Family Vacations to Arizona

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is worth a whole trip in its own right. Peering over the rim at this enormous natural wonder and the layers of color on display will inspire awe in the little kids all the way up to adults. The famous South Rim offers many hotels with a wide range of prices (though many do book up very early so plan ahead), while Grand Canyon West lets the truly daring experience a once-in-a-lifetime, stomach-dropping opportunity to stand on glass 2,000 feet above the canyon bottom.

• Take a hike to get up close and personal and see this gigantic canyon in all its glory. The Rim Trail on the South Rim is an easy walk that offers excellent views without being too strenuous for younger kids. Parts of the path are paved and you can also hop on the shuttle bus to go back if any little feet are extra tired. For a much more strenuous hike, the famous Bright Angel Trail is a 12-mile trail (round-trip) that begins at the rim and goes all the way to the Colorado River below. You can hike down as far as you want to tailer the hike to your adventure level – just remember the way back up is the tougher route with steep switchbacks.
• Even if you don’t stay there, the famous El Tovar hotel is worth checking out. This historic hotel first welcomed visitors in 1905. The dining room overlooks the canyon and offers truly incredible views. Stop in for dinner or for an early breakfast to catch the sunrise and the glowing natural light on the canyon.
• For a different view of the canyon, consider a rafting trip. Several companies offer trips that range from a few days to a week and let daring kids and parents experience roaring rapids and camping under a blanket of stars while learning about river history.

Take me to the Grand Canyon