Need advise for a Mother/Daughter trip to Arizona
#1
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Need advise for a Mother/Daughter trip to Arizona
My 21 year old daughter and I are going to Arizona this summer (July). I know it will be hot but it is the only time we can go. We are flexible with our time and can be in the area for 7 - 8 days. We are thinking of spending some time in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Sedona, Grand Canyon, etc. We are just looking for advise on the best way to do this? I think we would like to go on a couple of guided tours such as beginner to intermediate rock climbing/repelling, hike to havasupai Falls, bike ride, maybe a jeep tour? We are open to suggestions and also willing to go some DYI exploring. We are in good shape but NOT interested in advanced options. My daughter could probable do that but I would not want to try especially in the heat of the summer. If ending out trip in Phoenix is a good option, we will probably find a luxury hotel to have some pool and spa time to end our adventure! Advise?? Suggestions?? Thank you!
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For the Grand Canyon, look for in park lodging now. If they say they are full, make a reservation that you can cancel in either Tusayan or at the Cameron Trading post then keep calling for in park lodging as people do make reservations a year in advance then cancel when they find they can't make the trip.
#3
I agree with emalloy. Call to get in park lodging at the Grand Canyon ASAP and plan the trip around those two nights at the canyon. If you can't get a room now, keep calling back for a cancellation but book something nearby and cancel that room if you get a room in the park. July is a perfect time to go to the North Rim so consider that option too.
July will be hot but July is when I've gone the most. My company had big meetings every July in either south Florida or Scottsdale - because resorts are really cheap in the hottest months. I always added on a leisure trip either before or after the company meeting and you'll have lots of company.
Spend at least one night in Sedona. Definitely take a Pink Jeep tour, preferably the Broken Arrow tour. We took a biplane ride at sunset one trip and that was absolutely incredible - aerial views of the colors on the red rocks at sunset was simply gorgeous.
I'd spend two nights at the Grand Canyon if possible. Does the mule trip into the canyon appeal to you? It's a great adventure. We took the day trip - partway down and back up on the mules. I adore the North Rim too.
I really love Canyon de Chelly. Spend the night at Chinle, AZ and take a tour into the canyon with a Navajo guide. I love Monument Valley and returning and staying at Goulding's Lodge is at the top of my bucket list.
If I were taking your trip, I'd fly into Phoenix, spend two nights in Sedona, drive to Chinle with quick stops at Meteor Crater, Petrified Forest NP and Hubbell Trading post. Do a tour of the canyon and then off to Goulding's. Off to the North Rim for a night. Back to Cameron or inside the South Rim for 1 or 2 nights. Then back to a resort with a great pool and spa for the last one or two nights.
July will be hot but July is when I've gone the most. My company had big meetings every July in either south Florida or Scottsdale - because resorts are really cheap in the hottest months. I always added on a leisure trip either before or after the company meeting and you'll have lots of company.
Spend at least one night in Sedona. Definitely take a Pink Jeep tour, preferably the Broken Arrow tour. We took a biplane ride at sunset one trip and that was absolutely incredible - aerial views of the colors on the red rocks at sunset was simply gorgeous.
I'd spend two nights at the Grand Canyon if possible. Does the mule trip into the canyon appeal to you? It's a great adventure. We took the day trip - partway down and back up on the mules. I adore the North Rim too.
I really love Canyon de Chelly. Spend the night at Chinle, AZ and take a tour into the canyon with a Navajo guide. I love Monument Valley and returning and staying at Goulding's Lodge is at the top of my bucket list.
If I were taking your trip, I'd fly into Phoenix, spend two nights in Sedona, drive to Chinle with quick stops at Meteor Crater, Petrified Forest NP and Hubbell Trading post. Do a tour of the canyon and then off to Goulding's. Off to the North Rim for a night. Back to Cameron or inside the South Rim for 1 or 2 nights. Then back to a resort with a great pool and spa for the last one or two nights.
#4
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Just made a two night reservation at the Mazwik in the Park! They talked to me about tours they also offer like rafting, hiking, etc. Is that necessary or can we do everything while inside the park on our own? I'll speak to my daughter about the mule tour?? Not really sure about that? Anyone been to havasupai Falls on their own?? Rock climbing/repelling adventures?
I found L'auberge in Sedona for a couple of nights in what looks like a great hotel! Is the pink Jeep tour near this area?
I found L'auberge in Sedona for a couple of nights in what looks like a great hotel! Is the pink Jeep tour near this area?
#6
That's great news that you were able to get reservations in the park! I'd wait on the tours. Other than the mule ride, we did everything else on our own.
Sedona is small so any hotel is convenient to the Pink Jeep Tours.
"You will bet a great rate on a luxury hotel in Scottsdale in July."
Definitely!
That's why we spent every other July in AZ. One thing that is fun is the "dive in movies" = watching movies at night in the pool.
Can't help you with rappelling. I tried it once, in NC.
Here's one website -
http://www.rappelarizona.com/
Sedona is small so any hotel is convenient to the Pink Jeep Tours.
"You will bet a great rate on a luxury hotel in Scottsdale in July."
Definitely!
That's why we spent every other July in AZ. One thing that is fun is the "dive in movies" = watching movies at night in the pool.
Can't help you with rappelling. I tried it once, in NC.
Here's one website -
http://www.rappelarizona.com/
#7
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Thanks for the help! Yes, I'm seeing GREAT rates on 5 star luxury hotels in Scottsdale!! Four Seasons, Phoenician, etc... Any recommendations on which one to pick? They are all around or under $200 per night with extras like breakfast.
#8
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This is one old thread about Havasupai
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...h-the-time.cfm
I would look for more, at least google. Perhaps you can helicopter down or up.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...h-the-time.cfm
I would look for more, at least google. Perhaps you can helicopter down or up.
#10
Having lived in Arizona for some time, I suggest you head for higher elevations instead of staying in the Phoenix area. Both Grand Canyon rim and Flagstaff are at about 7000', if I recall correctly, and Sedona is a couple of thousand feet higher than Phoenix. For the short time you have, concentrating your activities in the north makes all the sense in the world to me.
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I recommend higher elevations, too. In Tucson, Mt. Lemmon is a beautiful area for hiking and is a cool 70 degrees when it's blistering hot on the valley floor. Tucson is a very fun, quirky town with great shopping here, too (La Encantada has stores that rival the shopping in Scottsdale). Tucson also has several great spas (Canyon Ranch, Loews Ventana Canyon, Westin La Paloma, Dove Mountain Ritz Carlton, etc.). These places would also have great rates during the summer off-season--and mother/daughter pampering sounds like a lot of fun. Enjoy your trip!
#12
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Our favorite resort in the Scottsdale area is The Royal Palms - great spa there and excellent restaurant. They don't call it Royal for nothing!
http://www.royalpalmshotel.com/
A bit less posh but still very nice is Kimpton Firesky -
http://www.fireskyresort.com/
http://www.royalpalmshotel.com/
A bit less posh but still very nice is Kimpton Firesky -
http://www.fireskyresort.com/
#13
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Listen to those who say head north as much as possible. We are from Texas and thought we were accustomed to heat, but Tucson and Phoenix were oppressively hot, even in June. Flagstaff and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon were much better.