I will stop by Las Vegas for a business conference in late October. I got 1.5 days (Saturday pm and Sunday whole day) for leisure.

Am planning what I can do and I am excited to visit Grand Canyon - South Rim.

I am struggling whether I should take

1. A full day tour on Sunday (bus tour, hassle free but ...)
2. A full day road trip on Sunday (8 hours driving in 1 day, but free to explore the thing)
3. 1.5 day road trip, drive straight to GC from the airport, spend a night there to watch stars, and head back to the Strip on Sunday

I go alone as it is a business trip in nature. I am not physically fit for demanding hiking, 3-4 hours round trip at elementary level is the best I could do. I love driving and drove a lot in my past trips in Europe.

If opt for 1 or 2, I still have half day on Saturday for exotic driving course or other attractions in LV.

Any advise?
For (3), any good lodge or hotel to stay in GC where I could easily watch the stars?

>>3. 1.5 day road trip, drive straight to GC from the airport, spend a night there to watch stars, and head back to the Strip on Sunday

I totally agree with janisj, 3. See if you can get lodging in the park, if not look in Tusayan. See sunset, sunrise, walk along the rim and down into the canyon a bit, either Bright Angel trail or South Kaibab trail.

On the way back you might stop at Hoover Dam and take a dam tour. If you have a little time on Sunday, head east on 64, stopping at the overlooks, then south on 89 with a stop at Wupatki, before heading west on 40.

If you have a few hours free while in Vegas, head out to Red Rock Canyon (a half hour west on Charleston). If you have a free afternoon head to Valley of Fire (north on 15 then east- watch for the sign about 3hours to go through it with stops)

Thanks for your invaluable advice, janisj and emalloy!!!

Shall get the most out of it!!!

That sounds like a great plan to me, too. There's a paved rim walk with great views if you are not up to a strenuous hike.
Enjoy the canyon--it is spectacular and so much more than a "big hole in the ground", as some people say.

Oops-- hit post too soon-- I wanted to add that a little walk on Sunday morning before you leave would probably be fabulous.

I'm bookmarking for good info. Thanks.

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So true. It is so beautiful. I cried the first time I saw the Grand Canyon.

The Maswik Lodge is a motel-like lodging that is walkable to the Grand Canyon Village. Probably your best shot to get lodging inside the park (which I think is worthwhile).

http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging/maswik-lodge/

Yavapai is another in park lodging (more to the east) which is now operated by Delaware North, not Xanterra. If you have a car either one should work.

http://www.visitgrandcanyon.com/yavapai-lodge

Thanks all! You are so nice!