So I'm taking my daughter to Arizona for a week in June for her 7th birthday. We are going to visit some family and hit up some water parks or amusment parks. I plan on making a stop to visit the Grand Canyon one of the days. Anybody have any "must do's" or "must see's" while at the Grand Canyon?
Grand Canyon Trip?
- Thread starter clone4lyfe
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Watch the sun rise over the canyon, have breakfast at the lodge on the south rim and walk a little down the Bright Angel trail. She's probably too young for much more than that, but it will be fun.
A year ago today I was heading down 240 miles of the Grand Canyon. Its beauty and immensity are staggering. Which rim you'll be on will determine what you'll be able to see, but in general, the canyon is so big it doesn't matter where you are as long as you can see into it.
For optimal viewing, if you can find your way to the Hualapi Sky Walk, make it happen. It's 4,000 feet above the Colorado river on the south side of the canyon, opposite the "Bat Cave" (the bat cave is off limits to tourists now unfortunately). Anyway, the sky walk literally loops out over the south rim so you can see straign down. Very cool.
For optimal viewing, if you can find your way to the Hualapi Sky Walk, make it happen. It's 4,000 feet above the Colorado river on the south side of the canyon, opposite the "Bat Cave" (the bat cave is off limits to tourists now unfortunately). Anyway, the sky walk literally loops out over the south rim so you can see straign down. Very cool.
Definitely plan on doing the Skywalk thing and was also thinking about a river tour but figured some here would have a lot more info as I don't know much about what there is to do and see but have always wanted to check it out.
I'm looking out online on different tours and other things and was wondering what most of you that have went did... Guided tour, self tour? If guided was it by train, water, motorcoach, air, or other? If you just toured around yourself do you wish you would have gone with a guided tour and were you able to get around ok?
Go to the national park on the south rim, go to the visitor center to the east, walk to the observation point(s), spend about a half hour looking at it, have someone take your picture with the canyon behind you, and then go home. It's an awesome natural wonder for sure, but a huge hole in the ground is what it is and it's not going to change no matter how long or how many times you look at it.
I took a guided tour on a motorcoach but that was from Las Vegas. The nice thing was we were able to stop by Hoover Dam. But that was a one day tour (we were picked up from our hotel around 6 AM and didn't come back until 8.30-9 PM). Not sure what's available from Arizona
Go to the Grand Canyon National Park Airport (its on the outskirts of Tusayan, the gateway to the South Rim, and take a helicopter ride. I have not done the Canyon yet, but I did the same thing on the Big Island in Hawaii, and it was the best way to see the great natural wonders.
Have any of you ever actually done the skywalk thing? I heard its a huge rip-off. You drive to the Inidan Reservation visitors center, pay the $30 or whatever, then get on a bus to go to it, then they charge you again, and when its all said and done, its like $50-$75 a person. I've never done it, just something I thought I read last summer before I went. I would really check into it if you want to do the skywalk. I just went to the National Park on the south rim for a morning on the way to Vegas and it was really neat. Want to go hiking there sometime.
I will have to look into this. I did see you can order them online for like $30 but didn't read any of the details or small print as I was just glancing at it real quick. If it is really $75 then I may rethink this part as I'm not sure I want to pay $150 just so 2 of us can go walk out on a see through bridge!
With a 7 year old this is what I would do. I would drive to Williams, AZ (on I-40) and take the train to the Grand Canyon. You will arrive at the historic train depot, down the hill from Bright Angel Lodge. Walk up to Bright Angel Lodge and walk through it and you will see the Grand Canyon. Also you will be in the middle of Grand Canyon Village. Walk around and see the various buildings and studios. (You can also walk a short ways over to the mule barn - but dont feed them!) Then get on the shuttle bus to the west rim. Go all the way out to Hermit's Rest. The 7 year old should like to see that.
If you want to spend the night get a cabin if not make sure to get back in time for the train departure. I WOULD RECOMMEND STAYING ONE NIGHT TO SEE A SUNSET AND SUNRISE. The most beautiful colors are at those two times. In the middle of the day the colors will be very muted and wash out - most people are very disappointed if the only time they see the canyon is in the middle of the day.
Thanks! This is the sort of info I was looking for. Most efficient and economical way to visit the Gand Canyon and still walk away feeling like I saw everything I needed to. My fear was I would get there and not take in the things I should or possibly spend a ton of money on a tour of some sort and feel like it wasn't worth the money in the end since most those tours are $300+ a person.
I didnt have time y-day to look some items up so here is some addtl info.
I'm guessing you are coming from Phoenix so here is the plan I would have.
This will take 3days. Leave Phoenix driving north on I-17. Make sure to stop at Montezuma Castle National Monument at exit 289. One of the best cliff dwellings in Arizona. Then continue north to I-40. Turn east to US 89 and go north toward Page. About 20 north of I-40 on your right will be a turn for Sunset Crater National Monument. Turn there and explore a true Volcano. It erupted less t han 1000 years ago! When your done return to Flagstaff the way you came and continue on to Williams on I-40. Buy a couch ticket on the railroad. Try to stay a night at the Canyon at one of there cabins or lodges.
Make sure to go out to a view point to watch sunset (ask Park Rangers and people with fancy cameras which viewpoint to go to for the best show). The following morning you need to get up an hour before sunrise, pour coffee or hot tea in a thermos and get out to viewpoint to see sunrise 30 minutes before the listed sunrise time.
Have fun
Make sure to ask a Ranger if there are any condors nesting in the area or have been seen. Ugly birds but they are impressive to see in flight.
Temps could be cool at sunset and sunrise so packing a jacket for your daughter might be a good idea. A cold little girl isn't going to have much fun.
Also a second vote for taking the shuttle out to Hermit's Rest.
Temps could be cool at sunset and sunrise so packing a jacket for your daughter might be a good idea. A cold little girl isn't going to have much fun.
Also a second vote for taking the shuttle out to Hermit's Rest.
