Vegas Vacation this Nov
 

Iam will be landing in Vegas on Nov 19th and flying out of the city on Nov 23rd around 1pm.
I want to visit Hoover and Grand Canyon also. Is a Bus tour better or driving there a good option. I have 2.5 year old daughter. What are the options to stay in Grand Canyon If Iam driving. Please advise.

With a 2 1/2 year old I would drive yourself so you can go at your own pace (rather her pace), if on a bus you cannot just stop if you have to, plus the drive will be longer by bus. It is about a 4 1/2 drive each way by car.

If you are serious about going to the Grand Canyon, check for availability of lodging as soon as possible. You should not have a problem in November, but check anyways. The company that handles all lodging and reservation at the South Rim (where you are talking about going) is http://www.xanterra.com.
Another option would be taking a small plane or helicopter that lands at the Grand Canyon Airport, just south of Tusayan (just outside the entrance to the Grand Canyon). I've never done this so I cannot recommend any company, don't know what their prices or services are. I've heard that you want to avoid any tour (bus or plane) that goes to the area of the Grand Canyon west of the South Rim that's actually on an Indian Reservation, that it's not nearly as scenic.

Rooms are available in hotels which are located with 0-2 miles of south rim of the park. I check the Xanterra and that shows no availability for the dates that Iam interested in Nov. Are these hotels( listed on Xanterra) located inside the park ? and what am I missing if i stay outside the park.

For lodging near the Grand Canyon check availability in Williams, Az.

another less popular option is to drive up to Zion National Park (Utah) from Vegas, stay at a motel nearby, and take a drive along the north rim of the Canyon.

I think I would drive north to Utah immediately upon arrival the 19th. Then make the 20th a long day of seeing the canyon and probably going back to Vegas at night. This gives you the 21st and 22nd to see Las Vegas and Hoover Dam before leaving Las Vegas on the 23rd.

kunb - yes, all the lodges listed on Xantera are in the park, some with views of the canyon. What you are missing if you stay outside the park is the ease of walking out the door of the hotel and being right there on the rim - makes sunrise viewing much easier. However, there are some hotels just outside the entrance to the park. I cannot tell you much about them, other than they look nice. The Moqui Lodge is close to the entrance to the park, only about 8 miles from the Grand Canyon Village / South Rim itself. You can see it at http://www.kaibab.org/serv/gc_ol_ml.htm. There are more places at Williams, on interstate 40, but that will increase your drive into the park.

Hotels may be 0-2 miles from Park, but that is not 0-2 miles from Rim - you still have a drive of 10-15 minutes to get to Rim.

Keep calling Xanterra - they often have cancellations since they have a liberal cancellation policy.

Bus tours that would really go to South Rim (not something called West Rim, which is technically Grand Canyon but nothing like photos - a totally different view) would be a long time on bus with toddler.

A word of warning - please keep a firm hand on your dtr, keep her in a stroller, or even one of those dreadful kid leashes. It really is possible to fall in, and it terrified me to see parents ignoring their kids who would play and run right near the edge.

I agree with Gail - call Xanterra. I'm surprised they are all full at that time in November, but you never know. It's true that you'd be driving about 8-9 miles to get to the rim if you stay just outside the entrance, but it's an easy drive. (Unlike staying outside the park at say Yosemite, where you have a 1.5 - 2 hour drive to get to the Valley if you stay outside the park.) I just have never stayed at any of these motels so I cannot say they're good or bad, just that they are there. Also true that people fall over the edge each year despite the minimal guard rails - not many - but it's the price you pay for an unobstructed view of the canyon. At night it's pitch black and you cannot even see the edge in many places.

Another thought, if you cannot swing the Grand Canyon this trip, try for an easy day tour to Red Rock Canyon, just outside of Vegas. It's beautiful. Zion National Park is also an easy trip from Vegas - you can do it as a day trip weather permitting or stay overnight, although I think there is just one lodge so booking may also be a problem.

I booked a room at the Grand Canyon through Xanterra for high season (summer). When I arrived to check in there were signs saying rooms available. I'd be surprised if there are not in November.
The best places to stay are Bright Angel (moderate) and the El Tovar (expensive).

Upon checking the current weather condiction in Grand Canyon, weather.com shows that temperatures are now in 23F . Is it this cold. Iam from Northern VA, I wasnt expecting this drop in temperatures there. That would mean I should be taking Jackets/sweaters with me for the trip to GC - south Rim.

You were looking at the night time GC temps.

Day time highs should be mid 50's and night time lows will be mid 20's.