9 day high level itenary

Question

Hi,

We are a family of three (including 7 y/o) planning to visit LA, AZ, UT in Mid April for the spring break. Below is the high level itenary. can you please check it and let me know if it is doable. i have not booked flights/car rentals/hotels(we will be flying out of DC) yet , wanted to make sure the itenary makes sense before booking them. As for what we are looking for , we just want to hit the major sightseeing areas in each of the places (but we will be skipping difficult hikes like angels landing due to 7 y/o but open to easy to moderate hikes). we will also want to stay outside the park as most in park lodges do not have microwaves/fridge which we need due to some food constraints.

April 12'th - Arrive in LV. Stay in LV (Based on our arrival time we might see some attractions on this day).

April 13' th - LV Sightseeing (Hadn't decided where but would just want to walk the strip, attend some children shows, Bellagio fountain/conservatory, container park etc.) Stay in LV.

April 14'th - Depart LV at morning and go for Hoover dam tour. Leave from Hoover dam at Noon for Sedona. Stay in Sedona.

April 15'th - Sightseeing in Sedona (Jeep tour, red rock scenic byway,overlooks etc.) Stay in Sedona.

April 16'th - Leave from Sedona in morning for GCNP (South rim). Do some sight seeing in GC based on our arrival time. Stay in GC- outside the park)

April 17'th - Sightseeing in GC. Go to page and do Lower Antelope canyon tour. Stay in Page.

April 18'th - Horse show bend tour. Leave Page at noon to Zion NP. Stay in Springsdale.

April 19'th = Sightseeing in Zion NP. Stay in Springsdale.(Riverside walk , emerald pools, overlooks). We know Narrows will be closed during this time.

April 20'th - Leave Zion NP at morning and travel to LV. Get a flight out of LV to DC.

Thanks

Answer

Your 9-day itinerary for mid-April through Las Vegas, Arizona, and Utah is ambitious but generally doable, especially with a 7-year-old, as you are focusing on easy to moderate activities. Here’s a breakdown of each day and some considerations:

April 12 – Arrival in Las Vegas: Depending on your arrival time, exploring the Strip or visiting the Bellagio fountains/conservatory is reasonable. Consider limiting walking if you’re arriving from a long flight.

April 13 – Las Vegas: A full day for light sightseeing, kid-friendly shows, and attractions is appropriate. Walking the Strip, visiting Container Park, and seeing fountains is manageable.

April 14 – Hoover Dam and Sedona: Morning Hoover Dam tour works, but note that it will likely take 2–3 hours including traffic. The drive from Hoover Dam to Sedona is around 4–5 hours. You may arrive in Sedona mid- to late-afternoon.

April 15 – Sedona: Full day for Jeep tours, scenic drives, and overlooks is perfect. Jeep tours can be bumpy; make sure your 7-year-old is comfortable with off-road rides.

April 16 – Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim: Driving ~2.5–3 hours from Sedona to the South Rim. Afternoon sightseeing is feasible; consider viewpoints like Mather Point and Yavapai Observation Station. Staying outside the park is fine for convenience and having a fridge/microwave.

April 17 – Grand Canyon to Page/Antelope Canyon: Morning in the Grand Canyon for sunrise or additional viewpoints is possible. Drive to Page (~2.5 hours). Afternoon Lower Antelope Canyon tour works; book in advance.

April 18 – Horseshoe Bend and drive to Zion NP: Morning visit to Horseshoe Bend is great. The drive to Zion NP (Springdale) is ~2.5–3 hours. Arriving mid-afternoon allows for light exploration.

April 19 – Zion NP: Full day for kid-friendly hikes: Riverside Walk, Emerald Pools, and scenic viewpoints. Avoid strenuous hikes; Narrows is closed, so your plan is appropriate.

April 20 – Zion to Las Vegas and departure: Morning drive (~2.5–3 hours) to Las Vegas is reasonable. Make sure to account for possible traffic and return car rental if needed.

Overall, the itinerary is doable with the following tips:

Consider starting drives early to maximize sightseeing time and avoid afternoon traffic.
Book Antelope Canyon tour and any Sedona Jeep tours in advance to secure slots.
Be mindful of fatigue for your 7-year-old; include snack and rest breaks during long drives.
Grand Canyon and Zion offer shuttle services; plan logistics if staying outside the park.
Parking and timing for popular viewpoints (Horseshoe Bend, Mather Point) can be crowded; arrive early if possible.

Suggested adjustments if you want a slightly more relaxed pace:

Consider skipping some minor stops in Las Vegas if arrival day is late.
Use Sedona morning for Red Rock Scenic Byway drive before Jeep tour to spread activities.
Allocate extra time in Grand Canyon or Zion if weather or traffic causes delays.

In summary, your plan covers major highlights without overly strenuous activities and is suitable for a family with a young child, as long as you allow buffer time for driving and rest.

9 day high level itenary

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