4 days in AZ with teenager. All sedona, vs split with GC?

Question

Hey all!

Visiting Southwest with my 16 yo son from Chicago. Planning 4 days in AZ. Flying in end of March into Phoenix and spending Friday night there, then planning early drive up north.

My original plan was to just relax, and do some light hiking around the Sedona area... But we've never been to Grand Canyon, and seems like "right there"!

Is trying to do both just foolish and overambitious?

1) The Grand Canyon/Sedona Plan: would probably look like 4.5hr drive up from Phoenix early Saturday, have at least Sat evening, all Sun, and maybe Mon morning at GC. Then driving 2.5hr to Sedona for Mon late afternoon, all day Tue, a little Weds AM, then drive back to PHX airport.

Pros: Get to see GC and Sedona, if only for a short time. But hoping for short hikes on the half days, and a longer more moderate hike on the full day. Hoping to get lodge in GC park to get most of it at night, etc.

Cons: Busy. productive, but busy. I like the idea of keeping things varied, but I've made this mistake of just not having enough time at either, and just feeling robbed from both experiences. I almost feel ok with GC, but Sedona seems short. (Could 1 full day and at least 1 half day in Sedona be enough?).

2) Sedona 4-day Plan: Shorter 2.5hr drive from PHX. Assuming very relaxed day-to-day hiking plan around the area. I'm probably going to be more interested in going into town and checking it out than my son. Obvious too cold for "pool side relaxation" as my son might have hoped for, but he is interested in hiking (and maybe outdoor rock climbing) for the first time. Don't know much about Sedona, but looks absolutely gorgeous.

Pros: Laidback 4 days. More time to explore Sedona (but probably more for me).

Cons: Did we seriously just miss out on GC 2 hours away? Risk of same-iness for 4 days? Would variety be better?

I'm seriously stuck here. I'm assuming will be some differing views.

All insights appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Answer

With only four days in Arizona and a teenager along for the trip, your main consideration should be balancing travel time with quality experiences. Both Sedona and the Grand Canyon are spectacular, but the logistics can make doing both in a short window a bit rushed.

Option 1: Grand Canyon + Sedona

This plan allows you to check off both major destinations, but it is ambitious:

Drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon (~4.5 hours early Saturday). You’ll likely arrive mid-afternoon, giving you a short window for a sunset viewpoint or easy hike.
Spend all of Sunday exploring the Grand Canyon. This could include rim-to-rim short hikes, walking along the South Rim, or taking a shuttle to viewpoints.
Monday morning at the Grand Canyon gives you a chance for a short hike or sunrise viewpoint before driving to Sedona (~2.5 hours).
Tuesday in Sedona could focus on popular trails like Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock, maybe a Pink Jeep Tour if your son is interested in off-road adventure.
Wednesday morning allows a short hike or exploration in Sedona before returning to Phoenix (~2 hours).

Pros: You see both destinations, a good mix of scenery, and some variety for your teen.

Cons: Heavy travel and limited downtime; you may feel rushed at both locations, especially at Sedona which is quite photogenic and worth more time if you want to explore thoroughly.

Option 2: Sedona only

Focusing on Sedona gives a more relaxed pace and still plenty of outdoor adventure:

Drive from Phoenix to Sedona (~2.5 hours Friday morning), giving you most of Friday to explore trails or scenic viewpoints.
Saturday and Sunday can be spent on moderate hikes like Devil’s Bridge, Cathedral Rock, or West Fork Trail. Opportunities for beginner rock climbing or guided adventures could engage your son.
Monday could include scenic drives, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, or exploring Uptown Sedona.

Pros: Less travel stress, more time for hiking, exploring, and relaxing; better engagement with your teen if he enjoys active outdoor activities.

Cons: You’ll miss the Grand Canyon, which is relatively close and iconic. Some might feel like you skipped the “must-see” site in Northern Arizona.

Recommendations

If this is your only trip to Northern Arizona and seeing the Grand Canyon is a priority, Option 1 is doable but expect long days and limited time at Sedona.
If your goal is to maximize hiking, exploration, and a relaxed pace, Option 2 with all Sedona is better. Sedona has enough varied trails and natural beauty to fill 4 days without feeling repetitive.
Another compromise: Spend 1 full day and 1 half day at the Grand Canyon and then 2 days in Sedona. This reduces travel fatigue while still giving both experiences.
Consider your teen’s interests: If he prefers active adventure (hiking, off-road jeep tours), Sedona’s terrain and trails may provide more engaging options in less time than the Grand Canyon’s rim trails.

In short, trying to fully experience both locations in four days is ambitious but possible. The key is to prioritize what is most important to you and your teen: iconic views (Grand Canyon) versus a variety of outdoor activities in a compact area (Sedona).

4 days in AZ with teenager. All sedona, vs split with GC?

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