It’s easy to see why millions of visitors flock to the Grand Canyon annually. As one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's a natural choice for family vacations. You can’t go wrong with 1,902 square miles of things to see and do and more than six million years of history.
Adventure travelers can easily spend a week in the canyon and its surrounding gate towns, but the Grand Canyon also makes for an incredible day trip. Stay at one of Hilton Grand Vacations' Sedona or Las Vegas resorts to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime Grand Canyon experience while traveling with the comforts of home.
Grand Canyon Vacation Ideas From Sedona, Arizona
Where To Stay: Choose from four Hilton Grand Vacations Sedona resorts as your launchpad to the Grand Canyon South Rim, the most popular part of the canyon. Enjoy spacious Studios and 1- to 3-Bedroom Suites with private patios or balconies, and kitchenettes or fully equipped kitchens.
How To Get There:
- Car: Rent a car and chart your course to the South Rim, just over 100 miles that takes about two and a half hours. Driving yourself offers the most flexibility to stop and soak in the breathtaking views as you please.
- Train: Ideal for railway buffs or family vacations with kids in tow, hopping aboard allows everyone in your travel group to enjoy the views with minimal stopping. Trains leave from Williams, Arizona, about 75 minutes from Sedona.
- Guided Tour: There's a tour for every taste departing from Sedona — private tours, group tours, sunset tours and an additional train tour option.
What To Do:
- Tackle a walk or hike. "The Trail of Time" is a short (2.83-mile) walk along a portion of the rim trail suitable for all skill levels. Start at the Verkamp's Visitor Center and finish at the Yavapai Geological Museum, stopping at the 13 educational panels along the way for information about the geological history of the Grand Canyon. Active travelers can embark on a more strenuous 1.8-mile round-trip hike to Ooh Aah Point.
- Cycle along to various viewpoints. If you'd prefer a set of wheels, consider exploring the South Rim on a bicycle or electronic bike (e-bike). There are 13 miles of roads and greenway trails to discover. As a bonus, there are bike-friendly shuttle buses in case you tire.
- Enjoy sunrise or sunset. Time your day to catch a sunrise or sunset at one of the many overlooks. Watch in awe as the sun sets the canyon's rocks aglow in a stunning display of reds, oranges, reds and pinks. If smaller crowds are your style, shoot for sunrise, as sunset yields more visitors.
Grand Canyon Vacation Ideas From Las Vegas
Where To Stay: With nine Hilton Grand Vacations Las Vegas resorts from which to choose, there's an option for every travel style.
Accommodations range from well-appointed Studios to VIP-style Penthouse Suites, offering the features and amenities you've come to expect when traveling with Hilton Grand Vacations.
How To Get There:
- Car: The 2.5-hour drive from Las Vegas to the West Rim takes you past other must-see sites, and driving yourself gives you all the flexibility in the world to meander as you wish.
- Guided Tour: Plenty of Grand Canyon guided tours depart from Las Vegas. Tour options run the gamut from group bus tours to private and luxury tours, nature- and wildlife-focused trips and more.
- Helicopter: While technically a tour, flying from Las Vegas to the West Rim is truly an experience. Depending on your travel goals, various tours offer unparalleled aerial views and some even land on the canyon's floor.
What To Do:
- Soak it in from the Colorado River. Adventure seekers will appreciate the opportunity to white water raft the Colorado River, and travelers preferring a leisurely pace can consider a pontoon or river floating excursion. The viewpoint from the Colorado River, the life force that's carved the canyon, is one for the ages.
- Stand over it. The Skywalk Bridge is one of the West Rim's most popular attractions. Gaze out (and down) into the Grand Canyon from a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that extends 70 feet out over the rim 4,000 feet above the Canyon floor.
- Adventure to the best views. Visitors can find one of the best West Rim viewpoints at Guano Point. Here you can enjoy an exhilarating, railing-less hike on Highpoint Hike along with the area's most impressive views. Refuel at Guano Point Cafe while you savor 360-degree Grand Canyon views.
- Embrace Native American culture. Grand Canyon West is on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, part of the Hualapai Tribal Nation. Learn about Native American history and culture at Eagle Point and Hualapai Point. You can also shop artisan goods, zipline, appreciate live music and dance and more.
Read "Road Tripping With Kids" for more national park family vacation ideas.