Thanks to all who have offered suggestions on our Grand Canyon trip. Many people have suggested a side trip to Sedona. Can someone tell me why? Yes it looks great, but isn't it a bit simialr to Grand Canyon? What is there to do there? (Not interested in shopping!)
We are two families with boys 15, 15 and girl 11,8. All good hikers.
Also how hot is it end July?
Thanks in advance.

It's different from the Grand Canyon - although both are beautiful. Unfortunately, Sedona is much overdeveloped.

One really fun thing to do (although I haven't done it in years so don't know how crowded it is) is going to Oak Creek Canyon. Slide Rock State Park has a natural water slide which was a lot of fun. There's also plenty of beautiful hiking in the area.

It's hot in July - maybe 95 for a high. Good for water, not so good for hiking.

In Sedona, hikers can get up close and personal with the red rock formations, which are spectacular and really not like the Grand Canyon--Sedona is on a smaller scale, and many visitors find it more beautiful that the GC in the end.

It will be really hot at the end of July, but if you pile on the sunscreen and drink plenty of water, you can hike in Sedona, or drive around if it comes to that and check out the views from Airport Mesa and Schnebly Hill Road (unless that's closed to traffic now), definitely check out Oak Creek Canyon for some respite from the sun and heat and go to the scenic overlook there. Native American craftspeople often set up tables to sell their wares there.

I encourage you to make Sedona a side trip, you won't regret it.

In my opinion, the town of Sedona is a bunch of t-shirt shops, art(?) galleries and restaurants that mostly close at 9PM.

But the setting just can't be beat!!!

I was there in June (2007) and it was warm but not bad. It's at about 4,500 ft elevation so not too hot. But I live in South Florida.

There are many very scenic hiking trails. Just beautiful.

My favorites were the Boynton Canyon Vista (a detour near the start of the Boynton Canyon trail- I found the Boynton Canyon trail a bit long for what you see - somewhat boring),
Broken Arrow (probably the most scenic), Bell Rock area hikes.

Fay Canyon was very nice and Baldwin gets you pretty close to Cathedral Rock.

One don't miss is going to the Crescent Moon picnic area about an hour before sunset. Watch the reflection of the sun on Cathedral Rock and the reflection of the Rock in Oak Creek.

I had to do some searching to find a good location. Well worth the effort.

You can see my photos at:

www.travelwalks.com

You'll have to go thru Bryce, Zion, Page and GC first but...

Terrific pictures! You hiked the same hikes we have in Bryce and Zion. Also enjoyed Rome, Sorrento, Bruge, Budapest, Prague, Amsterdam.... Makes me want to get up and go!

OO,

Thanks you enjoyed the photos.

I do have an inventory of trip destinations.

Going to the Moab/Escalante area this May.

My list includes:
Vancouver/Victoria/Seattle
Chicago
Boston
Charleston/Savannah
Back to Italy again (been about half dozen times)
And more...

In my opinion Brugges is the most beautiful small city.

Other world-class cities include New York Rome, Paris. I know some will include London, but just not a favorite of mine.

thank you all. Myer your photos are superb. No hardship to go through the other canyons, very impressive.
It certainly sounds as though Sedona is worth a side trip and doesn't sound like we need stay in Sedona itself as we are more interested in scenery. Exactly what I wanted to hear, that you can get up close with the terrain.
Thanks all! Any more tips gratefully received including suggestions for moderately priced lodging?

I stayed at the Best Western Inn of Sedonna. It's right at the "T" directly across the street from the road that goes up to the airport.

Breakfast was included.

It has recently been redone so it has the look and feel of a new place.

It's up a little hill so is away from the highway. I was on the 3rd floor which is actually the main level since you drive up a hill to get there. Many of the rooms have a door to the parking lot and a door to a very large patio that faces chimney rock and the mountains.

I would definitley stay there again.

It has been a number of years, but I have stayed at the Sky Ranch Lodge on Airport mesa in Sedona a few times, and it still gets good reviews. Plus, one of the best views in town is right on the doorstep, the restaurant at the airport (tiny airport) is actually pretty good, and you can walk over to it.

thanks again.
I have booked the Sky ranch as by coincidence I met someone at school who had stayed there and she said her kids loved watching the little planes taking off and landing.
Looking forward to some great scenery. Will report back in August!

Have fun on your trip to Sedona! We have been many times in July and August. It is hot, so start your hikes early, wear sunscreen, a hat for sure, sunglasses and carry 3 times the water you would normally take. Use any shade you find along the trail, too. Enjoy!

The hiking in Sedona is phenomenal. I highly recommend the creatively titled book "Sedona Hikes"--it truly is a wealth of information. I'm sure you know about the Coffee Pot for breakfast--but for your kids and yourself, maybe also consider a "sky tour" with an astronomer. We did this with my family and we all enjoyed it greatly. Imagine a giant telescope an amazingly intelligent astronmer and clear night skies. (eveningskytours.com)

Have fun in Sedona!

The teenagers would love one of the jeep tours; they can be pretty exciting.