Grand Canyon
Aug 1st, 2016, 06:23 PM
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Grand Canyon
Hi all.. I have 6 days off in October and would like to see the Grand Canyon. I am in the very early stages of planning this for my husband and myself. Nay husband and I are in our 60's and probably are looking at moderately priced accomendations. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. How is the weather in October, where to fly into , where to stay , what to do. Have sent away for some travel books to read. Thanks for any help suggestions
Aug 1st, 2016, 07:06 PM
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If you could tell us where you're coming from and a more specific lodging budget, that will help you get good advice.
The weather should be nice - still sunny but not overly hot.
Are you interested in seeing any other national parks in the area?
Lee Ann
The weather should be nice - still sunny but not overly hot.
Are you interested in seeing any other national parks in the area?
Lee Ann
Aug 2nd, 2016, 11:14 AM
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Could you let us know what you mean by "moderately priced"?
October is my favorite month for visiting the Grand Canyon and other parts of northern Arizona.
If you are not avid hikers, 2 nights, max, at the GC will be plenty. You could/should spend a few nights in Sedona also.
If at all possible, you should stay at one of the lodges inside the GCNP. Secondary choices would be at Tusayan, outside the south entrance, or the Cameron Trading Post, about 25 miles outside the east entrance.
Flying into PHX or Las Vegas would be best. If you will be visiting Sedona as well as the GC, I would suggest flying into Phoenix. But you would also have the option of flying into Vegas and visiting Bryce and Zion, too.
October is my favorite month for visiting the Grand Canyon and other parts of northern Arizona.
If you are not avid hikers, 2 nights, max, at the GC will be plenty. You could/should spend a few nights in Sedona also.
If at all possible, you should stay at one of the lodges inside the GCNP. Secondary choices would be at Tusayan, outside the south entrance, or the Cameron Trading Post, about 25 miles outside the east entrance.
Flying into PHX or Las Vegas would be best. If you will be visiting Sedona as well as the GC, I would suggest flying into Phoenix. But you would also have the option of flying into Vegas and visiting Bryce and Zion, too.
Aug 3rd, 2016, 03:57 PM
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Hi ... Thanks for replies.. I am not a fussy person for a hotel as long as it's clean and located where I want to be. We are not big hikers so a stay in Sedona would be great. I am flying in from NYC., I'm told the airport closest is Phoenix . I really am just starting my quest for info. Don't really know what I should see in the area. I have already been to Las Vegas but would love to see Arizona. I love to take pictures so I'm looking for scenic ideas. Really , growing up on the east coast I know nothing about Arizona. I ordered some books on Amazon but I'm sure people on this site will know more. Basically what are the sites to see and do? What's not worth it? Thanks
Aug 3rd, 2016, 06:29 PM
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PHX is definitely closest to Sedona.
Check lodging at the GC first. If anything is available inside the park, grab it. If not, book something refundable in Tusayan, but check back every day for cancellations inside the park. Cancellations are frequent. You want to be able to walk or take a short shuttle ride to the rim to see the canyon at sunrise and sunset. Staying outside the park means either missing those or driving back and forth in the dark (pitch black), with the probability of large wildlife on the roads.
Here are the links to GC lodging:
5 lodges: http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/
Yavapai lodge: http://www.visitgrandcanyon.com/yavapai-lodge
If you can find lodging there, book it and work the rest of your trip around what is available at the GC.
As far as scenery, you can't beat the Red Rock Country around Sedona. Here is my list of must-see / do things around Sedona:
Montezuma Castle / Montezuma Well
Bell Rock
Cathedral Rock
Red Rock Crossing
Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour
Oak Creek Canyon
Browse Tlaquepaque
Wine tasting along Page Springs Road
Visit Jerome
Sunset at Red Rock Crossing
Sunrise on Airport Mesa
Along the way to / from the GCNP:
Sunset Crater / Wupatki National Monument
Cameron Trading Post for lunch (Navajo Taco is a must) and browsing.
For lodging in Sedona, check out Sky Ranch Lodge, us on Airport Mesa, with great views from the property.
Check lodging at the GC first. If anything is available inside the park, grab it. If not, book something refundable in Tusayan, but check back every day for cancellations inside the park. Cancellations are frequent. You want to be able to walk or take a short shuttle ride to the rim to see the canyon at sunrise and sunset. Staying outside the park means either missing those or driving back and forth in the dark (pitch black), with the probability of large wildlife on the roads.
Here are the links to GC lodging:
5 lodges: http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/
Yavapai lodge: http://www.visitgrandcanyon.com/yavapai-lodge
If you can find lodging there, book it and work the rest of your trip around what is available at the GC.
As far as scenery, you can't beat the Red Rock Country around Sedona. Here is my list of must-see / do things around Sedona:
Montezuma Castle / Montezuma Well
Bell Rock
Cathedral Rock
Red Rock Crossing
Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour
Oak Creek Canyon
Browse Tlaquepaque
Wine tasting along Page Springs Road
Visit Jerome
Sunset at Red Rock Crossing
Sunrise on Airport Mesa
Along the way to / from the GCNP:
Sunset Crater / Wupatki National Monument
Cameron Trading Post for lunch (Navajo Taco is a must) and browsing.
For lodging in Sedona, check out Sky Ranch Lodge, us on Airport Mesa, with great views from the property.
Sep 13th, 2016, 06:01 PM
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Thanks for the great advice. I was able to get the sky ranch for one night. The Bright Angel lodge for my stay at the Grand Canyon . I just have to find the scenic routes to drive thru.
Sep 13th, 2016, 08:03 PM
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I always suggest entering the GCNP through the east entrance. You didn't say whether you are in Sedona first or if you are driving to the GCNP directly from PHX.
If from Sedona, drive up through Oak Creek Canyon to I-17. Then take I-40 east and 89 north. If you have time, shortly after leaving Flag, take the loop road to the right that goes to Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument. The loop road will add a couple of hours, but well worth it.
If you have the time, go past the road that goes to the GCNP (64) and stop at the Cameron Trading Post for browsing and lunch. Try the Navajo Taco.
From there, enter the GCNP and stop at least at Desert View, Grandview, and Lipan Point on the way to your lodging at the GC Village. By visiting the viewpoints along the east rim drive, you won't need your car again until you leave the Grand Canyon. You can just take the free shuttle and walk the rim path.
If you are driving right to the GCNP from PHX, you can still do this if your flight arrives early enough.
If from Sedona, drive up through Oak Creek Canyon to I-17. Then take I-40 east and 89 north. If you have time, shortly after leaving Flag, take the loop road to the right that goes to Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument. The loop road will add a couple of hours, but well worth it.
If you have the time, go past the road that goes to the GCNP (64) and stop at the Cameron Trading Post for browsing and lunch. Try the Navajo Taco.
From there, enter the GCNP and stop at least at Desert View, Grandview, and Lipan Point on the way to your lodging at the GC Village. By visiting the viewpoints along the east rim drive, you won't need your car again until you leave the Grand Canyon. You can just take the free shuttle and walk the rim path.
If you are driving right to the GCNP from PHX, you can still do this if your flight arrives early enough.
Sep 18th, 2016, 09:41 PM
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RE: MikePinTucson recommendation - all good
If you go to Cameron, they sell many Indian artifacts. Most are not authentic Indian crafted but if you ask which are, then those are authentic.
Next to the Trading Post is a store that specializes in authentic rugs/jewelry. In that building is a safe dating back to about 1910 as I recall.
Important. At/near the junction of 89/64 there are some gasoline stations. FILL up there as gasoline is very expensive elsewhere.
Visit/have a meal at the classic El Tovar Hotel/Restaurant - a must do.
If not excessively crowded witness sunrise and/or sunset.
http://grandcanyon.com/news/sunset-a...-grand-canyon/
Vaga
If you go to Cameron, they sell many Indian artifacts. Most are not authentic Indian crafted but if you ask which are, then those are authentic.
Next to the Trading Post is a store that specializes in authentic rugs/jewelry. In that building is a safe dating back to about 1910 as I recall.
Important. At/near the junction of 89/64 there are some gasoline stations. FILL up there as gasoline is very expensive elsewhere.
Visit/have a meal at the classic El Tovar Hotel/Restaurant - a must do.
If not excessively crowded witness sunrise and/or sunset.
http://grandcanyon.com/news/sunset-a...-grand-canyon/
Vaga
Sep 22nd, 2016, 02:56 AM
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It sounds like you are planning a nice trip. I think staying in the park at the Grand Canyon is 100% the best way to go. We were there last year in early October and the weather was pretty warm during the day. It cooled off in the evenings of course. Consider a dinner reservation at El Tovar: We enjoyed our dinner so much at there that we went back the next day again.
Do try to get up early and watch the sunrise on the rim - from your lodge it will be a minute or two walk. Sunrise is a beautiful time and the crowds are dramatically less than they will be later in the day.
Do try to get up early and watch the sunrise on the rim - from your lodge it will be a minute or two walk. Sunrise is a beautiful time and the crowds are dramatically less than they will be later in the day.
Sep 24th, 2016, 09:50 AM
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The Grand Canyon is one of the greatest places on earth! We’ve also been to the Bright Angel lodge with my husband and 2 children in February this year and it’s quite cozy. When you’re in the Grand Canyon you should see these places:
- Historic Navajo Bridge
- South Kaibab Trail
- Cape Royal Drive
- Historic Navajo Bridge
- South Kaibab Trail
- Cape Royal Drive
Sep 24th, 2016, 11:03 AM
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Re: Route 66 -- we only drive past Williams, so can't answer. But you can see some in / around Flagstaff. Or if you have enough time, drive to Winslow, see some of route 66, visit Standing on the Corner Park and the historic La Posada hotel.
Re: Jennifer Wilson suggestions -- Hiking part way down South Kaibab Trail (or Bright Angel Trail) is a good way to get a completely different perspective of the Grand Canyon.
The Navajo Bridge is at Marble Canyon, which is near the Glen Canyon Dam. Not close to the south rim, over 2 hours away.
The Cape Royal Drive is at the north rim of the Grand Canyon, a 4 to 5 hour drive from the south rim.
Re: Jennifer Wilson suggestions -- Hiking part way down South Kaibab Trail (or Bright Angel Trail) is a good way to get a completely different perspective of the Grand Canyon.
The Navajo Bridge is at Marble Canyon, which is near the Glen Canyon Dam. Not close to the south rim, over 2 hours away.
The Cape Royal Drive is at the north rim of the Grand Canyon, a 4 to 5 hour drive from the south rim.
Oct 31st, 2016, 12:10 PM
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Thank you all for your help. We went last September and had a blast. We flew into Phoenix. Stayed in Phoenix for one night to take in a Diamondback game. We rented a car , went into Scottsdale and walked around. Went to see the Barrett Jackson show room. Drove to Sedona. Stayed in the Matterhorn. Nice hotel in the middle of everything which is what we wanted . We walked around on the Main Street.
We drove to the Grand Canyon, the scenic route is incredible! Thanks for the tip. We stoppied in Williams to see Route 66.
We stayed at the bright Angel Lodge. thanks for telling us about it, it was the highlight of our trip. Staying in the Grand Canyon was incredible. We left the next day passed through Seligman on the way back to Sedona . Stayed at the Sky Ranch hotel which had views that were breathtaking. We left the next day for our flight home.
We had a great time with some wonderful pictures and memories. Thanks for all your great suggestions
We drove to the Grand Canyon, the scenic route is incredible! Thanks for the tip. We stoppied in Williams to see Route 66.
We stayed at the bright Angel Lodge. thanks for telling us about it, it was the highlight of our trip. Staying in the Grand Canyon was incredible. We left the next day passed through Seligman on the way back to Sedona . Stayed at the Sky Ranch hotel which had views that were breathtaking. We left the next day for our flight home.
We had a great time with some wonderful pictures and memories. Thanks for all your great suggestions
