topic Re: Grand Canyon ?'s in Community Chat

Grand Canyon ?'s

lynnzzz — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 23:05:20 GMT

What is the best month to visit the Grand Canyon? North Rim or South Rim? Places to stay? Thanks! I will contact a travel agent but we are trying to get some ideas! Oh, is it worth staying for a week or to drive up from Las Vegas? Thanks again!

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

Linders Back — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 23:36:36 GMT

Wish I could help but I was at the Grand Canyon in 1958 and I think things have changed a bit since then. We had no traffic, no crowds in July on the South rim.

I really don't think you'd have enough to do to keep you there for a whole week but there is plenty of other stuff in Arizona and the surrounding area. IF I remember correctly, the drive down from Las Vegas takes you across the Hoover Dam and that is really impressive.

I'd love to go to the glass deck observatory that cantilevers out over the canyon on the North Rim but that might not be your cup of tea if you have any height issues.

I'll be interested to hear others suggestions as GC is on my DH's bucket list and I think it would be fun to go back.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

Mama Mia — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 23:46:15 GMT

We lived in Hdson-

vegas and RV'd there many times, only the North Rim for us, not so many people, we hiked etc. we would stay five days or so. The South Rim is where you can hike down in the canyon etc. Best months are February, March, April if you watch the temps. And then in Fall

Look at all up on the internet. If you are vacationing with a car, go over to Zion too. There are gorgeous areas to see. Good luck and have fun.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

4Kicks — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 23:48:59 GMT

The north rim will only be open in the summer months, way too cold in the winter months. Another MORE THAN beautiful place and probably my most favorite place in the world is Sedona, fairly close and one place you could easily spend two days in. Jerome is another city close by which is very interesting to visit. If you go to Sedona, there is a visitor's center, actually THE OFFICIAL VISITOR CENTER in the middle of town which has all the tourist attractions for miles and miles around.

I would recommend going in the spring time or early summer, but it does not get really hot there even in July or August. The North Rim is beautiful and actually I prefer that since you do not have the crowds of the South Rim, speaking of the Grand Canyon.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

lynnzzz — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 23:57:19 GMT

Thank you so much!

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

Qwackertoo — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 00:37:58 GMT

We did both. On our grand tour of the western National Parks for 3 weeks on our vacation/wedding/honeymoon trip. We stayed in one of the little log cabins on the North Rim and luckily there was a cancellation and we were able to do the day long 1/2 ride down on the mules . . . no camping at bottom of canyon and coming back next day. Then drove around to South Rim, not a quick or short drive, for two more nights, camped in the very large & tall teepee's at a park . . . . and did a couple of mile walk/hike along the rim and man it was HOT. It was towards the end of August. Then stopped at IMAX theater just a little ways from South Rim, came out and it was snowing as we were driving down highway . . . thought maybe it was ashes but nope it was snow . . . then drove to Vegas . . .missed Hoover Dam last tour by maybe 5 minutes. We went in every casino up one side of the street and back down the other . . . in August . . . don't know IF I could do it now. Also hit Yosemite, Sequoia and many other parks in AZ, NM, UT & CO along the way . . . and married @ Lake Tahoe. Also it was hotter than heck in Arches. Did horseback ride at Bryce. And many other fun things. Zion too. This was all before they built the glass walkout/lookout at the Grand Canyon. I didn't realize heights bothered me so much until this trip. I'd have to stand back a couple of feet from the edges that didn't have protective railing . . . made me woozily in my stomach to stand so close.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

missy1 — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 01:01:10 GMT

Don't go to Grand Canyon Skywalk. Go to South Rim. Spring time, too cold. Go after April. Lots of hotels, shops and food.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

Lotus — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 01:05:09 GMT

My oldest son was just there...he went to the South Rim and I could see a little snow in his pictures (which were amazing!!). They just wore lightweight jackets.

He just got back to NY today and I can't wait to see the rest of his pictures and hear all about his visit.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

missy1 — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 01:08:10 GMT

On 1/9/2014 Lotus~ said:
My oldest son was just there...he went to the South Rim and I could see a little snow in his pictures (which were amazing!!). They just wore lightweight jackets.

He just got back to NY today and I can't wait to see the rest of his pictures and hear all about his visit.

There was still a little snow in April one year.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

Linders Back — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 02:06:34 GMT

On 1/9/2014 missyw1 said: Don't go to Grand Canyon Skywalk. Go to South Rim. Spring time, too cold. Go after April. Lots of hotels, shops and food.

Is there a reason why you suggest not going to the Skywalk? I think it looks amazing.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

GCR18 — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 02:08:26 GMT

It's been a number of years. My BFF won an all expense trip to Scottsdale and took me. We went in February and it was cold. Flew into Phoenix and went to Flagstaff and Sedona on the way there. Stayed in a cabin at the GC. On the way back to Scottsdale, we went to the London bridge and the Hoover dam. We hit every tourist/historical place we could in four days, then stayed at a resort for the rest of the time. I'd like to do it again one day.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

missy1 — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 02:09:50 GMT

On 1/9/2014 Linders Back said:
On 1/9/2014 missyw1 said: Don't go to Grand Canyon Skywalk. Go to South Rim. Spring time, too cold. Go after April. Lots of hotels, shops and food.

Is there a reason why you suggest not going to the Skywalk? I think it looks amazing.

Very expensive. Also, you can't take pictures on it. On the south rim you go where you want to go. It depends what other places you want to see. West Rim Skywalk- Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead or South Rim- Flagstaff, Sedona and Snow Bowl.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

deeva — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 02:15:32 GMT

I would not go to the Grand Canyon in February, too cold. April is a nightmare with all of the kids on Spring break. We went the week before Memorial Day. The weather was great and it wasn't too crowded. And stayed in Sedona but took a day trip to the Canyon. We plan to take another trip to see the North Rim, which is less crowded.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

Financialgrl — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 02:39:22 GMT

My SIL and I went in October a few years ago. We stayed overnight in Williams and took the Grand Canyon Railroad in (about a 2-2.5 hr train ride in). It was very nice - it had about an hour of onboard entertainment (old cowboys singing old cowboy songs and storytelling) - and on the way back a staged train robbery. None of that was really my thing but the older people and children onboard seemed to like it. It was very relaxing. The train depot is located directly behind the El Tovar Hotel. You get off off at the platform and you walk up a lot of steps (or the ramp) and at the top the canyon lies before you. The day lasted from about 10 am to about 4 or 5pm. It was plenty of time for us. You can make your train ressies and coordinate it with staying in the park at one of the lodges and take your return train trip back to the train station a few days later if you so choose. They offered light snacks going there and coming back.

October was beautiful - we woke to ice on our car windows. We drove to the train station, parked and they had a cowboy show before we boarded the train. It was probably 60 degrees when we arrived at the canyon and by 1:30 or 2pm the temps were absolutely perfect.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

Linders Back — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 02:48:06 GMT

On 1/9/2014 missyw1 said:
On 1/9/2014 Linders Back said:
On 1/9/2014 missyw1 said: Don't go to Grand Canyon Skywalk. Go to South Rim. Spring time, too cold. Go after April. Lots of hotels, shops and food.

Is there a reason why you suggest not going to the Skywalk? I think it looks amazing.

Very expensive. Also, you can't take pictures on it. On the south rim you go where you want to go. It depends what other places you want to see. West Rim Skywalk- Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead or South Rim- Flagstaff, Sedona and Snow Bowl.

WOW, just read the YELP reviews. Guess we can scratch the Skywalk off the Bucket List. THanks.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

missy1 — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 03:04:04 GMT

On 1/9/2014 BeanCounter17 said:
My SIL and I went in October a few years ago. We stayed overnight in Williams and took the Grand Canyon Railroad in (about a 2-2.5 hr train ride in). It was very nice - it had about an hour of onboard entertainment (old cowboys singing old cowboy songs and storytelling) - and on the way back a staged train robbery. None of that was really my thing but the older people and children onboard seemed to like it. It was very relaxing. The train depot is located directly behind the El Tovar Hotel. You get off off at the platform and you walk up a lot of steps (or the ramp) and at the top the canyon lies before you. The day lasted from about 10 am to about 4 or 5pm. It was plenty of time for us. You can make your train ressies and coordinate it with staying in the park at one of the lodges and take your return train trip back to the train station a few days later if you so choose. They offered light snacks going there and coming back.

October was beautiful - we woke to ice on our car windows. We drove to the train station, parked and they had a cowboy show before we boarded the train. It was probably 60 degrees when we arrived at the canyon and by 1:30 or 2pm the temps were absolutely perfect.

At Christmas the GC railroad has the Polar Express with Santa. The Deer Farm is also close by. You can freely touch and feed deer.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

Marienkaefer2 — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 03:06:54 GMT

On 1/9/2014 BeanCounter17 said:
My SIL and I went in October a few years ago. We stayed overnight in Williams and took the Grand Canyon Railroad in (about a 2-2.5 hr train ride in). It was very nice - it had about an hour of onboard entertainment (old cowboys singing old cowboy songs and storytelling) - and on the way back a staged train robbery. None of that was really my thing but the older people and children onboard seemed to like it. It was very relaxing. The train depot is located directly behind the El Tovar Hotel. You get off off at the platform and you walk up a lot of steps (or the ramp) and at the top the canyon lies before you. The day lasted from about 10 am to about 4 or 5pm. It was plenty of time for us. You can make your train ressies and coordinate it with staying in the park at one of the lodges and take your return train trip back to the train station a few days later if you so choose. They offered light snacks going there and coming back.

October was beautiful - we woke to ice on our car windows. We drove to the train station, parked and they had a cowboy show before we boarded the train. It was probably 60 degrees when we arrived at the canyon and by 1:30 or 2pm the temps were absolutely perfect.

Thanks for mentioning this. I was going to if you hadn't. I lived in northern Arizona for many years. We used to take our middle school students on field trips on the train.

Other things to see in that region: Camp Verde andMontezuma' s Castle, Walnut Canyon , Meteor Crator, and Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.

Also, if you take the scenic ride in Highway 89 from Sedona to Flagstaff through Oak Creek Canyon, or vice versa, at the top.of the highway just before Flag, there is a marvelous Market of Native American jewelry . It's very informal in a small park, but it's been there for

decades., and the jewelry is spectacular. You must not miss it!

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

missy1 — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 03:11:30 GMT

The famous Slide Rock and the Chapel of the Holy Cross ( church in the rocks) in Sedona is a must. I have been to the Crater.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

Lotus — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 03:14:32 GMT

On 1/9/2014 missyw1 said:
On 1/9/2014 Linders Back said:
On 1/9/2014 missyw1 said: Don't go to Grand Canyon Skywalk. Go to South Rim. Spring time, too cold. Go after April. Lots of hotels, shops and food.

Is there a reason why you suggest not going to the Skywalk? I think it looks amazing.

Very expensive. Also, you can't take pictures on it. On the south rim you go where you want to go. It depends what other places you want to see. West Rim Skywalk- Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead or South Rim- Flagstaff, Sedona and Snow Bowl.

I was shocked at how close my son was to the edge in one of his pics.

Re: Grand Canyon ?'s

Shelbelle — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 05:43:12 GMT

We had our car, so we stayed in Flagstaff and drove over to the park.