Sounds like you had a wonderful trip and glad you all enjoyed it. That's a lot to cover in 11 days! Dh and I drove across country right after we got engaged, starting in No. California. We'd both been to the Grand Canyon before, but while living in Hawaii, we met a guy who grew up in AZ. He told us about this canyon adjacent to the Grand Canyon that he and his family used to hike into - the trail ends in an Indian reservation. We decided to do it on our trip across country. I'm not sure what we were thinking...while physically fit, we weren't big hikers and it was a 10 mile hike down, it was 100+ degrees (middle of July). We camped overnight and then hiked back out the next day. I was never so happy to get back to our car with A/C! From there we were headed to Denver, so we drove up through Utah along some deserted 2-lane highways, but the scenery was spectacular. We didn't make it to Bryce or Zion, but we have vowed that once all of our kids were old enough to appreciate, we were going to do a trip like yours. We'll probably just do Sedona, Grand Canyon, and then one place up in Utah. I assume you were driving from place to place? Did you get to stop at any of the pueblos? Those were really pretty cool. I agree with you about Vegas. Once was enough for me. We stopped there too on our trip from San Fran down to AZ via L.A then San Diego (our trip was very convoluted as we were all over the map visiting friends along the way). We just had an overnight in Vegas, but did hit a casino just for fun. Totally not my thing at all. Just too much for me. It was neat to experience once, but I have no desire to head back. Did you see the Hoover Dam too? Probably not as I imagine that wasn't on your way if you were coming from Utah. If you have any specific kid-friendly info of places you stopped, please share! I'm taking note of the Pink Jeep tour! Glad you had a great time but totally understand being a little bit too much togetherness! With four kids, I get that when we are having to stay in hotel rooms for any length of time.

From what I can see, it looks lovely. I will have to see more to say for sure ;) I have been cooking in ours, but we only have a wall oven and our micro hooked up, so does that count? I realized today that many of the staples got tossed from our fridge, so I will need to wander the supermarket and try to recreate a normal fridge. I am tired of tater tots, broiled meats, french fries and other "oven" food. What I need most though is a burner and a working sink. I'd like to cook and prep without running to the bathroom sink across the hall!

Thanks for looking! We did have a really good time. It was nice winning that big jackpot at the end, but we lost at least that much while we were there, so we didn't really come home "winners." But we don't gamble more than we can afford to lose, of course. DH considers it entertainment. I loved visiting the conservatory! This is the first time I've been there in the spring, so I took tons of photos. I posted less than half of them. The potting shed with the live butterflies in it was awesome! We didn't wander too far on this trip. We made it over to Rio, but decided not to bother with downtown. A few years ago we took a drive out to Red Rock Canyon, which was interesting. It seems like no matter how long we're there, we never have enough time to do all the things I want to do. But DH doesn't want to go for more than 3 or 4 days. I could spend two weeks there and not get bored. Of course, I'd put on about 20 pounds... I was amazed at the number of penny slots! Years ago you were lucky to find half a dozen. Now they're everywhere! Literally dozens and dozens in every casino! I'm already planning our next trip! We may go in November, for our 15th anniversary. (We got married in Vegas!) no, not by Elvis.

Most has been covered above. Being from NY, just a short drive upstate from the city, and half of my family from Manhattan, perhaps I'm biased but it really is, as rhizo said - and that's what we have always called it - The City. I'm not the most traveled, but I've seen a few things, and when I went to Chicago, and please don't take this as a diss on Chicago - it really is a lovely town - I was like... this is a city? Even Europe, with it's wonderful places, is of course, different. NYC can be overwhelming. So indeed plan ahead. It could be fun if you were a single person or a couple to go with the flow, but with a group... yep, plan well. Personally, I wouldn't stay in the city itself. It would probably be cheaper to stay in Jersey and take the train in each morning. But it's a personal decision based on the time you have, your finances, and what you hope to accomplish while you're there. Compare your options, but touristy stuff (like a decent hotel) is very expensive in the city. If you find a good rate in the city, snatch it up, but be sure to check reviews. Also, as too was mentioned above, if you do get a hotel in the city, check if they have a parking garage. You'll appreciate it immensely. As far as food... again as was said above... DO NOT EAT AT CHAINS! First, the price will be way above what you are accustomed. Second, some of the best food IN THE WORLD is found very reasonably priced in the walk-in restaurants on the streets. For example, there used to be this incredible falafel place right off Washington Sq. Park. We found it by accident. You walk down 4 steps below street level to enter and prepare to be amazed. Back then, while a common city price was closer to $4, the falafels, and the hummus pitas, were $2. Similarly, and here's the type of story you always remember when you travel... One time, 2 friends and I went down to see a show. I think it was B.B. King. We were hungry, saw an Indian restaurant, went in and had the best curry you could ever want. My friend was looking at the menu and saw the little 1,2,3... or 4! chili pepper icons next to the selections. My friend, in broken-English banter with the waiter - probably the son of the owner, as most of the best, affordable restaurants are small, family-owned ones - said that a lot of places claim their food is spicy, but it was never as spicy as he wished. Well, broken-English or not, that waiter understood him perfectly! The appetizer dips that came out, and my friend's entree were FIRE! Lol. Poor guy was literally sweating drops from his forehead. My other friend and I laughed the entire time and half-way home. To this day I'm sure he'd wince if reminded. He ate every delicious bite though. Oh, and try some street food. A hot pretzel is a must, and in winter the chestnuts can't be missed. On your way home on an early night, go to Ferrara's or somewhere similar and bring some pastries back to the hotel. Go to Katz's for lunch, and stop almost anywhere for a slice or two of pizza (doesn't have to be Ray's, Famous Ray's, Original Ray's, Famous Original Ray's, The Original Famous Ray's, The Only Ray's... you'll understand lol.) Take in some Chinese take out (or sure, sit down and relax) while you're near Chinatown. The more disgusting-looking Peking ducks hanging in the window, the better it might be lol (just kidding, ask someone on the street for a good place.) For breakfast, take a short train ride to Brooklyn for a bagel with a schmear (and/or lox if you like.) I guess what I'm saying is, New York has exciting places to visit, including parks, museums, and exhibits, but some of the best art is found in the heart of the melting pot where each culture present's their finest works...