Arizona
 

Hello, I am planning a trip for next year (May/June 2016) for my best friend and I (we are both in our early 20's). We love to travel but have not been to many places, we are very adventurous.

We are trying to figure out the best itinerary for our trip, we will be flying in from NY area and we are not sure yet how many days we will be staying. We know that the Grand Canyon is a definite on our list...So here are a few questions I have....

1. What would be the best airport to fly into/ out of?
2. Any recommendations on lodging/eating? (inexpensive)
3. What other things are there to do around the Grand Canyon?
4. Would it be worth it to visit Bryce and Zion in Utah as well?

Any recommended itineraries for traveling to this area would be greatly appreciated?
Thanks in advance :)

What sort of traveling are you planning - hotels, camping, Airbnb? Presumably you'll rent a car. How many days/weeks do you plan to be there? "Worth it" depends on what you like to do. Are you hikers? All these things make a huge difference to possible suggestions.

You can do a nice loop from either Las Vegas or Phoenix and visit Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce and some other sites if you have the time. Check both air fare and car rentals for costs and if you are under 25 be aware there might be added costs.

We've done a loop from Vegas for those parks and since it is a loop you can travel in either direction but for a first time person, I would suggest you go to the south rim of Grand Canyon. One trip with lots of driving is: leave Vegas early in the morning, head for Grand Canyon ( you can stop at Hoover Dam if you want) four and a half hour drive with no stops, hike a bit along the rim and down into the canyon, spend the night at GC the next day see sunrise, head out for Bryce, see sunset, spend the night, see sunrise hike down into the canyon, then head for Zion an hour and a half from Bryce. Spend a couple of nights at Zion then head back to Vegas about three hours away.

You could spend much more time at any of these parks and/or stop along the way at lots of other interesting sites. In May you will need to have lodging in the parks arranged pretty soon and if you plan to camp you can reserve that in some places too.

I asked the questions before making suggestions because of all the things we cannot assume about travelers in their early 20s, or anyone for that matter.

If, for instance, they don't want to spend what's required to stay in the park or camp at GC, they could fly into Phoenix, stop to visit the red rocks for a lunch break in Sedona, continue through Oak Creek Canyon and base themselves in a comfy & inexpensive Airbnb room in Flagstaff. A college town, it won't be just a place to sleep, but a destination in itself. Day trips to the GC are perfectly doable.

We are looking to stay in cheap hotels..and we may rent a car or look for other options of transportation..we have not yet decided.
We will probably stay about an average of 1 week.
We do enjoy hiking, and being outdoors.

Other than a car, the only option may be a tour of some sort. That may not be a bad idea at all and may get you a moderately priced package that includes the parks and accommodations. I'd definitely look into it.

If you think you'd enjoy rafting the Grand Canyon, there are companies that provide everything, including, if I'm not mistaken, transport from the airport. But they aren't cheap, book up early and you'd be camping. But they're very popular.

In the meantime, failing a decision on transportation, it would seem to me impossible to make any other recommendations.