The Best Winter Vacations in the Southwest
Transcript of The Best Winter Vacations in the Southwest
PREPARING FOR A WINTER GETAWAY
Although families
tend to vacation in the
summer months,
winter is an
overlooked but
excellent time for a
family vacation.
In the winter you can
expect fewer crowds,
less expensive trips
(depending on where
you travel), and the
magic of snow.
Let’s take a look at
some of the best
winter vacation
destinations in the
Southwestern U.S.
With milder than
average temperatures,
winter is a great time to
visit the alluring city of
Las Vegas.
The amazing hotel
resorts in Las Vegas
have adventures for the
whole family, including
museums, indoor
swimming pools, and
spas.
Hit the slot machines,
see a Vegas show, and
take the family on a
helicopter tour from Las
Vegas to the Grand
Canyon—a must-do on
your Vegas itinerary.
The Grand Canyon is
spectacular any time of
year, but it’s particularly
magical when covered in
snow.
The South Rim of the
Grand Canyon is open 365
days a year, and there’s
plenty to do, even in the
winter months.
Take the family for a hike
on the ―Trail of Time,‖
look for reintroduced
condors in the area, or
catch a glimpse of the
canyon from the air on an
exciting South Rim
airplane tour.
There are so many things to do
and see in the Greater Phoenix
area for the whole family. Here
are a few ideas:
• Visit Mystery Castle, a
Western fantasyland that the
kids will love.
• Learn about the Native
Americans of the area and
view thousands of cultural
artifacts at the Heard
Museum.
• Hike through giant saguaro
cactus on Camelback
Mountain.
• Take an all-day ground tour
from Phoenix to the Grand
Canyon.
Surrounded by spectacular
red rock formations, Sedona
boasts more than 100 hiking
trails and unparalleled views
of the breathtaking Arizona
desert.
Visitors come from all over
the world to experience ―The
Vortexes,‖ which are said to
emit spiritual energy straight
from the Earth. Take a vortex
tour to experience it for
yourself.
Don’t miss the Grand
Canyon while in Arizona–
take a full-day adventure tour
right out of Sedona.
Here are some tips for keeping the
whole family comfortable and toasty
warm on your winter vacation:
1. Dress in layers - that way
you can pull clothes off and
on as needed.
2. Bring a hat, scarf, and
gloves - temperatures can
drop quickly at higher
elevations and at night.
3. Stuff your pockets with
hand warmers - hand
warmers from an outdoor or
sporting goods store are a
welcome relief for chilly
digits.
4. Bring a heavy jacket and
lighter sweater - essentials in
cold winter weather.
While you may not need to book your trip quite as far in advance in the winter
months than in the summer, it’s still a good idea to plan as far ahead as
possible to get the best rates.
Plan to make transportation arrangements several months in advance, and book
special tours at least a few weeks in advance.
Buying plane tickets? Smartertravel.com offers a formula for when to book.
Nothing quite compares to
seeing the Grand
Canyon by helicopter.
Papillon offers a variety
of helicopter tours,
departing from Las Vegas
and the Grand Canyon
Airport as well as
combination ground,
helicopter, and boat tours,
departing from Phoenix
and Sedona.
Your family will never
forget these once-in-a-
lifetime tours of the
spectacular desert.
Since 1965 Papillon has been the
world's oldest and largest
sightseeing company, flying an
estimated 600,000 passengers a
year on its daily Grand Canyon
tours. With over forty unique
excursions featuring spectacular
sights of the Hoover Dam, Lake
Mead, Monument Valley, and the
Grand Canyon, Papillon is proud
to offer guests an unparalleled
perspective of one of the world's
greatest natural wonders.
Visit www.papillon.com or call
(888) 635-7272 for tour
information.
Sources
1. http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hours.htm
2. http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/upload/2013srwinter_letter.pdf
3. http://heard.org/
4. http://climbcamelback.com/
5. http://www.mymysterycastle.com/
6. http://travel.usnews.com/Sedona_AZ/Things_To_Do/The_Vortexes_62185/
7. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/why-you-should-book-your-
flight-exactly-54-days-in-advance.html?id=17812107