If you have time to head south check out Chiricahua. It’s smaller but gorgeous.
Also, Bisbee is a funky little town.
Oops- Jupiter it was!
Near Flagstaff, we saw Montezuma’s Well and Montezuma’s Castle. Both were easy walks and very interesting.
I read several of the first posts, then saw zombie thread, then scrolled down to see that you’re headed out that way very soon. Here’s my $.02 worth, which may duplicate what others have suggested.
It’s going to be hot on the South Rim. It’ll be hotter in the canyon if you hike in. Be sure you’re fully hydrated before you start hiking. Bring plenty of water - - at least 2 quarts for a four hour outing - - band aids/moleskin, and clean socks to change into for the trek out of the canyon. Figure on it taking 2x as long to hike up as it’s taken you to hike in and budget your time accordingly. Wear old shoes as the mules tend to relieve themselves in the same spot and there can be puddles and mud as a result.
There are parts of the South Rim that are more remote than the developed area near the main entrance. Seek those out for more solitude.
Wherever you go, try to get there as early as you can. You’ll beat some of the heat and you’ll also be ahead of much of the crowds. The canyon can be relatively “flat” for photographing after the sun is up, but there are lots of colors in the softer light at dawn and dusk.
Sunset Crater National Monument is a neat spot near Flagstaff.
Take lots of pictures. Have fun!
I also want to highly recommend a trip to Jerome - it’s gorgeous, and the history all around it is great.
I personally liked the Pink Jeep Tours out of Sedona
I’ve done the Broken Arrow and Scenic Rim tours, and would very much like to go on the Ancient Ruins trip.
I’m with you on the helicopter ride; my stomach doesn’t like heights. Mr Roo made me do one in Hawaii, and I haven’t forgiven him yet.
The sky is typically excellent, provided you are away from populous area. Weather is usually clear and elevations are high.
Too many lights. You need to be well outside anything resembling a city.
You can do that pretty much anywhere you can pull of the road. We’re talking thousands of square miles without anyone who’ll care where you choose to stop for your star party.
We’re back (July 1). I can’t really say much because I am exhausted from the drive in. It was a marathon of driving. But quickly, the trip was fun. We didn’t get to do as much as we wanted. I enjoyed the Grand Canyon, but Monument Valley was my favorite part of the trip. I will post more about my trip when I am more rested.