I want to stop at Meteor Crater on my summer road trip, mainly because we stopped there on our way to Disneyland when I was a kid and feel like I should take my kids there.

My question is.... is it worth the time?

metero crater near Flagstaff? We took our boys there a few years ago and it was interesting for them. It was more interesting everytime they see the photo in school books and know there were there. My husban thought it was cool. I thought it was a big hole in the ground. I'm glad we took the kids. Flagstaff was nice for dinner.

Where are you going from that this was on your way to Disneyland?

Can you say 'tourist trap'??? IMHO, its similar to seeing the worlds largest ball of string, or worlds tallest thermometer....any of those sound familiar to anyone??!!! lol

The last poster said it well -- it is essentially a hole in the ground.

Yes, that's true. And the Grand Canyon is really just a big ditch. Niagra Falls is just a bunch of water. The redwoods are just a bunch of trees. Why not just stay home?

I went there when I was younger, and found it quite interesting. I climbed into the crater and walked around on the bottom, looking at all the old mining machinery they used to try to find the meteor. I don't know if they let you do that now (the lawyers have probably put a stop to it).

a few years ago they didn't let you down into the crater but there's viewing sites and information for all ages. I wasn't too excited but the guys were and I would definitely stop if you're nearby. Making a special trip out there, maybe not but as part of another trip it's a good spot for kids. Take photos.

Someone asked where we were coming from when I first saw Meteor Crater on the way to Disneyland.

It was Texas.

I don't really mind the "cheese" factor... it kind of represents a fun family vacation to me. hehe

But then, too much cheese can be a little, er, constipating.

are you thinking of driving from Texas just to the meteor crater? I don't think it's worth it...maybe to combine it with a trip to GC.

hey ab, she said she was on her way to Disneyland.

she remembers "we stopped there on our way to Disneyland when I was a kid ".

Where is your summer road trip taking you this time?

Since Meteor Crater is not a NPS site, its displays, public amenities, etc. aren't quite up to what you experience at other southwestern US spots. It's not that the facility is unsafe, or any of that, it's just missing that little bit of polish to make it a first-rate exhibit, IMO. My husband enjoyed the scientific displays; it probably appeals more to those of a scientific bent. Since it was on the way to another portion of our SW travel, it probably was a good stop. But would I make it a destination? Probably not, just because there are so many sights in the area that are of more interest to me. If it's on the way during your summer trip, it probably merits a visit for your kids.

Actually, we are eventually going to end up in San Francisco... so Meteor Crater is more or less a pitstop. Based on what you've said, I think it's worth an hour of our time. We will see....

maybe more than an hour......it's been 10 years that we traveled those roads on our honeymoon. We found it to be a letdown and far off the beaten track. It is surely not a quick pitstop off the highway! For us it was a big hole. For your kids, who knows, it could be magical. Just realize, the travel time will be an hour without getting out of the car. Have a wonderful time wherever you end up. Montezuma's on the way to Sedona from Scottsdale was pretty cool, and right of the highway. GL

It's a big whole in the ground to people with a lack of imagination and education.
If you have any interest in astronomy or earth science it's cool.
Imagine a meteorite the size of a house hitting the earth moving thousands of miles per hour.
Boom!!!
You'll just hope you're not nearby if it happens again.

If you're headed close, then yes stop. But if it's off the path then don't. It's not the hole in the ground itself that is of interest, the center there has various moon rocks and other geological displays that are worth it. Geology as can be implied in the thread is probably more of a guy thing, so just keep that in mind.

It's great from the air. You can sometimes see it on a Chicago - San Diego flight.

Hmmm, I think I will take another look at the map and see how much out of the way it really is.

We will be traveling that day from Albuquerque to Flagstaff. About how many driving hours can I expect?

Yes it is worth a stop. There is a nice movie/slide show on meteors and a guide to explain the area. PLatforms with telescopes to see down into the crater. Can't walk down. Nice museum and momentos from Astronauts who trained there prior to moon trips.
Another site worthy of a stop near Flagstaff is Walnut Canyon. Nice well preserved Anasazi Indian ruins. Right off highway. Will take about 1-2 hrs.