<p>We may have a week free between end of school and summer session, and I’d like to take a trip.</p>
<p>We live in Louisiana, and are all three heavy, non athletic.</p>
<p>But we all love nature, and would love to see the Grand Canyon.</p>
<p>Any suggestions for a trip to Grand Canyon, travel options, viewing options.</p>
<p>I’m sure there are ways that people who are disabled, elderly, get to enjoy the Grand Canyon, and although we’re not in that bad shape, we won’t be up for hiking, riding donkeys down the canyon.</p>
<p>Son is a freshman in college, mechanical engineering, and all three of us are interested in astronomy/aviation as well, so if there’s something along those lines nearby the Canyon, we may want to check that out as well.</p>
<p>My only tip is that it’s worth staying in one of the hotels right on the canyon rim, and that you should reserve as early as possible. There’s plenty to see without descending into the canyon at all.</p>
<p>Stay on the South Rim. The North Rim is for people who want to hike around and does not have as many facilities as the South Rim, where 90+% of visitor’s go.</p>
<p>I have never done this (we hiked down and back) but maybe a trip out to the skywalk that is run by the Hualapai tribe. It appears to be 4 hours from the South Rim visitor center. Another idea, since you are astronomy buffs would be to go see the meteor crater near Flagstaff, Arizona.</p>
<p>Make your hotel reservations yesterday! If you are not into sternous hiking, I suggest spending money for a plane flight over the Canyon. Eons ago we did, and we were not disappointed. It gives you a much better idea why the place is called “Grand”. Before making any reservations for tours, check the reviews on TripAdvisor.</p>
<p>Go to Las Vegas and rent a helicopter flight–it really is the way to see the GC if you are out of shape or are constrained for time. Then there are nature-related things you can do out of Vegas (MT Charleston, etc.) And Vegas can be a very cheap place for airlines tickets.</p>
<p>Fly into Phoenix, rent a car and make easy 2 hour drive into Sedona. Stay in Sedona 1 or 2 nights; it is a beautiful area and many great tours to take without hiking. Then, easy 2 hour drive up to the South Rim of the Canyon for a 1 day visit. There are paved flat walkways with beautiful views. You then have many options for the ride back down to Phoenix. Great and memorable vacation, I recommend it.</p>
<p>The view from the canyon rim is great. Look at the pictures people post from the Grand Canyon - virtually all of those breathtaking landscapes are taken from the rim. For some reason a significant number of people seem to want to hike to the bottom of the canyon and then spend countless hours hiking back up. I guess the trip gives them bragging rights and a sense of accomplishment. Even when I was much younger and in better shape, I passed on that trek. I found more rewarding things to do with my time and energy. Go, have a great trip and become one of the vast majority that does not attempt the hike down and back up the canyon.</p>
<p>Having stayed at both the South and the North Rim, I would strongly recommend that you book your reservation to stay at the North Rim Grand Canyon Lodge. The views are spectacular, with fewer people jostling for views, and you get a true feel for the vastness of the canyon. Easy to navigate & to visit other areas of interest. </p>
<p>We also had a great time visiting Monument Valley, which is about 4.5 hrs away by road from North Rim. It was an awe inspiring and uplifting experience!</p>
<p>Other suggestions include taking a 3.5 hr trip in a raft from Page, AZ to Grand Canyon, or if you folks like canoeing, rent a canoe over placid, but scenic waters. We really enjoyed taking the guided raft trip. Next time we plan on renting a canoe. It will give you a different perspective of the canyon.
[Colorado</a> River Discovery - Half Day Float Trips and Full Day Row Trips Down the Colorado River - Page AZ](<a href=“http://www.raftthecanyon.com/]Colorado”>http://www.raftthecanyon.com/)</p>
<p>We missed vising the beautiful slot canyon near Page, AZ. It is definitely worth a visit. </p>
<p>We enjoyed the North Rim much more than the South Rim, but then, we’re the type of people who like to “hike around.” The scenery is gorgeous and there are very few people there; it’s almost as if you have the park to yourself. You can practically wallow in nature.</p>
<p>Have stayed in & enjoyed both the North & South Rims, tho it is quite a drive between the two. There are a LOT more lodging options for the south rim but the north rim is much less crowded.</p>
<p>One option that might be fun is the Williams Rails to Canyon tour that has you ride the train to & from the Grand Canyon, with lodging in Williams as well as the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. (We’ve never done it but H is very tempted.)</p>
<p>I agree that staying IN lodging at the canyon (instead of the numerous near canyon places) is worth any extra $$$. It can be miles & long drives back & forth from lodging & canyon otherwise. We stayed in the canyon for several nights each time we visited & never got bored.</p>
<p>We took the train in for a day trip, during a cross country road trip and it was a fun way to get to the south rim. We had around 5 hours to walk around and try to absorb the enormity of it all, and eat lunch. Many passengers were staying a night or two at one of the lodgings at the south rim, but we wanted to get home so a few hours was what we gave ourselves. The train leaves from Williams, and you can just relax and enjoy the view, or play cards and enjoy the entertainment aboard. We had a guitar player…and a couple of bandits held up the train too. Cheesy, but fun.</p>
<p>I have to disagree with edad that hiking down into the canyon is not worth it. It is breathtaking. We walked down 1 1/2 miles to Cedar Ridge on the South Kaibab Trail. There are certain points where you can look east and west in the Canyon - the view IS more amazing than from the rim. One point is called “Ooh Aah Point,” because that’s what you do! It’s also fun to see the donkeys and crazy RUNNERS on the trail! I can’t believe people run up that trail, even though I’m a runner myself.</p>
<p>My husband and son walked all the way to the bottom and back up one day. That’s not recommended unless you’re in really good shape. They said it was a challenge, but one of the highlights of our two-week trip. They said they will never forget that day.</p>
<p>When we went a few years ago, a park ranger did a nighttime presentation on the constellations from the Rim. We were all flat on our backs on the edge of the canyon looking at the stars. Certainly puts one’s place in the universe into perspective!</p>
<p>Depending on how much driving you want to do, we also loved Mesa Verde.</p>
<p>Having lived in the Southwest for over forty years, I strongly urge you to do the South Rim, not the North. Both are gorgeous, and well worth your time, but the North is much more remote which means much longer driving time. The South has a nice, non-athletic Rim walk, good museum, and lots of viewing points. You will love it! I agree with flying into Phoenix and driving from there. Easy drive, and lots to see: Sedona, Flagstaff (and NAU Observatory), Sunset Crater, Waputaki Ruins, and Williams has a train to the Rim, if you enjoy trains. Not too far east of Flagstaff is Petrified Forest, which is also beautiful.</p>
<p>The views inside the Canyon are nothing like what you see from the top. You would never believe how green, lush and beautiful parts of the Canyon are unless you’ve hiked down to the river.
For someone who has never seen the Canyon and isn’t into hiking, I would suggests staying at one of the cabins on the South Rim. I agree with Marigold. It’s the most visited side for a reason.
There is more for first-timers to see, more visitor amenities, more Ranger talks, and you’ll get the full tourist experience. But definitely book early!</p>
<p>Another option: Fly into Vegas. Rent a car and make a big loop to Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, and Sedona. We did this last year and had a fabulous time. The kids in our group (~ages 20-27) actually preferred Zion and Bryce over the Grand Canyon because they thought the Grand Canyon was too touristy.</p>
<p>Be sure to visit the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff since your son is interested in astronomy. I also recommend a night stargazing tour in Sedona, which has some of the best stargazing conditions in the country. Sedona’s night sky is spectacular because of a light ordinance.</p>
If you are not into sternous hiking, I suggest spending money for a plane flight over the Canyon. Eons ago we did, and we were not disappointed. It gives you a much better idea why the place is called “Grand”. Before making any reservations for tours, check the reviews on TripAdvisor.</p>