Tovar. Whatever you do try to stay somewhere in the park. Tuscayan is close but it was great to be in the park after most of the daily tourists left. We've also been to Bryce, Zion.We were there in March a few years back and it was 80 degrees in Zion. All are wonderful National Parks and each one is different from the other. It's quite a ride from Sedona so you might want to save Bryce/Zion for another time and stick with just the south rim of the Grand Canyon. You can only see so many rocks in one trip. 2 kids might get bored so you might want to stay in the Arizona area. We've never been to Scottsdale so I can't comment on it. Another couple from Canada we met on the jeep tour were touring the entire state including Tucson, Flagstaff and loved the Painted Desert. They had a great time at all of those locations.

LeslieC

OK...here's the plan so far. Would appreciate comments/suggestions.

Drive from LA to Scottsdale
2 nights at the Hilton Point Squaw Peak.

2 nights in Sedona at the Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa.

1 night at the Goulding's Lodge in Monument Valley.

2 nights at the Kachina Lodge in GC (couldn't get into the El Tovar). Drive home to LA.

Possible Activities -

Phoenix - Taleisin West
Apache Trail Tour and BBQ???

Sedona - Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, hiking. Visit cliff dwellings en route at Montezuma's castle and/or Walnut Canyon. Maybe visit Jerome.

Monument Valley - visit Navajo Nat'l Monument and take the 1/2 day native American guided tour from Gouldings.

GC - hiking, drive tours, IMAX theatre.

Any recommendations for:

"Cowboy/OldWest" fun - Steakhouses?