First week in April, I’ll be going to Albuquerque for the USBC Nationals bowling tournament. I’ll be there Monday till early Thursday. On the way back, I have tickets for the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. Mrs. Know and I are thinking of visiting the Grand Canyon on the way to Phoenix. If we went early Friday morning, would we have time to appreciate it till we leave for PHX? What’s to do in the area? I know the admission to the park is $25 per car–is it worth it for the time we spend there?
I spent a couple hours there a few years back, on the way to a week-long camping trip with a church group. I have to say, it is the single most impressive sight I have ever laid eyes on.
It’s big. Really big. It’s so big, that the best way I can describe it is “it looks fake”. What I mean by that is, my mind really couldn’t comprehend the sheer size of the thing. It was beyond understanding, therefore it must not be real, so “it looks fake”.
I’d take the opportunity if I were you.
Do it. I found a few hours suited me just fine. Take the bus that stops at various points on the south rim, get out and look around and hop in the next one. Once you’ve been to every stop, you’ve basically seen it.
You need to visit the skywalk. It is something like 4000 feet above the canyon floor.
I saw it as a side trip from Phoenix to Oklahoma City. I remember parking and walking toward it, saying, “It’s gotta be around here somewhere.” Then I saw it.
The phrases “jaw dropping” and “awe inspiring” are overused so frequently. They apply to the Grand Canyon, though. See it, especially early or late in the day.
Tried to go three times in my life, the first time when I was four years old and the last time. . .well, a few years ago.
Each time it was closed due to fire. They don’t tell you in the tourist info how often that happens, but it happens a lot.
I’ve given up on it.
I went there, it’s a big impressive hole in the ground. That’s about it. There’s a few hours of "wow’ there.
I found Bryce Canyon much more interesting.
Please don’t give up on it. It is the very definition of geologic beauty. Here are some SDMB threads:
[thread=353206]January 2006[/thread]
I did not say in that thread that when Mama Zappa and I were there in December '05 we watched the sun set over the Grand Canyon. Our first evening there the colors reflecting off the different rock strata made the most mind bogglingly beautiful colors I ever hope to see. The entire dictionary cannot do it justice.
[thread=360121]February 2006[/thread]
[thread=371606]May 2006[/thread]
[thread=418156]April 2007[/thread]
[thread=444352]November 2007[/thread]
I’d post more, but I should be working. Instead I’ll look at my Grand Canyon mouse pad, and bask in the memories of beauty beyond awe.
Its much more worth the time and money then Meteor Crater, which is literally just a hole in the ground. Unless 25 bucks is a really really big deal, I’d say you get your moneys worth even if you only spend an hour there.
Yep, worth it. Pictures and video do not even come close to portraying the true scope of this wonder.
I went in 1987. It’s well worth it. It’s very…grand.
If you go back from the Grand Canyon to Phoenix, take the road that passes through Sedona. Stunning road through a beautiful, beautiful landscape. While you approach Sedona, take the time to visit the many stalls and stores along the road that sell the most stunning Indian jewelry.
I’ve been. Very impressive, but almost so big it’s hard to wrap your mind around. Maybe it would seem more real if you went down in it, but that takes more time and a much effort than I wanted to expend. A couple hours ought to be plenty unless you are planning on hiking down to the bottom or something.
I agree about Bryce though, and strongly recommend Zion.
Yes, worth it. It’s one of those things that you actually have to see in person to get the awe of it. I love everything about it.
ETA: I’ve also hiked to bottom - the best way to see it.
I visited it when I was a kid; it was damned impressive. Go.
I’ve been several times; North and South Rim, down to the River, and out to Toroweap. Yep, it IS a big hole in the ground…but it’s filled with wonderful stuff. You have to go down inside it to really appreciate the awesomeness of the place.
One problem, though: You’re leaving Abq on Friday morning and need to be in Phoenix for a game that night? And you want to see the Canyon en route? I don’t think that’s doable, unless you drive really really fast (which you won’t be able to do in most of the Park). Perhaps I misunderstood your itinerary.
I agree that there may not be enough time available.
Albuquerque to Phoenix by way of Flagstaff is not much under 500 miles - call it 8 hours if you don’t stop. The round trip from Flagstaff to the South Rim and back is probably 3.5 hours.
Spending less than 6 hours at the Canyon is going to make you feel cheated (a couple of days is the minimum to claim you’ve really seen it). With around 12 hours of driving necessary, this will be challenging.
An interesting place on a smaller scale that’s almost on your way and worth considering is Walnut Canyon National Monument.
I’ve been twice and I want to go again. The words “incredibly beautiful” don’t even come close to describing it.
I went just last year in July, during my Vegas vacation. Traveled in a minivan with my Beloved, her sister, her other sister, her other other sister, and their mother.
Still don’t know why I didn’t jump.
I went with two friends back in 1987, after my freshman year of college. It was part of our 6-week-long whirlwind drive around the U.S. that I’ll have to post about sometime.
We thoroughly enjoyed the Grand Canyon, and did a lot of hiking around…occasionally shouting “Bobby!? Cindy!” 
We didn’t stay very long, just a day or two, but it was fun while we were there.