AZ Itenerary Check: 7 days with 8 & 13 year olds in April

Question

I would love some feedback on this plan, please!

Additional info:

We are traveling with our kids, aged 8 & 13. Both are very athletic/active.

We rented a full size SUV

I'd love some food recommendations; we do also plan to do an order pickup of snacks/fruit so we aren't wasting tons of time sitting in restaurants.

We like to move, but I don't want to over schedule, so I tried to be judicious. I am a little nervous about the 3 back to bag "big" days of skiing, Grand Canyon, and Antelope Canyon, but our kids just wrapped up ski season at home, so they are used to skiing that much. Maybe it won't be super strenuous to them, although the altitude might kick their butts?

Let me know what you think!

Day 1– Travel Day**

✈️ **Flight**

- Depart ORD (Chicago): 3:13 PM

- Arrive PHX (Phoenix): 5:24 PM

We will have been traveling for 10 hours by this point, so check into hotel to have a good “real” first day.

Day 2 : Pick up rental car and go to Sedona

🚗 **Rental Car**

Pickup: 9:00 AM

🗺️ **Stops **

1. Sam’s Club – Order pickup at 9:30 am for snacks and fruit. Store in the cooler backpack.

Head towards Sedona N SR-179 Park & Ride – Take the shuttle to Cathedral Rock (mandatory on Sundays)

**Activities**

1. Cathedral Rock – Hike & explore

2: Possibly go to Devil’s Bridge in addition/instead

3. Hillside Sedona Shopping Center – Local shops

🏨 **Hotel**

Americana Motor Hotel Flagstaff Route 66

Day 3: – Flagstaff Exploration

🗺️ **Activities**

1. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

2. Lowell Observatory *(Note: CLOSED on Tuesdays, so visit today)*

Day 4 – Snowbowl Day

🎿 **Activity**

- Arizona Snowbowl – ski from 10:00-4:00

🏨 **Hotel**

Head to High Country Motor Lodge to go to bed very early.

---

Day 5 – Grand Canyon

🗺️ **Route Plan**

- East Entrance Station → Desert View Watchtower →

Need to choose 1 trail and which lookouts we want to see

→ Navajo Point

→ Lipan Point

→ South Kaibab Trailhead

→ Grandview Trailhead

→ Moran Point

📝 **Notes**

- Use Desert View Trail for scenic pull-offs

- Decide on return via Desert View or Main Gate

- Pack lunch and snacks for the day

Return to: High Country Motor Lodge

---

Day 6 – Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon**

⏰ **Schedule**

- Depart early by 7:30 AM . Kids can nap on the drive since it’s long.

- Quick breakfast on-the-go

📍 **Activities**

1. Horseshoe Bend – Visit early to avoid crowds

2. Antelope Canyon X by Taadidiin Tours – Reservation at 1:40 PM

Return to: High Country Motor Lodge

---

Day 7– Relax & Travel to Arcosanti**

Hang at hotel for the morning since the last 3 days were busy and physical.

Drive to Arcosanti SkySuite

🌿 **Activities**

- If we have energy: Explore public areas, hiking trails,, and sky theater

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Day 8- Departure

🍽️ **Morning**

- Breakfast at Arcosanti Café

- Possible tour at 9:30 AM

🚗 **Rental Return**

- Drop off car at Enterprise by 2:00 PM

✈️ **Flight**

- Depart PHX: 6:29 PM

Answer

Your 7-day Arizona itinerary looks very well thought out, balancing active exploration with downtime, which is great for traveling with kids aged 8 and 13. Since your children are used to physical activities, the ski, Grand Canyon, and Antelope Canyon days should be manageable, though the altitude in Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon could make them feel more tired than usual. Planning snacks and hydration is key for those days.

Here’s a detailed review and suggestions for each day:

Day 2 – Sedona: Picking up snacks at Sam’s Club is smart. Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridge are excellent choices. Make sure to start hikes early to avoid the midday heat and crowds. Consider adding Bell Rock for a shorter hike if kids have extra energy. Uptown Sedona offers casual dining options; consider Sedona Memories Bakery & Café or The Hudson for kid-friendly meals.
Day 3 – Flagstaff Exploration: Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is a fun, educational hike. Lowell Observatory is fantastic for kids and adults; arriving during the day is ideal for exhibits. If you have extra time, consider a short walk around Walnut Canyon National Monument for scenic cliff dwellings.
Day 4 – Arizona Snowbowl: Skiing 10:00–4:00 is ambitious but doable since kids are active. Make sure to check lift schedules and plan breaks for lunch and rest. Bring layers as mountain weather can be unpredictable.
Day 5 – Grand Canyon: Your plan covers many key viewpoints. For trails, consider picking just one longer hike (like South Kaibab to Ooh Aah Point) to avoid overexertion. Packing lunch and snacks is wise, as services along the Rim Trail are limited. Sunrise or sunset is beautiful, but since you’re arriving later, the daytime viewpoints are still spectacular.
Day 6 – Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon: Early departure is perfect for avoiding crowds at Horseshoe Bend. For Antelope Canyon, confirm timing and allow flexibility for travel delays. Remind the kids to wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
Day 7 – Arcosanti: This is a good recovery day after your busy itinerary. Exploring the public areas and Sky Suite is relaxing. If kids are energetic, the short hiking trails around the area are scenic but not strenuous.
Food Suggestions:

Pack portable snacks such as fruit, granola bars, trail mix, and sandwiches for travel days and long drives.
In Sedona, try The Hudson or Sedona Memories Bakery & Café for kid-friendly options.
Flagstaff has casual spots like Beaver Street Brewery or Diablo Burger for easy dining.
Page has casual options such as Fiesta Mexicana or Big John’s Texas BBQ for lunch or dinner.
For quick stops, grocery stores in Flagstaff and Page can provide additional snack packs and drinks.

Additional Tips:

Altitude Awareness: Flagstaff (7,000 ft) and Grand Canyon South Rim (7,000 ft) may cause mild fatigue or headaches; ensure everyone drinks plenty of water.
Flexibility: Your schedule is well-paced, but keep some flexibility for rest, weather changes, or unexpected delays.
Parking & Shuttle Considerations: In Sedona, using the shuttle for Cathedral Rock is required on Sundays; plan accordingly and allow extra time for parking/shuttle waits.
Layering: Your plan for layers is excellent; mornings and evenings can be chilly, especially in higher elevations.

Overall, your itinerary is well-balanced and should be enjoyable for your kids while still allowing you to experience the best of Arizona’s natural beauty. Key is staying hydrated, pacing the big activity days, and having snacks handy to maintain energy.

AZ Itenerary Check: 7 days with 8 & 13 year olds in April

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