Planning YourGrand Canyon Adventure
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Teddy Roosevelt described the Grand Canyon as “The one site every American should see.” Nothing in the world can compare with the Grand Canyon. This immense chasm is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and a visit to this colossal beauty is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you and your children will remember forever.
The Grand Canyon is over five million years old. In historical times, the only way to reach the Canyon was via a bumpy, expensive stagecoach ride. Today, millions of travelors visit the Canyon each year and this has created a different type of transportation challenge—namely, that there are too many cars. If you are going to visit the Grand Canyon, we recommend that you do not travel by car. Roads are jam packed in the summer time and there are not nearly enough parking places to accommodate the number of cars. Plus, car exhaust is creating a pollution problem for the area.
With this in mind we sent one of our reviewers and her family out to the area to scope out travel alternatives and to tell us the best way for families to experience the Grand Canyon. Here are her recommendations:
· Grand Canyon Railway – A trip aboard this historic rail line is both memorable and convenient. Kids have a chance to stretch their legs and parents get a chance to relax and leave the driving to someone else. The Grand Canyon Railway leaves from the town of Williams, which is about two-and-one-half-hours from Phoenix. The trip lasts two-hours-and-fifteen-minutes, passes through some of the best scenery in northern Arizona, and drops you off just 200 yards from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The trip aboard the train is highlighted by wild west gunfights and strolling musicians who sing traditional cowboy and train songs. Round-trip tickets on the Grand Canyon Railway cost $55 for adults and $25 for children under sixteen. There is also an $8 park entrance fee for adults. If you want a few more amenities, you can always upgrade your ticket to include meal service and special seating. Since the train leaves Williams relatively early in the morning (check-in time is 9:00 am), some families opt to stay in Williams at the Fray Marcos Hotel. This is probably a pretty good idea since you are likely to be tired after your big day at the Canyon. Our reviewer and her family stayed in Sedona the night before and the night after their Grand Canyon trip and they wished they had stayed closer to the train. For more information about the Grand Canyon Railway and the Fray Marcos Hotel (the hotel next to the Railway), call 1-800-THE-TRAIN. Or visit their Web site at www.thetrain.com.
· Grand Canyon Airlines – Our reviewer’s children said that their flight over the Grand Canyon was one of the “funnest” things they’d ever done and was hands down the highlight of their Arizona vacation. Truly, the best way to appreciate the vastness and the beauty of the Grand Canyon is to fly over it. Grand Canyon Airlines was established in 1927 and has taken millions of visitors over the Canyon in their special sightseeing “Vistaliner,” which seats nineteen passengers and has special windows for viewing. The Vistaliner also has individual headsets for passengers which offers a special narration about the Canyon in seven different languages. The Grand Canyon air tour lasts between 40 and 50 minutes and is best taken in the morning when the air is cooler and the ride is less bumpy. If you have a tendency toward motion sickness, take whatever medication you need to make it through the flight, but don’t stay back and miss this incredible experience. Reservations can be made in advance or on the same day and prices are more affordable than you might think. The fare for adults is $75 and the fare for children is $45 (between the ages of 2-12). Save money elsewhere, but don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience. For reservations call 1-866-2-FLY-GCA or visit their Web site at: www.grandcanyonairlines.com.
· The Grand Canyon IMAX Theater – There is a standing Grand Canyon joke about tourists who spend hours getting to the Canyon but then look over the rim for 15 minutes and then leave. It’s hard to fully appreciate how special the Canyon is simply by looking over the edge. That’s why we recommend that you fly over the Canyon or take a rafting trip through the Canyon. Another good way to learn about the Grand Canyon (and rest your feet at the same time) is to visit the Grand Canyon IMAX Theater and “discover in 34 minutes what it would take a lifetime to experience.” The screen at the IMAX is huge, six stories high, and the cinematography is unsurpassed. The theater is located just outside Park gates and you can enjoy a quick bite to eat at the theater’s Food Court. Ticket’s for the IMAX are $10 for adults and $7 for children (between the ages of 3-11). For reservations call 1-928-638-2203 or visit the IMAX Web site at: www.grandcanyonimaxtheater.com.
· Full Day & Half Day River Raft Adventures – White water rafting trips are a very popular way of experiencing the Grand Canyon and it is not uncommon for visitors to make their rafting reservations years in advance. The only problem with white water tours is that they are not a good fit for families with young children because the water is simply too rough. The Colorado River Smooth Water Excursion is a great trip for all ages and provides a relaxing way to see the most beautiful scenery in Arizona. The Smooth Water Excursion departs from the Grand Canyon at 6:00 in the morning and a luxury coach takes you through the Grand Canyon National Park, across part of the Navajo Indian Reservation, and on to the Colorado River. After a day of wildlife viewing and a leisurely picnic on the river’s edge, the coach gets you back to the Grand Canyon by 6:30 pm. For more information about the Colorado River Smooth Water Excursion call 1-866-235-9422.
· Grand Canyon Coaches – Grand Canyon National Park is not a good place for cars (too much traffic and too much pollution), so a special shuttle service was created called Grand Canyon Coaches. These luxury coaches provide shuttle service between Flagstaff, Williams, and the south rim of the Grand Canyon. The shuttle also provides transportation between Grand Canyon Airlines, the IMAX Theater, and the Grand Canyon Railway. These eco-shuttles are a lifesaver and can make your trip to the Grand Canyon enjoyable and hassle-free. We highly recommend them. For reservations call 1-866-RIM-VIEW.
