[kaydee]

We have been to Las Vegas many times but this will be our first time going to The Grand Canyon. I've done a little research regarding various options but wondered if those of you who have toured the Canyon would offer some helpful information for us. If you chose a particular tour were you happy with it or wish you had done something different? Do you reccommend booking something prior to our Vegas arrival or is it better to book once we get there? We unfortunately are not into the hiking or strenous treks...should have done that when we were younger. We'll be in Vegas for 8 nights the first part of April. Hopefully some one on TOTV will be able to steer us in the right direction. Look forward to any and all opinions.

[wendyquat]

Hubby rode a mule down on a day trip and he said it was the ONLY way to see the canyon. We stayed 2 nights in a historical cabin and ate a dinner at El Tovar which was very good. I have taken a helicopter tour from Vegas and it only shows you a tiny portion of the canyon. Was a nice, but pricey, trip with dinner and champagne on a ledge and fly back toward Vegas as the sun is setting!

[Mudder]

Both the south and north rim are spectacular. Depending on how long you will have there try to get to both, however the south rim is probably the more popular. It's fun to watch the donkeys and people hiking up and down the Bright Angel trail(bring binoculars). You can also walk just a little way down the trail just to have that experience, turn around and come back. Bring water even if you think you won't need it. You can drive in either direction from there and just pull off at all the places where you see parking, each and every view will be different and fabulous. The Bright Angel Lodge is right on the edge of the canyon, interesting place to stay, pretty rustic. I have never stayed there but have been in there. Don't under setimate the amount of time you will be there....sunrise is great, so is sunset....as is the rest of the day.

[Mikeod]

First time we went, we stayed in Williams and took the train to the canyon on the "Rails to the Rim" tour. We had a bus meet us at the canyon and it took us around a bit, but we spent most of our time at the main center. Next time, we drove out to the canyon and drove out as far as we could stopping to see the sights along the way. I agree with the poster that said you need to spend enough time there to see the canyon in different lighting. It is spectacular.

When we went on the train, we got off at the station and boarded a bus. Everyone was talking about the train ride until the bus driver stopped the bus and said, "You might want to look to your right and see what you came to see." We all looked out and there was the canyon immediately to our right. There was a collective "Ooooooh" as we saw it for the first time.

[rhood]

We are doing the trip early summer. Fly into Vegas and drive to Williams and take the train to the rim for two nights. More info here:
Grand Canyon Railway - The Official Site

[FMF Doc]

Originally Posted by kaydee

We have been to Las Vegas many times but this will be our first time going to The Grand Canyon. I've done a little research regarding various options but wondered if those of you who have toured the Canyon would offer some helpful information for us. If you chose a particular tour were you happy with it or wish you had done something different? Do you reccommend booking something prior to our Vegas arrival or is it better to book once we get there? We unfortunately are not into the hiking or strenous treks...should have done that when we were younger. We'll be in Vegas for 8 nights the first part of April. Hopefully some one on TOTV will be able to steer us in the right direction. Look forward to any and all opinions.

Going in early April it is likely the road from Jacobs Lake to the north rim will still be closed. If you hike down the bright angel trail on the south rim your first water will be 1.5 miles down. The first 1.5 miles from the top is all switchbacks called Jacob's Ladder if I remember correctly.

Even if you don't do any hiking there is so much to see on the road along the rim.

The western part of the canyon is in the Havasu Indian area. That is where they built the glass walkway that extends out over the canyon.

[kaydee]

Tks everyone... we've decided to do the bus trip, south rim with an overnight stay... hopefully see a sunset as well as a sunrise. Do any of you think it is better to book before arriving in Vegas or wait until we get there?

[k2at]

I strongly suggest u book everything before u get there. Lodging and mules for example are booked six months in advance.