Planning for 3 week trip to south west

Im planning a 3 week tour of the south west in August. I%26#39;d be very grateful for advice/suggestions on the following itinery. We are 2 adults and 1 child.

Day 1 Arrive Las Vegas, drive to Zion area

Day 2 Tour Zion NP then to Page

Day 3 Page area attractions then to GCNP in time for sunset

Day 4 GCNP then to Sedona by nightfall

Day 5 Sedona

Day 6 Sedona and then to Phoenix

Day 7 Phoenix and then to Tuscan area

Day 8 Tuscon sights then to Tombstone

Day 9 Tombstone and Bisbee

Day 10 Maybe visit Mexico and then to Silver city NM

Day 11 Silver City then on to Alberquque

Day 12 see city then to Santa Fe

Day 13 Santa Fe

Day 14 Santa Fe to Durango CO

Day 15 Rail trip to Silverton then on to Monument Valley

Day 16 Monument Valley tour then onto Moab

Day 17 Moab area for Arches NP etc

Day 18 Moab to Bryce Canyon NP

Day 19 See Bryce Canyon NP then to Las Vegas

Days 20 and 21 LV

Planning for 3 week trip to south west

You have a decent plan and lots of driving to do. During the summer I would consider spending more time away from the hot desert areas of southern AZ! Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Durango. Also do not go into Mexican border towns, there is a drug war going on and it is very dangerous.

I also would recommend visiting Mesa Verde National Park after Durango and before going to Monument Valley.

Planning for 3 week trip to south west

I agree with CA that your trip is very ambitious. I%26#39;d try to spend more time at each destination, especially in Utah and northern AZ on the front end of the trip. I%26#39;d avoid Mexico and sacrifice southern AZ at that time of year due to the extreme heat in the lower desert. Plus, it will be easier to move on to your destinations in northern NM and Colorado. But it%26#39;s still a lot of driving. I%26#39;d even consider skipping New Mexico to focus on western CO and Moab etc. You%26#39;ll be covering an area that is larger than all of western Europe.

Forget Mexico. None of the border towns you could visit are safe right now.

Spend more time at GCNP. Unless you have plans to see something in Phoenix and Tucson (not Tuscan), there%26#39;s little point in spending one night each.

Tucson has the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, which is a zoo of desert wildlife and a botanical garden. During the heat of summer, it is necessary to get there very early as the animals will not be active during the heat of the day. It opens at 7 AM. You could drive from Sedona to Tucson, spend the night, go as early as possible to Desert Museum, and then continue on.

Backing up, however, I would agree with RedRox on dropping Southern Arizona and Southern New Mexico and spend more time in the northern areas of the states. You will become quite tired of the heat very quickly. It%26#39;s much hotter than you experience in London. Your trip is a ';drive by'; vacation as you have it. Relax and enjoy what you will be seeing.

Many thanks for those helpful suggestions. I hadn%26#39;t reckoned on the heat being so bad in southern Az. Is it completely out of the question (it%26#39;s just we may not get back to this part of the world)and is Phoenix really not worth a day?

If you were in Bath (Sedona), would you think it was worthwhile to drive to London (Phoenix) for a day? London is much more interesting IMO but I still wouldn%26#39;t bother for a day. And the afternoon temperature in PHX in August will be 115.

The beauty of the southwest will be found at the destinations, not in the drives to get there. Plan to spend more time at the places you pick to see. On a trip like yours, less is more. Time is the best thing you can spend in the parks and places like Sedona.

Wow, I%26#39;m exhausted just reading your itinerary! You are trying to cover an area in 3 weeks, that we have divided into at least five 2-3 week trips. And we go to AZ in Oct/Nov when it%26#39;s not so darned hot.

I know you want to see as much as possible while you are in the area, but the desert (Phoenix/Southern AZ) is just unbelievably hot in August. I would suggest that you cut back on the driving somewhat and concentrate on Northern AZ and the mountains of NM.

Here%26#39;s an example:

Drive from Las Vegas to Sedona

Sedona to Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon to Page (be sure to visit Antelope Canyon)

Page to Monument Valley

Monument Valley to Albuquerque

Albuquerque to Santa Fe

Santa Fe to Durango

Durango to Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde to Moab (Arches and Canyonlands NP)

Moab to Bryce and Zion Natl Parks

Zion to Las Vegas

Yes, you will miss some interesting places by eliminating the southern portion of your itinerary, but IMO you might enjoy the trip a great deal more if you can spend a little more time in each of these areas. These places are all quite doable in August too. While it will be plenty warm, it won%26#39;t be just unbearably HOT.

I agree, it is just too hot to do much in southern Arizona in the summer. Phoenix is great (I live here!) but it really is just a big city. There%26#39;s great hiking, but you have to be up and out the door by 6 am. Unless you like fancy shopping... then this is the place for you. From your itinerary, I%26#39;d guess you are more of the outdoorsy types!

There are some great spots in northern Arizona (aside from the Grand Canyon, of course!). Be sure to hike Oak Creek Canyon while in Sedona. It%26#39;s beautiful, and nice and cool (relatively speaking). Flagstaff is also lovely.

The drive from Sedona to Tucson is not the greatest, but you can get to Bisbee in one day%26#39;s drive. Bisbee is a great eccentric art town. We stayed at the Sleepy Dog Guest House. It%26#39;s high up on a hill with a gorgeous view of the town. Portal is also a good stop. There%26#39;s not much of a town, but it%26#39;s apparently a great bird watching area, and has a really lovely state park that might be worth the drive.

Unfortunately, I would also recommend staying away from the border, which is a shame because there is a great Mexican restaurant in Douglas.

And don%26#39;t miss Canyonlands National Park while in Moab - it%26#39;s amazingly gorgeous. I love that town, and there is so much to see and do right in that little corner of Utah.

Have a great trip, it sounds like a lot of fun!

Instead of Southern AZ/NM why not go west to California and visit Sequoia national park and Yosemite national park? Temperature wise it%26#39;ll be cooler and the scenery is unbelievable.....

Can%26#39;t thank you guys enough for all the input. I will certainly rethink the southern portion of our trip.

Hi Bob,

We%26#39;re (2 adults and 15 year old boy) also going to SW USA later in the year (July) for 3 weeks and I have been planning the trip for a while with the help of TA!

You might (or might not!) find our itinery of interest (although we are flying in/out of Phoenix rather than LV)

Arrive Phoenix. First night near airport.

Phoenix - Sedona (3 nights/2 full days Sedona)

Sedona - GCSR (2 nights/days at GCSR)

GCSR - PAGE (2 nights in Page)

Page - Monument Valley (1 night)

MV - Moab (3 nights in Moab)

Moab - Torrey (1 night Torrey)

Torrey - Bryce Canyon via scenic route 12 )2 nights Bryce)

Bryce - Zion (2 nights Zion)

Zion - LV (3 nights LV)

LV - Phoenix/Scottsdal for final 2 nights (rest!!)

Hope this helps.

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Hotel/resort Scottsdale area

I am attending a conference in July for a few days at the Hyatt downtown but I will have a car. I am looking for a nice hotel/resort for myself, 17 year old son and his friend for a week in the area. I am looking at the Firesky Resort or the Gainey Hotel as a possible choice. Does anyone have any comments about these or perhaps is able to suggest a better option. Thanks for any tips.

Hotel/resort Scottsdale area

Of the two I would choose the Hyatt. Firesky%26#39;s pool is not as good for teens and there%26#39;s golf onsite at the Hyatt Gainey if they like that.

I saw your other posts. I totally agree that you should not stay downtown. The boys will be bored to tears unless they want to attend a Diamondbacks game - and most are at night during the week. Have you looked at th Arizona Grand? It%26#39;s a great family property with a nice water park and golf. It is next to the South Mountain Preserve for horseback riding, hiking or bike riding (they%26#39;d have to go early to avoid the heat!). Arizona Mills Mall is also close for indoor shopping and Gamewerks. They%26#39;re all suites and have recently opened some of their villas if you want kitchen facilities. It%26#39;s maybe 15-20 minutes to your meeting downtown.

Rates will go down in July so regardless of where you choose I%26#39;d advise you make reservations now then check back from time to time for specials. Often the Grand will get to around $100/nt in the summer. Same with the Pointe properties.

Hope you enjoy your visit.

Hotel/resort Scottsdale area

Thanks for the comments. Actually it is the Gainey Suites Hotel I am looking at not the Hyatt Gainey. I really would like to find a place with a suite instead of a room with double or queen beds for the three of us. Your idea to price watch is a good one.

Would not choose Gainey Suites with kids either. The Hyatt has some casitas by the pool that have multiple rooms if that helps.

If you%26#39;re there for a week, rent a condo through VRBO (vacation rentals by owner).It%26#39;s often a much better value.

I would also not recommend Firesky or Gainey Suites for what you describe.

Arizona Grand is a great suggestion.

You might also want to look into Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak. Great water features and some stuff to do nearby, though Arizona Grand still might be better - depends on your price.

You should also look into Marriott Desert Ridge, though that%26#39;s a bit of a drive from downtown Phoenix.

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Unique Restaurant

We are flying into Phx on a Sunday morning and making the drive to Sedona. Need to meet some friends for lunch who recently located to the Phx area. Can anyone recommend a conveniently located restaurant either close to the airport on somewhere on the way to Sedona but not too far out??? I had thought meeting in Cave Creek might be fun but need some ideas!! Help!

Unique Restaurant

When driving from Phoenix to Sedona and wanting a unique stop for lunch I always recommend Rock Springs Cafe in Black Canyon City. You might check with your friends to see where they live in Phoenix - if they are way out in east Mesa or south in Chandler that wouldn%26#39;t be good - and see what would be convenient for them.

Cave Creek does have some nice places for lunch and it%26#39;s not too far out of your way. El Encanto for Mexican brunch on a Sunday would be nice.

Unique Restaurant

If you were planning on going to Cave Creek anyway, you may find Horny Toad or Satisfied Frog (no relations) to be pretty unique choices, but not on the way. Going north from the airport, you can take Pkwy 51 to Cactus Rd (about 12 miles) and have breakfast at Chompies at cactus and Tatum Blvd. http://chompies.com. Their new location is very unique. Then you can continue north onI-17 to Sedona.

The suggestions for Rock Springs and the Cave Creek locations are good, but...

Cave Creek is pretty far off the path from Phoenix to Sedona. It%26#39;s a good 20-25 minutes east of I-17, so it will add time to your trip (if that matters).

I love Rock Springs Cafe - stop there for a take-out pie if nothing else, but it%26#39;s going to be a bit of a drive for your friends, unless they live in extreme north Phoenix / Anthem.

If your friends are not too far from downtown Phoenix, you should stop at Matt%26#39;s Big Breakfast, which is in downtown Phoenix. It%26#39;s a short drive from the airport and more or less on the way to northern AZ.

It%26#39;s a tiny bldg., and there may be a wait, but it%26#39;s worth it.

Also, you might consider First Watch downtown, but check to make sure they serve on Sunday.

First Time to Lake Havasu coming from Salt Lake City

We are considering taking a trip with our 6 kids to Lake Havasu for Spring Break (in March). We are bringing a camp trailer and want to stay somewhere family friendly. We are wondering a few things.. is the Lake warm enough to swim/boat on? Do you know of a good RV park that has a swimming pool and also allows you to build fires in your own pit. Is there alot of things for younger kids to do? (ours are ages 4-13). Also, do you know the best way to get there from SLC and a good stop half way through?

thanks for any help!

First Time to Lake Havasu coming from Salt Lake City

The lake/river is always fairly cold. People still swim in it though. It depends on your tolerance.

From Salt Lake: I-15 south to Las Vegas, south on US 93/95, south on US 95 to I-40, east across the river to AZ 95 south.

First Time to Lake Havasu coming from Salt Lake City

thanks for your info!

We aren%26#39;t totally set on Lake Havasu.. we just want to get somewhere warm. We actually live in eastern Idaho. Still cold here. Any other suggestions, in that part of Arizona with things to do with kids? (Last year we visted Zion%26#39;s Park and my kids loved it). But we wanted a bit warmer. Are there other things to see/do in Arizona?

Hi kizzy, here are some websites which might help you find an RV park:

http://www.rv-clubs.us/rv_campgrounds.html

http://www.rvparkhunter.com/page2.asp

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/index.html

We were in Needles last year with our travel trailer and it was *too* hot!

Here is an RV park in Lake Havasu that might work for you:

http://www.blackmeadowlanding.com/

And several others - www.go-arizona.com/Lake-Havasu-City/Camping/

2 Days in Page.

We had to make some last minutes changers to our upcoming AZ trip. We will leave the South Rim, drive to Page, stay there 2 nights, and return to Sedona in mid afternoon. I desperately need some advise on a few exciting activities and the best way to sandwich then together. We are leaving in 4 days.

Is it possible to see the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon on the same day? Has anyone tried the Overland hiking tour or the Slot Canyon Hummer Adventures? Are there any tours of the Dam? What else should we see around Page?

Thanks!

2 Days in Page.

Hi Gene,

Thank you for traveling to our beautiful part of the U.S. we appreciate your visit!

There%26#39;s plenty to do in Page and surrounding area for two days, I could easily spend a week there.

Yes, you can easily do both upper and lower Antelope Canyon. The Navajo guided tours of upper Antelope begin downtown Page and they are usually about 2 hours long. The lower section you drive out to the area, park and pay admission and walk thru - this usually takes a couple of hours as well.

I have not done the Overland hiking tour, however, I have heard good reports. You can also hike yourself to Horseshoe Bend - located a short distance west of Page on Hwy #89 - there%26#39;s a parking area and a trail that goes uphill then downhill to the overlook. You can easily do this in a couple of hours as well.

Lake Powell Resorts and Marina has sightseeing and dinner cruises on Lake Powell departing from Wahweap Lodge on the lake. You can see this information at:

http://lakepowell.com/activities/index.cfm

Of course there%26#39;s kayaking on Lake Powell and there%26#39;s an outfitter in Page that will assist with that as well.

The Glen Canyon Dam has a great visitors center and a walking tour of the Dam as well.

So as you can see, there%26#39;s more that enough to keep you busy for two days and longer. Enjoy your trip!

2 Days in Page.

There%26#39;s also the smooth water raft trip down the Colorado River starting below the dam.

www.raftthecanyon.com

Use the search box in the Page forum for the Overland and Hummer tours. You might find someone who has commented on them. For example I found this thread where someone wrote about their experience on the Hummer Adventure.

tripadvisor.com/…11556787

There are also a few hiking trails in the area. You can find out about these at the visitors center by the dam. I went of the ';Hanging Garden'; hike and really enjoyed it.

3 weeks to explore california and arizona fr 18/10 to 13/11

I am planning a 3 week vacation to the above plces and hoping to take in as many national parks as possible. my intinery are as follows can someone advise me of an laternative route or a better plan or a different park to see to avoid the cold PLS.

THANKS

18 oct-fly into LA Need to be in LA till 24/10

25/10 drive to grand canyon ( pls suggest a stopover,thks)

26/10 continue journey to grand canyon and plnning to stay there for 3 nights in kachina lodge.

27/10 n 28/10 in grand canyon

29/10 drive to bruce canyon for 2 nights ( pls advise if it will be too cold)

31/10 drive to zion park for 2 nights. ( can someone advise of a place to stay pls)

2/11 drive to death valley for 2 nights ( pls recommend a place to stay thks)

4/11 drive to las vegas for 3 nights

7/11 fly from LV TO SAN FRANSCISCO FOR ?2 OR 3 NIGHTS

10/11 frive from SF to LA via pacific coast highway. staying halfway for 1-2 nights.

12/11 stay in venice beach for 1 night

13/11 fly home from LA to singapore.

I was going to do san diego as well but run out of time. If anyone can advise me of a different route taking in different parks i would be most grateful. Am i trying to achieve too much and is there too much driving??? will i just fly from LA TO LV???

Thanks for all yr help in advance.

YSH

3 weeks to explore california and arizona fr 18/10 to 13/11

you might have time to get to san diego. you%26#39;ve planned too much time in some of these places.

25/10 drive to grand canyon ( pls suggest a stopover,thks) - just drive straight through; if you must stop, then Barstow CA, Needles CA or Kingman AZ.

26/10 continue journey to grand canyon and plnning to stay there for 3 nights in kachina lodge. - 2 nights is plenty - if you haven%26#39;t already, make your reservation for a lodge now. go to sedona for at least a night and trim the other parks as well

27/10 n 28/10 in grand canyon

29/10 drive to bryce canyon for 2 nights ( pls advise if it will be too cold) - one night is enough; yes, it will be quite cool

31/10 drive to zion park for 2 nights. ( can someone advise of a place to stay pls) - one night is enough; and cool here as well; there are hotels in the town of springdale

2/11 drive to death valley for 2 nights ( pls recommend a place to stay thks) - one night is enough; there aren%26#39;t many places to stay

4/11 drive to las vegas for 3 nights

7/11 fly from LV TO SAN FRANSCISCO FOR ?2 OR 3 NIGHTS

10/11 drive from SF to LA via pacific coast highway. staying halfway for 1-2 nights.

12/11 stay in venice beach for 1 night - do you have a place to stay there? i don%26#39;t recall any that are nice; this is primarily a residential neighborhood in la

13/11 fly home from LA to singapore.

3 weeks to explore california and arizona fr 18/10 to 13/11

I agree with bobbear--you are spending too many nights in each park.

1. Drive from LA to Grand Canyon. You can do this in one day if you get started early and don%26#39;t get caught in LA morning traffic. However, it is an 8 hr drive and in late October it is dark by 6 p.m., so perhaps a stopover in Kingman or Barstow.

2. Three nights in GC is not necessary unless you plan to do some extended hiking into the canyon. I would go to Sedona first, and spend one or two night, then two nights in CG.

3. Bryce, Zion, and Death Valley--one night stay should be enough unless you plan lots of hiking. You can leave Death Valley in the late afternoon and spend the 2nd night in Las Vegas. It%26#39;s just couple hours drive. Place to stay in Death Valley--suggest Furnace Creek Ranch (the resort, not the Inn)

www.furnacecreekresort.com

By cutting out the extra 3 nights in these parks, you will have time to see San Diego. Two or 3 nights there would be excellent.

We go to AZ in late Oct/Nov every year. Great time to visit, no crowds. Grand Canyon should be nice weather, but chilly at night. Bryce and Zion, somewhat cooler. They have cool nights even in the summer. Death Valley will be WARM. Make reservations for accomodations at Grand Canyon and Death Valley, as soon as possible.

Along the Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Barbara is a nice stopover, or Cambria. Recommend that you try to visit Hearst Castle (San Simeon, near Cambria).

www.hearstcastle.org

Thanks so much for both yr input and thanks for yr sugfgestions. will certainly cut short my stay in the parks. can u recommend and nice places to go to since i now have a few days to spare?? would yosemite park be a good idea? can u pls tell me if there is alot of difference between the parks i ve chosen aprt from grand canyon??

thanks again.

I highly recommend that you go to the top of the Arizona forum and click on the Sticky for trip reports. If you go to page 3 by clicking on the 3 at the bottom, you will find David4758%26#39;s report.

This is a good one for someone coming over the pond to the southwest for the first time. It contains lots of good information, and it%26#39;s very amusing, too!

Hope that you have a great trip, and read some of the other trip reports, too, if you have the time....

Thks will do that now.

ysh

Sports Bar/Restaurant near sports complex?

heading up from Tucson with my 7-year-old to catch a Spring training game on Fri. 3/20 and low and behold, our beloved, and underserving AZ Wildcats are playing in the Tourney at 4 PM. Is there any sports bar/restaurant anyone can recommend near the complex in Peoria that we could run over to and watch the game?

Sports Bar/Restaurant near sports complex?

No problem, take your pick. They are all around the complex.

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