We need help---three children-7-11-13 and two parents want to vacation in AZ in early April. We want to sightsee,horseback ride and do outdoorsey things. Where should we go-3city max-Scottsdale,Tucson, Sedona? And where do we stay to get a real southwest feel
p.s.we are planning to go the grand canyon when the 7 year old is older.

Last April, we stayed just outside Tucson at La Tierra Linda, a small, family-run hotel/resort that my kids (almost the same ages!) just loved. They have horseback riding but it is an option, not included, which gives you some flexibility. It it adjacent to Saguaro National Park. They have a web site, latierralinda.com

Don't know your price level, but, one hour west of Phoenix in Wickenburg, there are several dude ranches and the one I like the best is Rancho de los Caballeros. The rooms are wonderful, horses, pool and meals are included...golf is also available. We are staying there next month and stayed there last year in December. I notice their brochure says they have a great children's program and that is included also...you could not go wrong, that is for sure...it is also close enough to Phoenix that you could come to town and do other things that you might find interesting.

I heard on a radio travel program last week about don donnelly stables horseback rides in the Superstition Mtns east of Phoenix. Sounded just great. I thinke they had two websites - dondonnollystables.com and arizonahorsebackrides.com (I might be off a little, but i'm sure they are close)

They have rides from 1 hour and up.
I also can really recommend going to bisbee and taking the Queen Mine tour. Can also see Tombstone on the way. Frankly, I don't see what all the fuss is about Sedona

Tucson and the area south and southeast of Tucson is the best bet. There are several guest ranches right in the Tucson Area, ranging from quite reasonable to fairly expensive. If you want an area that resembles the ranch areas in old western movies and where prices should be quite reasonable, try to find info on ranches south and east from Tucson, especially in the area of a town called Patagonia.

If your kids are interested in astronomy, consider a short stay at the Skywatcher's Inn, near Benson, SE of Tucson. We spent a night there last April and had a really great time. It's like a privately owned home with all kinds of telescopes and astronomy related gadgets. They arranged for a private 4-hour introduction to the night sky, and we and our kids (9 and 11 at the time) really enjoyed it. Everybody was incredibly friendly and accommodating (I had called them a couple of times before with questions). They also have a small pond with a row boat and fishing gear. My son was thrilled when he caught a small fish. Their website is http://www.communiverse.com/skywatcher/
We also spent a night in Bisbee in the Bisbee Grand Hotel (they have a suite where you sleep in a covered wagon). Also visited Tombstone and the Colossal cave (Kartchner caves are supposed to be spectacular but we didn't have reservations.)

I don't think your children would enjoy Sedona at all. It is very touristy and overpriced. It is a beautiful area of red rocks and canyons, but maybe something to do when they are older. Why wait on the GC. It is a beautiful place no matter what age you are. Burro trips down into the canyon are fun, but you must plan in advance for this. If you are looking for western atmosphere, Wickenburg is good, but closer to Phx. is Carefree. Trendy but lots of good places to eat like the Satisfied Frog.

Mel- you must also be 4 feet 7 inches to take a "burro" into the canyon, which excludes most seven year olds.