Adventures on the West Coast: A 6–Day Mother–Daughter Excursion Across Arizona and Vegas

Upon arriving in Phoenix from New York, we settled into our hotel at the luxurious Phoenician Hotel. While my mom attended her work conference, I took advantage of the expansive pool area, enjoying its calming setting and various secluded spots.

For dinner, we went to the Phoenician's Mowry & Cotton restaurant. Although outdoor dining was an option, the heat led us to choose indoor seating, where we enjoyed an exceptional meal and had impeccable service from the hotel staff.

We spent the day unwinding by the pool, using the time to plan the remainder of our trip. Discussions revolved around which national parks to visit, such as Zion, the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon, as well as potential activities like white-water rafting and camping.

The Phoenician's spa offered an indulgent experience, and I highly recommend treating yourself to a massage, with the added bonus of a rooftop pool.

At night, we met up with a friend at Canopy Rooftop for drinks, followed by a delicious dinner at SumoMaya, where we snagged seats at the bustling bar and sampled their innovative sushi rolls.

We had an early start, hitting the road by 7 am for the scenic drive to Sedona, which took approximately two hours.

Our day in Sedona began with an exhilarating open-air Pink Jeep tour along the rugged Broken Arrow trail, experiencing unforgettable views of the iconic red rocks. Afterward, we explored the quaint shops of downtown Sedona before enjoying a delicious lunch at Mariposa Grill.

En route to the Grand Canyon, we stopped at the Chapel of the Holy Cross and a scenic viewpoint. Both had stunning views. There were a lot of viewpoints in the area, so I would definitely recommend checking them out.

The highlight of our trip, without a doubt, was when my mom and I raced through Flagstaff en route to the Grand Canyon to catch the sunset. We managed to arrive with just about 10 minutes to spare, quickly parked the car and then took a walk together to witness the awe-inspiring sight. It was an emotional experience, and the beauty of the moment truly took our breath away.

We stayed at the El Tovar, one of the rare hotels nestled within the Grand Canyon National Park, offering stunning views of the South Rim. Steeped in rich history, this hotel is truly remarkable. We woke up at 6 am to watch the sunrise and it was so beautiful with all the different colors hitting the rocks.

After breakfast, we went on a hike along the Bright Angel Trail, taking in the majestic scenery before exploring various viewpoints via shuttle. If you're considering a visit during the summer months like we did, it's important to be mindful of the intense heat and dry air, which is very dangerous. Bright Angel Trail was an excellent option for us, offering the flexibility of a round trip where we could turn back whenever we felt the heat was becoming too much.

At night, we started driving towards the remote town of Peach Springs. I’m not going to lie: our journey along Route 66 was eerie and unsettling, with darkness throughout the deserted road. Despite the spooky atmosphere, tackling the drive together added an exhilarating edge to our adventure.

We kicked off the day by hitting the Colorado River for a white-water rafting adventure from Diamond Creek. The rapids were absolutely wild, and the scenery was beautiful. Before we set off, they gave us a quick rundown of what to expect and made sure we had all the gear we needed. Plus, our guides from the Hualapai Tribe shared tons of fascinating insights along the way.

After navigating some of the rapids, we stopped at Travertine Falls, where we did a short hike up ropes and ladders to a cave to see magical waterfalls. Then we continued floating down the river, soaking in the breathtaking views. It was an incredible experience and I would highly recommend it to those that are able to do it.

We ended the road trip in Sin City, about a couple hours' drive from Peach Springs. We spent this time lounging by the pool at the Bellagio, sipping cocktails and soaking in the Vegas vibes. Evening festivities included exploring the vibrant city, trying our luck at the casino and immersing ourselves in the bustling atmosphere.