Grand Canyon advice

[Mik]

Most of the viewing spots have very close parking so no need to do a lot of walking. I've been twice and flown right over it countless times. The thing is if you're not going to go down into the canyon the view can be taken in pretty quickly. You'll go from one vantage point to another and after three or four you realize the view doesn't really change much due to the immense scale. Sometimes you can see a storm at one end or the other and that's neat. A helicopter trip down in would be very cool, but of course pricey. One day I'd like to raft it.

If you want to stretch it out a day I'd recommend following the canyon east on highway 64 (really neat views of the canyon lands) to US 89 south. Stay in Flagstaff (really nice little second floor wine bar downtown, which is a neat area. Their wine list is incredible. Pages and pages of bottles. It's obviously the passion project of someone who doesn't care about the money. Their wines by the glass are very well chosen and they have small plates, charcuterie, etc. https://flgterroir.com/menu/

Stay the night in Flagstaff (the Courtyard is very nice) then head down Oak Creek Canyon on US 89A for Sedona in the morning. Doa little shopping, see the gorgeous rock formations, have lunch then head back to Phoenix. You'll already be halfway there.

[Horace]

We enjoyed the helicopter tour.

[Doctor Phibes]

We stayed in an Airbnb in Munds Park, which meant we were close to both Flagstaff and Sedona - as Mik said, the rocks around Sedona are amazing.

[jon-nyc]

Here's what I'm thinking:

We fly into PHX next Tuesday afternoon. We'd drive right to Flagstaff, have a nice dinner and spend the night.

Wednesday morning we'd go to the visitor center bright and early, look around, have an early lunch, and then take a short helicopter ride.

After the ride, we'd head east on 64, catch the sights, then head down 89 back to Flagstaff for another night.

In the morning we'd head out to Sedona, check it out, then find our way to Phoenix before dinner.

Thoughts?

[Horace]

You're going to fly in Donald Trump's America?

[jon-nyc]

Already done so 4 times, in this current version of DT's America.

I'll be riding in a helicopter in Katie Hobbs' Arizona. Had it been Kari Lake's, I'd likely have stuck to the bus tour.

[Mik]

Great plan. Was the chopper ride reasonable? Like $300-400 per person?

[jon-nyc]

Haven’t booked it yet. One company has. 25-30m one for 269 and a 40-50m one for 369 I think. We’d probably do the latter.

[Mik]

Also bring warm clothes. You’ll be up on the plateau. Flagstaff is about 7400 feet. Sedona is about 4000 so warmer.

[bachophile]

The one time I was at the GC there was snow on the ground. Cold, stark but very grand. Good name.

[jon-nyc]

It’ll be cold in Feb. it’s 22 there today.