Sedona v Scottsdale?
Dec 6th, 2016, 06:08 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sedona v Scottsdale?
Planning a trip in April and will be flying in to Phoenix. We are debating between spending the week in Sedona or Scottsdale. We have three children under 12, and grandparents may be with us. Although the hotels look amazing in Scottsdale, we will likely rent a house on VRBO because it's so much less expensive. It seems like Scottsdale will be warmer, so we could rent a house with a pool and kids could swim every day - but Sedona looks beautiful and maybe more of a vacation? Any thoughts/opinions on the two for a week vacation with kids? Thank you!
Dec 6th, 2016, 07:43 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IMO Scottdale is a wealthy suburb, with all the usual diversions. Sedona is spectacularly beautiful, with a truly unique landscape (in the US, anyway 
).
So regardless of lodging, I'd always recommend Sedona over Scottsdale.
).So regardless of lodging, I'd always recommend Sedona over Scottsdale.
Dec 6th, 2016, 08:46 AM
#4
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A week in Sedona with 3 kids under 12 would be hard to do, IMHO. Unless they really REALLY like nature and hiking, I wouldn't do more than a day or 2 there.
How old are the children and what sort of activities are you/they interested in? April can be cool, even in Scottsdale, make sure the pool is heated.
How old are the children and what sort of activities are you/they interested in? April can be cool, even in Scottsdale, make sure the pool is heated.
Dec 6th, 2016, 09:03 AM
#5
I much prefer Sedona however it is not as warm as Scottsdale in April and an entirely different experience. We have had snow in March in Sedona.
Scottsdale is an upscale suburb of Phoenix, feels like LA, traffic, upscale stores, resorts lining Scottsdale Rd.
Sedona would be a nature and hiking experience.huge red rocks, a natural landscape full of wonder.
Living in So. AZ, we avoid Scottsdale except for the Mayo Clinic.
Scottsdale is an upscale suburb of Phoenix, feels like LA, traffic, upscale stores, resorts lining Scottsdale Rd.
Sedona would be a nature and hiking experience.huge red rocks, a natural landscape full of wonder.
Living in So. AZ, we avoid Scottsdale except for the Mayo Clinic.
Dec 6th, 2016, 09:53 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree that a week in only Sedona would be a lot, unless you're killing time just hanging out at a gorgeous resort--I wouldn't turn that down
But you could check out Prescott and Flagstaff and Oak Creek Canyon, maybe even do a day trip to the Grand Canyon. Weather permitting, of course.
But you could check out Prescott and Flagstaff and Oak Creek Canyon, maybe even do a day trip to the Grand Canyon. Weather permitting, of course.
Dec 6th, 2016, 10:01 AM
#7
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sedona has more outdoor activities, and is in a beautiful red rock setting. If you can deal with all the mystical new age superstition, it's the preffered of the two for family adventure. Scottsdale is upscale, both for lodging and shopping, has a large gallery district, and is close to Taliesen, Cosanti, and endless cultural options locally and throughout the valley. You could easily go to Sedona for a day or two from there.
Dec 7th, 2016, 05:21 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks so much for all the comments - I guess this is why I'm having a hard time making a decision! Our kids are 12, 10 and 8 and like hiking but definitely won't want to every single day.
Went to Camelback resort in Scottsdale last February for a conference, and it's definitely not a vacation destination - what appeals to me there is the weather (my husband bought tickets for April on a whim).
The resorts in Sedona (and Scottsdale for that matter!) are too pricey for the 6 of us.
For vacation my kids would enjoy swimming, eating outside, going on a hike or two, horseback riding .... reading, relaxing. ....
Went to Camelback resort in Scottsdale last February for a conference, and it's definitely not a vacation destination - what appeals to me there is the weather (my husband bought tickets for April on a whim).
The resorts in Sedona (and Scottsdale for that matter!) are too pricey for the 6 of us.
For vacation my kids would enjoy swimming, eating outside, going on a hike or two, horseback riding .... reading, relaxing. ....
Dec 7th, 2016, 06:10 AM
#10
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 19,736
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To tell you the truth, your post confuses me. Are you saying you're looking for a resort that offers all that? Because, for instance, you could find horseback riding and hiking within an hour's drive of Camelback. And why would you think that Sedona offers all that you're looking for?
Dec 7th, 2016, 06:15 AM
#11
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"For vacation my kids would enjoy swimming, eating outside, going on a hike or two, horseback riding .... reading, relaxing. "
Based on this info -- Scottsdale. WAY more to do because a week is a long time and after the things mentioned above, that will still leaves lots of time with little to no things in Sedona to fit those likes.
Google family activities in Phoenix and see what's there. LOTS more to choose from. And if all they want to do is hang around, it will be easier and less costly to do so in PHX area.
Based on this info -- Scottsdale. WAY more to do because a week is a long time and after the things mentioned above, that will still leaves lots of time with little to no things in Sedona to fit those likes.
Google family activities in Phoenix and see what's there. LOTS more to choose from. And if all they want to do is hang around, it will be easier and less costly to do so in PHX area.
Dec 7th, 2016, 09:50 AM
#14
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<it's definitely not a vacation destination>
I don't understand what you mean by this. I'd personally go to a Scottsdale resort, with day trips to Sedona and maybe Tucson (the Biosphere tour is very interesting).
I don't understand what you mean by this. I'd personally go to a Scottsdale resort, with day trips to Sedona and maybe Tucson (the Biosphere tour is very interesting).
Dec 7th, 2016, 11:33 AM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry - didn't mean to be confusing.
Think I got the info I need. Sedona would be a little more ideal for me, but Scottsdale perhaps better with the kids for a week. Will plan a day trip or overnight.
Think I got the info I need. Sedona would be a little more ideal for me, but Scottsdale perhaps better with the kids for a week. Will plan a day trip or overnight.
