Help with a different vacation location

[kkmcan]

I've done both Branson and we camp every year in the Oak Creek area (20 minutes from Sedona) and it really depends on what kind of vacation you are looking for.

Branson has all the touristy stuff to do- small amusement parks, mini golf, shows etc. Sedona is more for the outdoorsy type- Slide Rock, hiking, Grand Canyon, etc.

I wouldn't plan a Sedona only trip though. Make it a couple nights in Sedona to see the magnificent red rocks, Slide Rock park, drive through Oak Creek or stop to do some fishing in the creek.

Then head to the Grand Canyon or look into The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. It's actually in Williams, Az but they have a beautiful hotel. The packages includes a stay, several meals and a ride on their steam train to the Canyon. We did their Polar Express pkg a few years back and it was so much fun!

From there if you are feeling adventurous you can head to Las Vegas and Hoover Dam (on the way to Vegas).

Lots of choices. Hope that helps you some.

 

[rubato]

I've never been to Sedona. I would love to, but not in the summer.

I have, however, been to Branson many times. It's okay, but I wouldn't travel across country for it. It's like a carnival meets vegas. SUPER touristy, but kind of like the backwoods, country hillbilly version. Let's just say that Yakov Smirnoff (I hope I spelled that properly) is still a headliner! I do enjoy Silver Dollar City once every 3 or 4 years. They closed down Celebration City which was my sons favorite. But, unless you really love mini golf and bumper boats, I don't think I'd go to Branson.
Now, the beautiful countryside of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas is a different story entirely. It's absolutely beautiful!

 

[LovableGluttons]

Have you considered Glacier National Park instead? There are only 26 glaciers left there, down from 150, and they are going fast. Mid to third week of June is a great time to go. It's not usually hot as it is a very alpine location.

If you do go, you could stay at Macdonald Lodge, hike the Avalanche Trail to Avalanche Valley, and take a propane powered red car tour up the Road to the Sun to Logan's Pass.

You can also go for a river raft ride on the Blackfoot River nearby and even pick huckleberries.


I've been to Bryce, Zion, Yellowstone, even Grand Canyon.


So far, Glacier is my favorite, and I loved going to Mt. Rushmore.

Since Glacier is disappearing, it's good to see it while you can.

 

[celestialtones]

Has anyone been to Branson lately? How does the Dixie Stampede compare to the Hoop Dee Doo?

 

[drcmk]

This might interest you
http://www.zionponderosa.com/

Lucky Las Vegas, have you been here? This seemed interesting to me. But as I read the website, I realized that the rental rates don't include any of the activities (other than using the pool) or food. I wonder why you have to pay per person to rent a house if no activities or food are included? Once you price everything out it seems awfully expensive. Am I missing something?

 

[andrews_dad]

Loved Sedona a few years back for a few days. Not sure it was a whole week for our family, though. We split time with Sedona and Grand Canyon and Las Vegas.

Ever consider Atlantis in the Bahamas? One of our non-Diz favs. Something for all ages.

 

[Maddie2]

Have you ever been to the Black Hills of South Dakota? There are tons of family-friendly activities (Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Mammoth Site, etc) and the weather is comfortable in the summer. Check out www.blackhillsvacations.com and click on "Activities & Attractions". This will give you an idea of what there is to see and then you can either book a package or use that information to plan your own vacation.

You could also do a search right here on the disboards, as I recall reading a few TR's for vacations to SD.

Have fun planning!

 

[v.t.]

Have you considered Glacier National Park instead? There are only 26 glaciers left there, down from 150, and they are going fast. Mid to third week of June is a great time to go. It's not usually hot as it is a very alpine location.

If you do go, you could stay at Macdonald Lodge, hike the Avalanche Trail to Avalanche Valley, and take a propane powered red car tour up the Road to the Sun to Logan's Pass.

You can also go for a river raft ride on the Blackfoot River nearby and even pick huckleberries.


I've been to Bryce, Zion, Yellowstone, even Grand Canyon.


So far, Glacier is my favorite, and I loved going to Mt. Rushmore.

Since Glacier is disappearing, it's good to see it while you can.

Don't mean to interupt, but this is the trip we were planning this summer. I would love some budget tips. Especially a good place to find a cabin we could rent for the week. You could PM me if you would like.
Thanks!
Vicky

 

[sah95]

I've been to Branson several times. We live 4 hrs away so it isn't a big deal to travel there. We like SDC and were very upset when Celebration City closed. We rarely see the shows due to the cost. Branson in Aug. will be extremely humid. Check out the Branson message board at 1branson.com. It is a wonderful information site!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We went to Sedona in July 08 and love, love, loved it! Our weather was high in mid-high 80s. We traded our Kissimmee timeshare and got stuck w/ a Sunday check in. Rather than waste a Saturday, we flew into Vegas, walked along the strip (very tacky imho w/constant push for prostitutes, but that's another story) We saw a Cirque du Soleil show and next day drove to Hoover Dam (now THAT was hot, 100+) but def worth seeing, spend the day, did the tour, then onto Sedona by evening.
We loved the Pink Jeep tour and Slide Rock State Park. My boys were 11 & 8 and still talk about going back.
We took the GC Railroad from Williams to GC but regret that decision. The train, though charming, was slow and after 1 hr. drive to Williams, then 2 hr train ride to GC, should have just drove ourselves to GC so we could stay as late as we wanted. The train allowed a couple hrs to visit, eat lunch, then return to Williams at 4.
Next time I'd like to spend more time at GC, maybe do a rafting trip or something like that. Way too awesome to only have a few hours.

We had 3 Rapid Rewards from SWA so it was a no brainer.
There's a beautiful Hyatt in Sedona I'd love to stay at, right downtown.

We were worried the kids would be bored w/o rides but were pleasantly surprised that they loved it and beg to return.
hth!

 

[klfrech]

Would love to see the GC, but since I am a school teacher, summer vacation is it for us. I've always hesitated because of the heat, but Sedona and the GC sound bearable.

I would be traveling with my DH and DD (17). We'd be spending 8 nights and enjoy an adventurous vacation. We don't mind driving to a bunch of different locations either. That's part of the fun for us!

I love to hear some suggestions as to what to do for 8 days.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Would love to see the GC, but since I am a school teacher, summer vacation is it for us. I've always hesitated because of the heat, but Sedona and the GC sound bearable.

I would be traveling with my DH and DD (17). We'd be spending 8 nights and enjoy an adventurous vacation. We don't mind driving to a bunch of different locations either. That's part of the fun for us!

I love to hear some suggestions as to what to do for 8 days.

In mid July, GC was 83 at South Rim. (There was a display at a sign near the rim.) We didn't go down any trails. Unfortunately there was not enough time being there for just a few hrs with the GC Railroad but I bought a travel guide book when planning which stated that in summer, the floor of the canyon is 100 deg but around 20 cooler at the rim due to altitude, so we were happy to be at the rim.

It's such an amazing sight, all I could do was yell, OMG, and my jaw probably hung open, and I even teared up. Just beyond anything back East. I think dh may have even teared a little too.

Just be careful in areas where there are no walls/railings. In one area, there are signs stating, "People die from falls here. Do not leave the stone path." or something like that. Of course people are all over beyond the stone path, so close to the edge I had to look away.

You're making me want to go back!!