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Since there's a big American population on this forum, and since you're all so helpful and friendly , I've decided to ask this question here.

I'm going to be in the States between Christmas and New Year. I am going to have some free "me time" for a few days and want to go on a little trip that I'll remember. I've been thinking about various options and the one that currently appeals to me most is to visit the Grand Canyon. Would definitely tick one off my bucket list, and since it regularly appears close to the top of the best places in the world to visit I figure it'll be a worthwhile detour.

My options are either to fly to Las Vegas or Phoenix. Flagstaff could be an option but since it's difficult to get to (and doesn't save any money) I figure I might as well start my trip in one of the main airports.

Vegas was my preferred option, though my focus will be to do the Grand Canyon properly, rather than rush that and then take a quick look at what Vegas has to offer (the gambling, the shows and the Strip don't particularly appeal to me anyway). I'm currently thinking to start in Phoenix as the journey to the Canyon seems better than from Vegas.

In terms of time constraints, I'm planning to fly in on the 27th of December and fly out on the 30th or 31st of December.


After lots of dithering and uncertainty my current preferred option is to do this trip: https://www.viator.com/tours/Phoenix/3-Day-Sedona-and-Grand-Canyon-Traveler/d639-5350SCT

I'll be travelling on my own and would rather be herded around like cattle than hire a car, which is why I've gone for this option.


Any advice that would help make my mind up (which is currently changing on an hourly basis anyway ) would be most welcome.

Grand Canyon was on my bucket list as well and was checked off years ago. I can't recommend it enough. It's beautiful and very humbling in scale. Take the donkey ride/tour down into the canyon, it's worth it and will get your pulse going. Have fun!

 BigWaaagh wrote:
Grand Canyon was on my bucket list as well and was checked off years ago. I can't recommend it enough. It's beautiful and very humbling in scale. Take the donkey ride/tour down into the canyon, it's worth it and will get your pulse going. Have fun!

I was thinking of going down into the canyon in style, in a helicopter I reckon I'm too lazy / unfit to walk down and up again. I didn't know there was a donkey option.

Grand Canyon is great, but if you want to see a truly amazing piece of American terrain, I would suggest Yellowstone, or the Badlands.

Both of those have left a much larger imprint on me then the Grand Canyon did.

I'm actually planning to do a longer trip to the States next year, which will include Yellowstone.

I've never heard of the Badlands. Just done a quick Google and it looks cool, but I think I'll stick to the Grand Canyon for now.

I've honestly never been, but you can't bring dogs, so why would I want to go on an outdoor adventure without my buddy?

Still, heard it's neat.

I will say that if you're not interested in shows, gambling, or the strip, than you may as well not even bother with vegas, because that's about all there is.

That being said, vegas is kind of a fun experience, and even if you're not into gambling much (neither am I) I wouldn't discount the shows. They are really quite good. Food is great too.

Don't fall in.

Out of curiosity how hikaeble(is that even a word?) the Grand Canyon is?

I've been to the Grand Canyon a couple times. It's just a ditch.

OK, a *REALLY* big ditch that is measured in miles (depth, breadth, length).

Anyhow, South is pretty popular, easily accessible, and you can see the big Dam if you're coming from Vegas. Also, Bearizona, if you're driving.

The Indian Skywalk thing is hugely overrated. Not really worth it.

If you're going to helo in/out?

tneva82 wrote:
Out of curiosity how hikaeble(is that even a word?) the Grand Canyon is?

If one is hiking, plan on one day down, one day up.

It's not reasonably doable in a single day if you're not a super hiker.

i have never been to the Grand Canyon but I have been to Yellowstone a few times and can't recommend it enough. I always vacation in Yellowstone in Sept/October to avoid the summer crowd. Just be prepared for quickly changing weather that time of year. I was caught in a hail storm while hiking and it was like being pelted by rocks for 20 minutes.

The Grand Canyon is majestic as feth and should be visited at least once if possible. Yellowstone is amazing as well but you already have plans for that. If you do go to the GC make sure to be up before sunrise at least once to see the sun come up over it. IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND. Or maybe not I don't know but you should see it.

El Torro wrote:
I've never heard of the Badlands.

The time frame you're gonna be in the US, the Badlands would probably not be a good experience... the Dakotas can be quite unforgiving during the winter months.

Kap'n Krump wrote:
I will say that if you're not interested in shows, gambling, or the strip, than you may as well not even bother with vegas, because that's about all there is.

I will have to strongly disagree with you there... however, I will cede that in order to find much of the other activities and things around Vegas that aren't related to the Strip, you kind of need a local connection.

Drive through the painted desert at dusk or dawn it is awe inspiring

I'd fly into Vegas and head for the North Rim. It'll be more driving but so much nicer. The South Rim used to be nice, but things have changed a lot and the North is just so much nicer now.Less people and better views.

Bring some winter gear though. You will likely have snow going at the end of the year. Nothing crazy but shirt and shorts won't cut it. Seriously, either rim count on some pretty cold temps. AZ isn't all hot desert.

Another big one to check out while you're in the area: Meteor Crater about 30 miles east of Flagstaff. The Canyon shows slow erosion over millions of years; the Crater shows 'Hammer of God' in a split second. The flat landscape in the area means you start seeing the crater from about 10 miles out.

Couple reasons to fly into Vegas. First, flights into Vegas can be cheaper (they want to get you there). Second, you can see Hoover Dam on the way to the canyon. Lodging will be a concern. You're probably already a year too late to book a room at any of the hotels within the canyon park itself, but you may still be early enough to get a room at the town just before reaching the park (Tusayan). That's where my wife and I stayed during our honeymoon four years ago. Then you can see the meteor crater on the way back to Phoenix to fly out, if you have time.

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
Couple reasons to fly into Vegas. First, flights into Vegas can be cheaper (they want to get you there). Second, you can see Hoover Dam on the way to the canyon. Lodging will be a concern. You're probably already a year too late to book a room at any of the hotels within the canyon park itself, but you may still be early enough to get a room at the town just before reaching the park (Tusayan). That's where my wife and I stayed during our honeymoon four years ago. Then you can see the meteor crater on the way back to Phoenix to fly out, if you have time.

A trip from Vegas to Phoenix actually sounds like a really good idea. A bit ambitious with the amount of time I have perhaps, but could be done.

The biggest problem for me is that there don't seem to be any organised trips which take this route. I can always hire a car, but it would be doing a lot of driving on my own, which I'm trying to avoid.


My current thinking is to fly straight to Flagstaff and do a couple of day trips from there. I'll probably change my mind again before too long so probably won't book anything for a couple of weeks just to make my mind up.

El Torro wrote:

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
Couple reasons to fly into Vegas. First, flights into Vegas can be cheaper (they want to get you there). Second, you can see Hoover Dam on the way to the canyon. Lodging will be a concern. You're probably already a year too late to book a room at any of the hotels within the canyon park itself, but you may still be early enough to get a room at the town just before reaching the park (Tusayan). That's where my wife and I stayed during our honeymoon four years ago. Then you can see the meteor crater on the way back to Phoenix to fly out, if you have time.

A trip from Vegas to Phoenix actually sounds like a really good idea. A bit ambitious with the amount of time I have perhaps, but could be done.

The biggest problem for me is that there don't seem to be any organised trips which take this route. I can always hire a car, but it would be doing a lot of driving on my own, which I'm trying to avoid.


My current thinking is to fly straight to Flagstaff and do a couple of day trips from there. I'll probably change my mind again before too long so probably won't book anything for a couple of weeks just to make my mind up.

If you're trying to get a glimpse of the American culture, then driving is the way to go about it. We're very much a driving culture.

Plus, part of the trip from the canyon to Flagstaff can be on the famous Route 66.

 djones520 wrote:
If you're trying to get a glimpse of the American culture, then driving is the way to go about it. We're very much a driving culture.

Sure, but the Southwest is about the worst of it. Boring desert. Aside from Vegas and Denver, it's BFE flyover states from California to Chicago.

 JohnHwangDD wrote:

 djones520 wrote:
If you're trying to get a glimpse of the American culture, then driving is the way to go about it. We're very much a driving culture.

Sure, but the Southwest is about the worst of it. Boring desert. Aside from Vegas and Denver, it's BFE flyover states from California to Chicago.

You've obviously never been to Kansas... The SW is some of the best driving in this country.

 djones520 wrote:

 JohnHwangDD wrote:

 djones520 wrote:
If you're trying to get a glimpse of the American culture, then driving is the way to go about it. We're very much a driving culture.

Sure, but the Southwest is about the worst of it. Boring desert. Aside from Vegas and Denver, it's BFE flyover states from California to Chicago.

You've obviously never been to Kansas... The SW is some of the best driving in this country.

I can't recall whether I've been to Kansas, it makes that much impression on me.

Enroute from Detroit to LA, I've driven te Great Plains from Chicago to Denver, across the length of Iowa and Nebraska, and those fields get boring AF after the first hour. I can't imagine how Kansas could possibly be significantly different from what I saw. Compared to Detroit to DC, up and down the Eastern Seaboard, descending the Rockies, or the Pacific coast, the flyover states are boring, and not worth a drive.

Mile for mile, it's better to start in Boston and head south.

 JohnHwangDD wrote:

 djones520 wrote:
If you're trying to get a glimpse of the American culture, then driving is the way to go about it. We're very much a driving culture.

Sure, but the Southwest is about the worst of it. Boring desert. Aside from Vegas and Denver, it's BFE flyover states from California to Chicago.

Flyover States is an offensive term used by conceited people from the East/West coast. While you're visiting the US, avoid using it.

 kronk wrote:

 JohnHwangDD wrote:

 djones520 wrote:
If you're trying to get a glimpse of the American culture, then driving is the way to go about it. We're very much a driving culture.

Sure, but the Southwest is about the worst of it. Boring desert. Aside from Vegas and Denver, it's BFE flyover states from California to Chicago.

Flyover States is an offensive term form conceited people from the East/West coast. While you're visiting the US, avoid using it.

Indeed. If you use it while in flyover country you might get as we colloquially say "your ass kicked."
Also don't listen to anyone starting their conversation with "leaving Detroit." Thats the only place New Mexican mutants fear to tread.

South East has Mesa Verde. No other place has cities built into a cliff life that.
https://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm

Monument Valley where every great 1950s Western was made
https://utah.com/monument-valley

Bryce Canyon Utah
https://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm

DOn't forget the Redwoods in California.

 Frazzled wrote:

Also don't listen to anyone starting their conversation with "leaving Detroit." Thats the only place New Mexican mutants fear to tread.

We Michiganders have worked hard to cultivate a New Mexican Mutant Free zone, and we appreciate your continued effort in keeping folks away from it.

Also here's a another site. its a cleverly disguised bunker to protect New Mexicans from the aforementioned atomic muties.

https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm?id=002834EA-155D-451F-6776BADA00BE0B71

Word of advice, if you're heading out from Vegas, leave early. We were going to catch it on our way to Utah, but we started in the afternoon and by the time we got their it was dark. Half the roads aren't plowed in the winter either, so it was no fun getting out. No one was happy that night.

 Mr Nobody wrote:
Word of advice, if you're heading out from Vegas, leave early.

This is a given. Leave *before* breakfast -- if you wait until everybody else has had the breakfast buffet, there will be that many more people ahead of you.

The Grand Canyon is absolutely amazing. I can't recommend it highly enough.

I loved the skywalk, but it does add a lot of extra time to the journey. If time is at a premium then you might want to look up exactly how much extra time it adds to your journey.

El Torro wrote:
SNIP

Hey, I live in the Phoenix area and have been to Vegas, Grand Canyon, and Flagstaff. Driven through all of them numerous times. If the Strip and gambling don't appeal to you then you'll be wasting your time in Vegas. I know a lot of people tell others to check it out, but honestly, avoid the damn place if you don't have an interest in those things.

The link you posted with that trip is fantastic if you're looking to be shuttled around. Sedona is great (It's a tourist town) to see. The south rim of the Grand Canyon is fantastic and I would not recommend the North Rim both as something for a tourist to see and a personal vendetta against those running it screwing over people they had contracts with. That tour you linked will allow you to see the south rim.

You won't miss much if you skip Flagstaff. It's a college/tourist town and honestly doesn't have a whole lot to see.