The Grand Canyon is exactly that. ‘Grand’ in every sense of the word, this historic natural wonder is colossal, majestic and rightly celebrated for being one of the most striking and mesmerising rock formations on the planet. Featuring high on countless travellers’ bucket lists, the Grand Canyon will take you on unique adventures amid its dreamlike landscapes, offering extraordinary memories to anyone lucky enough to bask in her presence.
Create unforgettable Grand Canyon multi-centre holidays by including a hedonistic stint in Las Vegas, bask in some quality beach time in neighbouring California, or take to the road and discover Route 66 for an all-American experience of a lifetime. What are you waiting for? Let’s get planning!
Grand Canyon Highlights
Challenging hikes, thrilling water activities and endless vistas make up just a fraction of what the Grand Canyon has to offer. Together with cosy lodge accommodations, great restaurants, and the simple act of perching on an overlook and gazing across the extensive Canyon – there are few more magical places to visit.
Unique Canyon Adventures
There are many ways in which to explore this vast natural wonder. Hike one of its challenging trails, zip line across Grand Canyon West, plunge into a whitewater rafting adventure on the mighty Colorado River, or take to the skies on an unforgettable helicopter tour – better yet why not do it all?
Once-In-A-Lifetime Views
The Grand Canyon is a place of unquestionable beauty and wherever you look, there are stunning views to absorb. Whether you visit the popular South Rim and its spectacular vistas of detailed rock formations, contrasting colours and endless horizons, or navigate the less-crowded North Rim for cooler summer weather and wondrous photo opportunities, your visit here will be no less than exceptional.
Outdoor Activities
The Grand Canyon boasts vast panoramas, rugged scenery, and beguiling history all beckoning to be explored from high above the precipice and a thousand feet down. Drive, hike or cycle one of its many trails along the North and South Rims, take to the water on a river expedition and soak up the majesty of one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World.
Desert Dining
Go casual at one of the several landmark lodges within the National Park, where the food and wine are as inviting as the scenery. Active types can grab bites on the move at a handy food truck or food court within Grand Canyon Village, and after a long day, treat yourselves to some hearty all-American cuisine at a rustic restaurant, topped with never-ending Canyon views.
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Grand Canyon National Park
An obvious starting point for your Grand Canyon twin-centre holidays is the inimitable Grand Canyon National Park. Located in northern Arizona and encompassing 278 miles of the Colorado River and bordering uplands, this vast park sits within the ancestral land of 11 tribal communities and serves as a place of utmost significance to its native people.
The park is split into two main areas: the North and South Rims. The North Rim is a lesser visited, more rugged area of the canyon with considerably fewer tourists, cooler temperatures and is usually closed in the winter months, while the South Rim is where you’ll find spectacular vantage points like Mather View, Desert View and Grand View Point.
Grand Canyon Skywalk
One of the most thrilling and unique viewpoints of the Grand Canyon is from the horseshoe-shaped Skywalk, a 10-foot-wide cantilever bridge that extends out 70 feet above the rim at Eagle Point in the Hualapai Reservation, which is situated in Grand Canyon West. Not for the faint-hearted, this glass-bottomed walkway presents jaw-dropping views 4,000 feet beneath you all the way down to the canyon floor.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience affords breathtaking views and an unparalleled aspect of one of the world’s greatest natural sights, plus you can take the whole family as children from walking age are allowed on the bridge!
Grand Canyon Railway
Elevate your Grand Canyon experience with an awe-inspiring trip on the Grand Canyon Railway, operating since 1901, this beautiful vintage locomotive journeys from the small town of Williams in Arizona to the Grand Canyon’s gorgeous South Rim. More than just a train ride, the whole family will be entertained on board by musicians and cowboy character actors as well as receive impeccable service and excellent food and drink.
Gaze outwards from the train’s panoramic windows as you glide through ever-changing terrains, from high desert to prairies to pine forests and enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience on Grand Canyon multi-centre holidays.
Grand Canyon Village Historic District
This is the primary starting point for most visitors entering the Grand Canyon National Park, located in the South Rim, the beautifully preserved Grand Canyon Village was born after the first steam-powered trains arrived here in 1901 and has been growing ever since. The village is home to the illustrious El Tovar hotel and the rustic Bright Angel Lodge, several shops including the iconic Hopi House, and the wonderful Verkamp’s Visitor Center, which is the oldest family-owned business in the Grand Canyon.
The village also boasts the iconic Kolb Studio, once a small photography studio set up by Ellsworth and Emery Kolb in 1905, now it also comprises a bookstore and a museum detailing the brothers’ early discoveries in the region with terrific film footage and stunning photos – it’s a lovely place to begin your Grand Canyon explorations.
Iconic Lookout Points
There are no disappointing views anywhere in the Grand Canyon, but there are several notable overlooks for taking in those astonishing vistas, which are understandably very popular at peak times. Mather Point in the South Rim is one of the busiest hotspots for its extraordinary viewpoint down into the canyon and snippets of the Colorado River, as well as its proximity to the Visitor Center, which is just a five-minute walk away.
The South Rim also boasts the fittingly named Grandview Point, elevated at about 7,500 feet and about a mile off Desert View Drive. This majestic panorama displays a dramatic vision of colour and is the starting point for the historic Grandview Trail.
Hermit’s Rest
Positioned at the end of the well-travelled Hermit Road and the Canyon Rim Trail, the iconic Hermit’s Rest serves as a convenient stop-off point for both organised and self-driving tours in the South Rim. It also marks the beginning of some spectacular backcountry trails down a steep, winding path adjacent to the main building.
Another Mary Colter-designed landmark, Hermit’s Rest is modelled on an old miners’ cabin with native stonework, a charming fireplace and rustic-style front porch. The gift shop and snack bar add to its appeal, but the real kicker is the beautiful west end views over the Canyon.
Canyon Village Market & Deli
The Canyon Village Market & Deli is very handy particularly if your Grand Canyon twin-centre holidays are based within the lodgings of the National Park. This large supermarket-style store is open daily from 7am – 5:30pm and has everything you will need for a self-catering stay. Purchase a wide range of fresh groceries, meats, deli items, toiletries, and even craft beers and locally produced wines – it’s also a great place to pick up some classic Grand Canyon-themed souvenirs!
If you’re peckish, the deli menu features hearty items to start the day like breakfast sandwiches and burritos, bagels and the classic American ‘biscuits and gravy’, while there are pizzas, soups and delicious and filling sandwiches for lunch and beyond.
Hopi House
Since 1905, Hopi House has been producing beautiful Native American pottery, jewellery and other handicrafts from its striking stone building that was designed by Mary Colter, one of the first known female architects in the US. Inspired by the natural, rugged beauty of the Grand Canyon and the striking 1,000-year-old pueblo buildings of the Hopi tribe, Colter created the rustic, multi-storey Hopi House that remains a popular attraction to this day.
Browse inside and purchase some lovely keepsakes to take home with you, then head upstairs for a peek at the Native American Art Gallery for more insight into this essential part of American history and a fascinating way of life.
Park Store & Visitor Center
The largest of the park stores within the National Park is located on the south side of the Visitor Center Plaza in the South Rim. Here you can buy a range of books, maps, and clothing items for your time exploring the Grand Canyon, as well as quaint souvenirs and gifts for friends and family when you head back home.
This store is part of a nonprofit organisation, so your appreciated purchases contribute to the implementation of new exhibits, scientific research, upkeep of trails and wildlife monitoring and supporting its arts and educational programmes, meaning that the park is accessible to future generations for many years to come.
Yavapai Lodge
Located close to the Market Plaza, the South Rim’s commercial hub, Yavapai Lodge is a wonderful all-in-one venue that offers dining, accommodation and a gift shop for visitors to the Grand Canyon. Before you start your day, you can pop in for a warm cup of coffee – or ice cream for the kids – and pick up some books or mementos from your time in the Grand Canyon.
Open daily from 8am – 8pm, Yavapai Gift Shop features many interesting pieces of jewellery as well as Native American arts and crafts and curios, clothing for adults and kids, and plenty of outdoor gear to prepare you for the adventures ahead.
Cape Royal
One of the North Rim’s most popular sites, Cape Royal is the place to witness an incredible Grand Canyon sunset in all its glory. Its dramatic rock formations are enhanced when the sun goes down, creating a wash of colour and texture that must be seen to be believed. From the southeastern side of the car park, you’ll find a 1.3km scenic trail and wheelchair-accessible path to several magnificent viewpoints, which makes it a favourite stop-off point for everyone.
And to the west side of the car park there is a lovely picnic area to stop and eat a packed lunch while gathering your thoughts after seeing this spectacular vista.west side of the car park there is a lovely picnic area to stop and eat a packed lunch while gathering your thoughts after seeing this spectacular vista.
Hiking the Grand Canyon
Avid hikers will be drawn to tackle one or more of the impressive trails scattered throughout the park. Ranging from shorter, low-impact strolls to challenging full-day hikes, there’s something for everyone to experience. The South Rim encompasses popular trails such as the largely-flat 13-mile South Rim Trail and the strenuous 20-mile Bright Angel Trail – both offering unparalleled views.
The less-visited North Rim is 1000ft higher than its South Rim sibling but has equally terrific trails to hike. Bright Angel Point is a leisurely half-mile walk suitable for the whole family affording panoramic views over the canyon and river below. Meanwhile, the North Kaibab Trail is up to a gruelling 28 miles long (taking one of the smaller routes within the trail is advised) and is the only maintained trail accessible from the North Rim.
The Colorado River
Who needs roller coasters when you’ve got the rapids of the mighty Colorado River? Not for the faint of heart, your thrill-seeking thirst will be quenched by one of the numerous outfitters that offer white-water rafting experiences in the Grand Canyon. Choose from leisurely half-day or one-day ‘smooth water’ trips to intense rafting and camping experiences from 3 to up to 14 days.
Not only will you take on the ride of your life, but you will connect with nature in a way you’ve never even imagined on your Grand Canyon multi-centre holidays.
Cycle the South Rim Trails
Another exciting way in which to experience the Canyon in all its grandness is to cycle one of the many trails within the park. One of the most popular and least challenging routes is along the scenic Hermit Road, whose paved open roads and greenways snake the Canyon’s South Rim for seven miles, affording spectacular views every which way you look.
Seasoned cyclists can depart from the Visitor Center and ride its 21-mile round trip that features a couple of uphill sections, or if you’ve got kids with you, take a shuttle to the Hopi Lookout and enjoy a more leisurely five-mile cycle over a mostly flat route, which ends at Hermit’s Rest where there’s a little shop with drinks and ice creams to reward your endurance.
Horseshoe Bend & Slot Canyons
It’s hard to overstate just how visually spectacular Horseshoe Bend is. Carving its way through the colourful sandstone in a perfect horseshoe shape, this epic sight is best seen from an overlook across the Canyon, which sits atop a thousand-foot drop to the Colorado River below. Photographers from far and wide come to snap this beautiful rock formation and its image is known all over the world.
Pair a Horseshoe Bend tour with a stop-off at one of the otherworldly ‘slot canyons’ – long, narrow channels naturally carved into the Navajo sandstone that create picturesque, yet eerie walks taken in near-silence. Antelope Canyon is one of the most famous in Arizona, but also check out Secret Canyon, Canyon X and Rattlesnake Canyon if you can.
El Tovar Dining Room
Set within the National Park’s historic El Tovar Hotel, its eponymous restaurant offers the very best in Grand Canyon cuisine. From the gourmet food to the rustic décor, El Tovar Dining Room is a must-visit venue for authentic vibes and out-of-this-world Canyon views. Step into its room with dark wood walls, murals representing four Native American tribes, open fireplaces and warm and welcoming lighting for a cosy experience and a dash of casual elegance.
Its award-winning menu offers traditional fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including prime rib hash, salmon tostadas and elk Bolognese alongside an excellent cocktail, beer and wine selection in the inviting El Tovar Lounge.
South Rim Food Trucks
You can really work up an appetite with all that sightseeing, hiking and cycling round the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Fortunately, there are two roaming food trucks offering hot and cold snacks plus plenty of refreshments to take away: the Fred Harvey Food Truck and the Sustain Your Hike Food Cart. The former is located by the shuttle bus area at the Visitor Center and the latter at the Grand Canyon Train Depot.
Choose from a range of grab-and-go bites like tasty tacos, hot dogs and sandwiches, lunch boxes, ice creams and beverages – all sure to offer the fuel you need to continue your Canyon explorations!
Bright Angel Lodge
This Grand Canyon lodge-style accommodation features a few dining options as well as a gift shop, lounge and museum. The Bright Angel Lodge Fountain is open daily and serves up coffeehouse staples, breakfasts and a grab-and-go menu for lunch, located at the Canyon’s edge with plenty of outdoor seating. Fred Harvey Burger is an indoor restaurant – ideal for families – offering hearty classics in an American diner-style.
With a distinctly Western mood, The Arizona Steakhouse delivers a true taste of Arizona cooking, with much of its menu items sourced, produced and grown in the state. For lunch, indulge in deliciously filled sandwiches and refreshing salads, washed down with a cool draught beer. And for dinner, try the pan-seared salmon, lamb chops or green chile corn tamales for a fiery kick!
Maswik Lodge
Within walking distance of Grand Canyon Village is the lovely Maswik Lodge and its convenient Food Court, providing much-needed sustenance after a long day. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this food court-style dining venue offers a wide variety of on-the-go options at dedicated serving stations including pizzas, Mexican fare, pasta, burgers and other comfort foods.
Its ranch-style interior of dark wood and native stone adds to its casual, family-friendly appeal and makes it a firm favourite with lodge guests and visitors to the park on their multi-centre holidays in the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon FAQs
Grand Canyon FAQs
Grand Canyon FAQs
Between April and June is the best time to visit the Grand Canyon, as the weather is warm but not unbearable and the rainfall is minimal. It tends to get crowded during the summer holiday months too. The North Rim is closed during the winter, so you need to factor this in when booking your multi-centre holidays.
There are many ways to reach the Grand Canyon and as it is so large, there is no one route. You can go by car, helicopter or train and depending on which area you’re starting at – the North Rim, South Rim, West Rim or Grand Canyon Village – your journey will be different, but equally magical.
The three closest major airports to the Grand Canyon are Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG). From Las Vegas it is approximately five hours’ drive to the Grand Canyon National Park, with the West Rim being its nearest entry point.
If you’re planning on exploring the Grand Canyon, then you’ll almost certainly need your own car. Whether on an epic road trip along Route 66 or visiting for a day or two from Las Vegas, having your own vehicle will make the trip much easier and you will be able to see much more of this spectacular region, and all at your own pace.
The Grand Canyon is on Mountain Standard Time, which is 7 hours behind the UK and does not observe Daylight Savings Time. However, if you are staying in Las Vegas, Nevada and heading across to the Grand Canyon, Arizona, there is a 1-hour time difference so bear this in mind if you are booking guided tours or attractions for specific times!
The Grand Canyon serves as an epic stop-off point if you’re doing a USA cross-country road trip along Route 66 or Highway 40. It also adds an extra special touch for California holiday itineraries and works well with Los Angeles and San Francisco if you’re looking to combine this desert haven with a city or beach break.
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