Itinerary 3 day Sedona, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon

Question

Hello all! I have booked a flight to Flagstaff, AZ from May 28 (arrives 5:30 p.m) and fly out June 1 around 10 a.m. I originally had planned to fly in, drive up to Page, stay the night and see Antelope the 29th, drive down and stay in Flagstaff. Then GC train ride on the 30th and explore Sedona on the 31st, BUT after reading so many reviews saying not to Sedona on the weekend, I thought if just staying Sedona and moving my Antelope reservation to the 31st. But then, lol, I bc read Sedona and GC are the main events and not to stress Antelope. Could some plz give me ideas for a realistic trip, in order, to see the best of Sedona and GC….?!! I’m also perplexed bc some are saying stay over night in GC to see sunset and sunrise. I’m overwhelmed and need helping with a realistic itinerary. I’ve asked Antelope to refund our trip and just do Sedona and GC, but they are only wanting to do a partial refund… thank you for any suggestions and help!

Signed,

A mom of 4 boys

Answer

Given your time frame—arriving in Flagstaff late May 28 and departing June 1 around 10 a.m.—you have about 3 full days to explore Northern Arizona. Since you have four boys, it’s best to focus on Sedona and the Grand Canyon as your main attractions and minimize rushed travel. Antelope Canyon is spectacular but would require a significant detour and overnight stay in Page, which could be stressful with your schedule.

Here’s a realistic itinerary that balances sightseeing, driving time, and energy levels:

May 28 (Arrival in Flagstaff): Arrive around 5:30 p.m., pick up your rental car, and drive to your Flagstaff accommodation. Keep the evening light—grab dinner, get settled, maybe a short walk around downtown Flagstaff.
May 29 (Sedona Day Trip): Drive from Flagstaff to Sedona in the morning (~45 minutes). Focus on the main scenic attractions:

Red Rock Scenic Byway and Bell Rock
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Cathedral Rock or Devil’s Bridge short hike (choose one depending on energy and age of kids)
Slide Rock State Park if the weather is warm

Return to Flagstaff in the evening or consider staying overnight in Sedona if you want less driving.

May 30 (Grand Canyon): Early morning departure to Grand Canyon South Rim (~1.5 hours from Flagstaff). Consider these options:

Spend the day exploring Desert View Drive—stop at multiple viewpoints, including Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Desert View Watchtower.
Short kid-friendly hikes along the Rim Trail or part of Bright Angel Trail if your boys are up for it.
For sunset, staying at Grand Canyon Village or nearby lodging is ideal to see the colors change over the canyon.

If staying overnight in the park isn’t possible, plan to leave after sunset and head back to Flagstaff, but be aware the drive is ~1.5 hours and you’ll arrive late.

May 31 (Optional Sedona Second Visit or Relaxed Flagstaff): If you stayed in Flagstaff, you can return to Sedona to see any spots missed on May 29. Alternatively, enjoy a more relaxed day in Flagstaff:

Lowell Observatory
Flagstaff Arboretum
Downtown Flagstaff for a casual lunch and stroll

This plan keeps your main priorities—Sedona and Grand Canyon—front and center while minimizing stress from driving and tight schedules. Antelope Canyon could be saved for a future trip where you can dedicate a full day or overnight in Page.

Tips:

Book accommodations early for Grand Canyon South Rim if you want to stay overnight.
Start early each day to avoid crowds and maximize cooler morning temperatures, especially for hikes.
Pack snacks, water, and layers for changing temperatures in the canyon and Sedona.

Following this itinerary allows you to experience the best of Sedona and the Grand Canyon realistically with four boys, while keeping travel manageable and fun.

Itinerary 3 day Sedona, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon

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