We did Zion in Dec 2023, weather was great and the shuttle was not running so we could drive through the park. We did not do the Narrows, but plenty of people were. If Zion seems like a good fit, layer up and do Zion. Even when it's chilly, the sun is warm.

We stayed at the Springdale Suites and it was probably the nicest SS we've stayed at, but Springdale has a wide range of hotels. Google comes up with LaFave luxury rentals and there's a Hilton Curio, Cliffrose Springdale.

If you have a whole week, I'd suggest adding Bryce Canyon and Page, AZ (Horseshoe Bend, slot canyon tours). We did Page for spring break a few years ago and it was cold, but put on a lightweight puffer and you're good to go.

Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain is really nice, but not especially near anything in Tucson. If you go, check out Saguaro National Park and the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum (not a typical indoor museum).

Enchantment in Sedona is beautiful and would always be one of my top picks.

Phoenix was weirdly cold last March and is extremely expensive in March/april. Sedona could be cold - last year mid March was in the 50s and two year ago it was hot. I would try Tucson for reliable warm weather and less expensive than Phoenix.

We were in Phoenix the last week in March last year and it was nice, but not super warm. We drove up to the Grand Canyon and it was cold up there and snowing in Sedona. Two years ago we were in Zion for a few days and it was also cold at that time. It was really nice in Vegas.

I would love to go to Big Bend.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Big Bend NP in TX. Add on Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands. Also Guadalupe Mtn NP also beautiful. Perfect for a week and Big Bend is not crowded.

Yah maybe Big Bend/Marfa. I have never seen anything like the stars in Big Bend. They aren't even above you, they just surround you like a globe. It is something I have not seen anywhere in the world before. https://www.marfasaintgeorge.com/ is a nicer boutique hotel in Marfa and here is a nearby resort. https://www.lajitasgolfresort.com/services/.

I would stay in a resort and then do one night in the park or nearby in a stargazing dome
https://summitbigbend.com/pages/stargazing-domes

Just got back from big bend. Honestly, the resort looked sort of out of place (golf resort in the middle of the desert?) - and is farther from the park. I would recommend an air bnb or similar in Terlingua. Truly, we had a great time- horseback riding, kayaking on the Rio grande, amazing hikes.

Sedona will be cold too. Do the Phoenix area (Scottsdale) and/or Tucson. Both are lovely and have that deserty Saguaro cactus look to them.

Some friends of mine just did NM. They kind of Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands, Santa Fe, Meow Wolf, Roswell, Balloon rides, etc. It sounds like a lot of fun.

Anonymous wrote:Big Bend NP in TX. Add on Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands. Also Guadalupe Mtn NP also beautiful. Perfect for a week and Big Bend is not crowded.

Yah maybe Big Bend/Marfa. I have never seen anything like the stars in Big Bend. They aren't even above you, they just surround you like a globe. It is something I have not seen anywhere in the world before. https://www.marfasaintgeorge.com/ is a nicer boutique hotel in Marfa and here is a nearby resort. https://www.lajitasgolfresort.com/services/.

I would stay in a resort and then do one night in the park or nearby in a stargazing dome
https://summitbigbend.com/pages/stargazing-domes

Big Bend NP in TX. Add on Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands. Also Guadalupe Mtn NP also beautiful. Perfect for a week and Big Bend is not crowded.

Tucson!

Stay at:

Miraval

Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain

Westin La Paloma

For adventures do Sabino Canyon and Mount Lemmon. Gates Pass. And Saguaro National Park. The Desert Museum. Old Tucson.

If you’re really feeling adventurous you can also get to Mexican beaches in less than a 4 hour drive from Tucson (Puerto Peñasco).

We did spring break in Tucson the last week of March and the weather was great. There are lots of resorts and there’s great hiking, stargazing at Mount Lemmon, and good restaurants.

Dove Mountain outside Tucson?

Anonymous wrote:What about Enchantment resort in Sedona? The restaurants on site are ok but there are also really good restaurants nearby. The kids will love the pool, tennis, pickleball, etc. the spa is newly remodeled and very nice. When you stay at the resort you get great access to the hiking trails in Boynton canyon. The resort can arrange jeep tours or anything else you want to do.

thank you!

What about Enchantment resort in Sedona? The restaurants on site are ok but there are also really good restaurants nearby. The kids will love the pool, tennis, pickleball, etc. the spa is newly remodeled and very nice. When you stay at the resort you get great access to the hiking trails in Boynton canyon. The resort can arrange jeep tours or anything else you want to do.

We are itching for an outdoorsy holiday with 2 teens. I started looking at Zion National Park, and it has a lot of what we want - hiking, ebiking, ATV tours, star gazing - but it is missing 2 things- 1. It's a bit too cold in mid-March when our break is and 2. I would prefer not to "glamp" or sleep in a cabin, but stay at a nice resort with comfortable beds, a good restaurant, and, ideally, a spa.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a place that will check all these boxes a bit further south into AZ/NM? I would actually LOVE if the concierge could book all the excursions too, so this tired mom could have a real vacation.

Hit me up with any suggestions. Budget is not a concern.