Itinerary update week of thanksgiving. Feedback please

Question

UPDATE from a previous post on my itinerary. I got a lot of good suggestions and we made a few changes including my daughter changing her flights. We have now eliminated late arrivals after dark on all segments.

I would love some help and your suggestions.

We are a family of 5 including our 3 adult children who are all arriving from different locations the week of thanksgiving.

22nd : land in Phoenix at 1 PM. Pick up a rental car and some water / provisions and check into a hotel at the airport. All the kids will arrive between 10pm and midnight that day so staying at airport hotel for the night.

23rd Phoenix to Page : our kids are very keen on AC despite the long drive. Have breakfast and head to Page by 10am. Visit Montezuma castle on the way? And hopefully some other sights. See horseshoe bend perhaps? Check into hotel at Page

24th : late am or early pm tour of Antelope Canyon. See horseshoe Bend before or after our AC tour if we could not on the previous day

Head to GC via east gate and see sights along the drive. Check into hotel Maswik South for the night.

Hoping to catch sunset at GC?

25th: explore GC and then leave for Sedona by 2-3pm?

Check into our Air b and B near uptown.

OR alternatively:

23rd: phoenix to GC. Explore and stay at Maswik South.

24th: explore GC. Drive to Page. Check into hotel

25th.: tour of AC and then head south to Sedona and reach by 5 pm.

Which of the above would utilize our time at GC the best?

We have 2 sets of reservations for GC ( both 23rd and 24th night).

26th : Sedona

27th : Sedona

28th : Sedona Thanksgiving

29th: early check out and drive back to Phoenix airport. Return car and catch flight back home. Flight is at 1.30 pm. Hopefully we will be okay.

We have all accommodations however they are refundable except for the Sedona Air B&B.

Would appreciate any feedback about the first two days.

Thank you so much for your time.

Answer

Your Thanksgiving week itinerary looks well thought out and realistic, with good attention to travel times and daylight. Since your main question is about the first two days and how to best utilize time at the Grand Canyon (GC), here is a detailed analysis and recommendations.

Day 1 – November 22: Phoenix Arrival

Landing at 1 PM with kids arriving late at night justifies the airport hotel stay. No changes needed here.
Pick up rental car and grab provisions at the airport is a smart move. Consider grabbing some easy snacks or light meals for late arrivals.

Day 2 – November 23: Phoenix to Page vs Phoenix to Grand Canyon

You have two options here:

Option 1: Phoenix → Page → Grand Canyon later
Pros: Visits Antelope Canyon area early, including Horseshoe Bend. Breaks up the long drive to GC over two days. Your kids get to see Lake Powell/AC first. Montezuma Castle along the way is doable if leaving by 10 AM. Antelope Canyon tour later that day fits with their interest. Cons: Longer cumulative driving time, particularly if you also want to reach GC for sunset. May feel rushed to fit AC tour, Horseshoe Bend, and drive to GC on the same day.
Option 2: Phoenix → Grand Canyon first, then Page next day
Pros: Maximizes time at GC, especially for catching sunset and exploring viewpoints on the 23rd. Less driving stress before arriving at the Canyon. The scenery along the way is impressive, including East Rim vistas if entering via Desert View. Cons: AC tour may feel tight if scheduled the next day after GC exploration. Page visit compressed, so sightseeing may feel hurried.

Recommendation:

Since you want to maximize time at the Grand Canyon, Option 2 (Phoenix → GC first, then Page) is the better choice. This way, you get:

More relaxed arrival at Maswik South.
Time for a sunset at GC on 23rd.
Full day 24th to explore GC viewpoints in the morning before heading to Page for AC tour in the afternoon.

With this approach, you are using your two nights at GC optimally. You will still have plenty of time to enjoy Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend on the 24th without feeling rushed, and the drive from GC to Page is scenic.

Additional Tips:

Montezuma Castle is roughly 1–1.5 hours north of Phoenix, so it’s feasible if heading toward Page. If you choose Option 2, consider doing it en route from Page back to Phoenix (or skipping if pressed for time).
Horseshoe Bend is best timed either early morning or late afternoon for light and cooler temperatures. Avoid the hottest midday sun.
Ensure your AC tour reservation matches your arrival time in Page—midday tours are often less crowded than morning ones.
At GC, Rim Trail walks are a good way to catch multiple viewpoints without extra driving.

Overall, your itinerary is solid. Focusing on GC first gives the most flexibility and ensures you catch sunset and sunrise, which are highlights. Page and Sedona can then be fit in comfortably afterward, and your Thanksgiving week is well-balanced for sightseeing, family time, and travel.

Itinerary update week of thanksgiving. Feedback please

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