Mother/Daughter trip to Arizona
 

I am planning a "sun" vacation with my daughter, age 26, for the first week of March and Arizona in on the short list. If we were to fly in to Phoenix, see the Grand Canyon, then head south what would be the typical weather that time of year? We would arrive on the 1st and leave on the 7th flying in and out of Phoenix. Would welcome itinerary advice. We mostly like to see local nature and culture, and relax by a nice swimming pool. Not big shoppers, spa-goers or golfers. Thanks for your help.

Be aware that early March is "spring training" in Phoenix, so hotels run fuller and more expensive. Also, Phoenix is not the best place to fly into to go to the Grand Canyon (Las Vegas is much closer).

The weather should be great, but not hot (70s) (that's why they hold spring training there), but not always -- it can be rainy and cold, too.

Also consider flying to Tucson. Great resorts with world class pools, excellent weather, with beautiful canyons and trails to hike or bike. Local art community in Tubac just south. Historic mission on the way. Good SW restaurants. Much smaller city than Phoenix without the traffic and spring training crowd.

It's not the Grand Canyon but it's a grand destination.

<b>what would be the typical weather that time of year?</b>

Usually great weather in March in Phoenix, sunny and maybe 70 F during the day. But there's a chance a storm will pass by and cloud it up for a day or two (currently we are in a week-long wave of storms, the worst in almost 20 years, that are dropping almost a year's worth of rain in just a few days).

Grand Canyon is typically 20 degrees colder than Phoenix and a passing storm will mean snow up there due to the high elevation.

As sf7307 mentions March is very busy because of spring training (and because so many people from up north want to get out of the cold) but if you are OK with the room rates then it's a great time to visit.

sf7307 also wrote <b>"Phoenix is not the best place to fly into to go to the Grand Canyon (Las Vegas is much closer)."</b> This is not true for the main visitor area at the south rim. From the Phoenix airport it's approximately 228 miles to Tusayan (mapquest says 3 hrs 35 min), from Las Vegas airport it's 269 miles (4 hrs 15 min on mapquest).

You can probably find cheaper car rates from Vegas though due to lower airport taxes, unless some giant convention has pumped up the car rental rates.

Actually, Phoenix is at least an hour closer to the Grand Canyon than is Las Vegas (use your favorite mapping software to confirm).

At the Grand Canyon, expect highs in the upper 40's, and lows in the low 20's. There's a chance of snow, although it isn't likely to be a serious problem that late in the season -- and it makes the canyon more beautiful.

sf7307 is incorrect, Phoenix is closer to the Grand Canyon south rim than Las Vegas so it will be much more convenient to fly into PHX.

From the Phoenix airport to GC Village is 233 miles, and about 3 1/2 hours. From the Las Vegas airport, it is 276 miles and almost 4 1/2 hours.

Yes, the "normal" high temperatures should be in the 70's, but it could be much warmer or cooler.

Shows what I know :-) (I was looking at the map, but not at the roads it takes to get there -- Las Vegas is NOT a straight shot).

Regardless, it will likely be cold at the Grand Canyon (that is, my "California" definition of cold), so not sure that fits with your idea of a "sun" vacation.

Thanks for your help. Would it be feasible to arrive in Phoenix, drive up to Sedona for the night, spend the next day at the Grand Canyon, another night at Sedona then head to Tuscon for the rest of the week? What would the driving times be? We live three hours from our nearest major centre so I don't have issues with long drives - just don't want to spend the whole holiday on the road.

<b>Would it be feasible to arrive in Phoenix, drive up to Sedona for the night, spend the next day at the Grand Canyon, another night at Sedona then head to Tuscon for the rest of the week? What would the driving times be?</b>

Yes, this is very feasible, though Phoenix and Scottsdale are a lot more popular (and about five degrees warmer) than Tucson, though Tucson is nice enough.

Figure 2 - 2.5 hours from PHX airport to Sedona, about the same time from Sedona to GC via 89a. GC to Phoenix is typically four hours, then another 1.5 - 2 hours to Tucson, depending on where you are heading.

I would recommend that you drive from Phoenix to Sedona - about 2 hour drive. Go on the pink jeep tours in Sedona, they're fantastic. If you continue on to the Grand Canyon, consider taking the back road from Sedona to Flagstaff. You would go through Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona - possibly Hwy 89A. You can always take the interstate back towards Phoenix to make up the driving time. You can check out this blog for more things to see and do around the state - http://planeteyetraveler.com/travel/...erica/phoenix/