Las Vegas/Grand Canyon
 

I'm planning a family trip for April "Spring Break". The group consist of children ranging between 8 and 14 years of age and my mother and in-laws (seniors)will also be joining us. I'm trying to figure out how many days to spend in the Grand Canyon area. What activities are there that we can do. So far a rafting float trip has been suggested...but what else can we do there? Is it worth going to Oatmans "Ghost Town"? What Activities/Show in Vegas do you suggest for the children?

Oatman...I am not a big fan of it, my mother on the other hand loves it and feels compelled to take out of towners there to visit. It is just a little dusty street that does a cheesy gunfight and then you can go spend money in the little stores. Perhaps while in Vegas take a quick half day trip to Red Rock and visit nearby Bonnie Springs, they have the same gunfights, donkeys in the street, a few shops. But some like Oatman because I think it is on Route 66. Anyway for the kiddies in Vegas, they would probably enjoy Blue Man Group or a magic show like Lance Burton (he is great for the kids). They can visit the Secret Garden at the Mirage (white tigers/dolphins), see the lions at the MGM for free, go to the Forum Shops at CP and watch the statues come to life. About 15-20 minutes from the Strip area is Ethel M's chocolate factory. There is the rollercoast at NY, NY and Circus Circus has the huge Adventuredome with tons of rides inside for the kids. Maybe they might like the wax mueseum at the Venetian. Anyway, this should get you started...

I'm hoping someone will correct my memory if I'm wrong, but I think most kids would love the weirdness of Blue Man Group and fantasical Mystere. I remember both shows as being suitable for kids.

Double check me on this, but April might be a little cold for rafting.

We did a similar trip several years ago. We heard stories about the congestion at the south rim - bus arrives, tourists unload, tourists take pictures, bus leaves - and decided to
enter the Grand Canyon from the east entrance at Cameron. Cameron is inside the Navajo nation, and has a pretty decent (your mileage may vary) hotel/restaurant called the Cameron Trading Post. This route had two advantages:
1. We got to see Walnut Canyon National Monument, Sunset Crater National Monument, and the Wupatki ruins. 2. We encountered very few people and had several overlooks to ourselves since most tourists were traveling west to east.

Have fun on your trip.

Mike Honeycutt

I remember my first view of the Canyon, over 43 years ago, when I was eight, like it was yesterday. It was the same experience five return trips later.

Just note that about the "only" thing to do is view one of the most awe-inspiring, beautiful places on this planet. Boat trips into the Canyon itself, other than the one at the Hualapai Reservation, are booked up over a year in advance and are no shorter than three days. Day-long boat trips on the Colorado River near the Canyon, but not into it, are possible.

If you decide to hike down the Bright Angel Trail (HIGHLY recommended) be sure to remember that the hike out is three times worse than the hike down -- turn around when ANYONE *STARTS* to feel tired or sore. It'll be the difference between wanting to come back several times, and a real miserable experience you never want to repeat.

I hope your eight-year-old child will be posting something like this in 44 years!

I've never been to the Grand Canyon, but that's a place we want to go with the kids in the near future. When we go, I want to try and do & experience all that we can do there. Is this Bright Angel Trail something a person can hike down - does it take you all the way to the bottom? Is it possible to hike to the bottom with "tween" age kids? There is a hotel at the bottom, right? Can you hire mules to carry your luggage down (may sound naive, but remember, I've never been). I like the rafting trip idea. If you raft down, how do you get back out? Anyone know the name of the company that does the rafting trip? I'm not sure I could raft for three days - but sounds like a memorable adventure.

One more question - what is the optimal time to visit the GC (including if you might like to raft)? The end of March (spring break) or what part of the summer- J/J or A?

I think Oatman is charming, but it is a tourist trap. I think the drive on old route 66 between Oatman and Kingman gives you the best feel for what the old route 66 use to be like.

As for rafting trips, it's already been mentioned that to raft in the Grand canyon it's a minimum of 3 days. There is a very nice float trip for people of all ages out of Page, AZ. This is a scenic trip thru a canyon on motorized rafts.

Here are my pictures:

http://www.utahtea.lithium.com/pages...2003/float.htm

I would plan on at least 2 nights at the Grand Canyon. Everyone can ride the free shuttle buses to the many scenic overlooks. They might all be able to enjoy walking along the rim.

Utahtea