This great American family road trip, the Grand Canyon road trip, takes you through Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada past red rocks, blue skies and desert on the way to the remarkable Grand Canyon.
Passing through and around canyons, deserts, lakes, mountains, ruins and cacti forests, a family road trip from Phoenix to Las Vegas will give your clan excellent insight into the American Southwest. Despite Arizona’s vast and desolate landscape, it is home to Phoenix, one of the country’s largest cities; while a quarter of its land is occupied by the Native American reservations of 20 tribes including the Navajo, Apache and Hopi.
Learn More About a Favorite Family Road Trip
The most famous natural attraction in the United States, the immense Grand Canyon, will leave you stunned and in a state of wonder. And, no tour of the southwest would be complete without a stop in outrageous Las Vegas, a desert city surrounded in all directions by rocky mountains, and in close proximity to Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States.
Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport and McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas make both cities easily accessible, with car rental for traveling around the area readily available.
Our suggested 6-day itinerary follows:
Day 1: Phoenix
Day 2: Phoenix to Sedona
Day 3: Sedona to Willliams
Day 4: Circling the Grand Canyon
Day 5: Williams to Lake Mead, Nevada
Day 6: Lake Mead to Las Vegas
Day 1: Phoenix
The largest city in the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix averages 310 days of sunshine, making climate the primary reason that visitors venture to the city. However, Phoenix has much more to offer than just fabulous weather—it’s home to one of the largest municipal parks in the world, an innovative art scene, inimitable restaurants, great shopping and prime spas. There is plenty for the family to do, both in and outdoors and the Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau will provide maps and lodging ideas.
For some recreational fun, South Mountain Park and Preserve covers over 16,000 acres and has more than 50 miles of biking, hiking and horseback riding trails; a great way to explore the unforgiving desert terrain!
A neighborhood comprised of artists living and working spaces, Roosevelt Row offers monthly events including arts festivals, street vending, live music and great food. The Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park is an opportunity to learn about the prehistoric and historic cultures of the area, offering changing events and activities such as discovery hikes and archaeology workshops, and an outdoor trail containing ruins and replicated housing of the Hohokam, the prehistoric inhabitants of the Southwest.
Internationally recognized for its exhibits and events, the Heard Museum is dedicated to the accurate portrayal of Native American arts and culture. With six to eight changing exhibitions, interactive activities such as beading and basket weaving, and live performances and presentations by local American Indian artists, this is one place your family won’t want to miss.
Day 2: Phoenix to Sedona – 115 miles
En route to Sedona via I-17N, make a stop at exit 289 for Montezuma Castle National Monument, the well-preserved ruins of an early cliff dwelling built around 700 AD by the pre-Colombian Sinagua people.
As you continue along, pick up AZ-179N towards Sedona, a 19 square-mile city surrounded by stunning red sandstone formations. Known as “red rock county,” Sedona is an outdoor wonderland for hikers, with two city parks, Posse Ground and Sunset Park. There are several hiking trails suited to all ability levels that will allow your family to get closer to these formations, many of which were thought by the Indians to have spiritual energy.
Alternatively, explore the area aboard a trolley with Sedona Trolley, offering a 55-minute narrated tour of the historic landmarks and scenic overlooks, or book a guided jeep tour with A Day in the West for a bit of a more off-road experience.
If you’re not up for camping at one of the area’s many campgrounds, book a stay at one of the quaint and casual inns or small hotels in the area, many of which are noted in the Sedona Tourism website. There are also many options at Booking.com.
Day 3: Sedona to Williams – 61 miles
As you head out of Sedona towards Flagstaff along the breathtaking AZ-89-ALT, you’ll find Oak Creek Canyon. The 12-mile-long river gorge is often described as the “younger cousin” of the Grand Canyon because of its colorful rocks and unique formations. While it’s possible to enjoy the beauty of the area from your family road trip, I suggest you stop at Slide Rock State Park for a short hike or a picnic.
Picking up I-40 N at Flagstaff, make a stop at the Arboretum at Flagstaff, just three miles south of I-40 on the scenic Woody Mountain Road. A 200-acre botanical garden, the Arboretum, home to 2,500 plant species, is one of the largest collections of mountain plants and wildflowers in the world. Additionally offering changing outdoor workshops, craft and gardening classes and live birds of prey performances, this is a great activity for families with children of all ages for your next family road trip.
Other places of interest near Flagstaff are the Museum of Northern Arizona which focuses on the natural history of the Colorado Plateau, whose thrilling rock formations bring visitors from all over the world, as well as on the native cultures of the area. Finally, future astronomers will enjoy a visit to the Lowell Observatory, a research center established in 1894 which offers tours to the public and night sky viewings from a huge telescope.
Bearizona, at exit 165 off of I-40 is a drive-through wildlife park committed to connecting visitors to North American wildlife in a natural environment. Leave yourself an hour to drive through the park, as you’ll spot various mountain animals including black bears, bison, mountain goats and gray wolves, all from within the safety of your car. Here’s a place I don’t think you should be hiking.
The family will be ready for a good night’s rest once you’ve reached Williams, a quaint mountain town known as the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon.”
For more information and lodging suggestions on your next familiy road trip, visit the Arizona Tourist Guide.
Day 4: Circling the Grand Canyon
A great way to access the canyon is via the Grand Canyon Railway, departing daily from Williams at 9:30am, arriving at the South Rim entrance to Grand Canyon National Park at 11:45am. The train winds through all kinds of landscapes, from Ponderosa pine forests to dry, open deserts, venturing through drastic changes in elevation before reaching the park entrance.
At 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and 1 mile deep, the Grand Canyon reveals the magic wrought in this region by two billion years of geological time, and it’s massiveness is sure to amaze you. The Colorado River split and formed the canyon 17 million years ago, and today you can experience the splendor of the canyon by plane, train or automobile.
Just south of the entrance to the park is the National Geographic Visitor Center, a comprehensive mall offering information, guides, and retail shops, as well as an official outpost of the Arizona tourist office. The center also sells tickets to the national park for your family road trip, and features a 34-minute IMAX film, uncovering for viewers the development of the canyon over time. The National Park Service South Rim Visitors Center provides free guides, maps, displays, and audiotours you can play on your cellphone.
Pygmy Guides offers a number of day hikes to different parts of the Grand Canyon, while Grand Canyon Jeep Tours offers back-road excursions to some of the less-traveled and all the more breathtaking areas. Be sure not to miss the train back to Williams, which departs Grand Canyon Depot at 3:30pm, arriving at 5:45pm, just in time for dinner.
In the Vicinity of the Grand Canyon
If you’ve driven here, you may want to think about the options available to see the Grand Canyon from all sides. First, let us say, the traffic can be crazy. Families should consider the Hermit’s Rest Trail Loop, a free shuttle bus that makes nine very scenic stops over a 7-mile tour of the South Rim.
There’s lodging all over, within the park and in nearby Tusayan, but you have to book that months ahead of time; however, sleeping this close allows you to drive both the East Rim Trail and the West Rim Trail without too much grief.
Very fit families may want to hike from the south to the North Rim, an arduous 21-mile expedition that requires a camping overnight in the middle. There is only one way to cross the canyon by automobile, and that drive is 137 miles from South Rim Village (at Marble Canyon, Arizona) via the Navajo Bridge, a few miles downstream from Lees Ferry, where the Canyon is only 400 feet wide. Not many families will choose to stay on this side.
From Lees Ferry, it is about an hours drive to the town of Page, Arizona and beautiful Lake Powell, the second largest manmade lake in the US. Located on the border of Utah and Arizona in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, it offers nearly 2,000 miles of spectacular shoreline with towering red rock sandstone cliffs, more than 90 major canyons, blue-green water and sandy beaches. It’s best viewed from the water and is an ideal family recreation area, where houseboating is very popular.
Over 8,000 feet above sea level, the North Rim of the canyon is pristine and primitive. However, lodging, gas stations and visitor centers in the area are few and far between. For those adventurous families looking to explore the North Rim on the way to Vegas, pick up 89-N to 89-ALT and take AZ-67 heading southwest for about 40 miles until you reach the North Rim entrance. After your stop, you can backtrack and once again pick up 89-ALT and eventually I-15 which will lead you directly to Las Vegas, although this will take a significantly longer amount of time than it would coming from the South Rim.
Day 5: Williams, AZ to Lake Mead, NV – 192 miles
Get an early start out of Williams for Nevada. If you leave town by Grand Canyon Avenue, you’ll be able to drive Historic Route 66. Stay on it for as long or as little as you’d like. Here Route 66 is signposted as Route 161, and at many points flying west across Arizona desert to Kingman you’ll have a chance to access the much faster but less interesting I-40 W. After all, you have a big drive ahead.
Around Dolan Springs, you’ll head north to the eastern side of beautiful Lake Mead National Recreation Area. At an elevation of 1,221 feet, Lake Mead extends approximately 110 miles upstream toward the Grand Canyon and about 35 miles up the Virgin River. The width varies from several hundred feet in the canyons to a maximum of eight miles, making it one of the largest water reservoirs in the world.
While some families choose to camp in this area (and there are many RV and tent campgrounds), I suggest you park the car and rent a houseboat. There are several marinas where you can rent one with home-like amenities, plus a small power boat, inner tubes, floats and more fun water toys. Houseboats are a good value, too. Whenever you’re ready to move on, the next stop will be the outlet for Lake Mead: Hoover Dam.
Day 6: Lake Mead to Las Vegas – 130 miles
The Hoover Dam is at the Arizona/Nevada border, about a 90-mile drive from the eastern shore of Lake Mead. Situated in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River at 726 feet high, the Hoover Dam is one of the highest concrete dams ever built and an engineering feat that kids will enjoy.
Las Vegas — just 35 miles away — is just as much a paradise for children as it is for adults. Funky museums, outrageous amusement parks and plenty of outdoor activities are just a few of the things for families to do in Vegas. Be sure to check out wax figures of the most popular TV and movie stars, musicians and athletes at Madame Tussauds wax museum.
Springs Preserve is a 180-acre cultural institution featuring museums, galleries, outdoor concerts and events, gardens and trails. Living collections of native mammals and reptiles and an eight-acre botanical garden generate an understanding of the Mojave Desert, within which Las Vegas is situated, all making for a fun and interactive experience for kids of all ages.
Don’t miss one of the headline shows at Caesars Palace, or the Manhattan Express roller coaster reaching heights of 200 feet in the air over a replica of New York Harbor. It’s also worth getting tickets for Cirque du Soleil, one of the permanent attractions MGM Grand.
There are endless amounts of things to do and places to go in Las Vegas, and there are incredible hotel specials that can make this a bargain family destination. Do your hotel price comparison planning at Booking.com.
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People who choose to book trips for summer or further out should do so with caution; the coronavirus pandemic is unpredictable. And many reservations may claim flexibility. Amid so much unknown, there will be one certainty: the headaches of rescheduling and canceling.
With a rugged interior featuring 286 peaks topping 3,000 meters Taiwan’s railway system is shoehorned onto the coastal margins where most of Taiwan’s cultural life is concentrated. Whether you ride the high-speed service from Taipei City to the second city of Kaohsiung or spend a week slowly circumnavigating the island by local train, all journeys are within eyeshot of either the cobalt-blue Pacific Ocean, flatlands of verdant rice-paddies, or towering mountainsides
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There’s one street in Baltimore that’s more festive than the rest. Every holiday season, the neighborhood of Maryland’s miracle on h Street is decked out in Christmas lights and festive displays. From a tree made of hubcaps to classic candy cane fixtures, each house is uniquely decorated.
Considering Northeast Ohio has plenty of breweries, as well, Thomann was asked if it’s more likely we’ll find the members of Dorfrocker touring different venues tasting beers or visiting the Rock Roll Hall of Fame?
Covid-19 certainly affects travels plan…Not long ago my friends were among passengers of the British cruise ship Braemar. And how could the US refuse to help the ship and close the borders?? Unlike the US, Cuba showed its humanity and friendship! Thank you Cuba
Would you like to stay in the gorgeous area around Keukenhof? You can! We have a broad range of great hotels and bed and breakfasts for you. Accommodations in Haarlem, Leiden or Amsterdam are also good options.
I will reach Amsterdam only on 19 May morning, the last day of the flower exhibit. Is it still worthwhile to go Keukenhof Gardens? Will there still be many flowers to be seen?
Tulips and other flowers mainly bloom during spring. March through May is therefore the best time to visit the Netherlands if you want to watch them in bloom. The world’s most beautiful spring park, the Keukenhof, is open during this time.
If a court order states that one parent can travel abroad with the child without the consent of the other parent, what documentation is required? We recommend carrying a copy of the court order stating that the other parent’s consent is not needed to travel abroad with the child. Any questions about the wording of the court order should be directed to a family lawyer.
If transporting your pet by air is the only option, find out whether they can travel in the cabin with you. Most airlines will allow you to take a cat or small dog in the cabin for an additional fee. But you must call the airline well in advance; there are limits to the number of animals allowed in the cabin. If you are transporting your dog, make sure they meet the size requirements. If you get overwhelmed by all the regulations, there are companies that can help you navigate through the process of flying with a pet.
Is a consent letter mandatory? There is no Canadian legal requirement for children to carry a consent letter. However, a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, airline agents or Canadian officials when re-entering Canada. Failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays or refusal to enter or exit a country.
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2 adults available to drive your car from New Orleans to north suburb of Chicago mid October. Need 3 or four nights. Split the gas,
Dogs and cats should always be kept safely inside the car. Pets who are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or made sick by having cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck.
Ever dreamed of driving along the cliffs that overlook the Pacific with the windows down? Or wanted to travel the historic Oregon Trail in a car instead of on a computer? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.
Rhonda, from a railman who started his train travel when he was 16, I would strongly suggest a Canadian Train Ride! Via Rail Canada offers four significant rides through wilderness and coastal areas with deluxe, overnight trains from Toronto to Vancouver ( 4 nights), and Montreal to Halifax, Nova Scotia (one night). Both offer a chance to have decent meals enroute, and sleeping car accommodations. Train crews tend to be a bit friendlier than south of the border, Canada, largely uninhabited, offers many scenic vistas with little hamlets few and far between, certainly a wonderful way for both of you to enjoy these new experiences.
Via Rail Canada also offers Railpasses, which enable you to travel on other routes as well for a bit of a price reduction. It’s all up to you!
Their website is http://www.viarail.ca for further information.
My son is a rail fan and we have traveled only in the US but I would love to surprise him with an excursion where he could talk to the train staff and railroad personnel. I would also like to include beautiful scenery as well for Both of us. My son is 16 and I am 59. We love to explore and don’t mind walking and roughing it!! any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. And please be sure to always secure the crate so it won??™t slide or shift in the event of a quick stop.
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This driving route of the Appalachian Trail parallels the epic hike. From the top of New England to the heart of Dixie, it takes you through continuous natural beauty—without the sweat, bugs, or blisters.
7 memorable Tips for Traveling to Mexico
Don stress if you don Mexico is agreeable to English speaking travelers, And there a ton of tips to get to know the country landscapes, terms, And younger culture.
yet still, If you new to traveling or have never been out of the us, A trip to Mexico may be somewhat frightening.
If you interested in learning some tips for traveling to Mexico, Take a look at our 7 easy to remember tips for your journey. We outlined some of the basics that you’d like to learn for your own aventura!
1. Choose the Right Transportation If you traveling to Mexico, You need to decide you might arrive by car, aeroplane, Or liner. It important to know how you want to arrive because it will searching,an extravagance,good to have city you arrive in, How much luggage you results, and so forth.
an individual can find international flights if you prefer to travel by air. instead, There are plenty of cruises to Mexico that you can enjoy if you like the amenities and beautiful views that are included in ship travel!
If you live nearby the border, Or just need to take a bit of a road trip, going down the road by car is always an option as well.
2. Use Pesos When You Can It best if you use the local currency pesos when you can. while touristy areas accept USD, They choose the rate at that they accept it, So it is possible to get a better deal if you just use pesos.
Consider exchanging USD for pesos somewhere in the usa before your trip and dividing up your cash between USD and pesos during your trip.
3. Know bathing room Etiquette In Mexico, The sewage pipes just aren built to handle a lot. this means that people rarely flush their toilet paper. rather than, There will often be a trash bin near the toilet for you to put your used toilet paper in.
further, Men may make of entering a bathroom labeled with an M, let’s assume that it stands for However, The M actually can stand for mujeres, Which is the word for in Spanish. Men needs to look for doors labeled H, Which stands for the Spanish word for men, Hombres.
4. Practice Some Spanish One of the most basic tips for traveling to Mexico is to learn a few Spanish phrases before your trip.
once you know basic things, Like how to ask where the bathroom is or how to order food, Will make your trip to Mexico a lot smoother. sometimes, The locals will appreciate the effort, Even if they undoubtedly speak English as well!
5. Adjust to the Time Whether you are changing time zones while having trip or staying in the same one, You find that Mexico runs on a lot more fluid schedule. Punctuality is less of a concern, So you take pleasure in it a lot more if you can relax and don push a strict schedule.
furthermore, Meals are spaced out a bit distinct in Mexico. You will usually have a large breakfast, associated with the main meal of the day between 2:00 together with 4:00 pm hours. then finally, You will enjoy a smaller meal at dusk.
6. Drink Bottled Water Bottled water can be found on just about any street corner for purchase. Why exactly do you wish to buy bottled water?
let me tell you, Most of Mexico plain faucet water is unpurified. Some hotels may have filtered water, But be sure to go shopping for a sign above your sinks before you test it out!
If you be residing in Mexico for a lengthier trip, Consider buying or bring a water filter with you to purify the tap water and avoid buying so much bottled water. You be decreasing costs and plastic consumption!
7. Stray off the Beaten Path While sightseeing attractions and famous beaches are always fun to see, Traveling to lesser known places will offer you a more authentic taste of Mexico.
of which this isn an excuse to be reckless or oblivious to your surroundings. Be mindful of the areas you visiting and research where you will make sure it a safe area.
Now You Armed with all very reputable Tips for Traveling to Mexico Mexico is a diverse country with so much to see and offer.
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Many parents of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder dread traveling or often avoid it altogether. Most people with ASD do better with routine and structure and a break from that (vacation) can often lead to stress and even meltdowns. Additionally, traveling by air can include having to navigate a multitude of unpleasant experiences from airport security procedures, moving sidewalks, and boarding tunnels to cramped seats, unfamiliar noises, and lots of strangers. Experts indicate that preparation and practice is the key to a successful flight and travel. Before your trip, talk with your child about what to expect. Go over the details of the travel: how you’ll get to the airport, wait in line, go through security, find your departure gate, get on the plane, buckle seatbelts, and spend time onboard. Flying to See Janet: A Fun Guide to the Airport Experience is a book you can use to prepare children for the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the airport experience. You can also write your own social story.
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Emily, my coming of age years were the late 1970s, early 1980s at the YMCA. I agree with you about the open showers versus the individual shower stalls. From a guys perspective, I spent many nights and weekends swimming or playing basketball at my local YMCA. Showering with not only my friends, but over the years, dads, neighbors and guys from church. It really makes one comfortable, not in a sexual way, with one self and others. Never had the nude swimming, I think that ended in the 1960s as women/girls joined the YMCA, forcing may YWCAs to close their doors.
Amelie, here in the US a number of Korean Spas have opened. As with Japanese, Korean families bath together (grandmother, daughter, grand-daughter), (dad, son) separated by gender. They are starting to attract a diverse clientele (age, race, etc). So who knows, maybe the nude swimming will return to the Y someday.
The Ski and Snow Vacations for Families article is one of the best I have ever read!
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Note that Global Affairs Canada cannot provide you with advice about the Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad beyond what is offered on this website.
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Chicago is a famous place that has many impressive landscapes.
Most visitors like traveling there.
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helo, do you happent allow drive passengers to another state?
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I’m so happy that you enjoyed your experience at the Onsen!
I’ve never been to an Onsen, but I would love to get to visit one some day.
Back in the 1980s and 1990s my mom was the head supervisor at a YWCA in Ohio. I practically lived in the YWCA (not literally, of course) for the 19 years that my mom worked there. I had a part time job at the YWCA for a few years in the 1990s.
One of the great things about spending so much time at the YWCA was that I grew up using the locker room all of the way from a young child to a young woman and being 100% comfortable with both my own nudity and the nudity of all other females.
I feel that it was so much better back then when the Y had one big room full of shower heads on the walls than it is with stalls these days. The group shower setting was great from a bonding experience. I feel that it’s much healthier psychologically speaking that females are exposed to other women’s and girl’s bodies, as opposed to feeling that we need to hide from each other and change clothes in toilet stalls or under towels.
One of the benefits of having a mom who was a supervisor of the Y was that after hours my mom and my sisters and myself could just skinny dip in the pool, and my sisters and I were allowed to have our female friends with us for a skinny dipping session on Friday and Saturday nights.
Also, my aunt and a few of my female cousins would skinny dip with my mom, my sisters and I every once in a while.
My mom said that she had heard that the YWCA used to have one night a week that was for nude swimming back in the 1960s and most of the 1970s. Obviously it was a female only facility at the time.
Dubbed the Great Northern in memory of the pioneer railroad that parallels the western half of the route, US-2 is truly the most stunning and unforgettable, not to mention longest, of all the great transcontinental road trips.
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Oh man. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I certainly appreciate your take on this though, a little humor goes a long way. I’m headed to Barcelona in a few days, so I’ll be sure to keep my valuables close. Thanks for sharing.