tashabp

My husband and I and our two kids(14 and 11) are taking a 10 day trip the SW next June. Arriving in LV, driving to Zion for 2 nights, and as of now heading to Sedona for 3 nights before end back up in LV( JW Marriot) for 4 nights. We had planned on taking a day trip to the GC from Sedona possibly on the Williams Steam Train. I have heard so much about seeing the GC at sunrise and sunset and the charm? of staying on-site. Should we drive to the South Rim from Zion and stay overnight at the Kachina lodge before heading south to Sedona(cutting off one night in LV)? Is Kachina OK? I have requested a second floor room. Please let me know what you think. I have always gotten the best advice from the fodorites. Thanks!

sharondi

Seems to me the Grand Canyon and Zion are more interesting than Sedona. Definitely take a night off LV and possibly a night off Sedona and add Grand Canyon. And if you can get one, stay in a little cabin near the rim. You'll be so glad you did.

tashabp

Thanks for the reply. It didn't seem on Xanterra's web site that there are any cabins rimside. I just booked 2 Queen cabins at the Bright Angel.Is air conditioning necessary at night in June?

utahtea

I'm glad you decided on a night at the Grand Canyon. You might even consider two nights so you can really see the park.

I agree with Sharondi, it's a lot better than Las Vegas and Sedona.

Utahtea

sharondi

You don't have a view from the cabins but you need only walk a very short distance and you're at the rim. And the cabins are very reasonably priced. Not sure about a/c. Have been there every season but summer.

gail

We did LV, Zion, Bryce, GC with 2 teens a year ago (ages 12 and 17). My suggestions - less time in LV. After an attempt to create an image of a "family destination", LV has gone back to what it does best - playground for adults. There are certainly some things to do with teens, but with 10 days, it is probably the least attractive part of your trip.

I would drive from LV to Zion and Bryce Canyon (we liked Bryce better). They are close together and you can either spend a night at each or stay in between.

Spend at least one night at GC, depending on driving plans/arrival time. Bright Angel cabins directly on Rim are not really necessary - all cabins are 100 feet or so from Rim, and those right on Rim are actually right on a well-traveled paved footpath with people walking by your windows at all times of day and night. We were there in August and while it was hot during the day, at night it cooled down quite a bit. We also had 2 queen cabins and they were actually connected, with a door between. Cabins are basic and small, but clean and seem to fit into the landscape. You don't need to hike much to get a feel for the GC - there is a shuttle bus right from Bright Angel that has stops at various lookouts - and some you have much of the area to yourself if you walk between bus stops. There is also a trail at Bright Angel where you can hike a short way into the Canyon, with marked one and two mile stops - a 2 or 4 hour hike.

The drive through Southern Utah around Zion/Bryce is fantastic.

If the math does not add up to fit this in 10 days, subtract a day from Sedona as well - nice, but with teens probably not 3 days worth of nice.

Have a good trip.

mwessel

I'm with the rest of the posters....spending at least one night (and a chance to see both sunset and sunrise) at Grand Canyon is a must. We stayed at Kachina and it was great.

Our girls are 13 and 11 and we did a Grand Canyon / Sedona/ Las VEgas trip. They loved it. Our trip included 2 nights at Sedona and then 3 nights in Vegas. If I could go back and now and rearrange days, I'd add a day to Sedona and subtract one from Vegas. There was a lot to see and do based out of Sedona and I left feeling like we weren't finished!

However, if you ask our kids what was their favorite part of the trip, they both say, hands down, "Las Vegas." Go figure. In spite of how things there seem to be turning away from "family friendly", (ie, prices are outrageous for shows and food) there is still plenty for the kids to do and see and its fun and exciting and completely unlike anything else they've ever seen. Ours really loved the Freemont Street Experience.

Sherry

I agree with adding the night at the Grand Canyon. Just did this same trip and you are on the right track to go from Zion to the South Rim. It appeared to me that to go down to Sedona then back up to the South Rim was backtracking needlessly. Depending on what you plan to do while in Sedona or Vegas, I would definitely take one night off of one of them and use it for the Grand Canyon. Plus, have you considered Bryce? I had to cut it out but still wish I hadn't. Personally, I would give up a night in Sedona & Vegas each to add that as well as the Grand Canyon. As to spending 4 nights at the JW Marriott, we enjoyed it very much, but I am wondering how much time you plan to actually spend at the hotel or are you planning on driving into Las Vegas every day? Short easy drive, no problem there at all, but I am thinking that 4 nights at the JW may prove a little boring for your kids. All there is there for them really is the pool. But if you plan on going in to LV every day and making the JW your home base, then its great for that. You definitely will feel like you are getting away from all the hype of Vegas and enjoy returning to the JW each evening. Enjoy! I'm envious, we just got back and already I am researching the next trip back there!

tashabp

Thankyou for all the responses and great advice. I will add bryce and extend the trip by one day. will spend two nights in Sedona. I think I'll keep the 4 in LV as we plan alot of day trips into town as well as valley of fire.