Can anyone give me expert advice on going to the grand canyon?

My husband And I are planning on going next weekend, we live in casa grande AZ and have never been to the grand canyon.


What part should we go to?


Where can you hike down just a bit into the canyon?


What will we need to bring?


Are there fee's?


Are there nice hotels around to stay at?


Where is the lookout that you can walk out over the canyon?


And any other advice you may have that I havent asked.... Thanks much!!Can anyone give me expert advice on going to the grand canyon?
The Grand Canyon is a great place and this time of year is one of the best times to visit (nice temps and fewer crowds than during the summer).





The nearest part of the canyon and the place that most people go is Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of the National Park north of Flagstaff. This has the most lodges, overlooks and attractions. From Phoenix it is about a 3.5 to 4 hour drive. There is a $25 per car fee for entering the park (good for a week).





For lodging, there are six major lodges inside the park and another half-dozen just outside the park gates at Tusayan. The most famous (and most expensive) of the park lodges is the historic 1905 El Tovar Lodge. If you are not into history and looking for something a bit cheaper, than Maswik lodge is a good combination of price, location and features. All the park lodges are ran by Xanterra and you can make reservations online (make them as soon as possible).





For things to do... check out the various overlooks - each has a somewhat different view and perspective. The ones to the east (Lipan, Grandview, Desert View) are very nice and often less crowded. There is also a nice free shuttle that runs from the lodges out to Hermits Rest and back (with stops at overlooks along the way), but much of it is currently closed as they redo the road. Also be sure to check out the many interesting historic buildings including El Tovar Lodge, the 1905 Hopi House Curio Shop (made to look like a pueblo) and Kolb Photo Studios (which often has free art exhibits). There is a nice little geology museum at Yavapai Point and a small archaeology museum (and prehistoric site) at Tusayan Ruin (near Grandview).





There are many hiking trails off the South Rim and you can do short day hikes on any of them (you don't have to go all the way to the bottom). Doing the quick 1.4 miles down the South Kaibab trail to Cedar Ridge is my favorite because of the excellent sweeping views, but the upper parts of Bright Angel trail and Hermit Trail are also good day hikes. Wear comfortable shoes and take plenty of water.





Remember to that the canyon is at elevation of 7,000 feet and so will already be getting cooler during the day and cold at night. Dress appropriately.





The lookout that you are thinking about is probably the glass Skywalk. This is not actually in the National Park, but rather a money-making tourist attraction on the Hualapai Indian Reservation near Lake Mead (about half-way between Kingman and Las Vegas). It is much further to get to and - in my opinion - not worth the hassle or expense (about $80 per person for the minimal tour package that includes the SkyWalk).





As a person that grew up in Flagstaff and still visits and hikes in the canyon a lot, I get quite a few questions from first time visitors there (see some of my other YA answers). I have recently put together a simple web page with answers to the top 10 most common questions about visiting the Grand Canyon that covers all of your questions above in detail. This is a non-commerical site - I am not selling anything or associated with any canyon store or tour group. It is just something I put together because a lot of people have the same questions. The website also has a lot of canyon pictures and descriptions of recent hikes and trips there (see link below).





Have fun! It is a great place.Can anyone give me expert advice on going to the grand canyon?
Go to the south rim. There are trails on the south rim you can hike. You need to bring water and food. It costs $25 per car to get into the park. There is a small town called Tusayan that has a couple of rooms. The place that you are looking for is called Sky walk not sure where it is but they can help you out at the gate.
The Grand Canyon hiking a little ways down is a waste it's all or nothing.


Stay at the top. On the drive there visit the montezuma indian ruins then sedona - meteor crater, indian ruins, the trading post at Cameron then the Grand Canyon -





try http://www.cheap-fun-family-travel.com/R鈥?/a> for ideas
Looks like these other answers are better than mine, but my advice would be to not fall in! For real though be careful cause it can be a bit dangerous. Have fun.
Well this is the perfect time of yr to visit there. its $25 to get into the park, and good for like a week or 2. The south rim I take it you are going to. The north rim is prettier, but like about 6 more hrs to drive. There are plenty of overlooks to stop at as you travel towards the east after you enter the park. All of the viewpoints to the west beyond the village and lodges are only accessable by shuttle, which isn't too bad. there are a few trails to wander down into the canyon, but don't go too far, its harder than it looks to hike back up out and its easy to go too far. All the trails are safe and all. I'd say the South Kaibab trail is the prettiest, and there are fewer people. NO water on that trail though. Bring plenty, and a couple snacks too. Our favorite overlook is the one way to the east, where there is a tower and a gift shop and a restarant. If you can time it right, its the best one to be at for sunset.


as far as lodging, theres a few hotels outside the park. Forgat the name of the village outside the park, an indian name. Call some of the lodges inside the park though, alot of times there are cancelations and you can get a room last minute, especially this time of yr. If ya stay outside the park, theres a cool IMAX movie you can watch, its kinda worth the money if ya got some time to kill one evening. That lookout that you can walk out over the canyon is quite a few miles to drive to the west, never been there, but its quite pricey I hear. In Peach Springs , forgot the name of that glass walkway. Email me with anymore questions, we go there quite often.