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Southwest Adventure Itinerary – September 3 – September 23, 2025

Viewed by 54 travelers

Day 1 – September 3: Arrival & Hoover Dam

Morning: Arrive at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport on Delta flight DL0421 at 1:26 PM; collect luggage and pick up your rental car.

Afternoon: Drive 45 minutes to the iconic Hoover Dam, where a short guided tour showcases its engineering marvels.

Evening: Check in at the Venetian Resort for a relaxing night; enjoy dinner at the resort’s acclaimed Italian restaurant.

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Day 2 – September 4: Red Rock Canyon & Tule Springs

Morning: Head to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (30‑minute drive); hike the scenic Calico Hills Trail and capture the vibrant sandstone cliffs.

Afternoon: Drive 45 minutes to Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument for a brief walk and a chance to see ancient fossils and desert landscapes.

Evening: Return to the Venetian for a relaxed dinner and a show on the Strip.

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Day 3 – September 5: Eagles Concert

Morning: Enjoy a leisurely brunch at Grand Café in the Venetian and explore the resort’s shop‑filled promenade.

Afternoon: Spend the afternoon at the Las Vegas Strip exploring iconic casinos or relaxing at the resort’s pool.

Evening: Attend the Eagles concert at the Allegro Theater; the show ends around 11 PM, followed by a nightcap at a rooftop bar.

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Day 4 – September 6: Journey to Jerome, AZ

Morning: Drive 4 hours from Las Vegas to the historic mining town of Jerome, Arizona; enjoy panoramic views of the Verde Valley.

Afternoon: Explore the historic downtown, visit the Jerome State Historic Park and enjoy a coffee at a local café.

Evening: Stay overnight at Hotel Jerome, a historic boutique hotel with rooftop views.

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Day 5 – September 7: Prescott & Sed Sedona

Morning: Drive 1 hour to Prescott; stroll the historic Whiskey Row and visit the Prescott Courthouse Plaza.

Afternoon: Continue 1 hour to Sedona, checking in at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa for a relaxing evening.

Evening: Sunset hike at Red Rock Crossing with breathtaking views; dinner at a local bistro.

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Day 6 – September 8: Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon

Morning: Drive 4½ hours to Horseshoe Bend (Page, AZ); walk to the viewpoint for the iconic river curve.

Afternoon: Join a guided tour of Antelope Canyon (Upper and/or Lower) to see the famous slot‑canyon light beams.

Evening: Stay at Lake Powell Resort with lake‑front views and a relaxing dinner.

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Day 7 – September 9: Monument Valley

Morning: Drive 2 hours to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park; enjoy the scenic drive along the Valley Drive.

Afternoon: Take a Navajo‑guided tour of the iconic mesas and learn about the culture and geology.

Evening: Overnight at The View Hotel for sunrise views the next morning.

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Day 8 – September 10: Flagstaff

Morning: Drive 2 hours to Flagstaff; visit the historic downtown and the Lowell Observatory.

Afternoon: Explore the Flagstaff Arboretum and stroll through the Walnut Canyon National Monument (30 min).

Evening: Stay at the Little America Hotel and enjoy a local brewery dinner.

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Day 9 – September 11: Grand Canyon South Rim

Morning: Drive 1½ hours to the Grand Canyon South Rim; walk the Rim Trail and take photos at Mather Point.

Afternoon: Explore the Bright Angel Trail and enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the canyon.

Evening: Check into Yavapai Lodge inside the park; watch the sunset at Hopi Point.

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Day 10 – September 12: Montezuma’s Castle & Return to Sedona

Morning: Drive 2 hours to Montezuma’s Castle near Camp Verde; tour the well‑preserved cliff dwellings.

Afternoon: Drive 1 hour back to Sedona for an evening stroll in the artsy Tlaquepaque Village.

Evening: Stay again at Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa for a restful night.

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Day 11 – September 13: Capitol Reef & Petrified Forest

Morning: Drive 3 hours to Capitol Reef National Park; explore the historic Fruita orchards and hike to the Hickman Bridge.

Afternoon: Continue 1½ hours to Petrified Forest National Park; see colorful petrified wood and the Painted Desert.

Evening: Stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Holbrook, a short drive from the park.

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Day 12 – September 14: Canyonlands & Moab

Morning: Drive 2 hours to Canyonlands National Park; explore the Island in the Sky district for stunning vistas.

Afternoon: Head to Moab (30 min) for an early dinner and explore the town’s art galleries.

Evening: Stay at Moab Springs Ranch for a cozy, western‑style lodge.

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Day 13 – September 15: Arches National Park

Morning: Spend the morning at Arches National Park; hike to Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch.

Afternoon: Explore the scenic drive, stopping at the Windows Section and Balanced Rock.

Evening: Return to the same Moab Springs Ranch for a restful night.

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Day 14 – September 16: Moab Leisure Day

Morning: Enjoy a leisurely morning; optional bike ride along the Slickrock Trail or a river rafting trip.

Afternoon: Explore the Moab Museum of Film & Western Heritage.

Evening: Dine at the famed Moab Brewery and relax before the journey back.

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Day 15 – September 17: Return to Las Vegas

Morning: Drive 7 hours back to Las Vegas; stop for lunch in St. George, UT.

Afternoon: Arrive at the Venetian Resort, check in and unwind.

Evening: Enjoy a final night on the Strip; perhaps a show or a quiet dinner at Javier’s.

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Day 16 – September 18: Free Day in Las Vegas

Morning: Relax at the resort pool, enjoy a spa treatment.

Afternoon: Explore the Neon Museum or the Mob Museum.

Evening: Attend a Las Vegas show of your choice or explore the Strip’s nightlife.

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Day 17 – September 19: Free Day in Las Vegas

Morning: Day trip to Valley of Fire State Park (1 hour drive) for stunning red‑rock scenery.

Afternoon: Return for a poolside lunch and some shopping at the Fashion Show Mall.

Evening: Dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Strip.

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Day 18 – September 20: Free Day in Las Vegas

Morning: Optional helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon (2 hour flight).

Afternoon: Explore the Bellagio Conservatory and the Fountains.

Evening: Experience a fine‑dining dinner at é by José Andrés.

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Day 19 – September 21: Free Day in Las Vegas

Morning: Visit the Smith Center for the Performing Arts for a morning show.

Afternoon: Shopping at the Grand Canal Shoppes and a relaxing spa session.

Evening: Sunset at the High Roller observation wheel.

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Day 20 – September 22: Final Day in Las Vegas

Morning: Pack and enjoy a final brunch at the Venetian's Rose. Rabbit. Lie.

Afternoon: Last‑minute souvenir shopping and a relaxing stroll along the Strip.

Evening: Pack for departure; early night to rest.

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Day 21 – September 23: Departure

Morning: Check out of the Venetian Resort and drive to the airport (30 minutes).

Afternoon: Depart from Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport on Delta flight DL0748 at 11:35 AM.

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • Hoover Dam – 2 hrs – $15 (tour) + $5 (parking)
  • Red Rock Canyon – 3 hrs – $10 (park entry) + $0 (parking)
  • Tule Springs – 2 hrs – $7 (entry) + $2 (parking)
  • Jerome – 3 hrs – $0 (driving) + $25 (hotel)
  • Prescott – 3 hrs – $0 (driving) + $30 (hotel)
  • Sedona – 4 hrs – $0 (driving) + $150 (hotel night)
  • Horseshoe Bend – 2 hrs – $0 (no fee) + $0 (parking)
  • Antelope Canyon – 2 hrs – $45 (guided tour) + $0 (parking)
  • Monument Valley – 3 hrs – $30 (tour) + $0 (parking)
  • Flagstaff – 3 hrs – $0 (driving) + $130 (hotel)
  • Grand Canyon South Rim – 4 hrs – $35 (park entry) + $150 (lodging)
  • Montezuma’s Castle – 2 hrs – $5 (entry) + $0 (parking)
  • Capitol Reef – 3 hrs – $20 (entry) + $0 (parking)
  • Petrified Forest – 3 hrs – $25 (park entry) + $0 (parking)
  • Canyonlands – 3 hrs – $20 (entry) + $0 (parking)
  • Arches – 4 hrs – $30 (entry) + $0 (parking)
  • Moab (accommodation) – 6 nights – $600 (lodging)
  • Las Vegas (Venetian) – 8 nights – $1,600 (room)
  • Various meals & fuel – $800
  • Flights (round‑trip) – $700
  • Rental car (18 days) – $1,080
  • Additional activities (shows, tours) – $500
  • Total Estimated Cost: $5,937

Tips

If you need more time for the national parks, consider adding an extra night in Moab to explore Canyonlands and Arches at a slower pace, or skip the optional Moab activities to save a day. Conversely, if you wish to shorten the trip, you can combine the Jerome‑Prescott‑Sedona segment into a single day and skip a night in Sedona, reducing overall travel time.

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