Scenic Road Trip from Phoenix to Sedona to Flagstaff to Monument Valley or the Grand Canyon

This article is a planned route. I had not taken it myself. Yet.

From Phoenix to Sedona

•  Take Highway 17 to Verde Valley, where you could visit two significant Sinagua ruins along the way: Montezuma Castle National Monument, which is a five-story cliff fortress and the Tuzigoot National Monument, which overlooks Verde River. Watch signs and exit off 17. The monuments are a few miles from the freeway, but worth the detour, if you are interested in native American sites.
• If you want to spend a day in this area, you can also explore Jerome State Historic Park, which preserves an old mining town, and you can picnic in Dead Horse Ranch State Park, which has a river.
• Continue to 89 A, one of the prettiest roads in the US, where you see many interesting red rock formations, such as Bell Rock and Castle Rock. 
• Before reaching the town proper of Sedona, you'll pass by a beautiful Catholic church, Chapel of the Holy Cross, that was built right into the cliffs. It's maybe 5 minutes from the road by car and it's not big, but you can see it on the right side of the word. It's worth taking a short trip. Right beside it is an amazing mansion with a beautiful garden with a manmade waterfall and creek. The owner does not care a didley squat that s/he is in the middle of a desert and there's a drought.
• Sedona itself is worth a stay. It's a fun town with lots of things to see, if you head to 89 south when the road forks (south and north), you can head over to Red Rock Canyon State Park (off 89A). On your way there, you'll see breath-taking views of Cathedral Rock.

From Sedona to Flagstaff

• Head back north on 89 into Oak Creek Canyon, a beautiful drive. If you have ea day, you can take a swimming break in Slide Rock.
• Continue towards Flagstaff, though it's fun to stop in some of the state parks for a hike. In Arizona, every state park seems to charge money, so if you are going to a lot, it might be worth getting a pass. 

Flagstaff

• Three days is a good time to spend here.
• Go to Historic Downtown and walk along Route 66.
• Museum of Northern Arizona, Lowell Observatory, Arboretum

Flagstaff to Canyon de Chelley

• Pass by Sunset Crater National Monument, where you can hike a 900-year old cinder field and then swing by a 100-room Pueblo in Wupatki National Monument.
• If you are still up for historic sites, drive 11 miles east of Flagstaff for Walnut Canyon National Monument, which has 25 cliff-dwelling rooms. And farther east off I40, you can check out the world's best preserved Meteor Crater.   
• Stay on Route 264 (Hopi tribal land) then take 191 to Canyon de Chelly National Monument, which has dramatic red canyons and green canyon floor. You'll need Hopi guides to hike here, I heard. 

Canyon de Chelley to Monument Valley (East of Flagstaff)

• Continue up 89, and visit the Antelope Canyon, one of photographers' favorite spots. You need to hire a guide.
• Take 160 through Tuba City and check out Monument Valley, the setting for many Western films. You can drive the 17-mile loop or hire a Navajo guide. 

Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon

• Head west and check out the Vermillion Cliffs. 
• And to Grand Canyon....
• If you want to skip all the other stuff and just head to the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff, you can take 180 to Route 64 into Tusayan and stop at the National Geographic Visitor Center and IMAX.
• If you want to take an old timey train, head to Williams and take the Grand Canyon Railway.

Heading back

• Remain on Route 64 to enjoy more canyon vistas and explore Peublo Indian life in Tusayan Ruin and Museum.
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