The American West :: Places to Visit

What was once looking like a dry spell in my travel diary has taken a turn for the better. Travel plans abound through the end of the year and I need suggestions on our upcoming destinations. Have you been to the American Southwest?

Jamie's post the other day about her upcoming travel plans in Europe garnered a lot of great feedback. So it got me thinking, maybe you all could help me come up with some ideas for my next trip to the American Southwest.

We have a tentative itinerary planned but I'm open to suggestions if you have any. We're planning to fly into Vegas, rent a car and drive over to the hottest place on Earth; Death Valley.

From desert sand dunes to snow capped mountains, it sounds like amazing place to visit.

Next stop will be the famous Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona. I've heard very mixed reviews about Antelope Canyon. Specifically, that there is nothing like it in the world and it's truly breathtaking in person, BUT everyone seems to have horrible things to say about the tour operators. Thoughts?

Final stop on our tour of the American Southwest is scheduled to be the epic Grand Canyon, which I desperately want to see via white water rafting. With Little Man in tow I'm not sure how we're gonna pull that one off, but where there's a will...

I'm so excited to be planning out next adventure, and possibly even check another item off of my bucket list!

Have you been to any of these places? What did you think? Any suggestions or advice?

Landscape photo source