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Please help w/ 7 day itinerary for Vegas & Arizona

Please help w/ 7 day itinerary for Vegas & Arizona

Old Dec 14th, 2017, 08:53 AM
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Please help w/ 7 day itinerary for Vegas & Arizona

Hello fellow travelers! Feeling fortunate to plan a last minute surprise trip for my family of five (three teenagers, 2 adults) for seven days in ( mid - afternoon) and out of Vegas on 12/29th (morning). I'd be so grateful for some tips, especially as I know so many things are probably already booked. We are interested in the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Desert Garden (Phoenix), Jeep Tour (Sedona), Monument Valley, Canyon De Chelly, the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. Which would you do and in what order to maximize the seven days? Open to heli tours, mule tours, etc for efficiency too, so suggestions for those would be great. What makes sense for travel and lodging:

29th: Vegas
30th: Tusayana
31st: Sedona
1st: Sedona
2nd: Phoenix
3rd: Phoenix
4th: Vegas

Thank you so much, in advance, for your help!
317suz is offline  
Old Dec 14th, 2017, 09:34 AM
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Here is a map That was posted here ages ago by another fodorite, with distances and times for travel to most of the things you want to see.

I'm guessing you are going in/out of Vegas to take advantage of the cost of airfare and car rental. That is fine, but if you want your kids to be able to experience any of these places and not spend most of the time in a car you need to re think things.

I love Canyon de Chelley and Painted Desert/Petrified Forest but there is no way you can fit them in in you time frame. It is a couple of hours drive from Monument Valley to CdC and five hours from there to Sedona. All three of those are too far/time consuming to fit in this trip.

If you want to see some ancient Native American dwellings, there are plenty that you could see much closer to your route. Wupatki is just off 89 between Cameron and Flagstaff, Walnut Canyon is just off I-70 a little east of Flagstaff and Montezuma's Castle/Well are not far from Sedona.

If you leave Vegas early in the AM you could visit Hoover dam on the way to Grand Canyon. I'm guessing you'll be staying in Tusayan? But you won't have much if any time to do much in GC that day. I'd probably want more time there so I could visit some of the sites mentioned above between there and Sedona.

Personally I would not go to Phoenix on this trip, unless you decide to do a loop from there instead of Vegas.

In any case, it is winter and there is the possibility of snow, which will change what you can do and where you can go. Have a plan B and pay attention to weather. I'll do the good weather dance for you but it doesn't always work.

Not your trip, but in a week I have done Vegas>Hoover Dam>Grand Canyon (2 nights)>Bryce Canyon (overnight in Kanab before 1 there)>Zion (2)>Vegas via Valley of Fire. We've also been to all the places on your list on other trips

You do not want to be driving after dark, especially in the GC area since deer, elk the occasional cow or horse might be crossing the road and spoil the whole trip. Always fill your gas tank when it gets to a half and keep food, drinks etc. in the car.

Have fun, wish I were going.
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Old Dec 14th, 2017, 09:35 AM
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Here is the map:

http://ohiohickstraveltips.weebly.co...-utah-map.html
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Old Dec 15th, 2017, 11:04 AM
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Where are you staying in Vegas?
Lots of great restaurants.
Lotus of Siam..Thai...Burger Bar...Tacos el Gordo..Nobu..sushi..Peppermill...In and Out Burger for a double double.

Kids would like roller coaster at top of the Stratosphere.

Sedona...vortex hikes..eat dinner at Elote Cafe!
Cowboy Club has the best burger and cactus Margs!
Boynton Canyon hike is stunning...go to Enchantment Resort for breakfast/lunch.
Hit up Jerome's on way to PHX.

Rock Springs Cafe off I-17 for best slice of pie..to go or eat in.

PHX..Taliesin West..go to Durant's downtown.. Best old school steakhouse.
Pizzeria Bianco and Carolines for divey Mex near airport.
MoonFish is offline  
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