help! late December/early January in Arizona
 

Hello again fellow fodorites!
I'm inviting my adult kids (2 couples plus a kid and baby) to meet up in Arizona in Dec/Jan. I'm just not sure where to go: we like to hike, explore nature, experience local and indigenous culture, eat, chill. It seems better to have a home base for the week and take short day trips. It will be winter and we're coming from winter, so no need to see snow caps, although we're aware it won't be hot! Can you give your opinion on best winter hikes? Scottsdale vs. Tucson areas? (after the family trip, we two will be staying for an additional week. probably somewhere else in the state....)
Thanks in advance for your good advice!

Sedona is the self-proclaimed Day Hike Capital of America. It's also within striking distance of the ancient villages on the Hopi Reservation which date from the 1200s AD (not sure if open due to pandemic) and the Grand Canyon. It might not be warm enough for you with daytime highs in the 50sF. Tucson is the other option. See the other posts on here about it.

Thanks, clarkcoan. I have been to Sedona, it is remarkable, but you are right about the lower temperatures. With the little kids, I think the 3 1/2 hour drive between Tucson and Sedona will be too much. Having read the other posts (before I posted!), I'm wondering why no one has a good word about Phoenix/Scottsdale area?

In November 2019 my DW and I used Flagstaff as a base for day trips to Sedona, Grand Canyon South rim, Winslow and Desert View (east entrance GCNP). We visited a couple of attractions in Flagstaff including the Lowell Observatory. I liked the lodging and food options in Flagstaff better than Sedona.

Re: Phoenix/ Scottsdale. Population is approaching 5 million, congestion, traffic.
Tucson and area , 1 million. Much easier to get around, higher mountains.