Grand Canyon National Park
Time Needed: full-day
Experience Type: American icon, national park, scenic views
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon showcases some of the world’s most breathtaking vistas and is easy to explore using the free seasonal in-park shuttle. For more than a day trip, book a hotel in Tusayan just outside the entrance. A free shuttle connects the town and the park.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Watch the Park Movie – At the Visitor Center, catch Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder, a 24-minute orientation film that features a dawn to dusk journey across this wonder.
- Walk the Rim Trail – This easy, paved path is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. The 0.7-mile stretch between Mather Point and Yavapai Point affords incredible views.
- Visit the Yavapai Geology Museum – Explore geology exhibits that explain the canyon’s formation alongside sweeping canyon views.
- Attend a Ranger-led Program – Engaging walks and talks educate on the canyon’s geology, ecology, and cultural history.
- Choo-choo on the Grand Canyon Railway – Ride a vintage diesel locomotive to the South Rim, arriving at the train depot steps from the historic El Tovar Hotel. Get your tickets now.
Recommended Reading: In A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon, follow along as seasoned author Kevin Fedarko and photographer Pete McBride hike the length of the Grand Canyon.