Grand Canyon
I’ve written about the Grand Canyon in previous blogs, but never about viewing the famous attraction from the sky. You can do so on Grand Canyon Airlines, which offers daily round-trip tours from the Scottsdale airport. A deluxe tour, which includes a bus ride around the canyon, rim stops, lunch, a ticket to watch the Grand Canyon IMAX film, and a tour over the canyon in a helicopter will cost you about $450 per person. In total, the tours are about nine hours long, and include complimentary ground transportation to and from most Scottsdale hotels. It’s a good idea to make reservations for these tours well before your arrival in Arizona.
Sedona
Sedona’s famous rugged red rock formations draw visitors from around the world. The rocks have served as the backdrop to many Hollywood cowboy flicks. But, they serve just as well in family vacation shots. When you are done soaking in the scenery I would suggest browsing in the town’s eclectic art galleries. Or, have lunch at one the area’s authentic Mexican restaurants (the tortillas are fresh and the prickly pear libations are refreshing).
Kartchner Caverns State Park
For the adventure loving family unit Kartchner Caverns State Park is a welcome reprieve from the bustling city-like atmosphere of downtown Phoenix. The living cave system is located about 160 miles south of Phoenix and is an extremely popular tourist attraction. (Translation: expect large crowds and long lines.)
If you are traveling with children you should know two very important facts. First, there are no restaurants in the park—-not even a single snack shop. There are a few vending machines, but it’s a good idea to pack a cooler with beverages and your family’s favorite food items. It’s easier to tolerate the long lines on a full stomach. Also, the park’s Big Room tour is not open to children under 6-years-old.
The park is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; cave tours run approximately every 20 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Rotunda-Throne tour (available year-round) costs $18.95 adults, $9.95 kids 7 to 13, free for kids 6 and under. The Big Room tour (offered October 15 to April 15 only) costs $22.95 adults, $12.95 kids 7 to 13.
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