Grand Canyon question

allen levine

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new york city burbs
I dont have a travel agent I know personally anymore, so I thought Id ask here to begin my search.
Im looking to go to the Grand Canyon, just a bit of sightseeing, nothing strenous, no horses, no long excessive hiking up and down 5000 foot drops, just a little sight seeing, some light walking, and generally a peaceful beautiful place.
I prefer to be somewhere up where I can walk to the edge and look down.
Money is not much of an object here, I havent travelled much recently, and want to get some in.
I dont want to go to some lodge where its all gung ho lets get up at 7 am and go on a 10 mile hike, not at all. I cant tolerate that stuff anymore, and Im looking for relaxtion, beautiful sunsets, and beautiful nights.
If anyone knows of such a lodge, hotel, resort, Id appreciate a name.

Thankyou in advance. I looking for 2nd week of October.

(looking online, is overwhelming)
 
The Grand Canyon is one of Americas greatest spectacles, a must see. I visited there in 2001 but didn't stay there. I definitely would stay on the grounds somewhere, they offer many tours via foot, mule, bus and more try http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/lodging.htm for places to stay on the south rim, which is the better side of the canyon to view. Good luck finding whats suits you and when you get there enjoy the splendor:thumb:
 
Allen,
It has been many years since my wife & I visited the canyon, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

We stayed at Bright Angel Lodge, which was a bit rustic, but fun. It is about as close to the canyon rim as you can stay - an easy walk to the rim, and numerous other activities within the park.
 
We camped on the south rim. Walking distance to the rim for sunrise and set. Rode the bus that followed the rim but got off at one of the stops and walked for about a mile along the rim. The camping fee was minimal but with the advancing years I would look for an inside bed if I go again. Mule ride to the bottom is supposed to be worth every penny.
 
The North Rim is the most beautiful, and the lodge is right on the rim, with cabins further in from the "edge." There's not much else to do there - it's the edge of Kaibab National Forest in Utah - but it's worth the drive and one night's stay. It's much less commercialized and MUCH less crowded. Several national parks in Utah to fill your travelust--Arches, Canyonlands, and there's always Salt Lake City and surrounding area.

Arizona doesn't have the franchise for the Grand Canyon.
 
Allen,

I would stay at least one night in Flagstaff and go visit the Riordan House. It is one of the best collections of Stickley furniture in the country. Stay at the Monte Vista in downtown. A great historic hotel and also go see the lowell observatory. These are both must sees in Northern Arizona. Then go on the the canyon and have fun.

Good Luck

Alan
 
tom, the link doesnt work.\
Jim, out of curiosity, to get an idea, we contacted them, they dont have availability that week.
alan-my driving ability is very limited these days.
Night driving is difficult, and direct sunlight is not much easier for me.
Id love to take one of those different places every night, but I dont think Ill be able to handle it just now.
This is going to be a rather quiet vacation, , but I have to see it up close just once.
not as easy as I thought it would be, alot of no vacancies. a little suprising to me.
 
The last two times I visited the Grand Canyon, I was already staying in Flagstaff for other reasons, so I made the 1 1/2 hour drive to the canyon for day trips. Last time I was there (about 18 years or so ago) there were a number of spots where you could walk up to the rim of the canyon.

I believe reservations might be necessary for camping spaces at the canyon, and I'd check well in advance to see the availability of hotel rooms near the canyon. As others have mentioned, it's a great place to see.
 
My wife doesnt camp out.
She is a city girl through and through, doesnt like bugs, little creatures, big creatures, suprised she even likes me, but camping will never happen.
She looked over Jims reco and liked the Tovar, but they are booked every day we thought we could make it.(so is the bright angel) and then some.
 
My wife doesnt camp out.
She is a city girl through and through, doesnt like bugs, little creatures, big creatures, suprised she even likes me, but camping will never happen.
She looked over Jims reco and liked the Tovar, but they are booked every day we thought we could make it.(so is the bright angel) and then some.
The chair plans I sent you a while back were of the chairs in the Tovar dining room.
 
Allen,
I haven't been to the Canyon in nearly 15 years... we lived in Tucson for a short time and did a couple of day trips up... There are several places along the south rim, in either Williams or Flagstaff that would be nice and if I remember correctly, there's also a lodge right on the rim that overlooks the canyon. We didn't stay anywhere since we lived close enought to drive to & from... we had ice cream at the local tourist shop on the south rim on our first vacation out there(before we moved to Tucson), then went out to sit on a patio to look at the canyon... almost couldn't eat our ice cream for the squirrels... one actually climbed up my wife's back to her shoulder and took ice cream off her cone. Back in those days she didn't always travel well and became deathly ill on that trip... either something from the squirrel or from the water at Monetzuma's castle... by the time we got to Albuequerque I thought I was going to have to put her in a hospital... she wouldn't go and we made a flying trip home to Houston....
 
I am 100% certain, if a squirrel climbs up my wifes back, she will blame me and divorce me, and Id probably have to put her in therapy besides.

seems most of the places with AC and TV, (AC I cant live without, and TV for my wife) that got any kind of star ratings, are all sold out the first weeks in Oct.
We havent done that much looking yet, but now we understand we have to book right away, the dates close so quickly.
 
As Chuck mentioned, Flagstaff and Williams are both within pretty easy (and scenic) driving distance. You may find more hotels available in either town.
 
Here's another option Allen. Fly into and stay in Vegas. They have tours from Vegas to the Canyon as well as fixed wing and helicopter tours. Vegas has some pretty good bargains right now. And you can rent a car if you want and drive to the canyon.

Karl
 
I know my wife. If I fly into Vegas, getting her out of the penny slot area will be brutal.
Its too hot outside, its too early, its too late, I want to eat soon, I want to relax soon, Im on vacation, and so on.(all to just stay near a casino)
Just being honest, shes not a complainer, but does love her slot machines.

The thing is, I dont want to drive much. I want to be on the edge, looking down whenever I want too.
It doesnt take much to thrill me. Im one of those people that can sit on a beach chair and look at mother nature for hours and be happy.

btw, Ive driven to Lake Mead from vegas a number of times.
rented pontoon boats, etc.
 
You kind of sound like me and my wife Allen. We are perfectly content to just kick back in our backyard and relax rather than run around with our heads cut of trying to visit a bunch of places. For me a real vacation is getting up out of bed when I want to, going to bed when I want to and doing as little as possible inbetween.
 
My wife doesnt camp out.
She is a city girl through and through, doesnt like bugs, little creatures, big creatures,


Allen,

Better not tell her about the Gila monsters... ;)

They're actually kinda cute.

yeah, ok, the truth: they're big, ugly, poisonous lizards, that clamp onto you and chew their venom into your flesh. Ugh!

.


Gila%20Monster.jpg


.



But you probably won't see any. And you can out run 'em, if you're fast... ;)

Thanks,

Bill
 
Last edited:
Allen,

Better not tell her about the Gila monsters... ;)

They're actually kinda cute.

yeah, ok, the truth: they're big, ugly, poisonous lizards, that clamp onto you and chew their venom into your flesh. Ugh!

.


Gila%20Monster.jpg


.



But you probably won't see any. And you can out run 'em, if you're fast... ;)

Thanks,

Bill

From what I've seen, you can out run them even if you're slow... :rofl:
 
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