Phoenix area itinerary help

Question

We are planning to visit late February/early March for about 8/9 days. Retired couple coming from cold upstate NY and are looking for some warmer weather, spring training baseball, delicious southwest food, and beautiful sites to visit. We have never explored Arizona before. Flying into Phoenix and thinking of 2 nights in Tucson, 3 nights in Phoenix, and then 3 nights in Sedona. Thinking Grand Canyon may be too cold for us this trip. Are we making a mistake not planning to visit the Grand Canyon?

Answer

Your plan for late February/early March is strong for warmer weather, relaxing travel days, beautiful scenery, and enjoyable food. Arizona’s winter-to-spring transition is wonderful, especially for visitors coming from a cold climate. You’ve built a thoughtful itinerary with Tucson, Phoenix, and Sedona—each offering a completely different feel. The main question, of course, is whether skipping the Grand Canyon is a mistake this trip. The short answer is: no—your plan is perfectly reasonable, and many first-time visitors who want warmth and comfort choose to delay the Grand Canyon until a future visit.

Below is a detailed breakdown of weather, itinerary flow, and alternatives that fit your travel style.

1. Weather in late February–early March

Phoenix and Tucson will be the warmest destinations, often reaching the low to high 70s during the day—exactly the relief most visitors want after an upstate New York winter. Sedona will be cooler (50s–60s), but beautiful and very comfortable for sightseeing. The Grand Canyon, however, sits at ~7,000 ft and is frequently cold, windy, and icy at this time of year. Highs may reach the 40s, nights often dip into the teens or 20s. Roads and trails can be affected by lingering winter weather.

Given your focus on warmth and comfort, your hesitation about the Grand Canyon makes sense.

2. Your proposed itinerary is balanced and enjoyable

Two nights in Tucson, three in Phoenix, and three in Sedona offers you a well-paced vacation with minimal long drives and a great mix of experiences. Each destination offers something unique and aligned with your interests:

Tucson – Desert beauty, great food, warm weather, Saguaro National Park, and peaceful scenery.
Phoenix – Spring training baseball, great dining, easy day trips, warmest weather of the three.
Sedona – Stunning red-rock scenery, short hikes, galleries, scenic drives, cooler but still pleasant weather.

There is no “wrong” way to combine these three locations—they’re complementary and very manageable.

3. Are you making a mistake skipping the Grand Canyon?

Not at all, given your priorities. Many winter and early-spring visitors choose not to include the Grand Canyon because:

The weather is unpredictable and often cold.
Snow and ice can make viewpoints and walking paths more difficult.
Your itinerary already includes spectacular landscapes (Sedona and Saguaro National Park).
A future trip in April–October offers a much more comfortable, rewarding experience.

The Grand Canyon is unquestionably magnificent—but you will enjoy it far more when temperatures are milder, skies are clearer, and you don’t feel rushed. You are not “missing out”—you’re simply saving it for a visit when conditions match what you enjoy.

4. Optional alternatives if you want an extra scenic experience without the cold

Instead of the Grand Canyon, you could add any of the following warm-weather or mild-weather destinations:

Montezuma Castle + Montezuma Well (easy detour between Phoenix and Sedona)
Jerome – Historic hillside mining town, fun shops, warm during the day
Payson & Tonto Natural Bridge – Mild weather and beautiful scenery
Verde Canyon Railroad – Scenic, relaxing, no hiking required
Boyce Thompson Arboretum – Superb desert flora, very warm weather

All of these maintain the comfort-first goal of the trip while giving you memorable Arizona landscapes.

5. Final Thoughts

Your itinerary is already excellent for a first-time trip to Arizona during late February/early March. You will get warm weather, spring training games, beautiful red rocks, desert landscapes, and great Southwestern food without needing to bundle up. The Grand Canyon is truly better saved for a future visit when temperatures are warmer, snow is gone, and you can enjoy the views more fully.

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