I live in the eastern U.S. I have a friend who will be visiting me from another country in the spring of next year. We have decided to take a vacation in Arizona while he is here. We are looking at maybe a week and a half vacation. We have decided to fly into Phoenix and leave oue of Las Vegas, so we can see as nuch as possible without having to backtrack.He wants to see the Grand Canyon. I would like to spend a couple of days in Las Vegas, since I have never been. From all the travel sites and travel books I have looked at, it looks like there is so much you can do in Arizona, not to mention southern Utah. There's the desert in Tucson, the red rocks in Sedona, a list of all kinds of things to see in and around the Navajo Reservation in northeastern Arizona and Bryce Canyon in southern Utah. Since this is a one tine trip I would like to plan the best selection and variety of things we can do. Anything I should definitely not miss? Any ideas on an itenery where we will have time to see what we want without being put in too big of a rush? Places to stay or eat that are unique?





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Consider flying into Tucson instead of Phoenix. We got a much better airfare from United when we did that. Also rental cars are cheaper in Tucson. We did Tucson (don't miss the Desert Museum, especially the hummingbird aviary), one night in Flagstaff, one night at the GC, stops at Walnut Canyon and the Meteor Crater, one night in Phoenix, and back to Tucson in 6 days. You could easily do Vegas if you have 4 more days.

If you can get a cheaper fare to Tucson, I would do that because there are quite a few interesting places to visit in Southern AZ and then you won't be backtracking. (however, it has always been my understanding that fares to Phoenix are generally much lower as Tucson is sort of at the 'end of the line')

Go from Tucson to Bisbee and take the QUeen Mine tour - a fantastic trip inside an unerground copper mine. ALso see the HUGE open pit mine next door. On the way back, stop at Tombstone. Also try to see the Kartchner Caverns near Benson (need reservations that time of year).

If you like movies, you may want to visit Old Tucson. It is a old west themepark with sets to walk around and shows to see.

If you intend visiting the Gr. Canyon stick to your plan of flying into PHX. Consider this itinerary:
Phx to Sedona
Sedona to Gr. Canyon, south rim
Gr. Canyon to Monument Valley (takes you through the heart of Navajo Nation lands)
Monument Valley to Bryce
Bryce to Zion
Zion to Las Vegas
CAn be done in 10 days if you don't spend too much time in PHx and Las Vegas.
If interested and you want specifics post a reply

I had come up with two different itineraries. The first: two nights in Phoenix, the next night in Sedona, the next two nights traveling through the Navajo territory (Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, the Petrified Forest), the next night at the south rim, the next night at Bryce Canyon, the next night at Zion and finishing out with the last two nights in Las Vegas. The second: the first three nights in Phoenix (with maybe a day trip to Tucson), up to Sedona for the next two nights, the south rim the next night, the next night in Bryce Canyon, the next night in Zion with the last two night in Las Vegas. The first plan looks like an awful lot of driving for ten days and I wonder on both plans if a day apiece in Bryce Canyon and Zion is enough. RQF, how many days were you figuring for your itinerary? Am I trying to do too much in too short of a time?

Day 1 -- PHX
Day 2 - Leave Phx around noon and head for Sedona (110 Miles). Overnight in Sedona
Day 3 - Sedona until early afternoon and go to Gr. Canyon (about 105 miles). Overnight at Gr. Canyon
Day 4 - View the west rim in the morning In the afternoon leave Gr. Canyon through the east entrance. You drive the east rim to do this making stops at the various overlooks. After leaving the Canyon head to Monument Valley (160 miles). Overnight in Kayenta (20 miles from Monument Valley, or Goulding 2 miles from Canyon
Day 5 - take a 3 or 4 hour tour of the valley in the morning. After tour head for Lake Powell (105 miles)making a stop at the Navajo National Monument. Overnight in Lake Powell (Page, AZ)
Day 6 - make an early start and head for Bryce (155 miles). Spent rest of day at Bryce and overnight at Bryce
Day 7 - tour Bryce until noon and then head for Zion (85 miles). Tour Zion in afternoon and overnight in Zion (Springdale).
Day 8 - Spend day in Zion and in late afternoon start out for Las Vegas (163 miles).
Day 9 - Las Vegas
Day 10 - Las Vegas.
Roads in area are good. You will be on Navajo Nation lands when you head for Monument Valley. Total mileage is under 900 miles and less than 60 miles involve backtracking. If this sounds okay lodging and restaurant recommendations can be made.

Chuck and rqf: it seems to be that you both have set very busy itineraries. I think you should just pick out the things you really want to see, trying to have some variety, and just take your time with a more relaxed pace. After all, you are on vacation!

If your friend is interested in seeing things both unique and culturally interesting, here's a thought for an itenerary. Las Vegas is a great choice for seeing the extremes that either desperation, greed, or false hope can take you to. Juxtaposed to the south and east of LV is the great, lonely beauty of wide open spaces, of the Navajo reservation, and a unique view of the world.
I think you'd give your guest the gift and memories of a lifetime to take the moderate detour out of Flagstaff on 40 E thru Winslow and Holbrook. Stop at Petrified National Park, continue on and then go north on 191 in Chambers and show him/her the subtle beauty and spirituality of the Navajo reservation on your way to Las Vegas.
Points of interest:
- Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado
- Canyon de Chelley, out of Chinle
- Discover other points of interest for yourself
Continue north on 191 to 160 West near the border of Utah. Then proceed west through Kayenta and Tuba City and beyond to 89 South 16 miles to 64 west out of Cameron.

Then do the Grand Canyon and continue on as planned.

Enjoy broadening your perspectives and showing your friends something they'd never imagined!!!

Peter,

I have a feeling that Chuck has already taken his trip since his post was back in 2001 and he was planning it for spring of 2002!

Utahtea