- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Grand Canyon, Sedona, Antelope Canyon, surrounding area of Arizona advice
Posted on 9/13/23 at 10:25 am
Posted on 9/13/23 at 10:25 am
Alright so wife has family in Tucson and we have been to AZ a few times, my wife grew up going there every once in awhile. We have to go to an event there way out in May. She went to the Grand Canyon as a kid but would like to see it as an adult, I have never been. I am really interested in the wine country around Sedona, and she has also brought up wanting to see Antelope Canyon.
The thought was fly into Tucson for said event for a day or two, and then make the drive past Phoenix and make either Sedona or Flagstaff as a base of operations.
Logistically, this seems like a lot for a few days. I do not want to make this a week long trip or even longer, to be honest. Don't have the time. But Grand Canyon is about 2 hours from Sedona, a little less from Flagstaff, and Antelope Canyon is 2.5-3ish hours from any of those.
Anyone have any experience doing these things, the amount of time it actually takes, etc?
The thought was fly into Tucson for said event for a day or two, and then make the drive past Phoenix and make either Sedona or Flagstaff as a base of operations.
Logistically, this seems like a lot for a few days. I do not want to make this a week long trip or even longer, to be honest. Don't have the time. But Grand Canyon is about 2 hours from Sedona, a little less from Flagstaff, and Antelope Canyon is 2.5-3ish hours from any of those.
Anyone have any experience doing these things, the amount of time it actually takes, etc?
5
Posted on 9/13/23 at 11:09 am to Fun Bunch
We left Sedona and entered GCNP via the East Entrance. Spent the night at El Tovar in the Village. Left out of the same entrance, drove to Page, stopped at Horseshoe Bend, took an early afternoon tour of Upper Antelope Canyon, left Page and spent that night in Zion.
I think if you are pressed for time, were up for some driving and just wanted to “see” the GC (no hiking or tours, etc.), Day 1 you could leave Sedona (the drive north between Sedona and Flagstaff is really pretty), go in the East Entrance, see as much as you want to along Desert View Drive, turn around and head to Page (even seeing Horseshoe Bend on the way). Day 2 do your Antelope Canyon tour and go back to Flagstaff or even Sedona.
Some Desert View Drive notes pasted from itinerary from that trip:
- Highlights: Yavapai Point (Geology Museum with great views), Mather Point, Moran Point, Lipan Point and Grandview
- From Yavapai Point museum with Canyon on right, walk along rim trail for 3 minutes until a small trail on the right leading out to an open rock. Best unobstructed view at the South Rim.
I think if you are pressed for time, were up for some driving and just wanted to “see” the GC (no hiking or tours, etc.), Day 1 you could leave Sedona (the drive north between Sedona and Flagstaff is really pretty), go in the East Entrance, see as much as you want to along Desert View Drive, turn around and head to Page (even seeing Horseshoe Bend on the way). Day 2 do your Antelope Canyon tour and go back to Flagstaff or even Sedona.
Some Desert View Drive notes pasted from itinerary from that trip:
- Highlights: Yavapai Point (Geology Museum with great views), Mather Point, Moran Point, Lipan Point and Grandview
- From Yavapai Point museum with Canyon on right, walk along rim trail for 3 minutes until a small trail on the right leading out to an open rock. Best unobstructed view at the South Rim.
Posted on 9/13/23 at 11:24 am to NCTigerFan
Current kinda sorta thought is:
Fly to Tucson Saturday morning
Family stuff that night and most of Sunday day.
Sunday afternoon drive the 4 hours to Sedona
Monday morning drive to GC, spend most of day in GC, drive back to Sedona and do stuff in town that evening.
Tuesday drive to Antelope Canyon, do morning in Lower AC, do wineries in Sedona that afternoon
Wednesday drive to Phoenix for flight home
Fly to Tucson Saturday morning
Family stuff that night and most of Sunday day.
Sunday afternoon drive the 4 hours to Sedona
Monday morning drive to GC, spend most of day in GC, drive back to Sedona and do stuff in town that evening.
Tuesday drive to Antelope Canyon, do morning in Lower AC, do wineries in Sedona that afternoon
Wednesday drive to Phoenix for flight home
Posted on 9/13/23 at 11:34 am to Fun Bunch
quote:
Logistically, this seems like a lot for a few days. I do not want to make this a week long trip or even longer, to be honest. Don't have the time. But Grand Canyon is about 2 hours from Sedona, a little less from Flagstaff, and Antelope Canyon is 2.5-3ish hours from any of those.
I spent a long weekend in Sedona a few years ago (I think it was 4 nights) and sort of got quickly over the 'new-ageiness' of the scene there, so we decided to 'what the hell' to drive up to the GC for a day (neither me nor my wife had ever seen it). We ate lunch at the El Tovar and then drove the rim road (stopping at spots) and headed back to Sedona. It was somewhat Chevy Chase/Vacation style, but I felt like we got a bit more out of it.
Flagstaff seemed nice, so I likely would have spent a night there if I had known to plan it.
If that's all you're looking for, it's worth the drive. The little canyon area above Sedona was my favorite part of that particular area.
Posted on 9/13/23 at 1:39 pm to Y.A. Tittle
The only reason why I want to stay in Sedona over Flagstaff, besides the close proximity to wineries, is that Flagstaff is higher elevation and much colder, and I don't want to hear my wife bitching about how cold it is.
Posted on 9/13/23 at 3:45 pm to Fun Bunch
Your wife will like Sedona better than Flagstaff. Better restaurants, shopping, spas, & accommodations. You can day trip to Flagstaff and that should be enough.
Use Sedona as your base.
Use Sedona as your base.
Posted on 9/14/23 at 1:06 pm to Fun Bunch
My wife and I took a road trip this summer and Sedona was our base while in arizona. The drive from Sedona to Flagstaff is absolutley beautiful. We used the east entrance to GCNP and highly recommend it. As far Sedona, we enjoyed it but just know that everything shuts down early, 8 pm in July.
Posted on 9/14/23 at 1:24 pm to Fun Bunch
Make sure you book a tour for Antelope Canyon. Because it’s tribal land….the only way you can visit it is with a guided tour.
Add Jerome as a stop as well. Super cool little mining town with an old haunted hotel that used to be a hospital (I’ve stayed there). Maynard James Keenan from Tool lives there and has a winery as well. They have a small tasting room in Jerome (Caduceus Cellars). They also have quite a few other wineries in Jerome.
Add Jerome as a stop as well. Super cool little mining town with an old haunted hotel that used to be a hospital (I’ve stayed there). Maynard James Keenan from Tool lives there and has a winery as well. They have a small tasting room in Jerome (Caduceus Cellars). They also have quite a few other wineries in Jerome.
This post was edited on 9/14/23 at 1:28 pm
Posted on 9/14/23 at 1:42 pm to lsunurse
quote:
Make sure you book a tour for Antelope Canyon. Because it’s tribal land….the only way you can visit it is with a guided tour.
yes we saw that. Kind of a pain in the arse and quite expensive. I am pushing to not do it but I think she wants to.
quote:
Add Jerome as a stop as well. Super cool little mining town with an old haunted hotel that used to be a hospital (I’ve stayed there). Maynard James Keenan from Tool lives there and has a winery as well. They have a small tasting room in Jerome (Caduceus Cellars). They also have quite a few other wineries in Jerome.
yes, aware of this as well. Definitely want to try to visit one of the Merkin vineyards
Posted on 9/14/23 at 2:01 pm to Fun Bunch
I’ve only done upper antelope canyon. I enjoyed it but depending on the size of the tour group you can feel kinda rushed through. If it’s a larger group everyone is all trying to take pictures so you have to hurry and snap some and move along with the group.
If you want amazing photos best bet is to book a photography tour. More expensive but a much smaller group.
If you want amazing photos best bet is to book a photography tour. More expensive but a much smaller group.
Posted on 9/14/23 at 2:02 pm to lsunurse
I don't really care enough to do that 
Personally I'd rather just use the time to explore Sedona but I don't think I am going to get my way
Personally I'd rather just use the time to explore Sedona but I don't think I am going to get my way
Posted on 9/14/23 at 2:13 pm to Fun Bunch
The drive from Sedona up 89A to Flagstaff is very very scenic btw
At the top is a scenic overlook (Oak Creek Overlook) that has an area with Native Americans selling their own jewelry. If the wife wants native jewelry (turquoise, etc)…,she can find authentic stuff usually sold by the person who made if for wayyy better prices than the overpriced souvenir shops in Sedona. Also you can barter with them.
At the top is a scenic overlook (Oak Creek Overlook) that has an area with Native Americans selling their own jewelry. If the wife wants native jewelry (turquoise, etc)…,she can find authentic stuff usually sold by the person who made if for wayyy better prices than the overpriced souvenir shops in Sedona. Also you can barter with them.
Posted on 9/15/23 at 7:03 am to lsunurse
Sedona for the win as a base camp.
Oak Creek Canyon has many places to picnic and relax. Just a beautiful oasis in a desert.
Jerome is really cool too.
Oak Creek Canyon has many places to picnic and relax. Just a beautiful oasis in a desert.
Jerome is really cool too.
Posted on 9/15/23 at 10:54 am to Crow Pie
quote:
Oak Creek Canyon
Some of my favorite hikes anywhere in the US
The red rocks get so much attention in Second but the canyon is so great.
Posted on 9/15/23 at 1:30 pm to Fun Bunch
I've done this trip, or similar, twice in the past 5 years. The town of Sedona is similar to most tourist mountain towns...T-shirt shops, ice cream parlors, boutiques, spas, etc. The few good restaurants are worth staying there, but make sure to get reservations done plenty ahead of time. Your drive to Page/Horseshoe Bend/Antelope Canyon will be a long one and I'd try to talk her out of that leg of the trip unless you commit to sleeping in Page for one night. I wouldn't want to drive there and back in one day and you won't make it back to Sedona in time for dinner or wineries anyway.
I'd save Page/Horseshoe Bend/Antelope Canyon for a different trip to pair with Zion Canyon if you can. Dedicate a day for the red rocks area around Sedona and save your time from driving. Check out Devil's Bridge just outside of Sedona.
https://elizabethadventures.com/devils-bridge-sedona/
I'd save Page/Horseshoe Bend/Antelope Canyon for a different trip to pair with Zion Canyon if you can. Dedicate a day for the red rocks area around Sedona and save your time from driving. Check out Devil's Bridge just outside of Sedona.
https://elizabethadventures.com/devils-bridge-sedona/
Posted on 9/18/23 at 3:04 pm to Fun Bunch
quote:
Tuesday drive to Antelope Canyon, do morning in Lower AC, do wineries in Sedona that afternoon
That sounds like a LOT of driving, especially if you decide to go up the hill to Jerome. Closer options in Page Springs and Cottonwood for wineries, but still a long drive between Sedona and Antelope Canyon if that is the only thing you do.
Posted on 9/22/23 at 8:21 pm to YourHuckleberry
quote:
I wouldn't want to drive there and back in one day and you won't make it back to Sedona in time for dinner or wineries anyway.
Yeah, you wouldn't want to use Sedona as a base camp for Page, you'd want to spend the night if you are doing Antelope canyon. And I'd recommend doing upper and lower antelope and visiting Horseshoe bend in the middle or after. I enjoyed all three a great deal.
And as mentioned, Oak Creek canyon, particularly the west fork trail, is probably the best part of a Sedona trip. I'd just do two days in Sedona and do a separate trip for Antelope.
This post was edited on 9/22/23 at 8:24 pm
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News