nvl325

we find ourselves with a week or 10 days available for a trip with our 2 daughters (college break for Christmas). Wanted to think of a destination that we would all enjoy- sights to see, museums, a bit of shopping- we haven't been to the southwest before- would this be a good idea for that time period?

What would the weather be like? Do any of you Fodorites have a preference for either of these places, or any others in the area to suggest? thanks-

starrsville

If you had 10 days, I'd probably do both. With a stop at Mesa Verde and Grand Canyon "on the way".

10 days at just one or the other would be too long for me.

I'd fly into Phoenix and out of Alb, NM - or vice versa.

nvl325

thanks for the suggestion, Starrsville, of detouring through those other areas- I hadn't really thought of including both Sedona and Santa Fe in our trip, driving from one to the other. We could probably handle that- but the other places look a little too far flung for our family- we don't really do "car trips"- we're more apt to hit large cities for our trips!

If we did drive from Sedona to Santa Fe, are there any sights more directly between the two?

If we decide to just go to one place, and do something like day trips out from there, does anyone have any other suggestions for places not to miss? thanks!

MikePinTucson

Well, from Sedona here are some things you could do as day trips.

1. Grand Canyon
2. Jerome (morning) and Verde Canyon Railway (afternoon)
3. Painted Desert/Pertified National Forest, then Walnut Canyon, Wupatki Nat'l Mon/Sunset Crater
4. Around Sedona, chapel of the Holy Cross, hike around Bell Rock (short one), go to red Rock Park, browse/shop at Tlaquepaque.
5. Take a Pink Jeep tour (morning) brows the Sedona shops/galleries (afternoon)

That would take up half of your vacation, and you would be seriously on the go.

vegasnative

MikePinTucson~hey thanks for that info, it has helped me out a little too. Last October I headed your advice when we visited Tucson & Tombstone. This December we are taking our travel trailer to Sedona for 6 nights and I was thinking maybe it was too long for us. But we have not been to the GC and weather permitting we will take a day to do that...so thanks for the info on the other stuff to do around Sedona, appreciate it!