Sedona to DLR

[Metsoskil]

We're looking at taking our TS in Sedona next August and then driving to DLR for 5 nights afterward. I've got a few questions that I'm hoping someone can help with.

It looks like it's pretty much the same driving time to take I10 and I40. I've done the I10 drive from Phoenix to SoCal before when I lived out there. Not much along that route. Is there anything along the I40 route worth stopping to see? I don't mind driving the 8 hrs or so straight, but I'd be willing to split it and spend a night if there was something worthwhile.

Sedona w/ kids. It's been 15 yrs since I've been out there, and at that time I was single w/o kids- did a lot of hiking, rock climbing, etc. What would you suggest w/ kids ages 6 and 9? I'm thinking Slide Rock SP, some short hikes, maybe rent a jeep, a Grand Canyon bus tour one day, etc. Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance for any advice/tips.

 

[5lilfish]

We're looking at taking our TS in Sedona next August and then driving to DLR for 5 nights afterward. I've got a few questions that I'm hoping someone can help with.

It looks like it's pretty much the same driving time to take I10 and I40. I've done the I10 drive from Phoenix to SoCal before when I lived out there. Not much along that route. Is there anything along the I40 route worth stopping to see? I don't mind driving the 8 hrs or so straight, but I'd be willing to split it and spend a night if there was something worthwhile.

Sedona w/ kids. It's been 15 yrs since I've been out there, and at that time I was single w/o kids- did a lot of hiking, rock climbing, etc. What would you suggest w/ kids ages 6 and 9? I'm thinking Red Rock SP, some short hikes, maybe rent a jeep, a Grand Canyon bus tour one day, etc. Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance for any advice/tips.

We're doing this in reverse. We are driving from DL to Sedona, so I am interested in any responses that you get. We have 5 kids...14, 13, 11, 4 and 4. We booked a jeep tour in Sedona thruogh a company called 'A Day in the West.' After e-mailing a list of questions they recommended their Mogollon Rim tour. It sounds like it will be great. We are driving 40 minutes to see Montezuma's Castle. We are also doing one of the trolley tours in Sedona. the tour is only 55 minutes but it hits some highlights.

I really cannot wait for this trip. We're driving cross country...seeing lots along the way. other than San Diego and Anaheim, I have not been anywhere out West.

Jess

 

[Metsoskil]

We're doing this in reverse. We are driving from DL to Sedona, so I am interested in any responses that you get. We have 5 kids...14, 13, 11, 4 and 4. We booked a jeep tour in Sedona thruogh a company called 'A Day in the West.' After e-mailing a list of questions they recommended their Mogollon Rim tour. It sounds like it will be great. We are driving 40 minutes to see Montezuma's Castle. We are also doing one of the trolley tours in Sedona. the tour is only 55 minutes but it hits some highlights.

I really cannot wait for this trip. We're driving cross country...seeing lots along the way. other than San Diego and Anaheim, I have not been anywhere out West.

Jess

Look into Slide Rock State Park. I remember that being a lot of fun, and great for kids. I said "Red Rock SP" above, but meant Slide Rock.

We're definitely going to try and get to Montezuma's Castle, too. I always wanted to get there when I lived in Phoenix, but never made it.

Thinking of heading over to Jerome, too, but not sure if there's anything the kids would be interested in that.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Actually, there is a Red Rock State Park. You can walk out along the river and see some scenary and if you're lucky, some wildlife.

Sedona has a new Visitor Center which will be worth checking out. You will be required to purchase a Red Rock Pass to park at any of the trail heads and hike some of the trails. You can climb Bell Rock which might be fun for the kids.

Slide Rock is fun, but be warned that in the warmer months it may be closed because of the bacteria level in the water. It reopens when the levels return to normal.

 

[cmadara]

Lucky you- headed to Sedona AND Disney!
Slide Rock is great fun! We also always go on a Pink Jeep tour. They are great! I would be leery about renting a jeep- 1st not knowing exactly where to go and what if you get stuck?
Also, not sure where you are staying , but the Best Western in the center of town(not the one on the outskirts) is nice- Breakfast is included with many hot items- nice pool, too!
The Cowboy Club is a neat restaurant to eat at. Also, there is a Bar-b-que joint (can't think of the name) a few blocks from the center of town, that is awesome!
Wasn't too impressed with Jerome- just my opinion. Rachael Ray used to have a $40/day show and she went there on her trip to Sedona. So we HAD to go. My daughter who was I think 9 at the time was bored.
Did the trip several years ago from Sedona to DLR and stopped off a cousin's house near Palm Springs. Palm Springs has a tram ride to the top of a mountain-not for those with height issues Did it as a kid and while it was scorching in Palm Springs, there was snow on the mountain- cool!

Have a wonderful time!!

 

[woody73]

The Cowboy Club is a neat restaurant to eat at.

We love Sedona, and have been going there for years. (We're going again this year.)

Cowboy Club is a favorite. So is Picazzo's, with scrumptious gourmet pizza, salads and pasta.

Woody

 

[rockethouse]

I-40 parallels Route 66, so there are definitely more things to stop and see than along I-10. It's still not a lot, though, and almost all of it is in Arizona - they've done a much better job keeping up the tourism aspect of Historic Route 66 than CA has.

AAA has a good Route 66 booklet that lists quite a few stops between Flagstaff and LA. I prefer to go a little out of my way and take the 40. But it's mostly kitschy roadside attractions (e.g. Seligman, AZ) and nature tourism (e.g. Grand Canyon Caverns), and if that doesn't appeal to you I'd probably just opt for the (incredibly boring) drive along the 10.

 

[ahutton]

If you are planning a Grand Canyon day you could look at taking the Grand Canyon Railroad. It is really fun, and for the kids, unless they are really into hiking and nature, it is the right amount of time at the canyon.

I love Red Rocks State Park, we are planning on hiking up there later this summer. I am also planning a picnic day at Grasshopper Point. Really cool area along Oak Creek Canyon.

I might have already said this somewhere, but our favorite hotel is the Matterhorn Inn. It is right in the middle of town, walking distance to the shopping and restaurants and has the best balcony/patio areas. The pool is not fancy but it is nice to swim in.

Slide Rock is also really cool, but it is super popular and can be very crowded when open. Montezuma's Castle is fun for a couple hours. Tuzigoot is also cool. You could easily do both of those in one day.

 

[Huff]

The 25 mile drive north from Sedona to Flagstaff is beautiful with a very scenic vista overlooking Oak Creek Canyon. There are often local Indians selling their crafts there.

North of Flagstaff towards Grand Canyon is Arizona Snowbowl ski area. In summer you can ride the chairlift to the 11,400' level with incredible views of the region.

I-40 passes through Williams, AZ. There you will find a Deer petting zoo that is a blast with the kids. Dozens of deer follow you around hoping you'll feed them food thats available. Other animals are there as well.

Also in Williams is Bearizona. A very well done drive through animal park. You'll see bears as well as many other animals free roaming as you drive through their habitat. Theres also walking exhibits with baby bears, wolves etc.

West of Williams I-40 drops altitude quickly out of the forests and into the desert. Near Kingman you can take the old Route 66 to Oatman. They have gun fights in the street and there are wild mules wandering about that are friendly. Continue on 66 back to I-40.

South of Sedona on I-17 is the Out of Africa Wild Animal Park near Camp Verde. The Tiger Splash show and Hyena show are lots of fun.