Itinerary help please

Question

We are staying in Peoria, AZ from 12/25-12/29. We are planning to drive to the Grand Canyon on 12/27 and will stay overnight in Flagstaff and visit Sedona on our drive back to Peoria on 12/28. Please advise on a potential itinerary. We are a family of 3, and we prefer "easy" hikes with good views. Thank you!!

Depart 6 am- 3 hour drive to GC

Stop at Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

GPS El Tovar Hotel to get to the rim of the South Entrance.

Rim Trail

Picnic lunch

Hike South Kaibab Trail, Bright Angel Trail or Amitaba Stupa Peace Trail (We would only do part of the hard trails)

Bring in pizza to see the sunset in GC

Drive to Flagstaff

12/28 drive to Sedona

Could you help me create an itinerary with any of the following that would be realistic?

Oak Creek Canyon

Marg’s Draw Trail

Soldier's pass

Chapel of the Holy Cross.

Pink Jeep tour - must be there by 3:30, will be very crowded with limited parking! (Red rock range tour)

Dinner at Mesa Grill after?

Answer

Here’s a suggested itinerary for your family trip from Peoria to the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, and Sedona, keeping in mind your preference for easy hikes and maximizing scenic views.

12/27 – Peoria to Grand Canyon & Flagstaff

6:00 AM: Depart Peoria for Grand Canyon (~3 hours). Consider stopping briefly for coffee or breakfast on the way.

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Stop at Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Both are short visits, ideal for quick walks and photos.

12:00 PM: Arrive at the Grand Canyon South Rim, check in at the rim if possible, or use El Tovar Hotel area as your meeting point.

12:15 PM – 1:30 PM: Picnic lunch on the rim, enjoying expansive canyon views.

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Take a portion of the easy Rim Trail along the South Rim, which is mostly flat and offers spectacular views. For a short descent, consider walking a small section of Bright Angel Trail or South Kaibab Trail, but turn back well before it gets strenuous (South Kaibab to Ooh Aah Point is manageable).

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Relax at a viewpoint, grab some coffee or snacks.

4:30 PM: Bring in pizza or snacks to enjoy sunset at a viewpoint such as Yaki Point or near El Tovar.

5:30 PM: Depart for Flagstaff (~1.5 hours), check into your hotel.

12/28 – Flagstaff to Sedona and return to Peoria

8:00 AM: Depart Flagstaff and drive via Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive to Sedona. Enjoy scenic overlooks along the way.

9:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Short easy hike options:

Marg’s Draw Trail: Easy/moderate loop with great red rock views.
Soldier’s Pass Trail: Moderate trail featuring Devil’s Bridge and scenic formations.

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Visit Chapel of the Holy Cross for quick photos and views.

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch in Sedona (plenty of family-friendly restaurants along Highway 89A).

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Explore Uptown Sedona, shops, and photo stops.

3:30 PM: Be at Pink Jeep Tours – Red Rock Range Tour. Book ahead to ensure availability; plan for ~2-hour tour.

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Dinner at Mesa Grill or another local restaurant.

7:00 PM: Depart back to Peoria (~2 hours), arrive around 9 PM.

Tips:

Start early each day to maximize light and avoid crowds, especially at the Grand Canyon and Pink Jeep Tours.
Pack water, snacks, and sunscreen; even easy hikes in winter can be chilly but sunny.
Check road conditions for Oak Creek Canyon in winter, as some areas may have ice or closures.
Use designated parking lots for popular viewpoints and hikes, as parking can be limited during holidays.

This itinerary balances scenic drives, short easy hikes, and iconic viewpoints while keeping driving and hiking manageable for a family with varying ages.

Itinerary help please

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