Please help with Arizona trip next week
 

We are planning to fly into Scottsdale in 4-7 and stay until 4-10 early am. Head to Grand Canyon early on the 10th, stay for 2 nights at the El Tovar and then end our trip in Sedona on the 12th and 13th at the Enchantment Resort before heading back to NY on the 14th for a 3pm flight from Phoenix. I have so many questions??

1- What is the most scenic route from Scottsdale to Grand Canyon and what might we see on the way to the Grand Canyon on route?

2- What is the best use of our time at the Canyon? especially Monday afternoon and all day on Tuesday?

3- What again is the most scenic route from Grand Canyon to Sedona? and are there places of interest that we should see?

4- In Sedona, other than the pink jeep tours, what are the must sees and are there any "great restaurants that you would recommend?

5- finally, what is the most direct route from Scottsdale to Phoenix for our 3pm flight on Friday the 14th.

Thanks in advance for any and all advise and input.

HI..
I can respond to the Sedona question and I love going to the Yavapai Restaurant at the Enchantment Resort for lunch..Since you are staying at the Enchantment Resort (Lucky guys) you can hike to Boynton Canyon from the resort, you need your card key but it is one of the most spirtual beautiful experience that you will never ever forget!
I would stay away from the Pink Jeep Tour and do your own thing with maybe going to all the Vortexes in Sedona, Hiking at Bell Rock or going to the Chapel which is spectacular..
Breakfast at the Coffee Pot is yummy..
If you feel like Mexican Food, Oaxaca right on the main drag is average but the view is great..
Relics is good for a great cheeseburger and cold beer and pool..
You will not want to leave your resort..
Have a wonderful time!!

I agree about the restuarant at Enchantment, but when we stayed there, I thought the best time for meals there was at sunset and then to be out on the deck with the moon and stars out. There are lots of scenic hikes by the resort--one starting right at the resort. It's really lovely.

On the way up to Grand Canyon you could stop at Montezuma's Castle National Monument for an hour.

From Flagstaff I'd take either Hwy 180 or 64 to Grand Canyon Village.

While at the Grand Canyon either walk along the rim towards Hermit Rest, ride the free shuttle buses to Hermit's rest or my favorite is a combination. We usually start walking from Mather Point to Mojave Point and then ride the shuttle buses because the walking trail gets harder to follow after that.

When you exit the Grand Canyon, exit going east on Hwy 64 towards the Desert View exit and stop at the scenic overlooks on the way. I like exiting this way because after you leave the park you will have a panoramic view of the surrounding area. If you enter this way the views are in your rear view mirror. At Cameron head south on Hwy 89, then take the Hwy 395 loop to Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater National Monument. Depending on your time, you might consider a short side trip to Walnut Canyon National Monument just 10 miles east of Flagstaff on I-40.

Just go a short distance on I-17 and then pick up Hwy 89A into Sedona.

Utahtea

The only thing I can say for sure is that the most scenic route from GC to Sedona is to drive through Oak Creek Canyon on the way (Hwy. 89A just south of Flagstaff).

Scenic route to Scottsdale: most people just drive up I-17. About the only other routes that you could try are 87 north to Payson, then head back to I-17, or head east from Scottsdale to Apache Junction, and drive Hwy. 88 to 188, then take 188 to Payson. Both of those options take you through national forest land, and the Apache Junction route is supposed to be great (although there is a section that is unpaved, steep and narrow). I've never done it, only heard about it. The I-17 route is obviously fastest, and takes you past Montezuma Castle National Monument.

If you're not big into hiking, you might want to plan to arrive at the S. rim later in the afternoon, catch the sunset, and then save the driving to various viewpoints for the next day. If you do enjoy hiking, then you'll have time on Tuesday to do that, and most people hike part of the Bright angel trail into the canyon. You can also just walk along the rim trail if you don't want to do anything too strenuous.

Scottsdale to Phoenix - depends on where you are exactly, but PHX airport is surrounded on all sides by major freeways, so pick whichever route is most convenient. If you're just driving in from Sedona, I-17 south and follow the signs.

Thanks everone for all of your help. Any other restaurant suggestions for Sedona and the Grand Canyon?

Search "Grand Canyon dining" - fairly comprehensive posts from a week or so ago listing all options at South Rim.

We wanted to do a half day rafting trip on the first full day of our trip but there is no availability. Is it worth it to spend our only full day doing the full day rafting trip or are we better off exploring the canyon on our own? We are going on the sunset tour on the day we arrive.

89A from Flagstaff south to Sedona. While in Sedona stop by NY Bagels for some good desserts and bagels. If you want to take a detour from Sedona to Scottsdale, you may want to cut up through Jerome (small artist community with great views) and back down the other side of the mountain. It will take longer, but a fun detour. If you have time in Scottsdale, make sure you stop by Kazimierz for a great wine bar!

The float trip would probably take all day. I know that they arrange to do the float trip from the Grand Canyon. They bus you up to Page, AZ which is 137 miles which is almost a 3 hour scenic drive. You get on the rafts and float down 14 beautiful miles of Colorado River canyons....but be aware...you are NOT in the Grand Canyon park itself. Then you are bused back to the Grand Canyon which is about 130 miles and will take almost 3 hours. You won't have much time that day to see the canyon.

Is the float trip booked through the Grand Canyon or have you tried Wilderness Float Trips: http://www.lakepowell.com/tours_riveradventures.php

On the day you leave the Grand Canyon for Sedona, at sunrise (about 6:00 A.M.) and drive yourself to Page, AZ, then do the raft trip that departs at 11:15 and gets back at 3:30. drive the 168 miles (3 1/2 hr drive via I-17 and skipping 89A) and get just after dark. You can check sunrises and sunsets here: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/cgi-bin/aa_pap.pl

The float trip is great! http://www.utahtea.lithium.com/pages...2003/float.htm

Utahtea

In Sedona, Shugrue's is always a good bet for good food and great views from the outdoor veranda. And we went to Cucina Rustica last time we were there; fine dining, very very good food, great service, upscale dining. It is in the Village of Oak Creek.