Help finalizing itinerary

First of all, thanks to everyone for helping plan my last minute trip (coming up in 3 days). I greatly appreciate all patient (and frequently passionate) advice. I finally got out the maps and guidebooks and am trying to put the trip together and into practical terms.

Itinerary for our upcoming trip to AZ 3/27-4/2/09

3/28 Scottsdale and Phoenix with family/ pool and desert botanical garden/ glass exposition at night.

3/29 Drive to Grand Canyon. at 11. Quick stop at Exit 229 off I17 at Walmart (thanks for suggestion) for snacks. Next stop, exit 289, Camp Verde, MONTEZUMA CASTLE. 30 min stop here.

On to GC via Flagstaff and Cameron. (thru FLAGSTAFF with nice views of MT HUMPHREY and the SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS. Wupatki (download guide for kids on national park website) 9am-5pm and Sunset Crater after Flagstaff on the way to Cameron. At Sunset Crater, walk the ';lava loop trail'; and also hike up a cinder cone. There is a visitors center too.

CAMERON TRADING POST.

On thru NAVAJO RESERVATION, to the EAST ENTRANCE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK. Stops at DESERT VIEW WATCHTOWER, LIPAN POINT, MORAN POINT, Find out about programs, including Junior Ranger. Check into Thunderbird Lodge and dinner at El Tovar (consider Arizona steakhouse) dinner. Overnight stay at Thunderbird Lodge.

3/30/09 El Tovar breakfast, on to Bright Angel trail (Junior Ranger program)--really not sure how long our almost 5-year old will last on the trail.

Take a shuttle for the Hermits Rest road. Get off at Trail Overlook and walk to the next shuttle stop there. Hopi Point.

IMAX in Tusayan and Coronado Room in Tusayan for lunch on the way out of Grand Canyon.

Which exit and entrance to the Canyon should we use realizing our plans?

Start to Sedona: Drive through Oak Creek Canyon (89A) consider Chapel of the Holy Cross(in Sedona prior to 5pm), Red rock loop road; eat at Cafe Jose. Then go for a walk on Bell Rock.

Check into Sky Ranch.

Sunset if not too late and relax in the hot tub and dinner at Cowboy%26#39;s Club.

3/31/09 Broken Arrow tour at 9am;

(is Montezuma Castle better on the way to Sedona from GC or on the way to Scottsdale or while in Sedona?) Alternatively, Out of Africa Wildlife Park or Verde Canyon Railroad.

Lunch at ?

drive to and see if kids want to try BELL ROCK, also

consider driving to Jerome--consider driving only.

4/1/09-get up early to see the sunrise; Ruins/ Montezuma%26#39;s if not done earlier and/or Tuzigoot at Cottonwood.

Back to Scottsdale at noon on 4/1/09, rest till flight in early morning on 4/2.

Help finalizing itinerary

Hi,

Thank you for visiting! We appreciate your traveling. WOW! You are packing a lot in in a very short time - are you going to relax and enjoy this trip?

March 30th - the West Rim tram will take you most of the morning if you stop and get off at Trail View and at Hopi Point.

If you are going to do the IMAX - you will want to do that after lunch if you are having lunch at the Village area as the IMAX is on your way from the Canyon to Flagstaff. It is located in Tusayan - 8 miles from the village and after you exit the Park at the South - Main - entrance. Remember, Arizona does not go on Daylight Savings Time so our sunset is about 6:30 pm or so and you will need to plan your trip down Oak Creek Canyon and into Sedona accordingly.

Montezuma Castle - If you are not leaving Phoenix until 11:00 a.m. I would recommend doing Montezuma Castle on your way from Sedona to Phoenix on your return.

After Broken Arrow tour - you could drive to Cottonwood, do Tuzigoot then up to Jerome and have lunch there.

You can do Bell Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross and Montezuma Castle on your last day drive from Sedona to Phoenix. These will take you the better part of a half to 3/4 day depending on how much time you spend at each location. Hope this helps! Enjoy your packed trip!

Help finalizing itinerary

Thanks, tourguy25,

I know, trip truly looks very busy, especially with kids. I do however feel comfortable canceling activities as we go. Instead of canceling now, I would like to have a few geographically related options (and prioritized) in mind for kids to pick among them, depending on how the day is going. I reserved important parts, like a Pink Jeep Tour, ahead of time.

Thank you very much for ideas on adjusting the plan, sounds like with your recommended changes, we should have an afternoon on the 31st to enjoy Sedona without scheduled activities.

With all the above in mind, what is the best freeway/ road for us

1. From Scottsdale to GC on day 1

2. From GC to Sedona

3. Sedona to Phoenix?

Thanks

I-17 is the primary corridor from PHX to GCNP in AZ. If you intend to enter the east gate at GCNP use I-17, I-40 east, SR89 north to Wupatki/Sunset Crater, to 89 to AZ 64 at cameron and up to the park.

Leaving GCNP via main gate take AZ 64 south to Williams, I-40 east to _17 south to sr 89A (Oak Creek Canyon) to Sedona. Then use SR179 south to I-17 back to PHX

Your plan for Sedona is all over the place. You%26#39;ll enter via 89A (Oak Creek Canyon) and should focus on West Sedona (Cafe Jose) Red Rock Loop Road before checking in at Sky Ranch on the Airport Mesa.

Onn the next day you can do the SR179 route to see the Chapel of the Holy Cross and Bell Rock. Jerome would be back inthe opposite direction if you choose to do that. You could reverse these days if you choose.

VVRR is a 4 hour tour and will require most of your day away from Sedona. The same is true at Out of Africa. I%26#39;m not sure that you have enough time to do all of that. Even Jerome and Tuzigoot will take that kind of time and if combined with VVRR or OOA will be a long full day away from Sedona.

You%26#39;ll have to decide about Montezuma%26#39;s Castle based on your timing and everything else you intend to do, I%26#39;m not sure you can fit it all in on day one.