Grand Canyon Travel Forum

My family and i will be driving from Las Vegas, go through hover dam then that afternoon settle around Grand Canyon. About 24 hours later we need to head out to Phoenix. As you can see, we have limited time and don't desire to drop a load of cash. On the flip side we have never seen the Grand Canyon and want to make the most of it. We don't want to spend the day trying to even figure out where things are. My son has some physical limitations where we can't do a ton of hiking, nor the SUV or flying options. In short, we just want a basic view to take it all in. What do you recommend? How does it work? Also, where is a nearby town that we should grab a hotel? thanks

We stayed at fairfield mariott hotel in Williams. It is around 60 miles away from Grand Canyon points. There were different view points to catch the glimpse of this world wonder. We too did not do any hiking or other adventures. My travel page covers our entire US west trip.

I assume you are talking about the South Rim. Here is a website that will give you a lot of information about it including accessibilty issues: http://www.nps.gov/grca/

You can drive into Grand Canyon Village and there are free shuttles that run along the rim. As for lodging, there are several lodges in the village but they tend to fill up fast. Another option listed on the website is Tusayan which is close by and will work. If that is full as well, try the town of Williams, AZ, about an hours drive from the canyon. Here is the lodging site: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/lodging.htm
Once you get to the canyon, finding your way around will not be a problem. Enjoy this most amazing and awe-inspiring place.

So you have two full days to do this?
The best place to stay around the Grand Canyon is in the park but, if you're going anytime soon, you'll be hard-pressed to book one. Tusayan is the closest alternative, but the hotels will be at or over $100. The other alternative is Cameron Trading Post, which is right outside the east entrance and runs about $70.
Other than that, Williams in one hour from the South Rim gate and Flagstaff is an hour and a half. Since you're headed to Phoenix the next day, I think your best bet is Flagstaff, which has a very wide range of hotels running between about $40 - $150. It's nice to stay Downtown in Flagstaff but there are only a couple of hotels that are actually Downtown, the Weatherford and the Monte Vista, the former is which is older and somewhat run-down, but also much cheaper than the latter which runs about $150/night but is right above a popular bar. A lot of hotels, like the Embassy Suites, Marriott, Hilton and a Residence Inn are by the I-17/I-40 interchange, and are there because they're away from the railroad tracks, which bothers some people (the trains run all night). Personally, I usually stay at the Highland Country Inn, which is walking distance to Downtown and a nice, clean, cheap place to stay.
Spend as long as you can at the Grand Canyon. Leave Vegas very early, hit the Hoover Dam, but don't do the tour (it's nice, but you don't have time), and continue on to the Canyon via Williams. Stay for sunset and head to Flagstaff for the night, then Phoenix in the morning.
hth

While I am quite certain we will be awe-struck when we see the Grand Canyon in a few weeks, I am already quite awe-struck by the kindness and outpouring of responses. thank you each and every one of you very much!!!