During a school break my family hopes to travel to Grand Canyon in late 2/07, two children 11 & 13. We'll have (7) days total to travel. What else should we see in the area, best city to fly into, what lodgings? Any additional info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

best city fo fly into is phoenix. It's a relatively short dirve (2-3 hrs) to the GC from there. Most people find lots of NE Arizona also interesting--Sedona, Canyon de Shelley, MOnument valley..there also is a great cliff dwelling in SW Colorado (Mesa Verde?) that I think an 11 and 13 yr old would find interesting--altho there are 8 and 10-foot ladders--don't know if they are quite ready for them.

Mesa Verde with its' spectacular cliff dwellings is a great place to visit and is about 4 hours from Grand Canyon. The children should really like it and can easily do the climbing needed. It can sunny but cool in Feb. here in SW Colorado with even cooler nights. There can be snow on Mesa Verde during the winter months.

FYI, it's Canyon de Chelly [just so if you want to google it, you have correct spelling.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Good chance of snow at GC in Feb. The canyon is beautiful dusted with snow - but be aware.

Late February is going to be cool (temperature-wise) at the Grand Canyon, but definitely go anyway. Sedona, Phoenix and Tucson will all be warmer and have plenty of activities. Your best bet is to fly into Phoenix, drive to Grand Canyon (about 4 hours) and then head to Sedona, Phoenix or Tucson.

Plenty of threads on here about all of these places - again, your best bet is to do a search of the forums and read lots of threads. You'll get many more ideas from many different people than by just checking responses to this thread.

AHHHHHH...I've read so many threads my head is spinning! Once my kids saw Mesa Verde's website we HAVE to visit. I'm trying to make a big circle in 6-7 days. Fly into Phoenix and see these things but I'm not sure which order...Sunset Crater, Meteor Crater, Grand Canyon, (4) corners-requirement of my daughters, Mesa Verde, Canyon de Chelly, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert. What should I add, delete, how many days where and how much driving? Thanks!!

Easily done.

Sedona to Grand Canyon. Spend the night or two at Canyon or Cameron or Flagstaff.

180 through Monument Valley to 4Corners on the way to Durango. Spend the night.

Mesa Verde and back w/sw.

To be honest, I'm not sure I'd do Canyon de Chelly if you are doing both GC and Mesa Verde this trip. But, if you are, go to Chinle.

Stop at Hubbell Trading Post on way back to I 40.

West on 40. Petrified Forest/Painted Desert, Meteor Crater.

Consider spending the night at the Wigwam hotel in Holbrook. Teepee shaped buildings from the Route 66 glory days.

Back to Phoenix, maybe via Sedona.

Be aware...Flagstaff will quite likely have show...be cold and the snow can be significant.
Debi

Do you think this is a trip we should postpone until the Easter school break when the weather might be a little nicer?

Thanks again for everyone's help!

The later you will go, probably the better. Having said that, the first time I saw snow at the GC was during spring break!

I've also visited Durango twice in winter - on purpose! Flew in to Alb, NM just to drive up to Durango. Mesa Verde in Feb and the week between Christmas and New Years - just to see snow. It was so warm, we watched the snow melt instead

The roads are good. If you don't mind colder weather, I'd still go in Feb.

If you are going to Mesa Verde, we stayed in Cortez, closer than staying in Durango. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Cortez. This was a great hotel choice. Indoor pool for the kids. Nice, clean rooms. The best part was the amazing, FREE continental breakfast. It could hardly be called continental tho. It had cheese omeletes, make your own waffles, warm cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, fruit, breads, etc. It was more like a full breakfast. This was a great place to stay

Sounds like a very nice place - and I don't have a favorite in Durango.
But, I do like walking around Durango before and after dinner, browsing and just seeing those gorgeous mountains behind the skyline (?) of the town.

My trip is beginning to take shape!
Friday: Arrive Phoenix late evening-spend night
Saturday: Head for GC-spending night at Thunderbird (Should we see anything on the way to GC-Meteor Crater,Sunset Crater, Wupatki NM?)
Sunday: Mule ride to Phantom Lodge to spend the night-I couldn't believe they had availability!!
Monday: Leave GC when return from Phantom; drive to Monument Valley (Gouldings)
Tuesday: MV until noon (take tour?) then head to 4 corners for picture & on to Mesa Verde
Tue/Wed night: Mesa Verde
Thurs: Canyon de Chelly (tour?)
Friday: ?
Sat: Phoenix-fly home in evening

What should I tweak? The only thing in stone at this point are the (2) nights at GC. After that the musts are 4 corners picture for my daughters and Mesa Verde. Thanks for all your help!!

I would definitely tweak the night after the mule ride - depending on when you return from the ride. We (adults and kids) were exhausted from a 1 day mule ride - the tirest we had been on the trip. We had body parts we didn't remember we even had aching! So, I wouldn't do a long drive that afternoon/evening. In fact, we were glad we were able to come back to the room and collapse. I don't even remember what/ if we ate for dinner that night.

If you can't get the extra room in the park, then stay right outside or in Flagstaff or Cameron. Cameron Trading Post would be a great option. Inexpensive lodging next to the trading post. If you stay there, be sure to have their Indian fry bread for breakfast the next day.

I would definitely add another night at or near the GC after the mule ride - even if that means you lose a night elsewhere. As much as I loved Canyon de Chelly, you could skip that or drive to and do the tour in one day rather than an overnight in Chinle. Be sure to take a private tour - not the "shake and bake" tour.

Have fun! Sounds like a great trip!

What do I need to know about the mule ride? Any tips or wish I had known that before... info that would help us? Thanks so much Starsville for your help!

I agree that staying in Cortez while visiting Mesa Verde is a great idea. The Holiday Inn Express is very nice [we stayed there the night before we moved into our house].

Here is a useful link to things in Cortez area. Be sure to do to the Anasazi Heritage Center just outside of Cortez. It is small but a true gem and your children will like it's hands on features. You can be in and out in an hour. We have quite a few good places to eat in Cortez. Durango is nice, but pricey.

http://www.cityofcortez.com/visiting.shtml

I understand wanting to take a picture at Four Corners, but it really isn't anything but a round cement like thing and you have to pay to get to it. You have to pay even before you see what it is [or isn't in this case]. But if you have to...no biggie.

Hope this helps...
Debi

I read time and time again that Four Corners is a tourist trap and is a waste of time and money. What? 5 bucks? It used to be free - and now they must charge. On a SW trip, how much impact is a fee going to have on your expense budget. If the answer is "significant" - then don't go on the trip.

Four Corners is the only places in the USA where 4 states touch. There is a concrete pad with compass points and state names in the medallion. TOURIST TRAP ALERT!

Having my picture made standing in four states at one time is one of my favorite, albeit, kitschy memories.

Having their pictures made as the did the "Twister" type poses were my kids' favorite pictures of their trip.

If there is a fee connected to it now, I'd just chalk it up to a photo op.

When you get out of the car, there will be vendors selling jewelry. TOURIST TRAP ALERT!!

I enjoy browsing and often buy something. If this bothers you, avoid virtually every stop in the road in the Southwest. DANGER, DANGER! Don't stop at the Dairy Queen in Oak Creek Canyon. TOURIST VENDOR ALERT! Don't stop at Marble Arch on the way to Page. TOURIST VENDOR ALERT! (By the way, a vendor took apart other pieces of pre-made jewelry to customize a necklace and earring set just for me. By the time we had crossed the bridge and back, my unique turquoise jewelry set was ready - and I've received many compliments on them. I know now to keep my mouth shut if I happen to wear them at a Fodors GTG. I bought them at a TOURIST TRAP!

When we were there, there were Indians in native dress, complete with headdresses and horses. They CHARGED A FEE - WARNING - TOURIST TRAP ALERT!!! to have your picture made on a horse, with a Native American, with the grand SW vista behind you. INCREDIBLE, ULTRA TOURIST TRAP!!!!!

Those pictures of the kids were some of the best of the entire trip and some of my favorite pictures of their childhood.

So, I guess I have to agree. If the fee is going to stretch the piggy-bank, if you want to get out to stretch you legs at a random pull-off on the side of the road with traffic whizzing by, and you are offended by vendors and photo opps with horses, BY ALL MEANS zoom right on by Four Corners. You will be getting a head start on all those crazy people, excuse me, TOURISTS. And, if I happen to be there posing and shopping and shooting, I will be glad you are putting more pavement between you and me. Rush on by. Save your nickels.

Some of what you need to know about the mule ride: (1) you are very lucky to have gotten these reservations! Phantom Ranch is a very special place. You and your children will love it. (2) It is very, very tiring to sit on a mule for the ride down and then back up. The trail drops 4,400 feet in 7+ miles (if you take the Bright Angel Trail). We hiked down, and the mule trains that passed us had lots of people that looked like they wished they were walking too! It helps a lot if you are used to riding. Otherwise you will have some very sore leg muscles. (3) You need to trust your mule---don't get anxious if he goes near the edge. We saw people trying to rein their mules back to the inside of the trail; it was a losing battle and the wrangler yelled at them for it. (4) Walking around after you get off the mule helps with the soreness. Have a lemonade in the "Canteen", and then explore the area a bit before dinner.

It really amazes me that when someone offers a bit of advice in which the intent is to provide a personal insight...that they are subjected to other people's nasty and unhelpful comments.

We all have our own opinions and seek to share them so others may make informed decisions. That is the idea behind this forum.

Let's leave the sarcasm out of this.

I am greatly disappointed.

To kargirls...

I would like to clarify my reply to you -- I wanted you to know what was at Four Corners so that your children would not have unrealistic expectations and perhaps be disappointed in what was there.

I know only too well what it is like when children have an image in their heads about something and then find that reality is not exactly like they envisioned. Not to say that children can't accept that or that it is not a growing experience for them.

My earlier post was trying to get that across and perhaps it didn't come out correctly.

I am a HUGE advocate and supporter of travel and the related areas -- especially here in the SW. I live in the Four Corners area and tourism is the main economy here and it has been struggling over the past few years. As someone I was helping here on Fodor's recently referred to me, I try to be an "ambassador" for my community.

It has always been my intention to give folks useful suggestions so that they may make informed decisions about their travel time, which means so much to us all.

I am greatful to all those who have given me such suggestions in the past and only hope that I have been able to provide others with the same sort of info.

Debi