Arizona

General Information

Day 1: Monday

Stop 1: Bearzona Wildlife Park

We had a fantastic time at Bearzona Wildlife Park, driving through the safari and exploring the zoo area. The safari provided amazing views of foxes, bulls, and bears, with some bears cleverly hiding in the trees. At the zoo, we were able to get incredibly close to the animals—one jaguar even tried to leap at us through the glass!

Stop 2: Canyon Coaster Adventure Park

Next, we headed to Canyon Coaster Adventure Park. We took turns riding the mountain coaster since our one-year-old was too small. Despite the cloudy weather, the views were stunning! We then had a great time with summer tubing, racing each other down the mountain using the same lifts as in winter.

Summer tubing at Canyon Coaster

Stop 3: Highway 66

We enjoyed browsing the charming historical shops along Highway 66, checking out vintage gas stations and classic cars. A highlight was the zip line across the road, which added some extra fun.

Highway 66

Stop 4: Grand Canyon

In the evening, we went to the Grand Canyon to watch the sunset. Entering through the south entrance, we parked in the first big lot we found. As first-time visitors, we were speechless for several minutes, captivated by the breathtaking scenery. The sunset was absolutely magnificent, drawing a hush over everyone as we all took it in.

Sunset at the Grand Canyon

Day 2: Tuesday

We returned to the Grand Canyon for a full day of exploration. The drive was relatively flat and uneventful. Be sure to fill up your gas tank before heading out, as gas stations are sparse in this area.

Stop 1: Biking

We rented bikes from Bright Angel Bicycles at the visitor center, choosing from various options including regular, electric and kids' bikes. Following the suggested routes, we enjoyed a scenic ride around the rim to Yaki Point, frequently stopping to admire the views and spot wildlife.

Stop 2: Desert View Watchtower

Next, we drove to the Desert View Watchtower, which offered a different perspective of the canyon. Here, we also caught sight of the Colorado River flowing far below. The watchtower features an open rooftop and large windows, but it closes before sunset, so plan accordingly. We ended the day with another stunning sunset, surrounded by awestruck visitors.

Sunset at Desert Watchtower

 Day 3: Wednesday

Stop 1: Antelope Canyon

We started our day early for our appointment at Antelope Canyon on the Navajo reservation. Keep in mind that the Navajo Nation operates on a different time zone due to Daylight Saving Time, so don’t be alarmed if the time changes while you’re driving. Reservations are required, and they fill up quickly during peak season. The visitor center is well air-conditioned, but remember to stay hydrated in the desert heat.

Lower Canyon

When it was our group’s turn, our Navajo guide escorted us to the canyon entrance. There are some stairs at the beginning, as the lower canyon is below ground. Our guide shared fascinating insights into Navajo culture and provided tips for capturing the best photos. The canyon's natural rock formations were absolutely stunning, and we found ourselves stopping frequently to take pictures.

Stop 2: Lake Powell

After the canyon, we rented a pontoon boat from a local rental service. They delivered the boat to the dock, gave us a quick tutorial, and suggested places to explore on the lake. We enjoyed a scenic ride, taking in the natural canyons and observing the water levels marked on the rocks. Despite being on the water, it’s still a desert environment, so we made sure to stock our cooler with plenty of drinks.

Lake Powell

While driving to and from the docks, we crossed into Utah and over the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge, which offered beautiful views of Lake Powell.

Stop 3: Horseshoe Bend

Our final stop for the day was Horseshoe Bend. The walk from the parking lot is about 15 minutes along a straightforward path, and the view of the bend is breathtaking, especially during sunset.

Horseshoe Bend at sunset

Day 4: Thursday

After checking out of our Airbnb, we drove towards Sedona. The scenery was gorgeous, especially as we descended into the valley and began to see the red rock mountains. We stopped several times to take in the views.

In Sedona, we explored the main street and its tourist shops, enjoying beautiful vistas and lookout points. We then hiked the Bell Rock pathway trail, a flat loop around the stunning red rock formations. Although our kids loved climbing the smaller rocks, we had to turn back due to the extreme heat.

View of Sedona from the Airport Mesa lookout

We also drove through side streets for a closer look at the rocks and visited the Airport Mesa lookout, which provided panoramic views of the area.

We highly recommend the Pink Jeep Tours, although we couldn’t participate due to time constraints.

Finally, we headed to Phoenix for some delicious kosher pizza at La Bella Pizzeria.

Due to a flight delay, we also enjoyed some fun at AMF Bowling near the airport.