If you want to travel to visit the Grand Canyon, in what city should you stay? What else is there to do?

Answer 1

Just out of curiosity, why not stay at the Grand Canyon itself?
The South Rim of the park has several great lodges ran by Xanterra. Most of them are within walking distance of the rim. While Flagstaff/Williams are the closest towns to the canyon, they are still over an hour drive away. If you intend your canyon visit to be more than a quick out-and-back day trip, than nothing beats staying right at the canyon itself.

Of the park lodges, the historic 1905 El Tovar is the most grand and expensive, Thunderbird and Kachina Lodges have the best views, the historic 1930s Bright Angel lodge is the cheapest and modern Maswik lodge is a good combination of comfort, size and cost (and good parking). You can make reservations online at the link below (make reservations well in advance).

Even if you can't get a room in a park lodge, there are a number of chain hotels just outside the gate at the little tourist village of Tusayan. I greatly prefer staying in the park, but this would be the second choice if you are planning on really spending some time at the canyon to see all the sights and really take it all in (and maybe do a little hiking).

As for what to do... do you mean what to do at the canyon or in the surrounding area? MrDanger gives some good recommendations for the surrounding area (Wupatki, Sunset Crater and Jerome are my personal favorites). In Flagstaff, I would also add Lowell Observatory (where Pluto was discovered in 1930) and the excellent Museum of Northern Arizona on the north edge of town.

Contrary to what Fel above says, Flagstaff is a great town with many great cafes, several microbrews, frequent festivals and many interesting historic buildings. Beaver Street Brewery, Kathy's Cafe, Macy Coffee Shop, Oreganos Pizza and Crystal Creek Sandwiches are few of my own favorites, but there are many more. Stop by Babbitt's Outfitters or Peace Surplus (both downtown) for gear and advice.

As for what to do at the canyon... obviously the main thing is to take in the incredible views. Go to a variety of the different overlooks as each offers a different perspective. Yavapai Point, Grandview and Desertview are my South Rim favorites. You can also take the little shuttle ride along the west side from the lodges to Hermit's Rest. For a little quiet solitude, try walking along the rim trail away from the lodges. You can also take a half-day mule ride (get reservations!) or take in an IMAX show (in Tusayan). As others have mentioned, there is a train running from Williams (see link below).

Of course, one of the best ways to really experince the canyon is to go down into it a ways and feel it surround you. You should not try going all the way to the bottom and back in a day, but doing the short 1.4 miles down South Kaibab trail to Cedar Ridge will give you incredible views that you don't get from the rim and probably a good chance of some wildlife. The 3+ miles to Dripping Springs on the Hermit trail is another good hike. With any hiking, wear comfortable shoes, carry lots of water, be ready for a wide range of weather and give yourself lots of time.

Another great thing about the South Rim are all the historic buildings, many designed by famous Fred Harvey / Santa Fe railroad architect Mary Jane Colter. Check out the grand lobby of the El Tovar hotel, the 1905 Hopi House (looks like an indian pueblo), Kolb's photo studio (often has art exhibits), Desertview Watchtower, and Lookout studio - all very interesting buildings in great settings.


Also I should probably note that most of the info above and that of the other posters refers to the more developed and more visited South Rim of the park. If you are planning on visiting in summer (mid-may to mid-october) I would consider visiting the North Rim of the park instead. It is much less crowded (only one lodge) and at a 1000 feet higher elevation, it is cooler up in the pines. I find the North Rim to be a more pleasant and intimate experience than the often crowded South Rim. Nothing beats sitting on the North Rim lodge patio - right on the very edge - watching the sunset with a glass of wine. Nearby interesting side trips include the excellent Zion and Bryce National Parks. The North Rim is closed mid-Oct to mid-May.

If you are going to the South Rim, the nearest big city with a major airport is Phoenix. But if you are going to the North Rim, it is a bit quicker to fly into Las Vegas. The nearest town to the North Rim is the border twins of Fredonia, AZ and Kanab, UT both of which are pretty small.

Have fun!

Answer 2

Ok, first, I'd like to say, I lived in the park for almost 3 years (yes, people live there. You have to work there to live in the park). Flagstaff is a great town. There are many great little bars, pubs, restaurants, and hotels. If you stay there, you will be driving an hour and a half one way to Grand Canyon. Williams is a smaller town than Flag, but it has one of the best-preserved stretches of old Route 66 anywhere. It is about 50 miles south of the park gate (1 hrs drive). About the train form Williams. It is a two hour ride from Williams and you only get to spend about 3 hours on the rim (unless you stay overnight, The Grand Canyon Railway has packages including overnight stays). It is a neat ride, the train gets "robed" and so forth, it's all about how you want to spend your time.
If you are going to Northern AZ to see Grand Canyon, stay in the canyon. As mentioned before, Xanterra (phone [phone]) runs the hotels and such in the park. There also is little town just outside the park called Tuscayn (I think I spelled that right) and there are many "major" hotels there. I like the Quality Inn and The Grand Hotel.
As for staying in Phoenix, don't. You may want to stay a night if you are flying in there and arriving late, or the night before your flight out if you are leaving early. I can make the drive in about 3.5-4 hours; however, I drive it at about 75-80 mph the whole way and know where the speed traps are and all the short cuts that would get most people lost.
"What else is there to do?" Well, you could drive east on 64 after you get into the park and go to Cameron on the Navajo Reservation. It just a gas station and a trading post, but you will get the best deal on REAL hand made jewelry and they have the best Navajo tacos (kind of like a tosta). You can do some hiking. The trails are steep (the S. Kaibab is steeper than Bright Angel) and make sure you have plenty of water (see The Guide-a paper put out by the Park Service-you'll get one free when you come though the gate) The Guide also lists Ranger walks and talks. And if you have kids, they have a Jr. Ranger program. You sign up at the Visitors Center.
And, finally, one last piece of advice: No matter where you stay in or out of the park, don't try to park at the rim (unless you stay there). Parking there is a nightmare any time of the year. Park over by the general store and post office and take the free shuttle everywhere. There is info on this in the very middle of The Guide (as well as a map of Grand Canyon village so you can find the post office).
Oh, one more thing, when entering the park, if you want to go straight to the rim, turn left down Center Rd (at the signal) and take your first right and that road will dead end into the post office parking lot. There are look out points on the "main" road, however there is never any parking and lots of traffic. You can also take the shuttle there.
Have a great trip!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

Ignore all answers that don't say Flagstaff.
Stay in Flagstaff locally refered to as simply "Flag "
It is a combination college town, Rt 66 road warrior town, old hippies , a smattering of yuppie types, and a large amount of Native Americans who come into town to do their weekly shopping.
Flag has great assortment of restaurants , bars, lodgings and pretty much everything you need including the best hospital within at a least 150 mile radius .
Speaking of radii . If you draw a 125 mile radius out from Flag it will encompass some amazing places
Grand Canyon of course
A big piece of the Navajo reservation
A big piece of the Hopi reservation including
First Second and Third Mesa's
Wupatki National Monument & Sunset Crater
Meteor Crater
The obligitory trip down the switch backs of 89A into Oak Creek canyon and of course the much over hyped Sedona and then continuing south and uphill to Jerome AZ - a cooler toown both literally and figuratively
So there's alot you can see and do in the area it just depends where your interests lie
Thursday :
More details;
If you are from an urban or a suburban place the 125 radius I gave you may seem like a lot. In Northern Arizona / Southern Utah it's nothing.
If you leave the east side of Flag on US 89 N the next full time stop light will be in Page AZ which is 140 miles north on a 2 lane road
If you make the left off 89N onto 89A and head over to Lee's Ferry / Jacob Lake -GCN N. Rim
Across The Arizona Strip [ which is legally classified as Fronteir because it has less 16 -20 people per square mile] - Fredonia , make a left and into Colorado City AZ and then Hurricane UT it's about 270 miles between lights .
All of the driving is on two lane roads some of which look like go- cart tracks
But the sense of height , space and desolation is exciting , often frightening for the first time visitor and alway's humbling .
If you really have wanderlust and don't mind driving ,stay at the Cameron Trading Post in Cameron AZ on the Navajo Reservation. The rooms are nice, the food is fairly good and 1.5 hour drive in any direction will take you to some amazing
places
On the negative side there is not a whole lot else there if you're a party animal or like alcohol- prohibited on the Navajo Reservation.
On the positive side the scenery is stunning and when it rains double rainbows are a normal event- a reflection of a refraction is the official explanation

Answer 4

If you really want to just be around the Grand Canyon area, then I'd say Flagstaff. I don't know much about that area, although my friend lived there for many years and loved it.

However, if you're interested in other areas of Arizona and maybe even Mexico, go with Phoenix. We were staying north of Phoenix and it was about 4 hours to get to the Grand Canyon. Maybe a bit longer. We also got to go to Mexico since it was about the same distance. Also, Phoenix is located off of the 10 and the 40 (I believe?) so it's easier to get to other destinations.

Answer 5

I would stay either in Williams, AZ or Flagstaff. Take the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams up to the canyon. It's a great day trip. You won't be disappointed. Williams is just west of Flagstaff on I-40.

Note to the person who advised commuting from Phoenix: Phoenix is 2-1/2 hours away from Flagstaff in the OPPOSITE direction from the Grand Canyon. So, yeah, do that if you like driving 4 hours one way. I'll take Flagstaff any day.

Answer 6

Suggest you take the southerly route when westbound, and the northerly route back, when the weather will be warmer, especially if you are going to sleep in the vehicle. Maybe invest in a tent? On the way out, be sure to stop long enough to take in the St. Louis Arch, pay attention when you cross the mighty Mississippi, detour to the Grand Canyon. In LA, if you only see Hollywood and the Whiskey, you will miss TOO much. It deserves way more time. Check out Disney Hall downtown. Drive up to Mt. Wilson and look over the vastness of the city. Go to incomparable Venice Beach. Drive around Bel Air. Go to the Getty. Bring your cameras!

Answer 7

Grand Canyon is in Arizona It is a hour out of Presscott,but you wanna stay closer than that,Wild Bedrock flintstones place on the way.Now they have a circile walk around the edge of the canyon,tourist trap,They are charging you 25 bucks to walk around the thing, quack quack quack.
There is nothin like the canyon Pictires can not tell you nothing,to see this ssight is well rememberd,

Answer 8

I'd go with the guy who brought up Williams. I live about 60 miles from the Grand Canyon. Williams and the train ride is the way to go

Answer 9

I went down the grand canyon for 2 weeks on a rafting trip. the night before and after we went to the grand canyon we stayed in las vegas. there are a lot of hotel choices! you fly from las vegas to the grand canyon, then you can drive over the hoover dam on your way back to las vegas

Answer 10

Don't miss Hoover Dam. The Colorado River is worth exploring.