One Week Trip to Arizona

speedyjg13 · 10-22-2018, 09:34 AM

I'll be driving from Southern California to Mesa, AZ for a friend's 21st birthday party at the end of November. Once that's over, I took the following week off to explore the State of Arizona.

I'm looking for recommendations on what cities to see, places to visit.

I'm sure Grand Canyon and Sedona are two big ones, what else? Once at the Grand Canyon, are there kid friendly hikes?

Are there any scenic routes I can drive through the state?

I have 8 days to drive around and explore, so please give me some ideas.

I'll be traveling with the wife and kids, so I can't do too many crazy hikes or alcohol fueled nights.

LOTSOS · 10-22-2018, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedyjg13

I'll be driving from Southern California to Mesa, AZ for a friend's 21st birthday party at the end of November. Once that's over, I took the following week off to explore the State of Arizona.

I'm looking for recommendations on what cities to see, places to visit.

I'm sure Grand Canyon and Sedona are two big ones, what else? Once at the Grand Canyon, are there kid friendly hikes?

Are there any scenic routes I can drive through the state?

I have 8 days to drive around and explore, so please give me some ideas.

I'll be traveling with the wife and kids, so I can't do too many crazy hikes or alcohol fueled nights.

On your way north from Sedona to the GC here is a cool hike kids will enjoy. Not sure how old your kids are but we did it with ours when they were 6&8. Start saving up the free headlamp coupons from Harbor Freight.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coco...a/?recid=55122

TheFrenzy · 10-22-2018, 10:06 AM

You’ll be next door to Tempe, swing by and walk down Mill Avenue one night. Plenty of bars, pubs, restaurants, and entertainment.

BostonNut · 10-22-2018, 10:17 AM

Bearizona in Williams was fun.

sak0309 · 10-22-2018, 10:37 AM

Meteor Crater is about 3 hrs from Mesa

https://meteorcrater.com/index.html

nyisle · 10-22-2018, 11:44 AM

Whenever I have friends or family in town I always take them to Jerome, an old mining town on the side of a mountain. I wouldn't do too much in Sedona, its not what it used to be, too touristy and too many people on weekends. But if you do go, make sure to take the drive through Oak Creek Canyon. Plenty of spots to hike and there is a brewery as well. Another little town that is not as busy as Sedona is Prescott.

If you are in the Southern part, you can drive past Tombstone, again not as fun as what it used to be. Bisbee is another fun little town.

majestik101 · 10-22-2018, 11:49 AM

Check out the Verde Canyon Railroad. Pay extra for first class and it's AYCE appetizers

https://verdecanyonrr.com/

jazz1232dc · 10-22-2018, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BostonNut

Bearizona in Williams was fun.

This was my recommendation as well. We did the scenic tour last year through Arizona and this was everyone's favorite stop. Grand Canyon was cool but Bearizona is what everyone still talks about. We hit Grand Canyon for the day, drove to Flagstaff for the night (loved this city), and then went to Bearizona the next day.

Halonut · 10-22-2018, 01:31 PM

I recommend seeing Montezuma's Castle. On the way back you can stop at Camp Verde and see Fort Verde, it's an old US Calvary Fort.

Wombat · 10-22-2018, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sak0309

Meteor Crater is about 3 hrs from Mesa

https://meteorcrater.com/index.html

This is definitely worth seeing.

KevJo · 10-22-2018, 04:13 PM

Anyone a golfer in the family? The Ping factory tour was very cool!

Kevin

Ephland · 10-22-2018, 04:45 PM

Make sure your kids have their vaccinations. AZ kids apparently do not.

SunDevilCards · 10-22-2018, 10:08 PM

Antelope canyon. It's not close to anything other than Lake Powell, which is also cool, but no fun in the winter. Plan on a long driving day, but well worth it. I think it is less than a mile hike through the canyon, so something kids can easily do.

Antelope Canyon is also minutes away from horseshoe bend in the Grand Canyon. You can walk from the parking lot to the viewing area getting this exact view within a few minutes, so also easy to do with kids.

jazz1232dc · 10-23-2018, 06:20 AM

^^^^

Horseshoe Bend was incredible as well. Well worth the walk, although the walk back had me damn near exhausted.

eastbayak · 10-23-2018, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazz1232dc

This was my recommendation as well. We did the scenic tour last year through Arizona and this was everyone's favorite stop. Grand Canyon was cool but Bearizona is what everyone still talks about. We hit Grand Canyon for the day, drove to Flagstaff for the night (loved this city), and then went to Bearizona the next day.

I’ve done all of the above and agree.

Bearizona
GC
Flagstaff

BostonNut · 10-23-2018, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazz1232dc

This was my recommendation as well. We did the scenic tour last year through Arizona and this was everyone's favorite stop. Grand Canyon was cool but Bearizona is what everyone still talks about. We hit Grand Canyon for the day, drove to Flagstaff for the night (loved this city), and then went to Bearizona the next day.

The town of Williams was fun as well. Not sure if they still do it as this was years ago, but each night they did a robbery/ shootout act out on the street.

nyisle · 10-23-2018, 02:10 PM

you can also go to Winslow, Az, stand on a corner and hope a girl in flat bed Ford, slows down to stop and take a look at you

speedyjg13 · 10-30-2018, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BostonNut

Bearizona in Williams was fun.

Looked into this, seems like a ton of fun

Quote:

Originally Posted by sak0309

Meteor Crater is about 3 hrs from Mesa

https://meteorcrater.com/index.html

We may do this depending on our route

Quote:

Originally Posted by majestik101

Check out the Verde Canyon Railroad. Pay extra for first class and it's AYCE appetizers

https://verdecanyonrr.com/

I think the kids will enjoy this, will look into it more

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halonut

I recommend seeing Montezuma's Castle. On the way back you can stop at Camp Verde and see Fort Verde, it's an old US Calvary Fort.

Definitely wanna see this

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevJo

Anyone a golfer in the family? The Ping factory tour was very cool!

Kevin

No golfers, all baseball family

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunDevilCards

Antelope canyon. It's not close to anything other than Lake Powell, which is also cool, but no fun in the winter. Plan on a long driving day, but well worth it. I think it is less than a mile hike through the canyon, so something kids can easily do.

Antelope Canyon is also minutes away from horseshoe bend in the Grand Canyon. You can walk from the parking lot to the viewing area getting this exact view within a few minutes, so also easy to do with kids.

This looks amazing, maybe the highlight of the trip?

Thank you all so far for all the tips... any other suggestions?

TheHeel · 10-31-2018, 07:05 AM

CamelBack Mountain.

Make sure you are in shape.

speedyjg13 · 10-31-2018, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHeel

CamelBack Mountain.

Make sure you are in shape.

I'm in shape and so is the wife. Is this a strenuous hike or something?

SunDevilCards · 11-01-2018, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedyjg13

I'm in shape and so is the wife. Is this a strenuous hike or something?

Yes, you must be in shape. It is not a long hike, but very strenuous. Some parts are scrambling over large rocks, others are holding onto a pole while you pull yourself up over large rocks. The peak has amazing views, and is worth the effort. There 2 sides you can hike from. Echo Canyon is the steep and more popular way. The other side is longer, but much less strenuous. I don't remember the name of the trail on the other side. I only did it once and decided it wasn't as much fun as Echo Canyon.

Parking at Echo Canyon is a problem. I don't know if they have added parking in the several years since I have been there, but I used to have to park pretty far away, like a mile away, to walk to the trail.

dodgerfanjohn · 11-01-2018, 10:12 AM

It was about 35 years ago, but I thought this place was pretty great. Went there as part of a trip to the Grand Canyon:

https://www.nps.gov/waca/index.htm

nyisle · 11-01-2018, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunDevilCards

Yes, you must be in shape. It is not a long hike, but very strenuous. Some parts are scrambling over large rocks, others are holding onto a pole while you pull yourself up over large rocks. The peak has amazing views, and is worth the effort. There 2 sides you can hike from. Echo Canyon is the steep and more popular way. The other side is longer, but much less strenuous. I don't remember the name of the trail on the other side. I only did it once and decided it wasn't as much fun as Echo Canyon.

Parking at Echo Canyon is a problem. I don't know if they have added parking in the several years since I have been there, but I used to have to park pretty far away, like a mile away, to walk to the trail.

They actually did a renovation about a year or two back. Haven't been to it since they redid it. But in the past parking can be a bit tricky. Right now is the best time to go, it's not 100. If you have never done it, I wouldn't do it if the weather is in the high 80's. Bring water regardless of temperature. Another hike in the same area, if parking is bad, is Piestawa Peak(used to be called Squaw Peak.) Can be a little strenuous, but not as long as Camelback.

10-22-2018, 09:34 AM	#1
speedyjg13 Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 17,268	One Week Trip to Arizona I'll be driving from Southern California to Mesa, AZ for a friend's 21st birthday party at the end of November. Once that's over, I took the following week off to explore the State of Arizona. I'm looking for recommendations on what cities to see, places to visit. I'm sure Grand Canyon and Sedona are two big ones, what else? Once at the Grand Canyon, are there kid friendly hikes? Are there any scenic routes I can drive through the state? I have 8 days to drive around and explore, so please give me some ideas. I'll be traveling with the wife and kids, so I can't do too many crazy hikes or alcohol fueled nights.

10-22-2018, 11:49 AM	#7
majestik101 Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Socially Distanced Posts: 44,813 majestik101	Check out the Verde Canyon Railroad. Pay extra for first class and it's AYCE appetizers https://verdecanyonrr.com/ __________________ If you reply with...."last one on eBay sold for this"...then you should have bought it on eBay. "Watson alone sells for over $20" https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1182760

10-22-2018, 04:13 PM	#11
KevJo Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 11,412	Anyone a golfer in the family? The Ping factory tour was very cool! Kevin __________________ "By any means"- Khalil Mack

10-22-2018, 04:45 PM	#12
Ephland Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 2,044 ephlandfamily	Make sure your kids have their vaccinations. AZ kids apparently do not. __________________ Texas Rangers - 2023 World Series Champions

10-23-2018, 06:20 AM	#14
jazz1232dc Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 1,580	^^^^ Horseshoe Bend was incredible as well. Well worth the walk, although the walk back had me damn near exhausted. __________________ Let the wind carry you home Blackbird fly away May you never be broken again

10-22-2018, 10:06 AM	#3
TheFrenzy Banned Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Texan in AZ Posts: 44,115	You’ll be next door to Tempe, swing by and walk down Mill Avenue one night. Plenty of bars, pubs, restaurants, and entertainment.

10-22-2018, 10:17 AM	#4
BostonNut Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 61,780	Bearizona in Williams was fun.

10-22-2018, 10:37 AM	#5
sak0309 Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 694	Meteor Crater is about 3 hrs from Mesa https://meteorcrater.com/index.html

10-22-2018, 11:44 AM	#6
nyisle Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,921 nyisle nyisle	Whenever I have friends or family in town I always take them to Jerome, an old mining town on the side of a mountain. I wouldn't do too much in Sedona, its not what it used to be, too touristy and too many people on weekends. But if you do go, make sure to take the drive through Oak Creek Canyon. Plenty of spots to hike and there is a brewery as well. Another little town that is not as busy as Sedona is Prescott. If you are in the Southern part, you can drive past Tombstone, again not as fun as what it used to be. Bisbee is another fun little town.

10-22-2018, 01:31 PM	#9
Halonut Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 1,907 gohalos!!!	I recommend seeing Montezuma's Castle. On the way back you can stop at Camp Verde and see Fort Verde, it's an old US Calvary Fort.

10-22-2018, 10:08 PM	#13
SunDevilCards Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Arizona Posts: 373 sundevilcardsandcoins	Antelope canyon. It's not close to anything other than Lake Powell, which is also cool, but no fun in the winter. Plan on a long driving day, but well worth it. I think it is less than a mile hike through the canyon, so something kids can easily do. Antelope Canyon is also minutes away from horseshoe bend in the Grand Canyon. You can walk from the parking lot to the viewing area getting this exact view within a few minutes, so also easy to do with kids.

10-23-2018, 02:10 PM	#17
nyisle Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,921 nyisle nyisle	you can also go to Winslow, Az, stand on a corner and hope a girl in flat bed Ford, slows down to stop and take a look at you

10-31-2018, 07:05 AM	#19
TheHeel Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 15,623	CamelBack Mountain. Make sure you are in shape. __________________ 48,230, 52,879, 40,400, 4,780 Pending Deals:

11-01-2018, 10:12 AM	#22
dodgerfanjohn Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 5,435 sternroolz	It was about 35 years ago, but I thought this place was pretty great. Went there as part of a trip to the Grand Canyon: https://www.nps.gov/waca/index.htm