Family spring break ideas in SW-U.S. (Arizona?)

fuelie600 · 08:18 AM

The wife and I are trying to come up with ideas for a 7-10 day spring break with our two sons (9 & 6 years old). We have been doing the Florida/Disney World thing the last few years and we are sick of Mickey!

We are planning for the first week of April and want to go somewhere with high temperatures 65* and up. We have been thinking about flying to Vegas, renting a car and heading for northern Arizona. Figured we would visit Hoover Dam, head down to Kingman and then toward the Grand Canyon. From there, we aren't sure where to go. Possibly southern Arizona or New Mexico. We could fly back out of Phoenix or Albuquerque? We want to avoid long days in the car, but can do a few hours every other day or so.

Does anyone have advice from taking a similar trip with the kids? Is Arizona a good place for this type of trip in early April? Any suggestions of places to visit? Like: hiking, Wild West shows, Indian ruins, horseback riding, etc. Maybe take a helicopter tour of the canyon?

Thanks for any help!

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by fuelie600
The wife and I are trying to come up with ideas for a 7-10 day spring break with our two sons (9 & 6 years old).

No offense, but I think have to I'll pass on your "Spring Break Gone Wild" video...

Joeaksa · 12-01-2005, 09:17 AM

Nothing against the four corners area but there is not a lot to see in NE AZ or NW New Mexico unless you like mountains and forests. Plus its cold that time of year. 7000 foot altitude.

You can always do the Grand Canyon and during the day its warm but once the sun drops it does get chilly. Flagstaff and Prescott are beautiful this time of year but also get chilly during the nights. All sorts of aerial tours going from either Grand Canyon or Page airport. You can also ride in an old Ford Tri-motor airplane if you like the old stuff.

You might also dip across the border and go to Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) which is about a 5 hour drive from Phoenix. Nice this time of year.

Southern AZ is nice and I lived in the Douglas/Bisbee area for several years. Old mining towns and interesting spots and warm weather during the winter.

Do a search of the internet, lots of things down in this area. Will see what I can find an post back later.

JoeA

tc-sacto · 12-01-2005, 09:22 AM

I hear Branson Missouri is supposed to be a fun, family oriented place to visit. Shows, outdoor activities, lake...shopping for wife etc.

http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/

Jims5543 · 12-01-2005, 09:39 AM

We did Palm Springs last year and it was a lot of fun. We rode a gondola to the top of Jacinta Peak (SP?) from the desert floor and hiked around the top for about an hour.

WE also hiked indian canyon at the bottom of the desert it was very warm and beautiful. You are also about 1.5-2 hours from San Diego and the zoo.

Let us know if you decide to do the trip to Vegas and surrounding sites. We have been toying with that for a while now. Jus twaiting for the little guy to get older.

masraum · 12-01-2005, 10:23 AM

You could hit the Yucatan peninsula. Cabo San Lucas is cool and warm, also, Houston is warm, but there's not much to see really.

fuelie600 · 12-01-2005, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by widebody911
No offense, but I think have to I'll pass on your "Spring Break Gone Wild" video...

Thom - I'll reserve your copy today! It's going to be a big seller. Especially the long rides in the car....

JoeA - Thanks! That's the kind of information I need.

Quote:

Originally posted by Jim Cesiro
Let us know if you decide to do the trip to Vegas and surrounding sites. We have been toying with that for a while now. Jus twaiting for the little guy to get older.

Jim - Will do. I know what you mean. We are trying to get a few of these family vacations in each year, now that the boys are old enough to remember the trip, but before they don't want to hang with the folks!

Quote:

Originally posted by tc-sacto
I hear Branson Missouri is supposed to be a fun, family oriented place to visit. Shows, outdoor activities, lake...shopping for wife etc.
http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/

TC - Branson looks like Missouri's answer to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. We spent a long weekend there a couple of months back. The boys love the Go Kart tracks. There is also good hiking in Smokey Mountains Park. Not enough to do for a full week though.

Quote:

Originally posted by masraum
You could hit the Yucatan peninsula. Cabo San Lucas is cool and warm, also, Houston is warm, but there's not much to see really.

We definitely want to hit the Yucatan someday. We'll probably wait until the boys are old enough to enjoy the sites on the beaches.

singpilot · 12-01-2005, 11:40 AM

Do the Vegas thing. It really is a family town these days. Take a Canyon tour by airplane or helo. The drive out there to the canyon is tough. The Hoover Dam is an easy drive from town. You might find that you'll not need to go anywhere besides Vegas to keep them happy for a week.

kqw · 12-01-2005, 12:06 PM

I believe that the canyon is still cold and snowy that time of the year. If it were me I would head into the Phoenix area and stay in one of the great resorts and childrens activities.

The Phoenician
The Arizona Biltmore
The Pointe Tapitio
Gainey Ranch
Scottsdale Princess

Visit, Frank Lloyd Wrights place in Scottsdale
Arcosanti and pick up a few Soleri Bells
Ride horses, play golf, Shop Main Street Scottsdale etc. etc.

fuelie600 · 12-01-2005, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by singpilot
Do the Vegas thing. It really is a family town these days. Take a Canyon tour by airplane or helo. The drive out there to the canyon is tough. The Hoover Dam is an easy drive from town. You might find that you'll not need to go anywhere besides Vegas to keep them happy for a week.

We will probably stay a day or two in Vegas. I don't think I could stay there for a week though. I would want to spend too much time at the tables and not enough with the kids! We usually like to move around after a day or two and explore. Now, If it was just me in Vegas....

Quote:

Originally posted by kqw
I believe that the canyon is still cold and snowy that time of the year. If it were me I would head into the Phoenix area and stay in one of the great resorts and childrens activities.

The Phoenician
The Arizona Biltmore
The Pointe Tapitio
Gainey Ranch
Scottsdale Princess

Visit, Frank Lloyd Wrights place in Scottsdale
Arcosanti and pick up a few Soleri Bells
Ride horses, play golf, Shop Main Street Scottsdale etc. etc.

Thanks for the ideas. I'll check them out.

I am a little concerned about the temperatures in the higher elevations. It looks like Kingman's average highs hit 70*in early April. I think we could deal with that. It would be alot warmer than Ohio! Thats one of the reasons we were thinking about adding Southern Arizona to the trip.

Thanks for the tips guys! Keep em coming...

fuelie600 · 12-01-2005, 03:42 PM

It looks like the average high for the south rim of the canyon is about 52* during the first week of April. (A Chilly 25* at night.)

Might be a good idea to do the helicopter....