The Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A place everyone tells you to visit to check off your bucket list, which I agree, but I highly recommend planning a few other activities while visiting this natural beauty.
Don’t get me wrong, the Grand Canyon is beautiful. In fact, when you first see it, it’s almost too much to take in. It’s, as its name suggests, grand. The sheer size of the thing will make you rub your eyes to make sure it’s real and not a mirage. This brings me to my first point, don’t go in middle of summer. If you do, a mirage is the least of your worries. Temperatures can reach 120, and it’s hard to enjoy a scenic view when it feels like you’re in a microwave. Avoid heat stroke, and possible death, by going when it’s not summer time.
We were at the Canyon for about 30min, when one of the younger travelers I was with asked, “So, what now?” I giggled. He said something that we were all thinking. Unless you’re there at the viewing point painting the GC’s portrait, or photographing it, you may be ready to head out sooner than you thought. Again, this was the overall opinion and feeling of the group, you may go and sit and stare at the Canyon for 14 hours. To each their own.
If you’re going to go to the Grand Canyon, do it right. Spend a couple of days there, and take in all its beauty, from all its angles. There’s hiking, river rafting, horse trails, helicopter rides, there’s even a railway! Don’t do what I did, and just drive up there to take a quick look. Go plan yourself a little adventure.
Here’s a few companies to consider when planning your adventure:
If you’re looking for a thrilling experience, here’s where to book a rafting tour, Adventure Grand Canyon.
If you’re looking for more than just a view from the edge of the canyon, you can book a helicopter ride/tour with All American Helicopter Tour (Las Vegas pickup).
If you’re looking to do some hiking, look at the schedule when Ranger-Led hikes are available; they offer both South Rim and North Rim tours (depending on season).
