We and our 16 year old daughter from India would like to travel to the Grand Canyon either from Dallas or Chicago by flight (as drive too long). We are not trekking freaks, so would like to keep the visit not too physically exhausting. the questions i have are - what is the minimum number of days one needs to spend in grand canyon to get a good feel of the place. Is it a good idea to fly to las vegas instead of grand canyon directly and then take flights from there. if so, what does one do to get a feel of Las Vegas (not really too keen on splurging on gambling) Also, which parts of the grand canyon are worth visiting as one suggestion was to do the helicopter ride, which seems pricey. Also which would be a reasonable place to stay in the Grand Canyon?

I don't know how long you have, but you should fly into Las Vegas (the Grand Canyon airport is really a tiny private field which does not service commercial flights). Then you drive from Las Vegas - going to either the North or South Rim (not the West Rim which really is not nearly as nice a view).

Try to stay in one of the National Park Service lodgings. If you have anough time, you could also stop and see Bryce Canyon or Zion National Parks.

None of these require you to be a hiker - most people go to the Grand Canyon and never hike anywhere and have a wonderful time. There is also a short hike at the South Rim near Bright Angel cabins where you can walk a short distance below the Rim and then turn around and walk back up - but the walk back up can be strenuous, even for a short distance.

Several years ago Las Vegas tried to remake itself as a "family" destination. It did not work well and it still remains primarily a place for adults to drink, gamble, see shows. However, there is no reason your family and 16 year old daughter could not have a pleasant stay for a night or 2 - just walking along "The Strip", eating some nice meals, enjoying the pool at the hotel can be fun. There are many threads on things to do in Las Vegas with under-21 year olds that you could search.

For just the Grand Canyon, I would stay 2 nights - so you can see both a sunrise and sunset. There is a shuttle bus that drives along the South Rim and lets you on/off at various vantage points. That can take a good part of a day. There is also a bus that goes in the opposite direction to Visitor Center and several other interesting places. People stay for less time, but more than that you would have to do some serious hiking to fill the time.

We did not do a helicopter or plane sightseeing trip - partly because of the cost, partly because I do not like small aircraft, but also because it did not seem right to me to have aircraft buzzing around such a beautiful natural wonder.

www.grandcanyontours.com

for options from Vegas a good way to go.

Although personally prefer to fly into PHX arizona

www.carrentals.com cheaply via www.visitsedona.com

prettier country spend a day or 2 there and a couple

of days at the south rim of the canyon at the best

lodge you can afford there based on budget.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...1909955-Bright...

Phantom IN the canyon is awesome if time

and/or otherwise the El Tovar is very special lodging

my fav there.

avoid Williams AZ it is a dumpy tourist trap far from the

South Rim.

I agree with the above posters. Two days in Las Vegas is enough time to get a feel for sin city. There are lots of things to do besides gamble. Two nights lodging at the Grand Canyon is enough. I stayed at the El Tovar Hotel, it has a great location, reserve as early as you can. There is an upper rim trail which is an easy walk. I rode on a helicopter tour and I thought it was a total waste of money, time and wasted views. There are a number of national parks and state parks in the Grand Canyon area worth exploring if you have the time.

If you have no interest in Las Vegas, fly to Las Vegas pick up the rental car and drive a few minutes east to Henderson, Nevada. The hotels are cheaper there and you have a head start on the way to the Grand Canyon. Visit Hoover Dam either on the way or on the way back from the Grand Canyon.
Before you turn in the rental car drive down the "Strip" (Las Vegas Blvd) from north to south.
Last time we spent a night in the area before a flight home we stayed at the Fiesta in Henderson which upgraded our room to a suite at the same price I reserved.
Agree with ziggypop-If you can get 2 nights at GC that is enough. With a rental car you can set your own pace instead of a tour bus or a helicopter.

Check on airfares to FLG, Flagstaff, AZ. USAirways flies there. It is much closer than LAS and PHX.

You may want to consider taking a tour from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, there are tours priced from $75 per person which may end up being cheaper than renting. The downside is that you only get a few hours at the Canyon. Avatar Tours (www.avatartours.com) is a good provider that is priced well . Or you could use a coach like Grand Tours for $80 each www.grandtourslv.com. There are other providers from Flagstaff if you opt to fly there.