What other activities are there in teh Grand Canyon area?

Question

Me and my boyfriend are having trouble finding a fun destination to go on vacation in May. We were initially gonna do either paris, mexico or costarica but since we are gonna move in together now we are putting ourselves on a budget. We thought the grand canyon but you can see that in one day? is it worth it? what else id there to do there besides just looking into the canyon?

Answer 1

The Grand Canyon is one of the great natural wonders in the world. I have spent up to a week in the canyon at a time, but you can also have a very enjoyable single day there. I would recommend trying to stay at one of the park lodges - nothing beats being able to walk from your room to catch a sunrise or sunset over the canyon. Bright Angel Lodge is the least expensive, El Tovar is the most grand and historic, and Maswik is a good combination of reasonable prices and modern accomodations. All lodges are ran by Xanterra (see link below).

If you are only going to be there for a day, I would recommend visiting Desertview Watch Tower (interesting historic tower and different views of the east canyon) and taking the shuttle ride along the rim from the lodges to Hermit's Rest. If you feel like taking a little hike, go a mile or two down Bright Angel trail near the lodges or (for better views) go 1.4 miles down the South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge reststop.

Mule rides are fun, but expensive, and require reservations. You may be able to get reservations for a half-day trip, but staying overnight at the bottom (Phantom Ranch) requires reservations over a year in advance (especially for May). Likewise, a river trip through the canyon (while a great experience) takes multiple days, costs quite a bit, and requires reservations.

As for other things to see and do near the canyon... From the South Rim, you are pretty close to Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument (NE of Flagstaff on 89). Wupatki is a very large and interesting prehistoric pueblo ruin and Sunset crater is a recently extinct volcanic field with other worldly craters, cinder cones and lava fields.

Flagstaff itself is an interesting historic Route 66 railroad and lumber town. The historic downtown area has many interesting buildings (and a great historic train depot) now home to little cafes, shops and art galleries. Eat at Kathys, Beaver Street Brewery, Macy's Coffee Shop and visit the historic Monte Viste hotel where scenes from Casablanca were filmed. Overlooking downtown is the historic Lowell Observatory (with a good museum) where Pluto was discovered in 1930.

East of Flagstaff (along I-40) are Walnut Canyon National Monument (where you can go into prehistoric cliff dwellings) and further along is Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest and Painted Desert National Parks. If you go in that direction, be sure to stop at the grand historic La Posada hotel in Winslow - one of the last great Santa Fe railroad hotels - that has been recently restored and has a great restuarant.

If you care to roam further, you could go NE of the canyon onto the Navajo and Hopi Indian reservations. The historic Hubbell Trading Post at Ganado is still ran like the old days, the ruins and canyons at Canyon de Chelly are beautiful and famous Monument Valley near the Four Corners is where many old westerns were filmed.

If you decide to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon instead, you will find it a very different experience as it is much less developed and crowded. The higher elevation means that it is cooler and there are more trees. The single historic lodge is a very pretty place to stay and the whole area offers great views and solitude - I prefer it over the South Rim during the summer. Note that the North Rim is only open mid-May through mid-October, so it may not be open if you go early in the month. Like all the Grand Canyon lodges, make reservations well in advance.

If you do go to the North Rim instead of the south (longer drive), as the poster above mentions, you could visit nearby Zion and Bryce National Parks. Zion in particular is incredible (especially if you like hiking) and well worth a day or two. Natural Bridges National Monument is also a great place and often overlooked. Canyonlands and Arches National Monuments (near Moab in southern Utah) are great as well, but a considerable drive from the North Rim.

It is some great country for exploring. Have fun!

Answer 2

The Grand Canyon is an awesome sight. We saw it in one day, but others take a lot of time there. It is definately worth seeing. If you hike, there are many trails going down into the canyon, but they may not be open until summer. There are several points to drive around the rim of the canyon and stop for different views. A few hours south canyon's south rim is Sedona, AZ, a very cool place. Las Vegas is also just a few hours away.

I don't know where you live, but if you are looking for a fun vacation have you thought about Orlando? San Francisco is another great city.

Answer 3

You could take the train ride or go for a atv tour,also there is an imax theater that shows about the canyon. You can take a hike down in the canyon or on top of the canyon. If at all possible spend the extra $ and go for a overnight mule trip and stay overnight down in the canyon,well worth it.They also have a day trip that you go a ways down into canyon and back up the same day . For mule rides you must weigh 200lbs or less. There are also daily talks with rangers that is very nice also. Have fun I loved it at the canyon!!!

Answer 4

Just across the state line into Utah you will find Zions and Bryce National Parks; Cedar Breaks and the Grand Staircase-Escalate National Monuments; Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. (A National Park Pass will allow you to visit all of the National Parks for free for one year.) A lot of western movies were made in Southern Utah near the city of Kanab. This is a lot to do in St George. Both St George and Cedar City have great productions in the form of plays: Tuacahn Amphitheater, the Utah Shakespearean Festival. In Arizona you Will find Wupatki, Sunset Crater, Walnut Canyon National Monuments. Flagstaff will provide you other things to do.

Answer 5

Helicopter rides, Donkey tours, River rides.