I am planning a trip to grand canyon & am on a budget..would like to see the must sees & stay at cheap but?

Question

decent place . Also I would like to know the various must sees & a rough estimate of how much time it would take. We are a few families with kids travelling so not into too much of hiking & stuff. Am planning to go around thanksgiving...any suggestions about the weather/crowd/things I should know before I go ? any info which I wouldnt be able to get on the net..


Thanks.

Answer 1

The Grand Canyon Railway out of Williams would be a good way to go with kids but it is not cheap (like $70 per ticket). If your kids are little though, check with this railway on possibly getting tickets for The Polar Express (Santa Train - 1 adult/1 child $36).
http://www.thetrain.com/polarexpress/
Even the older ones will probably enjoy this and Williams is a lovely little town about 1.5-hours drive from the canyon. There is a Motel 6 West there that is good and inexpensive.

Also, because you are travelling with kids, I would recommend the following off the beaten track places:

1. Deer Farm - Just outside of Williams about 7-miles. They have lots of free roaming deer and other animals that the kids can hand feed. Big males are in back (fenced) and look just like Santa's reindeer. This is a great place.
http://www.deerfarm.com/

2. Flintstone's Bedrock City - Located about 30-minutes South of the canyon at the junction of US80 & SR64 in Valle. Definitely a tourist thing but the kids will love it. We used to stop here when I was a kid and I took my daughter (5) last year and she did not want to leave. Like $3 per person. They also have a campground here but I don't know much about it. It might be mostly for RVs.
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/AZ-Quirky.html

Weather should be great this time of year, however if it is over Thanksgiving can't say for sure about the crowds. You should also check out the town of Sedona if you have time, and maybe the Out of Africa Wildlife park.

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ADD ON: Check this out too. I have never actually heard of this before but sounds cool if you are willing to drive an hour to the West.
http://www.gccaverns.com/
"Also ask about a trip to Diamond Creek where you may picnic on the banks of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. See the Colorado River, powerful, red and muddy. This is the only vehicle access to the Colorado River IN the canyon. This road was the only way you could see the grand Canyon until the South and North Rim National Park properties were acquired years later. Teddy Roosevelt opened the Diamond Creek road in 1912. You have the unique experience of seeing the Grand Canyon from above and below. If you would like further information, please contact us by phone at: 928-422-3223, or fax us at 928-422-4470, or e-mail [e-mail]."

Answer 2

Did this in 2003 when I spent a holiday in Phoenix after attending a family wedding. I got onto the local tourist bus service and thought it was very good value.
You catch the bus early morning and stop at Flagstaff before carrying on to the canyon. We were given the option of seeing an EYEMAX film when we got there which showed you a stunning, comprehensive history of the Canyon including a realistic 'shooting the Rapids' which had the audience laughing and screaming with the thrill of it. It gave a simulated helicopter ride which gives you a heart-stopping swoop over the rim before dropping down, skimming the water and walls of the canyon which was so realistic that when I hurriedly glanced around I saw the audience swaying from side to side in their seats!! It was well worth the $10 because when you actually got to the rim of the Canyon afterwards you felt as if you had really experienced the helicopter ride plus the trip on the raft , way way down there on that tiny little ribbon of water barely visable from 1 mile up.
Being in a large family party you'd have neither the time or resources to reach the bottom. Money would be best spent on the film and the kids will love it!! also it will make sense of what they will see with their own eyes.The bus leaves you for a couple of hours to enjoy the sights and well established facilities for food and comfort. Make sure you take a fleece jacket or sweater as it can feel chilly at that altitude and make sure any child who uses an inhaler has it with them..

The 'must see' vantage points are well sign posted and then when we left the main bus park our driver let us stop at the extreme eastern edge: where there is an ancient look-out post and you can see for miles over the Painted Desert

On the way back you will have a stop at a historical trading post with most excellent modern facilities and comprehensive shopping opportunity if you want real Navajo wares.

You should be back in Phoenix about 8pm ish if my memory serves me but times will be given to you by the tourist people. By the way the driver also gives you a potted history of the places you pass through and was a mine of information about just anything to do with the Grand Canyon...I thouroughly enjoyed my day and the company of the fellow travellers!! oh by the way, when you get there and someone says " WOW! look at the eagles!!" dont look up because at the Canyon eagles fly below you.....wish I was going with you.

Answer 3

If you stay in the park you'll pay a lot. Can't say how much. Plan at least a day in the park and get a pass if you plan to stay somewhere else overnight. You can probably find some decent and reasonably priced lodging in Flagstaff.

They have bus tours to various sites along the South Rim. I've never been to the North Rim, but hopefully someone who answers has and can tell you more about it.

Weather my be a little rough at times this time of the year, but there are nice days mixed with ones that aren't so nice. Probably you don't want to camp out unless you have or rent an RV, which might be a good idea.

Answer 4

I've lived near the Grand Canyon for 13 years so here is what I would do.

Stay in Flagstaff. You can either fly to Phoenix, rent a car and drive up, or fly directly to Flagstaff. Airfare is a bit more expensive to Flag but it's quicker. US Airaways/AmericaWest fly into Flagstaff.
http://www.usairways.com
http://www.americawest.com

As far as places to stay, I recommend the Hampton Inn & Suites in Flagstaff. It's really nice and moderately priced. You can find cheaper but I like the Hampton.
http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=5EC3CVZVN3YCQCSGBIU2VCQKIYFC3UUC?ctyhocn=FLGWEHX

When you get into Flagstaff, there are several things to do:
1. Obviously visit the Grand Canyon. I HIGHLY recommend taking a tour. Travelling around the Grand Canyon National Park can be quite confusing. Arizona Canyon Tours is a great company. They are great with kids and will give you a full guided experience. Also, they were offering $20 off their adult price. Ask them about that because they may still honor it.
http://www.azcanyontours.com

But my recommendation is DON'T take the train. One thing people don't know about the train is you don't see the Grand Canyon from the train. Then they drop you off for 3 hours at one point. Most people have to book a tour on top of the train in order to actually see the most beautiful viewpoints which aren't near the train station.

2. See Sedona. It was voted the most beautiful place in America by USA Weekend Magazine. Arizona Canyon Tours also services Sedona tours but Sedona isn't as hard to get around as the Grand Canyon so on a tight budget, you could do it yourself.
http://www.azcanyontours.com/sedona.php

3. Sunset Crater. It's the most recent volcanic eruption in the Flagstaff area and you can drive right up to it. Very interesting.
http://www.nps.gov/sucr/

4. Meteor Crater. It's a little out of the way but quite interesting for the kids. I know I loved going their when I was younger.
http://www.meteorcrater.com/

5. The Deer Farm. Depending on the age of the kids, you could go to the Deer Farm. It's between Flagstaff and Williams. More for the younger kids though.
http://www.deerfarm.com/

In November just make sure you dress warm. Tonight in Flagstaff we are going to have a high of 60 degrees low of 28 degrees and it's only October. Bundle up.

You can find a lot more information on top10grandcanyon.com
http://www.top10grandcanyon.com/


Hope that all helps.

Answer 5

the best experience i've had with the grand canyon is using the grand canyon railway. it's so much fun for the whole family.

you ride a train from williams, AZ into the canyon (it's about 2 hour ride) and stay all day. you then return back to the depot station and can either stay in the hotel right there at the train station or there are several small hotels very close by. i paid 40.00 for my room w/ 2 queen size beds the first time i went and the 2nd time i stayed at the railroad hotel b/c they give you a discount if you stay there and take the train. i'll give you the link.

november is a busy time of year so make sure to call ahead and reserve a spot if you decide to go that route. weather is chilly-low 40's so dress warmly.

you can also call the train station at 1-800-843-8724 and they can give you all the info you'll need to know

http://www.thetrain.com/

Answer 6

stay in Flagstaff, it's about an hour drive to The Grand Canyon