A Grand Side Trip!
There are several ways to approach this
grandest of canyons. Two favorite options are a driving tour along the South
Rim or the train out of Williams.
Driving Tour: from Flagstaff,
head north on Highway 89. You’ll enter the park at the East Rim entrance with its fantastic views. Stop in at the historic
Cameron Trading Post (just north of
the Grand Canyon National Park turnoff) to fuel up on their famous Navajo tacos. Follow the Desert View Drive westward along the
yawning, colorful chasm that has astounded visitors for centuries. Stop at a
few of the great scenic overlooks like Lipan
Point and Grandview Point.
Train Ride: from Williams, the Grand Canyon Railway allows visitors to relive history en route to
the canyon. The restored locomotives and passenger cars travel sixty-five miles
of Old West territory, amazing you with breathtaking vistas of high desert
plains and ponderosa pine forest. Relax and enjoy the scenery on this two-hour
journey while strolling musicians and Wild West characters entertain you.
At the Grand Canyon:
Take your time;
let the grandeur slowly sink in. Stroll around Grand Canyon Village, enjoy a cup of coffee at the El Tovar Hotel and visit the Bright Angel Lodge.
Experience the
majesty of the canyon on the big-screen:
Grand Canyon Imax, Grand
Canyon Visitor Center, South Rim Park Entrance.
Tours abound, whether you go by air, land or
water.
For a literally over-the-top tour of the canyon, go with Jeep Tours to the
Bottom! If you choose to hoof it on your own, make sure you learn about the
dangers of hiking the canyon; stay on the path and take plenty of water!
In Williams:
Where to Stay: The Red Garter.
This beautifully restored 1897 saloon and
bordello Victorian brick building captures the 1890s old western atmosphere
without sacrificing the comfort and amenities the modern traveler requires.
Breakfast is included in your stay, and treats from the onsite bakery are
centerstage.
Rates from $135
#928-635-1484
serving American classics in the heart of
Williams.
Pancho McGillicuddy’s: Tex-mex
and a side of Irish charm!
http://vivapanchos.com/
What to do: Sleep,
eat and visit the Grand Canyon! Perfect jumping off spot if you plan to take
the train to the Grand Canyon (departs daily across the street from The Red Garter).
Williams
Legends
Ranching
began in Arizona in the 1600s as Navajos acquired livestock from nearby Spanish
settlements. Early Spanish conquistadors had been drawn to the area in search
of gold and silver.
By the 1800s, American prospectors began arriving in significant numbers as large deposits of gold, silver and copper were discovered south of Williams.
Two of America’s transcontinental railroads quickly followed, bringing civilization to the Wild West in 1880, though the Main Street in Williams, AZ, continued to boast a notoriously wild reputation.
Bill Williams, for whom the town was named, was an unusually talented fur trapper and path-finder who lives on in frontier history for his ability to survive alone in the wilderness. He spoke many different Indian languages and explored much of Arizona long before it became part of the U.S. He enjoyed solitude so much that he was said to have hoped to be reincarnated as a bull elk complete with antlers.
By the 1800s, American prospectors began arriving in significant numbers as large deposits of gold, silver and copper were discovered south of Williams.
Two of America’s transcontinental railroads quickly followed, bringing civilization to the Wild West in 1880, though the Main Street in Williams, AZ, continued to boast a notoriously wild reputation.
Bill Williams, for whom the town was named, was an unusually talented fur trapper and path-finder who lives on in frontier history for his ability to survive alone in the wilderness. He spoke many different Indian languages and explored much of Arizona long before it became part of the U.S. He enjoyed solitude so much that he was said to have hoped to be reincarnated as a bull elk complete with antlers.
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