Itinerary - Final Draft, I hope!

Question

I have posted previously about this trip. This will be my last one until my trip report. I think I have our schedule finalized, but always like to run it by the great minds here who can spot errors in my ways. We are a family of four (two adult daughters) arriving 12/14 at 11 a.m. in Phoenix and departing 12/18 at 11:30 p.m. We would like to see as much nature as possible. We have an Airbnb in Uptown. Jeep tour is scheduled. I chose hikes rated as easy on the Sedona app due to a foot injury that slows me down. My kids have said they don't need great adventurous hikes on this trip and want to stay together. (But I may try to squeeze in some time for them to scramble up some rocks!) Here it is:

Saturday

Land 11:00 a.m.

Get rental car

Find lunch to eat on the road/groceries

Red Rock Scenic Byway on the way in

Bell Rock climb

Tlaquepaque - shopping village and dinner

Airbnb - settle in/groceries

Sunday

Airport Mesa - overlook

Breakfast at Mesa Grill (make reservation)

Crescent Moon trail to Buddha Beach

Park back at airbnb

Explore Uptown

Jeep tour at 3 p.m.

Dinner in Uptown afterward

Monday

Soldiers Pass only to Seven Sacred Pools

Birthing Cave (I just saw the post about avoiding this trail so will swap it out)

Boynton Vista Trail only

(will bring lunch with us)

Peace Park if time (optional)

Dinner in town

Tuesday

Out the door by 8 a.m.

Slide Rock State Park

Head for Grand Canyon

Brunch in Flagstaff

Explore the rim trail, visitor’s center, walk to geology museum, maybe trail of time or drive west

Stay at Bright Angel cabins

Wednesday

Head for Phoenix - try to be close before dark

Exit Grand Canyon east and explore points of interest on the way out

Waputaki and Sunset Crater

If time and interest - Montezuma's Castle and Well sites and

Crane Petroglyphs

Dinner in Phoenix and relax until airport arrival 9:00 p.m.

Answer

Your itinerary looks very well thought out, balancing scenic drives, light hikes, and comfortable sightseeing for a family group with varying activity levels. Here’s a detailed review and some suggestions to help optimize your schedule and make it smoother while considering winter daylight and accessibility.

Saturday – Arrival & Sedona:

Landing at 11 a.m., getting a rental, and grabbing lunch is realistic, but traffic and airport pickup could take longer than expected—keep that in mind.
Red Rock Scenic Byway and Bell Rock climb are great choices. Bell Rock has several easy paths, with the option for your kids to scramble a bit.
Tlaquepaque for shopping and dinner works well; it will be less crowded earlier in the evening, which is helpful in December.
Settling in at your Airbnb and doing groceries afterward is logical, just make sure you have a small cooler or bags to carry lunch items if needed for Sunday hikes.

Sunday – Scenic & Jeep tour:

Airport Mesa overlook early in the morning is a good call for sunrise lighting.
Mesa Grill for breakfast with a reservation is wise during the busy holiday season.
Crescent Moon trail to Buddha Beach is an easy hike and very scenic; it should be manageable with your foot injury.
Returning to the Airbnb before the Jeep tour provides time to rest and change if needed.
Jeep tour at 3 p.m. is great for seeing off-road areas you can’t access on foot.

Monday – Easy hikes:

Soldiers Pass to Seven Sacred Pools is a beautiful, moderate trail and perfect for your family pace.
Since you’ve decided to skip Birthing Cave, consider replacing it with the Doe Mountain Trail (short, flat sections) or the Fay Canyon Trail, both of which are easy and scenic.
Boynton Vista Trail is short and offers a nice overlook.
Peace Park as optional is good if you have energy; it’s mostly flat and easy to explore.
Bringing lunch is smart—there are picnic areas along these trails.

Tuesday – Slide Rock & Grand Canyon:

Leaving at 8 a.m. gives you time at Slide Rock State Park before heading north. Expect some visitors even in December, but it’s less crowded than summer.
Brunch in Flagstaff is perfectly timed and gives a break in your day.
At the Grand Canyon, the Rim Trail and Visitor Center offer easy walking with stunning views. Trail of Time is optional and mostly paved.
Bright Angel Cabins are comfortable and convenient for your overnight stay; check sunset timing to ensure you arrive before dark.

Wednesday – Return to Phoenix:

Exiting via the east side gives you access to Wupatki and Sunset Crater. Consider prioritizing one if daylight or energy is limited.
Montezuma Castle and Well sites and Crane Petroglyphs are great stops, but keep an eye on timing to avoid rushing to Phoenix for your late-night flight.
Dinner in Phoenix before heading to the airport is ideal, especially with a flight at 11:30 p.m.

Additional Tips:

December days are short, with sunset around 5:15–5:20 p.m., so plan hikes and drives accordingly.
Parking can fill quickly at popular trailheads even in winter, so arriving early is helpful.
Consider checking weather for snow or ice on northern routes (Grand Canyon, Flagstaff) and allow extra travel time if needed.
Keep snacks, water, and layered clothing handy for comfort during hikes and drives.

Overall, your itinerary is well-paced, with a good balance of easy walks, sightseeing, and family-friendly activities. Minor tweaks to replace the Birthing Cave and allow buffer time for winter daylight will ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.

Itinerary - Final Draft, I hope!

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