I do believe a little bit of introduction is always useful before I describe what was “accomplished” compared to my pre-trip planning. For starters, I never expect to accomplish it all. This planning list is me scouring my travel/history books, asking friends and looking through Pinterest for a big list. Although it does inform our budget and schedule, it is not meant to be a practical goal.
Additionally this was a large-group + holiday travel: 11 of us (grandparents to toddlers) travelled to Sedona, Arizona for Thanksgiving. That elements adds hurdles and inevitable requires a “slower” trip; this is not a complaint, but merely an observation. This trip, for the reasons just mentioned, required a bit of “un-planning”: but even with that, we accomplished quite a bit. My husband’s one complaint was that he wanted to hike more, I agree, but we also have a 4 year old and almost-2 year old…maybe next time!
Read more: Travel Trips: Planning a Trip without Really Planning
UNESCO
Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips
Route 66 through Arizona– see comment above about Route 66Rafting through the Grand Canyon– I knew we were never going to raft through the Grand Canyon
Read more: My Strange Addiction: UNESCO
Drives of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Most Spectacular Trips
- Red Rocks of Arizona & the Chapel of the Holy Cross
Rivers, Valleys, and Canyons: Also Recommended – Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona- The Road Less Traveled: Also Recommended – Grand Canyon View Scenic Drive, Arizona
Route 66– I think we technically drove a bit of Route 66 but not really; our last trip to Arizona we definitely made a point of this so I have “done” it before.
Read more: Travel Tips: Visiting Catholic Churches
1,000 Places to See Before You Die
Flagstaff & Route 66– see comment above about Route 66 + we bypassed FlagstaffPhoenix:Heard Museum– the only reason I didn’t make a point to see this is that I’ve been to the museum before + I have two little kids
Sacred Places of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Most Peaceful and Powerful Destinations
- Sedona
Read more: Travel Tips: How Not to Break the Bank for Holiday Travel
1,000 Places to See Before You Die in the United States & Canada
Flagstaff- Grand Canyon
- Valley of the Sun: Phoenix
& Scottsdale PrescottThe Phoenician, ScottsdaleTaliesin West, Scottsdale- Sedona and Red Rock Country
Enchantment Resort, Sedona
Extra things I googled to have local things on hand:
- Jerome Ghost Town
Out of Africa Wildlife Park– this was not something I really wanted to do + it seemed closed- Chimney Rock/Capitol Butte
- Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park
- Kid Friendly Hikes in Sedona
Slide Rock State ParkCenter for the New AgeSedona Wetlands PreserveSchnebly Hill Vista Overlook
JMF
P.S. afriad to travel with kids? I get it: they are lovely and infuriating and exhausting and fun. But I do think it is worth it! Read more? Travel Tips: Traveling with Little Kids
