Grand Canyon

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Viewing the Grand Canyon

A June 2001 trip to Grand Canyon by Harris

As part of our honeymoon, my husband and I decided that we should see the sight that Teddy Roosevelt declared "every American" should see. While maybe not the most romantic stop on our trip, it was one of the most awe-inspiring.

  • 7 reviews

Viewing the Grand CanyonBest of IgoUgo

Overview

The best thing to do is go to the edge and just look. The most memorable moment is seeing the canyon at sunset. For the more adventurous, I'd recommend hiking down into the canyon or taking a plane ride overhead.

Quick Tips:

You'll want to dress in layers. It can be hot, but also windy. And you'll probably want to the canyon at different times of day, so be sure to bring the appropriate gear for cool early morning and evening, as well as hot midday.

Best Way To Get Around:

Driving in the Grand Canyon is like driving in a big city. If you try to drive around, you'll simply ruin the experience by being stuck in traffic all day. So park your car in a lot and take the shuttle to the different points. The added bonus is that the shuttle drivers narrate the ride and will tell you the best points to view.

The Grand HotelBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Grand Hotel and Canyon Stars"

This hotel is overpriced for what it is. The rooms are bare bones with a Western decor in the lobby. It may be one of the nicer hotels in Tusayan, but I''d recommend staying in Grand Canyon Village itself, since it allows you to see the canyon at different times of day.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Harris on July 13, 2001

The Grand Hotel
Highway 64 Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023
928-638-3333

We Cook Pizza and PastaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

If you are looking for an easy bite in the Grand Canyon area, this place serves pizza and pasta in a raucous, family-style setting. You'll eat at picnic tables with other families. Once you put in your order, it'll be a long time before the pizza to arrives, but at least it will allow you to work out an appetite if you haven't already done so at the Grand Canyon.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Harris on July 13, 2001

We Cook Pizza and Pasta
Tusayan, Arizona Grand Canyon, Arizona

Canyon StarBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Canyon Stars"

Figuring it would be hard to find breakfast foods in the area, we decided to dine at the hotel--big mistake. Even just a bagel and eggs was full of grease; the seats were dirty; and the atmosphere was a little too kitschy for my taste with as Western theme and constant videos of the Grand Canyon playing above.
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by Harris on July 13, 2001

Canyon Star
The Grand Hotel Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023
(928) 638 3333

Yavapai CafeteriaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Typical cafeteria food and atmosphere, but a good place to grab lunch at the Grand Canyon. There is a glass-enclosed seating area with forest views.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Harris on July 13, 2001

Yavapai Cafeteria
Grand Canyon Village Grand Canyon, Arizona

Grand Canyon GuideBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Grand Canyon National Park"

Grand Canyon National Park features a variety of points that allow you to see this world wonder. Skip Mather Point, which draws too many tourists because it is near the entrance. Instead, park your car and take the shuttle to Hop and Mohave Points, which offer some of the best views of the canyon plus the rapids of the Colorado River way down below. The canyon is just so huge that it's hard to take it all in. And the weather when I was there was a bit hazy, which made it even harder. But you will come away feeling that this was a sight you just had to see.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Harris on July 13, 2001

Grand Canyon Guide
Various locations Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023
+1 928 638 7888

Rim TrailBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Rim Trail"

Face it: the Grand Canyon is tourist-ridden, and this does detract from the experience. However, the Rim Trail provides an opportunity to leave the rest of civilization behind and see the canyon as it should be seen. My husband and I hiked between Hopi and Mohave points, which I believe was a little under a mile. It was difficult at times (we even had to leave the trail and climb back to the road when it got particularly scary), but it's worth the views you will see. For those who are not too adventurous, this is a great way to see the canyon.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Harris on July 13, 2001

Rim Trail
From Yavapai Point to Hermits Rest Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023
+1 928 638 7888

About the Writer

Harris
Harris
Boston, Massachusetts

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