Our family (mom, dad and 12/15 yr.old kids)are visiting the Grand Canyon area in mid-March. We will fly into Las Vegas and spend the night before driving to the south rim. We have 5 nights available until we need to get back to Las Vegas and fly home. We are considering spending 3 nights at the GC and 2 nights elsewhere. Where else? Anyone have opinions on whether heading to Oak Creek canyon/Sedona or Zion Natl. Park would be best for sightseeing, light hiking? We'd like some input about our options or any others that are suggested.This is a one-time trip, but don't want to cover so much ground that we are wiped out by the time we return to the midwest.

I've been to the Grand Canyon seven times, including two trips to the bottom. I honestly think that three nights there is too MUCH unless you plan to do some major hiking. One day to see the overlooks, one day to hike down the Bright Angel Trail and/or the Rim Trail -- that's about it. So you may want to give yourself a little more time for others places.

I usually recommend that people do a variety of things when visiting a place. Thus, seeing both Grand Canyon and Zion NP would be too much red rock valleys for one short trip (and I say this as someone who loves Zion greatly). I would thus recommend seeing some Anasazi ruins and perhaps some relaxation in Sedona.

Thus I would recommend you go south from the Canyon.

I'd agree that three nights at the Grand Canyon may be more than you need. You (and the kids) might enjoy visiting Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater, not too far from Flagstaff. And, the Oak Creek Canyon/Sedona area really is beautiful.

I would highly recommend two nights at GC, a three hour drive to Monument Valley for the 2p.m. tour and overnight at Goulding's Lodge and onto Canyon de Chelly(shay)for tour and Thunderbird Lodge and the next day back to LV......we have done these three many times and they coordinate and complement each other so beautifully....the tours are wonderful and informative.

It sounds as though the Sedona area is the consensus. Monument valley, etc. sounds fascinating, but too far east for a car trip back to Las Vegas for an afternoon departure. Re: Sedona, suggestions for low budget accomodations and activities? So many of the resorts and B and B's seem targeted for romantic getaways. For a family vacation, we need something different. I'd like to avoid chain hotels that we can find anywhere. Futher advice? Thanks for the input so far.

I agree with others that 2 days (one night) at Grand Canyon will be plenty. I also agree with the reply about Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly.

Perhaps these could be done "first", then Grand Canyon, then back to Vegas?

You can drive through Monument Valley in your own vehicle, does not have to be 2:00 tour.

At Canyon de Chelly, you'll want to take a jeep tour down into the canyon. You do not need to reserve in advance, there will be many jeeps there waiting for tourists.

Enroute, you'll want to stop at the Hoover Dam (at least for a look see from the top). It just suddenly comes upon you and there are very few parking spaces so you have to watch for it, or you'll be past it with no where to turn around to get parking.

Zion is beautiful but might still have snow in March ??

Personally I feel the Sedona / Oak Creek Canyon area is beautiful country but the "town itself" is way too touristy.

Have fun! It's a beautiful part of the country.

We spent a week in Sedona last Aug. in a time share, so I can't help with hotel suggestions. Someone mentioned the Pink Jeep Tour, which came highly recommended, but we ended up on the Hummer Tour which was the absolute highlight of my kids' trip (ages 14, 10 and 8). Just an idea...Also, the ride is a bit smoother for adults in the party!

Following is how I would organize the trip.
Day 1 - Gr. Canyon
Day 2 - Gr. Canyon leaving the Canyon in early evening and spending the night at Lake Powell or Page, Az,
Day 3 - Zion
Day 4 - Zion
Day 5 - return to LV
Visiting Monument Valley , Canyon de Chelly would add lots of miles to the trip
An option would be day 3 Bryce, day 4 Zion , day 5 return to lV

I'd agree with "Rob".

We circled the GC and entered via the eastern entrance. This gave us a chance to see Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, Wupatki, Cameron Trading Post (nice place to stay), dinosaur tracks, Antelope Canyon (page), and Zion before returning to Vegas.

This may be too much traveling for your family, but you could enter from the eastern entrance and head back to Vegas afterwards.

I think some exposure to the Native American culture (Navajo, Hopi, etc.) would be good for most teenagers.

My pictures are at: www.mikehoneycutt.com

Mike Honeycutt

I've loved reading everyone's suggestions. Now I wish we were going to be in the area for a longer visit. I really do need to limit the time we are on the road. We have a better time when we settle in one place for a few nights rather than move every day. Any other input is welcomed. We're always interested in restaurants that are not part of a chain. If we stay in Sedona, is Jerome a good place to spend a little time seeing?

I am going to disagree with the Sedona advice. You are coming and going from Las Vegas.

I would not spend more than 2 nights at the GC unless you were planning to do something like hike to the bottom.

From there, I would head East and then north towards Page. Stop at Grand Canyon of the Little Colorado and then head north towards Page. At Marble Canyon you can drive your car to the bottom of the GC and watch the boats load up for the long trips.

After doing that, you could overnight in Page and take a boat trip on Lake Powell the next day.

Then head back to LV via Zion Park overnighting wherever it is convenient.

I love Sedona, by the way, but it does not work very well if you need to fly out from Vegas. It works better from Phoenix.

If you take the itinerary I have listed, you will not double back on the same boring interstate between Vegas and the GC. You will go around the North Rim (but not to it). That road is much more interesting. There are several places to stop and buy Indian jewelry--always my downfall in the Southwest.

I love visiting Jerome. It's an old copper mining town, now full of small galleries and some good restaurants that are definitely not affiliated with chains! There are also stunning views out over the valley. I'd think your kids would enjoy Jerome.