The Grand Canyon South Rim is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. If you have never been there, you should try to go as soon as possible.
When you start planning your Grand Canyon trip, you need to think about what you want to do when you get there. Yes, there are lots of things to do besides the Grand Canyon. Here are some popular things to do and places to see. This website offers lots of tips for you.
I used to live and work at the Grand Canyon South Rim, there in Grand Canyon Village, and I did all of these activities at one time or another. You should do some or all of them too.
1. Grand Canyon Visitors Center. This is a great place to start when you enter the Grand Canyon area. You will see lots of signs for this destination. Here is a link to a lot of maps for you.
2. The Rim Trail. This sidewalk trail extends along the top of the south rim over by the hotels and east and west of them. It’s an easy walk with great views. Here is a nice map of the village area.
3. The El Tovar Hotel. This is a beautiful hotel that has a great restaurant too.
4. Next to the El Tovar is the Hopi House. This is a must-see structure.
5. Bright Angel Lodge. This old historic rustic hotel has some of the cutest little rooms and rim cabins anywhere.
6. Ice cream. The Bright Angel Lodge has a great ice cream shop that is super popular.
7. Lookout Studio and Kolb Studio. These little lookout houses are fun to see and are great for photographs.
8. Mules and mule rides. Check in at Bright Angel Lodge to see if mule rides are available. If not, ask when the mules are brought out in the morning for the riders because this is fun to watch. More info on mule rides is available here.
9. Bright Angel Trail. This is probably the most popular trail in the park. If you’re not too fit, don’t spend much time on any trail.
10. Yavapai Lodge and Market Plaza. There’s a place called the Market Plaza over by Yavapai Lodge where you can buy groceries and supplies. Plus there’s Yavapai Lodge nearby and it has a great cafeteria.
11. Trailer Village and Mather Campground. Want a campsite or a place for your trailer? Consider this area for you.
12. Shuttle buses. No need to drive your car when the free shuttle buses take people around to the popular destinations at the Grand Canyon. Asked for bus info on arrival. This map can help. And this website can help too.
13. Ranger programs. There are lots of free fun and informative Ranger programs. More info here.
14. Kaibab trails. The North Kaibab Trail and South Kaibab Trail are very popular. Ask for info about them when you arrive.
15. Backpacking or camping. Want to backpack or camp around the Grand Canyon? Make sure to check to see if you need a permit before anything else.
16. Get away to Hermits Rest, Mohave Point or Hopi Point. These three places are off the beaten bath and are memorable in their own right.
17. Mule barn. Stop by the Grand Canyon mule barn to watch the mules.
18. Deer and other animals. There are lots of wildlife to see, but please don’t feed them.
19. Tusayan. This little town before you get to the Grand Canyon South Rim has lots of things to do as well. You can stop there either before or after your Grand Canyon adventure.
20. Desert View Watchtower. This area and tower are a few miles from Grand Canyon Village but well worth the drive.
21. Train station. Ask for when the train arrives every day and go see it when it comes in to the station.
22. Williams and train. The train leaves from the town of Williams for round-trip rides to the Grand Canyon. This is lots of fun.
23. Stop and enjoy. Remember to spend some time alone at the Grand Canyon just to appreciate its beauty.
Hope you can use some of these tips for things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim in Arizona. If you need more ideas. go to this website. Remember to reserve your rooms as far in advance as possible.
Reference:
- voices.yahoo.com/best-restaurants-places-eat-grand-canyon-11924185.html?cat=16
- voices.yahoo.com/the-top-three-most-memorable-places-stay-the-11922045.html?cat=16
