I have to accompany my wife on a business trip to Arizona. We would like to see the Grand Canyon and maybe Monument Valley. Any dopers have suggestions on what to do and especially, what not to do or avoid? We will be there the last week in June.
I take it you’ll be visiting the South Rim. Be prepared for
traffic and crowds at the best sightseeing spots, like Mather Point. If you are staying overnight, be sure to make advance reservations. Breakfast at El Tovar by one of the picture windows overlooking the canyon is a memorable experience. If you want to stay at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon, chances are the mule rides are all sold out. You might be able to pick up a last-minute cancellation, or you can try to book dormitory space and stew dinner and hike down. The transportation desk at the hotels can book Phatom Ranch reservations, as well as a side trip to Monument Valley for you. If you decide you want to hike down one of the trails:
[ul]
[li]Wear proper footwear[/li][li]Drink sufficient water (at least one quart per hour)[/li][li]Remember that hiking out takes twice as long and twice the energy as hiking in.[/li][li]If you hike down the Canyon and get as far as Indian Gardens or Phantom Ranch and you decide you are too pooped to hike back, you CANNOT get a mule ride or a helicopter out.[/li][/ul]
In addition, you might want to consider a side trip to Sedona, an absolutely gorgeous resort town only a short distance from Flagstaff.
Joe (Grand Canyon employee 1986-1993)
Having been to the North and South rim numerous times as well as surrounding areas, I would strongly suggest you bag the Grand Canyon plans and make time to take a trip further north to Zions National Park and Bryce Canyon. I promise that you will not be disappointed.
The Grand Canyon may be huge, but Bryce and Zions are far more breathtaking.
Or head over towards Windslow and see the Meteor Crater.
Or better yet, stand on a corner in town and check out the girls driving flat-bed Fords. :D:D:D
Here’s my advice. Treat the GC as the overpriced, overcrowded tourist daytrip that it is and stay in Flagstaff, AZ, an utterly cool, genuine American town. I’m not suggesting you ignore the GC, just that you not treat it as your home base.
Flagstaff will give you a great, inexpensive slice of western Americana that you’ll not find at the GC, Sedona of Pheonix. It’s got Route 66 and a real – and quite active – RR track (freight & Amtrak, IIRC) running through the heart of town. And many of the original historic downtown buildings are still standing – some terrific old structures.
If you take my advice, you must stay at the Monte Vista Hotel, a huge old but solid red brick box in the heart of downtown that has guest rooms named after the ol’time Hollywood stars that once stayed there way (way!) back when. All for dirt cheap.
With all the bucks you save staying at the MVH, you can afford to ride the restored Grand Canyon RR line that runs from Williams (a bit west of Flagstaff) to-and-from the GC.
Akkk! I meant “Sedona or Pheonix,” not “Sedona of Pheonix.” Sorry.
You could drive up to Page and see the incredible landscape around Lake Powell. There is a great Courtyard by Marriott on the golf course there that is surprisingly cheap to stay at.
{b] Stuyguy’s** advice about staying in Flagstaff is excellent, but the last time I was there, the Monte Vista was a backpacker hostel, not a good place for adults. However, the restaurant downstairs is highly recommended. It has draft Guinness!
The San Francisco peaks are just outside of town and they are an excellent dayhike experience. If you go to Monument Valley, be sure to have the Navajo taco at the stop in Cameron.It’s Navajo flatbread piled high with ground beef, green chiles, tomatoes, lettuce, pinto beans and cheese. It’s as big as a dinner plate, but oh so good.