Las Vegas to Grand Canyon - What's to do in between?
Jan 2nd, 2005, 04:25 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon - What's to do in between?
We'll be travelling with our 2 elementary aged kids this June. I'd like to fly in to Vegas, visit the Hoover Dam and then make our way to the GC. What can we stop and do in between to break up the long drive?
Jan 2nd, 2005, 08:38 AM
#3
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,484
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gail's suggestion is good if you are going to North Rim, but from your post, it looks like you are planning on South Rim. In that case, the answer is NOTHING once you have passed Hoover Dam. But I really recommend the North Rim. Zion and Bryce are wonderful and completely different from GC. Along the way to Zion, you can also drive through Valley of Fire. And you can do Hoover Dam as a day trip (1/2 day ?)from LV as it is really not that far away.
Jan 2nd, 2005, 09:32 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,879
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is actually a bit more to do between Hoover Dam and the GC than a previous post indicates.
A portion of the famed Rt 66 still exists between Kingman and Seligman and many people enjoy driving that, which is directly on your way. There is also a bit of it going southwest from Kingman but that would be out of your way unless you were going to follow the Oatman suggestion below.
With 2 elementary age kids, you might want to think about an overnight stop in Williams. The GC train returns in late afternoon and departs in the morning. Even if you are not going to ride it, most kids would love an up close and personal look at a steam train in operation.
With a 57 mile southern detour, you could also make a stop at the old mining town of Jerome. It is perched out on the side of a hill with superb views down to the high desert floor and has lots of character.
With a different 34 mile detour, you could visit the old mining town of Oatman. It's a bit more touristy than Jerome but it has two advantages for the kids. First, there are dozens of wild burros that roam the streets at most times of the day. Second, the town puts on staged old-west gunfights that most kids a a lot of adults seem to enjoy.
Have a great trip.
A portion of the famed Rt 66 still exists between Kingman and Seligman and many people enjoy driving that, which is directly on your way. There is also a bit of it going southwest from Kingman but that would be out of your way unless you were going to follow the Oatman suggestion below.
With 2 elementary age kids, you might want to think about an overnight stop in Williams. The GC train returns in late afternoon and departs in the morning. Even if you are not going to ride it, most kids would love an up close and personal look at a steam train in operation.
With a 57 mile southern detour, you could also make a stop at the old mining town of Jerome. It is perched out on the side of a hill with superb views down to the high desert floor and has lots of character.
With a different 34 mile detour, you could visit the old mining town of Oatman. It's a bit more touristy than Jerome but it has two advantages for the kids. First, there are dozens of wild burros that roam the streets at most times of the day. Second, the town puts on staged old-west gunfights that most kids a a lot of adults seem to enjoy.
Have a great trip.
Jan 2nd, 2005, 07:37 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Depending on how many nights you have, you might consider Zion National Park.
For an extra 130 miles, you would not have to double back, and visit Lake Powell, Escalante Grandstaircase National Monument and Zion National Park. Exit the Grand Canyon on Hwy 64 driving east towards Cameron, AZ. There are several great overlooks of the Grand Canyon and after you exit the park, there are views of painted deserts. Take hwy 89 north to Lake Powell which would be a great place for lunch, Kanab which has some old western town section, Mt. Carmel Jct. and then enter Zion National Park on Hwy 9. If you had an extra night or two, then I would recommend spending them in Zion. It's just a short drive back to Las Vegas.
Utahtea
For an extra 130 miles, you would not have to double back, and visit Lake Powell, Escalante Grandstaircase National Monument and Zion National Park. Exit the Grand Canyon on Hwy 64 driving east towards Cameron, AZ. There are several great overlooks of the Grand Canyon and after you exit the park, there are views of painted deserts. Take hwy 89 north to Lake Powell which would be a great place for lunch, Kanab which has some old western town section, Mt. Carmel Jct. and then enter Zion National Park on Hwy 9. If you had an extra night or two, then I would recommend spending them in Zion. It's just a short drive back to Las Vegas.
Utahtea
