Las Vegas to Phoenix, April, how's it look?
Nov 16th, 2014, 03:49 AM
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Las Vegas to Phoenix, April, how's it look?
We are headed to the southwest for April vacation with our 5 and 6 year old boys. We arrive on a Saturday and leave on Thursday, so not a whole lot of time. I know we can't see it all and we will return again in the future. The hubby and I have already been a few times but that was before kids.
Saturday - arrive around noon, deal with jet lag, check in to the SpringHill Suites near the convention center, walk the strip a bit, play in the pool. I know the hotel isn't in the best location for the strip, but we like the extra room, the lack of a casino, and it should be quiet. Plus, the included breakfast makes like easier in the morning.
Sunday - coming from the east coast, I'm sure we'll be up early. Head to Red Rocks and do the Calico Tanks hike. After lunch hit the strip again. I figure they'll like the Bellagio Fountains, M&M world, various hotel lobbies, etc.
Monday - check out of hotel early, head to Hoover Dam and then Chloride AZ. I'm not sure if we'll do the tour at Hoover Dam. My boys like to move and climb and touch...tours aren't always the best choice with them. Maybe lunch at the Kingman Airport depending on time. Then do we take Route 66 or I40 to Seligman? Stop at Snow Cap for a shake. Spend night in Williams. I thought about Tusayan, but I really didn't enjoy the town at all last time we stayed there...awful dining options, nothing but a few hotels. I know Williams is an hour from the GC though...
Tuesday - Grand Canyon day. Hike 1.5 miles down either Bright Angel or South Kaibab Trail...which would you recommend? Walk around the rim trail. Back to our Williams hotel. We will check out the train depot at some point. Not sure on Bedrock as the boys have never seen Flintstones. We could do that Monday late afternoon depending on our arrival time in Williams.
Wednesday - Lava River Cave? Need to think this over. Haven't really figured out what to do or where to stop on way to Phoenix...or do we just get to Phoenix quickly and do something there? Do we stop in Sedona? Get hotel convenient to airport.
Thursday - fly home.
Thoughts?
Saturday - arrive around noon, deal with jet lag, check in to the SpringHill Suites near the convention center, walk the strip a bit, play in the pool. I know the hotel isn't in the best location for the strip, but we like the extra room, the lack of a casino, and it should be quiet. Plus, the included breakfast makes like easier in the morning.
Sunday - coming from the east coast, I'm sure we'll be up early. Head to Red Rocks and do the Calico Tanks hike. After lunch hit the strip again. I figure they'll like the Bellagio Fountains, M&M world, various hotel lobbies, etc.
Monday - check out of hotel early, head to Hoover Dam and then Chloride AZ. I'm not sure if we'll do the tour at Hoover Dam. My boys like to move and climb and touch...tours aren't always the best choice with them. Maybe lunch at the Kingman Airport depending on time. Then do we take Route 66 or I40 to Seligman? Stop at Snow Cap for a shake. Spend night in Williams. I thought about Tusayan, but I really didn't enjoy the town at all last time we stayed there...awful dining options, nothing but a few hotels. I know Williams is an hour from the GC though...
Tuesday - Grand Canyon day. Hike 1.5 miles down either Bright Angel or South Kaibab Trail...which would you recommend? Walk around the rim trail. Back to our Williams hotel. We will check out the train depot at some point. Not sure on Bedrock as the boys have never seen Flintstones. We could do that Monday late afternoon depending on our arrival time in Williams.
Wednesday - Lava River Cave? Need to think this over. Haven't really figured out what to do or where to stop on way to Phoenix...or do we just get to Phoenix quickly and do something there? Do we stop in Sedona? Get hotel convenient to airport.
Thursday - fly home.
Thoughts?
Nov 16th, 2014, 04:26 AM
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The other option is to head back to Vegas on Wednesday to save hundreds on the rental car due to the one way rental being so expensive. If we were to head back to Vegas, are there other places we should stop on the return drive?
Nov 16th, 2014, 04:42 AM
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Why not head to Grand Canyon instead of spending the night in Williams? Enroll the kids in the jr Ranger program. If they are doing an evening program on the night sky, go to it. The lodging is basic but there is no hour in the car in the morning and you are likely to see elk and or deer right near the lodges in the morning.
For kids I would opt for Bright Angel trail as it is less steep and plenty wide for safety. The rim trail is also nice for kids.
For kids I would opt for Bright Angel trail as it is less steep and plenty wide for safety. The rim trail is also nice for kids.
Nov 16th, 2014, 04:47 AM
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Many of the rooms left for our dates only had one bed. I tried looking at the GC lodging...but maybe I can play with dates and fly into PHX instead. I'll see if I can find a room at the beginning of our trip instead.
Nov 16th, 2014, 04:52 AM
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Okay, I can get Yavapai...I didn't realize it was under new management for 2015 and booking thru a different site from the rest of the lodging options. Thanks for getting me to go back and look!
Nov 16th, 2014, 06:20 AM
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If you call frequently when you are closer to the trip date, you will probably be able to score one of the rim lodges, but make the Yavapai res, it is fine, an easy walk or shuttle to the rim, or drive up and hope for a parking spot. It is so nice to be in the park early in the morning or in the late afternoon when the day trippers are not there.
Nov 16th, 2014, 06:45 AM
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One of my favorite PIT project lodgings was at the Spring Valley cabin north of Parks AZ. http://www.recreation.gov/camping/sp...O&parkId=75306
It isn't fancy but the cabin has the essentials with a kitchen and flush toilet (3 bedrooms).
It's only an hour from the South Rim.
See Sedona after The South Rim and then head back to Las Vegas to fly home.
Two miles from Hoover Dam is one of my favorites- the Hacienda Casino/hotel. You don't have to go through the casino to get to the nice all you can eat buffet. The rooms are quite nice IMO.
As you are leaving Hoover dam park at the trail access to the new high bridge to get good pictures from the walkway on the bridge. The apex and the state line are marked on the walkway about 25 feet apart.
It isn't fancy but the cabin has the essentials with a kitchen and flush toilet (3 bedrooms).
It's only an hour from the South Rim.
See Sedona after The South Rim and then head back to Las Vegas to fly home.
Two miles from Hoover Dam is one of my favorites- the Hacienda Casino/hotel. You don't have to go through the casino to get to the nice all you can eat buffet. The rooms are quite nice IMO.
As you are leaving Hoover dam park at the trail access to the new high bridge to get good pictures from the walkway on the bridge. The apex and the state line are marked on the walkway about 25 feet apart.
Nov 16th, 2014, 07:04 AM
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I think there's more to see and do between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon than between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, so if it was my trip I'd fly into Phoenix. But as emalloy said, check the various airfare and car prices and pick the best one. Whichever route you take you will find enough to do.
I like the South Kaibab trail because it has better views than Bright Angel, but not until you'be hiked down a mile or so. If you're only going down 1.5 miles it probably won't make much difference. Bright Angel is probably a little easier and the 1.5 mile Rest Station would be a good goal and turnaround point, especially if the water is turned on by then.
I like the South Kaibab trail because it has better views than Bright Angel, but not until you'be hiked down a mile or so. If you're only going down 1.5 miles it probably won't make much difference. Bright Angel is probably a little easier and the 1.5 mile Rest Station would be a good goal and turnaround point, especially if the water is turned on by then.
Nov 16th, 2014, 11:04 AM
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Okay, I'm going to replan this. We will fly in and out of PHX to save a few hundred dollars on the rental car. We are flying for free...nonrev.
My youngest has asked to see the Petrified Forest, so I think we'll work in a PHX/Grand Canyon line and eastward.
As for hiking at the GC...my kids are good hikers, but since we have to go UP for the second half, I don't want to bite off too much. So I'm thinking 3 miles round trip will be good.
My youngest has asked to see the Petrified Forest, so I think we'll work in a PHX/Grand Canyon line and eastward.
As for hiking at the GC...my kids are good hikers, but since we have to go UP for the second half, I don't want to bite off too much. So I'm thinking 3 miles round trip will be good.
Nov 16th, 2014, 12:18 PM
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Chloride, Az - Insure you visit these murals
http://chloridearizona.info/murals/index.htm
L.V. Venetian is our favorite touring casino during day. At night, Bellagio water show. Then down town for their Freemont Experience night show (Main Street Casino is also a Micro Brewery - if there go upstairs to see their historic billiard room):
https://video.search.yahoo.com/video...6g&age=0&&tt=b
GC hiking - ignore distance; use time. 1/3 down and 2/3 up. For your application, use Bright Angel.
Kingman - If you appreciate Route 66, history, take this option.
In Kingman, their museum has a section on Andy Devine career.
R-66 history - interesting interview:
https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt...ype=iedef&fp=1
Fill with gasoline in Kingman - cheapest; Williams most expensive.
Sedona - While scenic, I'm not a fan - very expensive especially their local sales taxes 9.4% total. So with 15% tip, you are at about 25% extra.
Vaga
http://chloridearizona.info/murals/index.htm
L.V. Venetian is our favorite touring casino during day. At night, Bellagio water show. Then down town for their Freemont Experience night show (Main Street Casino is also a Micro Brewery - if there go upstairs to see their historic billiard room):
https://video.search.yahoo.com/video...6g&age=0&&tt=b
GC hiking - ignore distance; use time. 1/3 down and 2/3 up. For your application, use Bright Angel.
Kingman - If you appreciate Route 66, history, take this option.
In Kingman, their museum has a section on Andy Devine career.
R-66 history - interesting interview:
https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt...ype=iedef&fp=1
Fill with gasoline in Kingman - cheapest; Williams most expensive.
Sedona - While scenic, I'm not a fan - very expensive especially their local sales taxes 9.4% total. So with 15% tip, you are at about 25% extra.
Vaga
Dec 1st, 2014, 06:45 AM
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I would pass on the Petrified Forest off I-40, there isn't much there. If you do go, Meteor Crater is east of Flagstaff, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff does tours, and Walnut Canyon is off I-40 just east of Flagstaff. If you want to spend more time in Flagstaff there is also Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument to the north off of AZ 89.
In Camp Verde VBarV Ranch just off I-17 has Petroglyphs, there is Montezuma Castle National Monument, and Out of Africa Wildlife Park.
In Williams there is Bearizona.
In Camp Verde VBarV Ranch just off I-17 has Petroglyphs, there is Montezuma Castle National Monument, and Out of Africa Wildlife Park.
In Williams there is Bearizona.
Dec 1st, 2014, 08:55 AM
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<My youngest has asked to see the Petrified Forest, so I think we'll work in a PHX/Grand Canyon line and eastward.>
In light of that, here's what I'd do:
Saturday: Stay in Phoenix, go to the zoo, Desert Botanical Gardens, South Mountain....one or two of those, not all 3.
Sunday: Drive east on the Apache Trail, when you get to Roosevelt Lake head south a few miles and visit Tonto National Monument. Go back towards Payson, then drive up to Holbrook and spend the night here: http://www.galerie-kokopelli.com/wigwam/
Monday: Visit Petrified Forest NP, drive to Flagstaff afterwards (maybe stop in at Homolovi State Park on the way if there's time), visit Lowell Observatory that evening
Tuesday: drive to Grand Canyon via South entrance, stay overnight
Wednesday: spend the morning at Grand Canyon, exit via East entrance, drive through Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments, then drive to Sedona for the night (check out Slide Rock State Park is it's warm enough)
Thursday: Drive to the airport in Phoenix
You could skip the overnight in Sedona and just head back to Phoenix if that works better. Also, if you get in early enough you could just start driving the first day and save some of the Saturday stuff for the end of your trip.
In light of that, here's what I'd do:
Saturday: Stay in Phoenix, go to the zoo, Desert Botanical Gardens, South Mountain....one or two of those, not all 3.
Sunday: Drive east on the Apache Trail, when you get to Roosevelt Lake head south a few miles and visit Tonto National Monument. Go back towards Payson, then drive up to Holbrook and spend the night here: http://www.galerie-kokopelli.com/wigwam/
Monday: Visit Petrified Forest NP, drive to Flagstaff afterwards (maybe stop in at Homolovi State Park on the way if there's time), visit Lowell Observatory that evening
Tuesday: drive to Grand Canyon via South entrance, stay overnight
Wednesday: spend the morning at Grand Canyon, exit via East entrance, drive through Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments, then drive to Sedona for the night (check out Slide Rock State Park is it's warm enough)
Thursday: Drive to the airport in Phoenix
You could skip the overnight in Sedona and just head back to Phoenix if that works better. Also, if you get in early enough you could just start driving the first day and save some of the Saturday stuff for the end of your trip.
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