After all these years talking about it, I am finally going to see these places. When the kids were young we couldn't justify driving that far with 3 fighting kids in the back seat. Now one daughter is all grown up and she and her husband want to see these places too, so in October we are going. Do you have any suggestions on places to see, things to not miss on this trip? We have planned the Sky Walk, The Tram in Albuquerque, Anything else you can recommend. Thanks

Try the Havasupaitribe, it's an indian reservation down in the canyon. They have horse trips down/up, and the most beautiful clear water falls I've ever seen. It's like an oasis in the middle of the desert, website is www.havasupaitribe.com. Absolutely beautiful. Also, another 5 hours away in Farmington, New Mexico there is a B&B called Kokopelli's Cave, it's a room/lodging dug out of an actual cave, also a worthwhile stop on the way to the Canyon. Have fun, it's all gorgeous.

My brother went to Carlsbad Caverns as part of his senior trip many, many years ago. He said it was beautiful and brought back over 3000 slides. (He was part of the AV dept.) He said if you go west you need to make sure to stop at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. It's not too far from Carlsbad, NM. They have a 72 oz steak, that if you eat it, it's free. See it here:

http://www.bigtexan.com/free72.html

Use every opportunity to charge camera batteries that you can. Take lots of pictures. I'll never get there and would love to see it. I have to live vicareouly through others at times.

Enjoy your family time. And make memories!

Anasazi Cliff Dwellings in N. NM are very interesting. Also Painted Desert in AZ. The train out of Durango, CO is also wonderful, beautiful scenery-get tickets ahead of time and not sure if it is seasonal, just remembered you are going in Oct. So many wonderful things to see on the loop you are making, enjoy!

What kind of 'stuff' do you want to see? Around Tucson and Phx there are mining towns with tours/shows. Tombstone, Old Tucson (not as busy as 10 years ago), Douglas, and Bisbee are a few in the southern end of state. On the way from Phx to Flagstaff and the canyon there is Sedona, Cottonwood, Verde Valley and a revived ghost town, Jerome. Also along Rt 17 there is cliff dwellings and a 'well' where Indians lived. Also, a second way from Phx to Flag is a 'mini' grand canyon. You drive through it, for the life of me I can't remember the name, but it is pretty and I can drive there :)....

Also, how many LQS are you planning on visiting?

Salt River Canyon in eastern Arizona, or mini grand canyon?

I recommend the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson. It's a very unique place - a cross between zoo, botanical gardens, and museum. Also, if you are into military airplanes and such, there's the Pima Space and Air Museum in Tucson.

Don't miss Tombstone if you can avoid it! (Think "Gunfight at the OK Corral) LOTS of neat old history there, gunfights in the streets, AND you'd most likely get to meet my son...he drives the stage coach there!!

Well, we drove to California in 1974 from Mass. and had a blast. We were young and didn't have a lot of $$. The best thing I ever saw was the Grand Canyon. I still can remember how spectacular it was and would love to go back.I also remember a little bar in Flagstaff (I think) that was famous for a womens face painted on the bar room floor. That might have even been the name. BUT, remember that was many years ago.We also stopped at the Hoover Dam.Have a fun trip.

MHO: #1 Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum
#2 Kartchner Caverns southeast of Tucson