I am trying to pick a vacation for this summer with 2 kids. We have never been out west and are thinking about flying into Pheonix, staying in phoenix/scottsdale area at a really nice resort for 4 nights, then going to sedona for 4 nights in which we would go one day to the grand canyon. I realize it will be hot, but will be so hot we won't be able to enjoy it? I am considering do this at the end of March, but will the kids activities be up and running? What is the weather at the end of March? Is it warm enough to swim, do slide rock etc?

March in Phoenix is beautiful. Generally in the low to mid-80s. I suggest you contact the resort directly to find out if their kids' programs will be running that time of year. (Since Phoenix is a popular spring break destination, I would guess yes, but you never know.) Can't help you with questions re: slide rock in the Sedona area.

A summer vacation in March?
Hmmm.
Anyway, Arizona is not 'too hot' anywhere in March (unless you're coming from Nome or Fairbanks).
Sedona gets an avg of 1.6 inches of snow in March.
Average daily high temps in late March are 78-81 in Phoenix, with lows of 51-53.
For Sedona highs are 66-68, with lows of 39-41. (Realize that Sedona is at 5000 ft elevation).
If it's not cloudy in Phoenix, pools can be enjoyed. Sedona's too cold for a pool for me in March, but some people still swim there.
My favorite month in AZ is April, warm, not too hot.

Just in case you or your kids would be interested, baseball spring training is going on in March throughout the Phoenix area. www.cactusleague.com

We used to live in Phoenix. The weather in Phoenix in March can be somewhat iffy. Usually it is pretty nice but it can be cold and rainy. We were in Scottsdale in mid-March last year for a week. It was only nice 2 out of the 7 days, The other days were rainy and very cool. However, the week before was in the 80's. Sedona will definitely be pretty cool and even colder at the Grand Canyon. I would go in April if that is possible.

The other thing that you have to consider is being able to get accommodations in the Phoenix area during March. That is their peak month and good accommodations can be pretty scarce, especially this late. Baseball's spring training games are on during March and they are a big draw. In fact that is why we were in Scottsdale this past March.

Arizona has seven climatic zones (or ecotones), depending on the altitude. For example, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon rim are 7,000 ft., Sedona is 4,500, and Phoenix is 1,200.

March weather depends on where you are, but generally it is some of our best. Warm days and cool nights. It can be quite chilly at the Grand Canyon at night. Don't worry about heat, even in Phoenix, in March.

Remember that Arizona's climate may be much drier than where you live. Relative humidity affects how you react to the temperature, even when it is 100+ during the daytime in summer. Out in the sun? Hot. In the shade? Quite comfortable. And the temperature drops quickly in late afternoon. You will have a marvelous time if you and the children just remember to drink plenty of water.

I am sorry, but I think I wasn't clear on what I was asking. We want to come this summer, specifically around July 18 for about 8 or 9 days. I wanted to know if those two areas are too hot then. I am considering doing the trip in March over Spring Break but prefer the summer and March we only have one week off. I can see now how it was written that I was unclear.

We drove through Arizona this past August - from Grand Canyon to Yuma to San Diego. It was the second hottest place I have ever been (Egypt being the hottest). When we got out of the air conditioned car it made you feel like you were inside an oven.

Heat at Grand Canyon, however, was very manageable. Even able to do some hiking. It all sounds great to me now that I am stuck in the sub-zero of the northeast.

My sister and I took our 5 kids ages 16 to 4 to Sedona and the Grand Canyon for 10 days last June 22nd. We didn't stay in Phoenix but it was 110 and unbearable at the airport. In Sedona we hit a "cool spell" the natives told us, low 80's-low 90's, which we thought was perfect because there was no humidity, and at night we needed a sweater. We went to the Grand Canyon for a few days and the weather was great too. Sedona was a little hot to be hiking mid-day, I would advise you to do it early morning or late afternoon. Make sure you do the pink jeep tour while visiting. My 10 year old son loved Slide Rock State Park. The teenagers weren't too interested in it and my 4 year old totally wiped out - not appropriate for a young child at all. If you do go, make sure it is not on the weekend, since they close the gates because of the crowds.

The downside to Phoenix in July is that you'll be very restricted in what you can do outdoors from about 11 AM until at least 5 PM. And that's if you're used to the heat. Even more of an issue when you have kids along.
Average daily high in July is 105, and it commonly gets over 110.
Much of the attraction of Phoenix has to do with outdoor activities. It isn't a city with a lot of indoor attractions relative to its size.
The Grand Canyon and Sedona are much better most days during the summer, but Sedona still averages a high of 95 in July.
With kids, I'd pick March over July, but everything is much more expensive, and probably already booked up by now.

I'm a native, born and raised in Phoenix. I now live out of state, and would NEVER go home for a visit in July if I could help it. And 105 is modest. As kids we used to fry eggs on the sidewalk in the summer. And it can...and does get upwards of 120 degrees. But, hey it's an experience and the kids won't die or anything. As for Sedona, it will be warm but pleasant in July, very beautiful. So, my advice...if it's only for 4 days in Phoenix, then go and enjoy. Lots of people live there and survive just fine. Scottsdale has much to see and do "inside", such as high end shops etc. Hope this helps a bit.

The heat in July in Phoenix is unbearable! Especially if you're coming from a cooler climate. And it's too hot to really enjoy any outdoor actvities. I've lived here for 3 years and I still haven't gotten use to the heat. I'd say it's around 105-110. In Sedona about 10 degrees cooler. March would be a great time to visit Phoenix.