Planning trip for family of five, incl. two adults,and 3 others 20, 16, 12. Can only schedule in August.Seven or eight day trip from east coast, considering two days in scottsdale area, then travelling to south rim of grand canyon. Plan to visit Sedona and wondering whether to stay there and take tour to south rim, or maybe drive there and then on to Vegas for two days before flying home from there. Too much? How safe is the drive from Arizona to Las Vegas? Any suggestions would be welcome as to itinerary, lodgings, etc.

Scottsdale and Phoenix were lovely areas to us (we are English and have visited Arizona twice) because we had family there and were experiencing America (which we love). But for Americans I would say it was not much more than any other pleasant town. One trip I would recommend would be tyre ride down the river. All that is needed is a (waterproof) cold box for water and food. You collect your tyre innertubes and float down the river (never deeper than your waist). It is cheap, relaxing and fun. Don't forget some thin rope to tie your tyres together and an old bed sheet each. The sheets are to drape over your tyre because they get very hot - too hot to lie on otherwise! We stayed at Scottsdale Camelback Resort - Lovely.

Sedona is beautiful. Nice restaurants, lovely scenary. We stayed at the Super 8 Motel which was clean and plenty adequate. It was quite reasonable in price too. The Wild Toucan Restaurant is a must!

The Grand Canyon is as beautiful as they say. For a first time visit a trip around the southern rim is great. We have been twice now and have done this twice. We now want to hike down but there is an average 6 month waiting list - so be warned. There are of course cancellations on some days but you are taking a risk if you really want to do it. To save paying the prices of Grand Canyon Hotels, Flagstaff or Sedona are goodd enough bases for seeing the Grand Canyon.
There is nowhere on earth like Las Vegas. It's great and such a contrast to the sights you will have seen in Arizona. The only problem I would say is that there is not an awful lot to do for under 21's because they get moved on all the time. In the day though there is Wet'n'Wild for them and a lot of the hotels do have small amusement areas for under 21's. These are aimed more at the children aged under 21 not 16 and 20 year olds.

E-mail me if you have any questions

Assuming you understand it will be very hot! Stay in a nice hotel in Scottsdale, one with a great pool. The Heard Museum is super if you are interested in Native American art. Sedona and the South Rim should be slightly cooler than the Phoenix area because of altitude, but as suggested above, wet is the most comfortable way to go. If any of the 20,16,12 year olds are girls, stop at one of the trading posts or if you see Navajos selling things on the side of the road. The silver jewelry is nice and affordable. I can't recommend Las Vegas. Think it will be frustrating for the 20 year old because he/she will be tossed from the casinos. But, you know them better. Again, search this forum for suggestions for good pools and other attractions to keep them occupied. The trip from Phoenix to Las Vegas is perfectly safe--don't really understand that question.

Kam why do you assume a 20 year old will get "tossed from the casinos". If they look 16, yes, but many people at the tables look like they could pass for under 21 to me, and as long as they're close, act maturely and blend in, they tend not to get hassled (exception may be super luxury casinos at night).

Because I had a son who visited Las Vegas many times from LA with friends and always was told to "move on". The only casinos that the kids could get into were the lesser ones downtown. Anything on the strip they were tossed from. Even at 25 (now) he is sometimes asked to show I.D.

first reply is refering to tubing down the Salt River, east of Phx. the sheet or towel will protect you from picking up an itchy rash from the rubber on the tubes. SPF30+, please. You can "put out" at sev. stops along the slow running river. A few deep spots, so make sure all are confident swimmers. Alt. water fun spot is Slide Rock in Oak Creek Canyon just outside Sedona; v. popular, take yr water shoes and note it's sometimes closed due to high bacteria counts.

I am was 26 and 23 the twice I went to Las Vegas and got asked for ID all the time - even for change for the Coke machine!!!!

In Scottsdale, if $ is not a major issue, stay at Gainey Ranch or the Biltmore. Do your research. Scottsdale has the greatest resorts in the country in my opinion. Gainey has ten swimming pools and a little beach at the resort. The drive to Vegas is considered a dangerous stretch of road. I went to college in AZ and made the drive late at night a number of times. Make the drive during the day and stop and check out the Hoover dam. It is right before Vegas and is breathtaking. As for the canyon, not really my cup of tea, never been.
Enjoy AZ, I know I did!

Kay,

I feel like such a kill-joy to offer this advice, but Kay, as you have teens, please make sure everyone knows not to do any diving into the water. When I lived there, there was the occasional unfortunate incident in which someone hit something diving in, and the outcome is often poor.

Have fun, though!

Kay, my previous message had to do with tubing down the river.

BB

The casinos in Nevada are very strict about the age issue. My son, who is 29, has been asked for ID since his 21st Birthday.

Even if the casino does allow them to play, it is stupid to do so. If a minor wins a jackpot, the casino will not allow them to keep it. Trust me, they will definitely ask for proper ID before paying out.

I live in the Phoenix area. There are many very, very nice resorts with special summer prices (cuz it's so doggone hot but I love it!) and they aren't all in Scottsdale. Try The Pointe Resorts (they have a website). There are 3 and they have awesome pool areas with slides and waterfalls, etc. & they have children acitivities. The Pointe at Tapatio Cliffs and The Pointe at Squaw Peak are very centrally located for local site-seeing as well as near the northbound freeway (I-17).

My sister's family was just here - 2 kids, ages 10 & 15. They drove up thru Sedona (didn't spend the night), then on to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. They spent the night in Williams but wish they would've gone back to Flagstaff (Williams doesn't have much!). Kids thought it was awesome. Next day they drove to Hoover Dam and did the 1-hr tour where you go down in the dam in an elevator - again kids loved it. Then an hour later they were in Las Vegas, stayed 2 nights at Excalibur. There are quite a few things for kids that they really enjoyed: roller coasters (NY NY, Stratosphere), casino-like arcades (good ones at Excalibur, Circus Circus, Stratosphere) where the kids play for points instead of $$ and can win prizes (came back with several items including a lava lamp!). There are quite a few shows the kids might like too - magicians etc. If you want more info, email me personally ([email protected]) and I can also hook you up with my sister.

Hope you enjoy your visit. And while you're here - don't miss Rawhide in north Scottsdale. It's fun for kids and adults! We take every visitor there!