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Started By
Message
Las Vegas & Grand Canyon with kids
Posted on 11/1/16 at 10:45 am
Posted on 11/1/16 at 10:45 am
I am looking to fly to Vegas to visit family for the week of December 18-24. Will have my children with me, ages 6 & 5. I am thinking about staying 3 -4 nights in Vegas then driving to the Grand Canyon and making my way down to Phoenix to fly home. I have been to Vegas/Hoover Dam before, but really am looking for ideas and things to do/see with the kids around the Grand Canyon on down to Phoenix.
I've been googling the Grand Canyon, but it's so large and so many different areas to see. I would like to do the Skybridge as well as other major spots. Not really interested in hiking it or rafting. Any preference on which spots to see or which ones to skip?
Also looking at passing through Sedona on the way to Phoenix? Is it worth it? Anything to see/do there?
On road trips I don't mind stopping for a few hours to see something cool or visit a place that is just different from home. Looking for any cool places like that for the drive from GC to PHX.
I've been googling the Grand Canyon, but it's so large and so many different areas to see. I would like to do the Skybridge as well as other major spots. Not really interested in hiking it or rafting. Any preference on which spots to see or which ones to skip?
Also looking at passing through Sedona on the way to Phoenix? Is it worth it? Anything to see/do there?
On road trips I don't mind stopping for a few hours to see something cool or visit a place that is just different from home. Looking for any cool places like that for the drive from GC to PHX.
6
Posted on 11/1/16 at 2:12 pm to slinger1317
GC is just sooooo big, don't even pretend you're going to do any more than just sightsee. But the kids should love it. The South rim is run like disneyworld, with plenty of kids ranger programs and many short, easy and scenic trail hikes accessible by the shuttle. The kids should be able to handle those.
The NPS tour buses are free, run often, and take you (almost) everywhere. Just park and use the shuttles. Plan to get to the park early to get a spot, or be forced to park in Tusayan and ride an additional shuttle into South Rim itself, which eats up your time. If you have time, drive to Indian Watchtower on the far east of the canyon.
Skybridge is a real tourist trap IMHO, not cheap and very crowded. Well, that and the fact it's not actually in Grand Canyon.
If you're staying in Flagstaff, see Walnut Canyon, very neat Indian ruins and a nice short hike. Wupakti ruins NPS & Sunset Crater Volcano NPS are also very scenic, "stop & get out" drives. Lowell Observatory is also a must, very cool and the kids will love it. If it's not very cold, they will be crowded, so arrive early to get a parking space. Petrified Forest and Painted Desert (and Winslow Az, of song) are also only 90 minutes from Flagstaff.
Sedona - Cathedral Rock and Red Rock Crossing are very beautiful with many short easy hikes. Chapel of the Holy Cross is also neat if you like that sort of thing.
Haven't been to Phoenix in 25 years and my only memory is of very hot oceans of pavement.
Now if you have a full week, so the Grand Circle. It's something I think every American should do. Unforgettable.
The NPS tour buses are free, run often, and take you (almost) everywhere. Just park and use the shuttles. Plan to get to the park early to get a spot, or be forced to park in Tusayan and ride an additional shuttle into South Rim itself, which eats up your time. If you have time, drive to Indian Watchtower on the far east of the canyon.
Skybridge is a real tourist trap IMHO, not cheap and very crowded. Well, that and the fact it's not actually in Grand Canyon.
If you're staying in Flagstaff, see Walnut Canyon, very neat Indian ruins and a nice short hike. Wupakti ruins NPS & Sunset Crater Volcano NPS are also very scenic, "stop & get out" drives. Lowell Observatory is also a must, very cool and the kids will love it. If it's not very cold, they will be crowded, so arrive early to get a parking space. Petrified Forest and Painted Desert (and Winslow Az, of song) are also only 90 minutes from Flagstaff.
Sedona - Cathedral Rock and Red Rock Crossing are very beautiful with many short easy hikes. Chapel of the Holy Cross is also neat if you like that sort of thing.
Haven't been to Phoenix in 25 years and my only memory is of very hot oceans of pavement.
Now if you have a full week, so the Grand Circle. It's something I think every American should do. Unforgettable.
Posted on 11/1/16 at 2:59 pm to slinger1317
quote:
I would like to do the Skybridge
Total tourist trap and not near any other "major spots". You will spend $$$ for a limited amount of time there. They won't let you bring any items on the bridge to take pictures with...instead they want you to buy their pictures. Just go to the South Rim national park instead.
quote:
Also looking at passing through Sedona on the way to Phoenix? Is it worth it? Anything to see/do there?
Sedona is beautiful, the red rocks are worth a stop for sure. Flagstaff is also worth a stop, just a really cool mountain town.
Also....the time you are going....be prepared for cold weather. There will be snow at the South rim of the Grand Canyon as well fyi. And Flagstaff as well will have lots of snow. So be prepared to be driving in snowy, icy conditions.
Posted on 11/1/16 at 3:23 pm to metalunamutant
Thanks for the info. The Skybridge is definitely out of the way for me, I assumed it was one of the "must do" items. The website seems hokey and it looks like the Indians are just trying to make a buck. Looking at google earth pics all afternoon tells me I can get just as close the the rim and beautiful scenery without the novelty of walking out over the edge. Skybridge is crossed off the list.
I was wondering about the weather. I know it will be cold in flagstaff, just wasn't sure if there would be snow on the ground. I don't mind, It just helps to know so I can prepare.
Looks like we are going to do 4 nights in Vegas, hit GCNP for a day then stay one night in Flag. Then drive through Sedona on our way to PHX/Scottsdale for the flight out the next morning. Gonna be going from warm/cold/warm but I already have another trip booked elsewhere for early May so we will just make the most of it during December.
I was wondering about the weather. I know it will be cold in flagstaff, just wasn't sure if there would be snow on the ground. I don't mind, It just helps to know so I can prepare.
Looks like we are going to do 4 nights in Vegas, hit GCNP for a day then stay one night in Flag. Then drive through Sedona on our way to PHX/Scottsdale for the flight out the next morning. Gonna be going from warm/cold/warm but I already have another trip booked elsewhere for early May so we will just make the most of it during December.
Posted on 11/1/16 at 6:20 pm to slinger1317
When we were there in 2006, we drove from Vegas to Williams, AZ. There was a pretty nice Holiday Inn there with a really good restaurant attached. It was an easy drive up to the south rim in the morning, and an easy drive back that afternoon, giving us max time in the park. You may already have stops planned out, but if not, I would at least consider Williams.
Posted on 11/2/16 at 10:35 am to slinger1317
I guess it would be worth the drive to take kids to Grand Canyon.
Everytime I've been to Vegas I can't justify the wasted day to the Grand Canyon but I've never brought my kids to Vegas with me.
Everytime I've been to Vegas I can't justify the wasted day to the Grand Canyon but I've never brought my kids to Vegas with me.
Posted on 11/2/16 at 10:56 am to PJinAtl
Second Williams as it's about as close as you can get without staying at the south rim (also an option). Kids might enjoy the Grand Canyon railway.
Posted on 11/2/16 at 9:43 pm to slinger1317
If you go to Sedona I suggest you rent a Jeep from Barlow for at least a half day. If you have it for a half day you can complete two trails.
I took my kids there as part of a road trip this summer and we loved it. We did Soldier's Pass and Broken Arrow.
Whoever mentioned Wupatki/Sunset Crater knows what they're talking about as well.
I took my kids there as part of a road trip this summer and we loved it. We did Soldier's Pass and Broken Arrow.
Whoever mentioned Wupatki/Sunset Crater knows what they're talking about as well.
Posted on 11/3/16 at 12:50 am to slinger1317
Highly reccomend the "Pink Jeep Tour" of the south rim of the canyon. They'll pick you up from your hotel (it's not actually in a jeep) and take you to some great sightseeing places. The guides know what they're talking about and it's much better to be able to spend the day with a guide and ask questions and such than be in a huge group. I did it with my family over the summer and loved it.
Posted on 11/3/16 at 8:59 pm to slinger1317
I did a somewhat similar trip with my then-8-year-old last October: Las Vegas to Tucson in 8 days with a stop in the Grand Canyon.
In Vegas, we did a David Copperfield show and he absolutely loved it.
For the Grand Canyon, we did the Skybridge, a two-night camp and hike down to Havasu Falls, and we spent a day at the South Rim.
The Skybridge is touristy and a little out of the way, but not bad. The canyon is so amazing that any views are worth it. They have some touristy things set up like an old west town and horse rides that most kids actually like. You can also go on a helicopter ride into the canyon. If you were choosing between this and the South Rim, I'd say South Rim all day, but the Skybridge isn't all bad. The road out to it is kind of desolate and cool with tons of Joshua trees everywhere.
The hike (10 miles) down to Havasu Falls/Supai may be a little much for 5 and 6-year-olds, but it was an amazing experience. I know that helicopter and mule rides are available.
The South Rim is probably your best bet. You can take the bus all along the best lookout spots and hike one of the many easy trails. We drove out of the park eastward, hitting up some of the good lookouts as we left, and it was a pretty cool drive.
After the canyon, we visited the pueblos at Wupatki National Monument and went to Sunset Crater. Both were worth it. We also drove out east to the meteor crater just west of Winslow, which my son really loved.
Flagstaff is a cool city, though we didn't have much time there. The drive from Flagstaff to Phoenix is beautiful. I wish we had had more time for Sedona. You start seeing saguaro cacti on the way to Phoenix, and they are amazing.
We loved Tucson. We stayed at a ranch there and did horseback rides through the mountains. Something like that for a night or two would probably please the kids.
In Vegas, we did a David Copperfield show and he absolutely loved it.
For the Grand Canyon, we did the Skybridge, a two-night camp and hike down to Havasu Falls, and we spent a day at the South Rim.
The Skybridge is touristy and a little out of the way, but not bad. The canyon is so amazing that any views are worth it. They have some touristy things set up like an old west town and horse rides that most kids actually like. You can also go on a helicopter ride into the canyon. If you were choosing between this and the South Rim, I'd say South Rim all day, but the Skybridge isn't all bad. The road out to it is kind of desolate and cool with tons of Joshua trees everywhere.
The hike (10 miles) down to Havasu Falls/Supai may be a little much for 5 and 6-year-olds, but it was an amazing experience. I know that helicopter and mule rides are available.
The South Rim is probably your best bet. You can take the bus all along the best lookout spots and hike one of the many easy trails. We drove out of the park eastward, hitting up some of the good lookouts as we left, and it was a pretty cool drive.
After the canyon, we visited the pueblos at Wupatki National Monument and went to Sunset Crater. Both were worth it. We also drove out east to the meteor crater just west of Winslow, which my son really loved.
Flagstaff is a cool city, though we didn't have much time there. The drive from Flagstaff to Phoenix is beautiful. I wish we had had more time for Sedona. You start seeing saguaro cacti on the way to Phoenix, and they are amazing.
We loved Tucson. We stayed at a ranch there and did horseback rides through the mountains. Something like that for a night or two would probably please the kids.
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