advice route 66 and some national parks
 

hello I will be traveling in 4 weeks doing a section of route 66, then ending with some national parks. as the person I am traveling with has never been, I have several times. so here's the plan any suggestions restaurant's, trading post must see sight's, would be appreciated.

1-okc-bricktown Homewood suites
2-shamrock,texas-route 66 inn
3-tucumcari,new mexico-blue swallow inn
4-santa fe-hyatt place
5-albuquerque-hotel parq central
6-winslow ,az-la posada inn
7-tusayan,az-best western premier grand squire
8-grand canyon
9-monument valley,az-the view
10-zion np springdale Utah-desert pearl inn
11-zion np
12-bryce canyon- Bryce canyon cabins
13-moab,utah-holiday inn
14-arches np
15-slc-grand America hotel
16-depart home

thank you

regards

wlke

This sounds like a nice trip.

When are you planning on going?
Do your numbers represent days or nights that you have reserved where there is no lodging indicated are you staying 2 nights in the place before or after?
Are you aware of the time it takes to get from one park to another?
Are you planning on doing any hiking while in the parks or is this just a drive through/look and go/been there done that?
If this is for this year do you have your lodging booked? You need a plan B if it is this year.

I would want at least one more night in Moab so I could visit Canyonlands Island in the Sky also while there.

I'm only familiar with part of the route, but you have made some excellent choices. Since you're familiar with the area, you probably already know what I'm about to say, but here goes:
(1) At the Grand Canyon, it's worth getting a room within park boundaries if at all possible. Tusayan isn't bad, but it still involves a bit of an inconvenience. Rooms fill up months in advance, but repeated calls to check for cancellations frequently succeed. There are two companies to call. Xanterra (888-297-2757) manages five of the properties (El Tovar, Bright Angel, Kachina, Thunderbird, Maswik), while Delaware North (877-404-4611) runs Yavapai Lodge.
(2) Driving from Winslow to Grand Canyon National Park, consider taking the East Entrance. It's a little longer, but you'll probably want to see some of the lookouts (such as the Watchtower), so in the long run you're saving time. If you choose this path, Cameron Trading Post is near the turnoff from 89 to 64. Its restaurant is pretty good (great fry bread), and might be worth a quick stop.
(3) Zion is my favorite national park. If you're into hiking, the signature hike is through the Virgin River (if water levels allow). It's worth reserving a package for the river hike: special river shoes, neoprene socks, and a sturdy walking pole. Another deservedly famous hike is Angels Landing -- but it's not for anyone with a fear of heights. Desert Pearl is an excellent choice.

all nights are single except grand canyon and Bryce. I will hit capitol reef and canyonlands on the way from bryce. to moab. this will be drive through, obviously. but the next day will involve hiking, as will most days in the parks . my friend and I are early risers. so we are out the door by 6:00 am. also we will do two nights in zion with me torturing my buddy by taking him on the angel's landing hike.all lodging is booked. ready to go.thank you for your assist.

I assume you will be planning on staying in Moab for your visits to both Arches and Canyonlands, since those parks don't have lodging and Moab. Sounds like a nice trip.

igott,

thank you . will be calling xanterra daily to see if I can get a cancelled reservation for the el Tovar, or any of the south rim properties. and I was going to go in the east way, now I will definitely do that

regards

wlke

sludick,

holiday in moab! the first time I was in arches November, 1987 there was no ranger station entrance just an, "honor system" wood box with a sign in book.

It's about a four-hour drive from Albuquerque to Winslow. If you want to make any stops on the way, Acoma Pueblo is pretty interesting. http://www.acomaskycity.org/home.html

There is also the Meteor Crater not far from Winslow. http://meteorcrater.com/

If you aren't planning to visit anything on the way, I would just drive to Flagstaff for the night. From there, you can take the east entrance into the Grand Canyon in the morning.

Lee Ann

If you can check out Williams, Arizona when you are in the Grand Canyon area, it is an interesting and historic Route 66 town.

In Grand Canyon, we liked Maswick Lodge, which might be easier to get in than El Tovar. The Pizza Pub in the adjacent lodge is quite good and the huevos rancheros on the cafeteria's breakfast are fabulous.

We just saw this exhibit and it was nicely done - stop by when in ABQ:

http://www.albuquerquemuseum.org/exh.../exhibition/76