last minute Grand Canyon visit - please advise

Question

We didn't plan to do GC this time but kids asked again and I promised to check the logistics. Not sure when we will be able to come back again so we try to squeeze a lot. What do you think of this plan?

On Black Friday leave JW Marriot early am on the way to GC. On the way stop in bearizona and dear farm. do an afternoon guided tour around 3pm. they will pick us up in Tusayan in case it improves traffic / parking. Stay the night in Tusayan (go to imax, bowling).

Saturday morning leave to Sedona, visit uptown, do pink jeep tour 1pm. after the tour (at 3pm) leave to Flagstaff and visit Lowell at night. Stay the night at Flagstaff.

Sunday morning start the trip back to PHX (6pm flight) and make some stops in mini golf, desert botanical garden etc based on time.

1. Is this a reasonable plan? I understand it is rushed but kids asked...

2. Are we at risk missing the 3pm GC tour on Friday or arriving to Flagstaff after dark on Sat (we want to avoid driving after dark at all cost).

3. One of the constraints is that we want to visit Lowell (ideally after dark but not a must) and it only opens 12pm so it is not a possible stop as part of other tours even though we pass it on our way. Would it make sense to skip it to simplify logistics? I heard the new kids area is great.

Thanks everyone for the help!

Answer

Your proposed itinerary is ambitious but doable, especially if your kids are excited about seeing multiple highlights in a short period. However, there are a few considerations to ensure the trip goes smoothly and safely.

Regarding your Friday plan:

Leaving early from JW Marriott to reach Grand Canyon is smart, but Black Friday traffic can be heavy, especially around tourist spots like Bearizona and Tusayan. Allocate extra time for unexpected delays.
Stopping at Bearizona and Dear Farm is feasible in the morning. Bearizona opens at 9 a.m., so an early start will help maximize time. Keep in mind that Bearizona itself can take 1.5–2 hours to explore fully.
Your 3 p.m. guided tour at Grand Canyon should be reachable if you leave Bearizona around 11:30 a.m.–12 p.m., giving enough buffer for parking and check-in. The shuttle pickup from Tusayan is a good contingency if traffic slows you down.
Spending the night in Tusayan is convenient. IMAX and bowling are kid-friendly activities, but factor in time to have dinner and check-in at your hotel.

For Saturday:

Driving to Sedona in the morning is reasonable. Visiting Uptown and then doing the Pink Jeep Tour at 1 p.m. works well. Tours typically last 2–2.5 hours, so you'll be done around 3:30–4 p.m.
Leaving for Flagstaff after the Jeep Tour could put you on the road around 4 p.m. The drive is roughly 45–60 minutes, which should allow arrival before sunset (around 4:30–5 p.m. in late November), so you can avoid driving after dark.
Lowell Observatory opens at 12 p.m., and visiting it after your Sedona activities means you’ll likely miss late-afternoon hours, unless you rearrange your stops. If seeing Lowell at night is important, you might consider skipping other minor stops in Sedona or leaving Sedona earlier in the day.

Sunday plan:

Leaving Flagstaff early for PHX with a 6 p.m. flight is doable, giving you time for a few quick stops. Mini golf or the Desert Botanical Garden can be included if time allows, but prioritize based on proximity to your route.

Some suggestions to simplify logistics and reduce stress:

Consider skipping Lowell Observatory if visiting at night is a must and you cannot adjust the Sedona schedule. The kids area is appealing, but the time constraint might add pressure to your day.
Build extra buffer time between attractions to account for traffic, restroom breaks, and meal stops. Kids can get tired, and a rushed schedule may reduce enjoyment.
Check the sunset times and local traffic conditions for each segment, especially if you want to avoid driving after dark. In late November, daylight is shorter.

Overall, your plan is feasible but tightly packed. Prioritize the experiences that matter most to your kids (Grand Canyon, Pink Jeep Tour) and allow flexibility for minor stops. Skipping Lowell could simplify your schedule and reduce the risk of driving after dark, but if visiting it is a highlight, consider adjusting Sedona activities or leaving Sedona earlier.

With careful timing, your family can have a memorable, adventure-filled weekend without too much stress.