We went to the Grand Canyon for Spring Break this year. We started in Sedona, AZ and then drove to Scottsdale. I thought I’d share some of my recommendations and tips, and y’all had so many amazing recommendations of places to go, things to do, restaurants to check out, etc (I wish we could have done them all), so I’ll definitely share those at the end of this post, too.
I laughed to myself a little bit when I got home because one of my closest friends said something like, “Wow, it looked like you had one of the best family vacations of your life.” She was referring to our pictures on Instagram. And while of course we had an amazing time, it wasn’t void of the usual ups and downs of a family vacation. Oh wait, I mean family “trip” not “vacation” -ha! Let’s bring back the Clark Griswald movies that look a little more like reality than Instagram! But what I’ve learned is that just like life is good and hard, so are trips- really good with some hard moments. I had a really great time on my trip. I made some really great memories with my family, but it wasn’t perfect like Instagram may have made it seem.
My recommendations:
Sedona-
To Stay-
Enchantment or Lauberge de Sedona (We stayed at the value driven sister property of Lauberge de Sedona, Orchards Inn. It was tired but in a great location (within walking distance to most everything).
To Eat-
Elote Cafe (Best meal we had all trip. The Agave Ice Cream was tdf.)
Lauberge de Sedona (Since we were staying at the sister property, we could get in pretty easily, but I’d recommend calling for reservations.)
Mariposa was recommended by a lot of people, but we never made it there.
To Do-
Pink Jeep Tour – We did the tour of Sedona, but I’d recommend doing one of the more fun tours that go off-roading. My boys really wanted more activity. We saw this beautiful church on our tour.
Shop-
We walked up and down the main drag and there were lots of knick-knack type stores. Fun, but not a ton of great “finds.” I recommend the shopping area called Tlaquepaue. It had the nicest shops.
Grand Canyon-
The drive from Sedona to the Grand Canyon is beautiful! We stopped in Flagstaff and ate lunch at Oregano’s (A local pizza chain that we all loved). Flagstaff is a good in-between place to stop if you need to eat or take a break, etc. We waited in a long line of cars for 45 minutes to an hour to enter the Grand Canyon’s South Rim Entrance. Just in case you are sitting in traffic and wondering why- that’s why! Everyone wants to see the beautiful Grand Canyon. The line and traffic is totally worth it though!
My hands sweat just looking at these pictures! The Grand Canyon is literally breathtaking (but it’s because I’m all of a sudden afraid of heights, and that’s one big fall!).
Our next stop was Scottsdale, Arizona!
Scottsdale, AZ-
To Stay-
We stayed at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback. It was very kid friendly, but I’d stay some place smaller and more boutique-y if I was going on a “romantic getaway”. I’d check out the other places recommended below.
To Do-
We hiked Pinnacle Peak Trail. We made it to the highest point and then turned around and went back down. I think there was a mile or two more to go.
Spring Training Games-
And you know you’re a boy mom when the next two days were spent at Spring Training games!
To Eat-
We tried to eat at The Mission in Scottsdale since so many people recommended it, but because they were short staffed, they weren’t taking walk-ins. Next time! We mostly ate at our hotel in between Spring Training games and other activities. I’d definitely making a few reservations at a few spots recommended below.
One of the few times I actually got dressed in non-workout clothes during our trip, I wore this outfit!
Now for y’alls recommendations. Here’s some of the top things y’all said to do in Scottsdale-
Hiking:
Food:
Shopping:
Hotel/Spa:
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback
Activities:
I hope this peek into our little family trip can be of use to you if you’re heading out west anytime soon! Arizona sure is a beautiful place to visit!
