Thinking about driving up with my son from Phoenix 12/27 in the early afternoon, staying the night somewhere and seeing the Grand Canyon during the day 12/28. Questions: 1 - Is it worth the 3 1/2 hr. ride to spend 3/4 of a day there, 2 - any suggestions for a scenic ride up and/or back, 3 - any recommendations where to stay near or on the way to Grand Canyon and, 4 - any recommendations how to best spend the 6 or 7 hours there - tours, riding, hiking, etc? Thanks for any and all suggestions.
OT: Need Grand Canyon Advice
- Thread starter TMurph
- Start date
3- Most likely Flagstaff. It's roughly an hour as I remember from the canyon with lot's of hotel space.
2- Take the Oak Creek Canyon route from Sedona to Flagstaff, its a great ride, scenic and you get to see Sedona on the way.
1- I'd take a leisurely trip up the Oak Creek Canyon route, stay in Flagstaff overnight and then see the canyon the next day for as long as you like. Just read your post again and saw you have one day, that is a tougher one, stop at the visitors center, grab a map and do your own tour or sign up for one but you may have to sign up far ahead to get into a guided tour, good luck.
4- We did not avail ourselves of any tours, etc. but drove around and look down a lot. It's amazing but after a while it seemed to be another big hole over and over, personal feelings as many are devoted to it. We felt Monument Valley AZ was more fun and quite amazing on its own, plus you see it in backgrounds from John Wayne westerns to Forrest Gump (where he stops jogging, its in the back ground, can't miss it once you experience it). It even shows up in animated cartoons.
Have a great time. Bonding at special places is a wonderful thing to do with your children.
2- Take the Oak Creek Canyon route from Sedona to Flagstaff, its a great ride, scenic and you get to see Sedona on the way.
1- I'd take a leisurely trip up the Oak Creek Canyon route, stay in Flagstaff overnight and then see the canyon the next day for as long as you like. Just read your post again and saw you have one day, that is a tougher one, stop at the visitors center, grab a map and do your own tour or sign up for one but you may have to sign up far ahead to get into a guided tour, good luck.
4- We did not avail ourselves of any tours, etc. but drove around and look down a lot. It's amazing but after a while it seemed to be another big hole over and over, personal feelings as many are devoted to it. We felt Monument Valley AZ was more fun and quite amazing on its own, plus you see it in backgrounds from John Wayne westerns to Forrest Gump (where he stops jogging, its in the back ground, can't miss it once you experience it). It even shows up in animated cartoons.
Have a great time. Bonding at special places is a wonderful thing to do with your children.
I SECOND the Oak Creek Canyon route.....absolutely stunning.
Forget the Grand Canyon. Drive to Sedona. Stay there for the whole day. Done. You're welcome.
I agree with Carl Spackler #1, #2, and #3. Be prepared, though, that Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon will be COLD as the elevation in FLAG is 6910' and South Rim Grand Canyon is about 7,000'. Phoenix average high temp for late DEC is about 65 degrees. FLAG average high temp is low 40's. The current FLAG forecast for 12/27-12/28 is 15 low/45 high.
Have fun!
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Wandering Spectator
Well-Known Member
Definitely worth the trip. It is, after all, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Drive through Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona either I’m the way up or the way down. Consider a Jeep Tour in Sedona for really great views and an education.
Stay in either Flagstaff or Williams. Flag has more options and is a college town. Williams in on famed Route 66 and is a throwback. Consider taking the train from Williams to the Canyon.
Definitely dress for weather. Also check the weather before you go. Visibility at the Canyon can be tricky. Would suck to get there and not see the ditch.
You can hike down into the Canyon as much as time allows or catch the IMAX for a virtual tour.
You’ll love it here. We visited AZ in 95 on our way back from the Rose Bowl. We quit our jobs in PA in Feb and were living here by May.
Here’s my link to more info on Arizona. Enjoy!
https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2017/12/11/penn-state-to-the-fiesta-bowl/
Drive through Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona either I’m the way up or the way down. Consider a Jeep Tour in Sedona for really great views and an education.
Stay in either Flagstaff or Williams. Flag has more options and is a college town. Williams in on famed Route 66 and is a throwback. Consider taking the train from Williams to the Canyon.
Definitely dress for weather. Also check the weather before you go. Visibility at the Canyon can be tricky. Would suck to get there and not see the ditch.
You can hike down into the Canyon as much as time allows or catch the IMAX for a virtual tour.
You’ll love it here. We visited AZ in 95 on our way back from the Rose Bowl. We quit our jobs in PA in Feb and were living here by May.
Here’s my link to more info on Arizona. Enjoy!
https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2017/12/11/penn-state-to-the-fiesta-bowl/
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Yes, it is worth it. Look at the Grand Canyon railroad out of Williams. Great ride to the south rim. Stay on the rim in one of the hotels there, you'll have more time to see the place. There are buses that run (free) between many of the south rim key tourist locations. Catch the train back to Williams, it's a great scenic trip.
I did this in August. While the train ride was nice, I would never do it again if I was only going to the Grand Canyon for the day. It was like a 2.5 hrs trip each way with only about 3 hrs at the Grand Canyon. I might consider the train if I was spending a night at one of the lodges at the South Rim.
Just my 2 cents.
Kind of agree. I'm glad I saw the Grand Canyon but I liked Sedona and Monument Valley a lot more.
Lot of good advice in this from a couple weeks ago ....
https://bwi.forums.rivals.com/threads/grand-canyon-vacation.194705/
https://bwi.forums.rivals.com/threads/grand-canyon-vacation.194705/
I've always said that everyone should see the Grand Canyon at least once in their lifetime.
Just be prepared for a good amount of snow and cold temps. I've done the Canyons & Sedona twice, once in mid December, and again in early April. I would suggest doing the Canyons in December as its got its own silent beauty that you can't get when its full of noisy sweaty tourists.
You won't be able to hike the trails like when the weather is better. Also, to maximize your time in the canyons, why not stay right outside the park gate instead of in Flagstaff? There's a small settlement called Tusayan right outside the South Rim gates. Its got a handful of hotels and motels. I've personally stayed at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites there both times I've been there. Its a bit more expensive, but it will give you more time. One word of caution though, Lots of shops and restaurants close early there in December, so bring your own dinner and or drinks if you plan on getting into town after 8PM.
I have photos of our December trip, but they are all private at the moment. If I have time I'll try to publish them somewhere public.
I was at the Grand, Zion and Bryce a few summers ago, beautiful. I would like to see Arches as well. Do any of you have experience with the northern Utah parks? I would also like to hit yellowstone and mt rushmore etc. Any itinerary suggestions ?
Grand Canyon is worth the trip. DO NOT STAY AT THE YAVAPAI LODGE! You will be sorry.
Sedona is nice, but not nearly the Grand Canyon did both this summer.
