AZ/NM with kids - help!
 

We are taking our 11-, 13-, and 16-year old boys to AZ/NM next June. My husband has travelled out there on busines quite a bit and has lots of places he wants to show us, but I'm a bit worried about the distances involved. We plan to fly into Phoenix and drive to Prescott, spend two nights there (see Montezuma Castle and well, take the scenic train trip near Jerome, maybe see jerome). Nest drive up 89A, maybe see some pueblo ruins, go to Slide Rock Park, see some of the Red Rock country and spend the night near Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon. The next day head to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for three nights (sightsee on the way, see the IMAX film of the Canyon). I know you can take mule trips into the Canyon, but my non-riders are not to thrilled with being on a mule that long - are there shorter trail rides along the rim?). Next take two days/1 night to drive to Albuequerque (Painated Desert, Petrified Forest, pueblos near Grants/Acoma). Spend two nights is Alb. (balloon ride and Sandia Tramway), then drive to Taos for two nights (White water rafting). Drive south through San Antonio (eat at The Owl), spend the night in Ruidoso area, see the Alien Museum in Roswell, and on to White City. Spend two nights there (Carlsbad and maybe Sitting Bull Falls). Drive to El Paso and fly home.

Any suggestions? What about hotel suggestions (we prefer historic/funky to chain) and restaurant suggestions?

Thanks -

Adee, how long a trip is this? With three kids in that age group you'll be spending wayyyyy too much time unpacking, packing and trying to do laundry! Cut back and relax. Hit Phoenix and stay at the Pointe Resorts. They may be chain'ish, but WOW will your kids thank you - find the one with the water works - my kids still talk about it (4 years later). Keep yourself to Phx/Sedona. From Sedona you can see Jerome (long drive but worth it) - I hope I'm remembering this correctly! Red Rock is great if your kids are willing to hike and walk - and you'll want laundry facilities after that visit (think B&B 2 rooms). Otherwise, cut straight up to the Canyon - for the right $$ you can skip the mules and do the helicopters! BTW in Phoenix area there are companies that run jeep rides through the desert - those ages would love it. Good luck!

Do not know from where you are traveling, but one thing that really struck us in our UT, AZ trip this summer is the distances involved. Living in the northeast, it is easy to forget how far apart things are in much of the rest of the country. Think carefully about how much time you all want to spend in the car.

Also, while much of this part of the country is beautiful, much of it is also, quite honestly, boring after miles and miles of scrub growth and desert. Before we went I had this romantic notion that the desert looked like a beach with cacti - I do not know what I was thinking, but the miles of magnificent scenery I imagined was often bleak rocky ground that looked like the moon. So inbetween the wonderful places you are visiting, there may not be much to keep you interested.

Specifically commenting on Grand Canyon. Three nights may be too much (unless you are talking about 2 days/3 nights because of travel). Mule treks into Canyon are 2-day events. Instead you can hike part way down into Canyon (we did Bright Angel Trail at South Rim). Also, there is a shuttle bus that travels on a car-restricted roadway and stops at 8 viewpoints - even in the summer when we were there these overlooks were often empty except for us. Sounds like you would like staying at one of the National Park Service lodges - go to Xanterra.com as they handle all reservations.

If you do get as far as Albuquerque, you might consider throwing in an Isotopes game. The park is great, the crowd is fun and the souvenirs are really cool (especially if you're a Simpsons fan).

This is a 13 day trip, not counting getting there and home again. I know it sounds wild, but this is how we always travel and we manage! The trick is not to travel too light, stay most places at least two nights and find a laudromat than has drop-off service! Gail - We're in SW Florida, so we're used to driving forever to get anywhere except more of Florida - but still....maybe Gameboys can be played on certain days....The reason for three nights at the Grand Canyon was that we will arrive fairly late and leave early - plus laundry can be done there! Since we're not doing a mule trip and will only hike far enough down Bright Angel Trail so that we can say we did it (our youngest tires very easily), do you think a full day would be enough? If so, we could have two nights near Sedona and do a jeep trip - and find a laundromat that does your laundry - even better! dbenya - Thanks for the tip on the Isotopes - that was something I hadn't thought of.

Husband and 17 year old son (both in good shape) did the Bright Angel Trail hike. One can hike 1.5 miles down (3 miles RT), and there is a water stop at the 1.5 mile point. Also, another rest house twice as far down. They both said that they could easily have done twice the distance (they did the 1.5 mile one), but even though it was August and hot, they started very early in day while it was still overcast. Be sure to buy your kids the book "Over the Rim - Death in the Grand Canyon" while describes all the people who have died in various ways at the Grand Canyon - falling over edge, hit by lightening, rafting, etc. While it is rather morbid, it is actually interesting reading and my kids enjoyed reading it in the car. (And also torturing me with the accounts of death, since I had a fear one of us would actually fall into the Canyon)

How funny! I know I'll be a basket-case and the boys will love it! I get nervous and clutch them (to keep them from jumping out, I suppose) on ferris wheels, so - especially after I read the book you recommended - I don't know what I'll do at the edge of the canyon..

Hi!
As you're traveling from the Grand Canyon/Flagstaff area I would suggest that you spend the best part of your tourist time at Acoma Pueblo. It is fascinating. Acoma is the oldest continously occupied town in North America. Your boys should enjoy this because you can walk up to the top of the mesa (or take a bus up for the rest of us.) This is a great place to photograph although you have to pay on most pueblo land to take photos. Buy some indian bread made in the traditional Kivas, enjoy the beautiful church and the beautiful pottery.

When you're in Taos try the Apple Tree Restaurant, wonderful, a little pricey. The Fechin Inn, named after Nicoli Fechin, is a beautiful restful place where you can send the hubby and kiddos off to explore and enjoy a massage, tea, and the peacefulness of the place. Next door is the Fechin Museum, and unless things have changed the Inn includes entry to the museum. The Inn is also a great park and walk place so you can explore all the nooks and crannies of Taos and the historical square.

Between ABQ and Taos, right after you turn towards Espanola after leaving Santa Fe, is a small place called Chimayo. It is about 10 miles off the main road and is a very special New Mexican landmark. It is a very holy place and wonderfully peaceful. There is a great little New Mexician restaurant, Lydia's (I think) that is fun to eat at. Down the road is the home of the Ortega Weavers and IMHO one of the best gift shops to buy NM products around.

On your way back to Espanola on your way to Taos is the studio of Diana Bryer a great artist whose home is here in NM (www.rumplestiltskin.com).

Also, when you go to Taos, a few miles away,near Angel Fire, is a Veteran's Memorial, set in a peaceful place.

Don't forget the Natural History Museum, the ABQ Museum and Old Town in ABQ, Georgia O'keefe and the other museums in Santa Fe..the Plaza there is fun too (I like it better than than Taos')..and the Loretta Chapel is another treasure here (if you like music check out www.promusica.com for any concerts that might be there).

Santa Fe - simple lodging - Garretts Desert Inn, Guadalupe Cafe (wonderful breakfasts) and the Pink Adobe (an "establishment" in Santa Fe where the steaks are fork tender and you never know who you might see in there) are across, also a park and walk hotel, close to all the sights in Santa Fe. A couple of other good restaurants are Maria's for great New Mexican or Vanessie another great steak house. Again, Garretts is nothing exciting as a hotel, neat, clean and adequate, but it's under 200 a night within comfortable walking distance of the plaza and Canyon Road and all the sights in Santa Fe, parking is at a premium in Santa Fe and Taos.

I'll quit now, I am from Seattle originally and truly do love the "Land of Enchantment" Have a great trip!


Julie