samlions

My family (husband and boys 11,8) are visiting Arizona next month and we need help! So far, we are flying into PHX and staying one night, then one night in Yuma (visiting relatives). From Yuma, we are going to spend one night in Sedona then up to the GC for two nights. We have two more nights and three days to get to Albuqurque for our flight home.

Our options are to go see the Monument Valley/Four Corners area, then east to NM, or go back towards Flagstaff, then take 40E to NM seeing the sight along the way--Meteor Crater, Petrified Forest, etc. Some have suggest we drive on over to the Sante Fe area for a couple of days. HELP! Time is running out!

pollyvw

From Monument Valley, I would go to Canyon de Chelley; very different from Grand Canyon and worth a day trip. Since I have been there (and have seen petrified wood) I would skip Petrified Forest (just my humble opinion). It was a great disappointment to me. I never dreamed something with 'forest' in its name could be so desolate. But...if you want to say you have been there, its not far from interstate once you leave Canyon de Chelley.

utahtea

I like the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert, BUT Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly are much better choices as pollyvw mentioned.

When you exit the Grand Canyon, plan on spending some time stopping at the scenic overlooks as you exit the park. Each overlook is different all the way to Desert View. As you exit the park you will desend down to Hwy 89. IMHO, this area is more of a painted desert than the National Monument! Monument Valley is very unique and I bet you will reconize the from movies and commercials. Canyon de Chelly National Monument doesn't get the crowds. There is only one hike down into the canyon. You can tour from the rim all you want, but to go into the canyon you need to take a guided tour. I highly recommend a 1/2 or all day tour. They are great. Lots of scenery, history, petroglyphs and ruins.

When you leave Canyon de Chelly drive south on Hwy 191 to Ganado and visit the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, then drive east on Hwy 264 to Window Rock and on to Hwy 491 (the old Hwy 666) instead of staying on Hwy 191 to I-40. This will save you 33 miles and about a half an hour driving time

Utahtea

Rob

I would not spend a second night at the Gr. Canyon. Rather, to maximize sightseeing time, I would leave for Monument Valley in early evening. On the next day I would do a half day tour of the valley in the morning before starting out for the next destination. Instead of heading for Canyon de Chelly I would head for Mesa Verde NP and spend some time touring Mesa Verde before heading for Alb. In my opinion, your boys would find Mesa Verde has more to offer than Canyon de Chelly

samlions

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like Monument Valley is a must-see.

Is Meteor Crater close enough from Sedona for a short side-trip on the way to the Grand Canyon? Distances are so deceiving.

utahtea

Meteor Crater is about 45 miles and an almost an hour drive (one way). I've never been and most people I've heard from were not impressed.

Utahtea

bigtyke

I enjoyed Meteor Crater.

I would consider also seeing Wupatki/SUnset Crater Nat mon and also Walnut Canyon Nat Mon.

CleoB

Wupatki and Sunset Crater are great to visit, and just a short drive east of Flagstaff on Hwy 89 (20 minutes or so). Walnut Canyon is great, too, just off I-40 East about 10 minutes outside of town. Wupatki contains the ancient ruins of Indian dwellings which you can walk into and around. Very cool, especially for kids. The visitor's center is closed through mid-June but you can still get around. Walnut Canyon has 200+ steps down into more ruins you can explore. Check out nps.gov to find out more information on all three sites. You'd probably want to spend the night in Flagstaff before visiting these sites. I've been to Monument Valley and Four Corners, and tthey are worth the visit also, but I don't think you have enough time to do both,

Regarding the Santa Fe suggestion, Santa Fe is about an hour north of Albuquerque. It is an interesting town, with lots of art galleries and a trendy downtown. You might enjoy it more than your husband and sons. There is a pueblo near town you can visit, but we didn't stop in so I can't tell you about it.

Hope this additional information helps!

justme22

no question. monument valley and canyon de chelley over the petrified forest.

i am also a fan of the little grand canyon (on the road to the canyon) and sunset crater.