fsufan1

Hi, this is my first post ever to a chat site so bear with me please. My husband and I are planning a trip with two 21-year old men to Las Vegas, etc, for 1 week in mid-december. We're thinking of flying into Las Vegas, then on the 4th day renting a car and driving to the Grand Canyon, spending night 4 in Flagstaff, next full day & night in Flagstaff/Sedona area, then nights 6 & 7 in Phoenix, flying out of Phoenix. This plan is based simply on looking at the atlas, not on any other logic or desire to see anything specific. The things we'd like to show our son & his friend (other than Vegas) are the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. Other than that, we're winging it and I sure would appreciate some input from folks more experienced in traveling these areas. We're from sunny Florida and also wonder what to expect weather-wise. Thanks for any help you all might offer.
Go noles.

USNR

Mid-December weather in much of the area you plan to visit can be quite chilly (especially at night), so dress in layers -- sweater, jacket, hat, gloves. Doubt you will encounter snow, but Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon's south rim are at 7,000 ft. altitude. Keep an eye on weather reports, and you should then be prepared. I would estimate daytime temperature in LV to be about 50, Grand Canyon & Flagstaff about the same, Sedona around 60, and Phoenix around 70. In Florida you are accustomed to dampness. The southwest is quite dry, almost year round. Your plan appears quite doable. Enjoy!

El_Swainer

There are plenty of ancient indian ruins in Arizona.

BlackandGold

Are the 21 year olds primarily interested in gambling and clubbing, and that is why you are spending the most time in Vegas and Phoenix? Or are they outdoorsy guys who are very interested in seeing a part of the county that is very different than Florida? If they are the 2nd, I would eliminate any days in Phoenix altogether.

If you are driving on day 4 from Vegas to the Grand Canyon and then spending that night in Flagstaff this is only giving you about 1/2 a day at the Canyon. That doesn't seem to me to be enough time to appreciate it. If you are talking this December, you may not be able to get a room at the canyon but I suggest that you try. We just returned from an Arizona trip in Sept. We spent two nights at the Rim and that was about the perfect amount of time for a first time visit. The day we arrived we spent the afternoon hiking and taking the free shuttle along the rim to enjoy the overlooks. The next day we hiked a short way into the canyon with a ranger. This was great and took about 4-5 hours although we took a number of breaks including spending close to an hour at Cedar Ridge. We spent the rest of the day at the rim checking out the various historical buildings. We took our time leaving the following day, stopping at all of the viewpoints along the East drive.

I posted a trip report that will give you a lot of info about Sedona/Flagstaff /Grand Canyon.

Also remember that you will pay a hefty fee for renting a car in Vegas and dropping it off in Phoenix.

tovarich

Stay at least two days at the G.Can. Instead of staying in Flagstaff stay at Tusayan(at the entrance to the GC).Then stay in Sedona close to Flagstaff but much nicer scenerywise.On your way to Phoenix visit Montezuma castle(cliff dwelling).Paul

enjoylife

Check out www.showup.com. It tells you what is going on in the Phoenix area and also has discount tickets to events.

fsufan1

Thank you all for your help! Our 21-year old boys will get all their gambling/clubbing out of the way in Vegas, the rest of the trip is to see things we don't normally see in Fla. The hiking trips sound great. I had planned to fly home from Phoenix just to keep from doubling back. Sounds like the less time in Phoenix the better, maybe just go there the night before we fly home.
Thanks again,
f

fsufan1

Blackandgold, thanks VERY MUCH for your thoughts, I'll definitely take your advice on the GC!
f