Need help to decide where to go

[melody]

My son has the first week of November off(NJ school), so we are thinking to take a 5-6 day trip. The problem is we don't know where to go. Last year we did Cancun and really enjoyed it, but would like to stay in the US this year because of the high air fare. We are considering Key West, Las Vegas, or Grand Canyon. We enjoy water activities, will the weather be too cold to go into water in Key West by that time? When is the hurricane season? If we do Las Vegas, is it enough time to combine Grand Canyon and Sedona? Thank you in advance for your advice.

[Talent312]

Originally Posted by melody

... We are considering Key West, Las Vegas, or Grand Canyon. We enjoy water activities, will the weather be too cold to go into water in Key West by that time? When is the hurricane season? If we do Las Vegas, is it enough time to combine Grand Canyon and Sedona?

According to the NOAA, the average water temp off Miami Beach in November is ~76F. Key West will be a few degrees warmer. Its not bath-water hot, but warm enuff for most, except those of us who grew up in Southern Florida. Officially, the hurricane season is from June 1st to November 30th, but most tropical storms occur July thru October. Here's a Caribbean saying:

June-- too soon.
July-- stand by!
August-- look out you must.
September-- remember.
October-- all over.

As for Vegas, yeah, you can include an outing to the Grand Canyon, either as thru an all-day group-tour or do a multi-day driving excursion which takes in GC and Sedona. I did a 4-day loop in which we drove to Zion National Park, the North Rim of the Canyon, circled 'round to the Southern Rim, and back to Vegas. Drop Zion NP + Northern Rim, and substitute Sedona, and I'd say its doable.

[Jimster]

Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Sedona are doable but I don't know how often I would do that. Last year, I flew into Vegas, drove to Sedona (5-6 hour drive) and spent a week there and then drove back to Vegas via the Grand Canyon and spent a week in Vegas. Of course, you'd hit Hoover Dam along the way too. While in Sedona you should also go to Jerome as well. It is a lot of driving. The answer is a question: "How long do you want to spend in the car?" If the answer is you don't mind at least 2 long days driving then it is ok. If you do, pick one and enjoy. You can also see the Grand Canyon by taking the train from Williams and that might make life a bit easier- but again you are traveling. In any case, you want to fly into Vegas because the air fares will be cheaper there. Personally, I don't see any of these as once in a life time trips so I would probably pick one knowing that I will undoubtedly get to the others later.