Headed to the Grand Canyon - your advice?

Hello!

We are planning to go to the Grand Canyon... next week! Given the last-minute nature of this whirlwind trip, I hope my fellow RFD'ers can offer some advice.

1. Best flight route? Fly to Phoenix or Las Vegas? And has anyone seen any good deals on flights that way? I note that the WestJet sale ended last Friday which would have been ok with a flight from Toronto - Phoenix. (Ideally we'll depart from Toronto but Buffalo is looking tempting price-wise).

2. What to do there? We've got a week to kill. Is Sedona worth checking out? What activities would you recommend as must-see?

3. Places to stay?

Thank you in advance for your always-great advice...

Try the skywalk....looks like great fun and we'll do it when next in Vegas. Watched the Discovery channel special on how they built it and its totally amazing.

http://www.grandcanyonskywalk.com/


Frank

ps- don't worry about it breaking off or moving. Built to hold up a 747 and includes dampening systems.........

I've heard from a number of people that the Skywalk is very much not worth it. Here's an online complaint about it:

http://consumerist.com/5346428/dont-...canyon-skywalk

Originally Posted by CanadaSweetheart

Hello!

We are planning to go to the Grand Canyon... next week! Given the last-minute nature of this whirlwind trip, I hope my fellow RFD'ers can offer some advice.

1. Best flight route? Fly to Phoenix or Las Vegas? And has anyone seen any good deals on flights that way? I note that the WestJet sale ended last Friday which would have been ok with a flight from Toronto - Phoenix. (Ideally we'll depart from Toronto but Buffalo is looking tempting price-wise).

2. What to do there? We've got a week to kill. Is Sedona worth checking out? What activities would you recommend as must-see?

3. Places to stay?

Thank you in advance for your always-great advice...

So far for the last three years I have gone to Las Vegas and Scottsdale.I have also driven to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas and Scottsdale.
It is closer to drive from Phoenix by about 1-1.5 hours. You really are cutting the dates close, so prices are high. I like where I was staying because it was cheap, clean and close to Old Town Scottsdale. You obviously need a car. Can you tell me how many people are going, what you like to do (nature, eat fine foods, eat disgusting foods (me!) shop (things are cheeeeeeaaaap there right now). What kind of surroundings you like (Hilton Garden Inn, Fairbanks, blue bin out back).
Tell me and I will give you the knowledge from the culmination of my visits. I highly recommend you shop, their economy is crying as was my stuffed luggage when I returned.

Originally Posted by frankmp

Try the skywalk....looks like great fun and we'll do it when next in Vegas. Watched the Discovery channel special on how they built it and its totally amazing.

http://www.grandcanyonskywalk.com/

The skywalk is not "THE GRAND CANYON" - its overpriced, you aren't allowed your own camera on the skywalk and from alot of posts, they rush you once out. Go to Grand Canyon National Park. Check trip advisor for locals advice, there will not be many to suggest that you visit the Sky Walk.
We were at the South Rim this time last year - can't wait to visit again!

Thanks, all..

Audi, there is only the 2 of us... really enjoy museums, culture, history.. not much for outdoorsy things.. (BUT REALLY LOVE SHOPPING, OF COURSE!

Flights are pretty yuck right now.. I think we're gonna have to leave from Buffalo.. Scottsdale seems pretty pricey.. how bad is the drive from Vegas? I think if there's stuff to do along the way (ie NOT like driving down the TransCanada highway) it might not be a bad drive?

I really appreciate your recommendations, Audi.. never been out that way before.. I am going to try to book tomorrow (at least it's 7 days advance)
Thanks!

Originally Posted by CanadaSweetheart

Thanks, all..

Audi, there is only the 2 of us... really enjoy museums, culture, history.. not much for outdoorsy things.. (BUT REALLY LOVE SHOPPING, OF COURSE!

Flights are pretty yuck right now.. I think we're gonna have to leave from Buffalo.. Scottsdale seems pretty pricey.. how bad is the drive from Vegas? I think if there's stuff to do along the way (ie NOT like driving down the TransCanada highway) it might not be a bad drive?

I really appreciate your recommendations, Audi.. never been out that way before.. I am going to try to book tomorrow (at least it's 7 days advance)
Thanks!

Well, like I said, Vegas to the GC is about 1-1.5 hours further. The drive consists of a lot of nothing and the only extra "bonus" was the Hoover Dam which really kind of stinks because you can't actually see the dam, because you are on it.

Driving from Vegas, you have to drive around some land which I believe belongs to an Indian tribe. So you drive down from Vegas, across to a small town called Williams, and just past that, you drive back up North. If you are in Phoenix/Scottsdale, you drive North, and you pass Sedona (major photo op) and you drive through Flagstaff and take a trip on the North Fort Valley Road which is very scenic. The last time I took that road there were green lush valleys and the tall mountains had snow peaks, This was in the middle of June.

As far as staying in Scottsdale, I stay at the Hilton Garden Inn and I can see Old Town Scottsdale just outside my window. They have free internet access, fridge, microwave, free coffee and tea in your room restocked every day. If you get up early (earlier than I do anyway), you can have breakfast downstairs where once you pay, you can eat continental style with custom options. The cook told us he would cook whatever we wanted from what he had available. I think it was $10 per person, there was a package that included it in the hotel stay.

Here is the view from my window at night:



This was one of the cheapest hotels. When we went this year, for 5 nights, we paid $580 per person. This was taxes included but this also covered flight from Toronto, so I am sure you could do really well booking with them, but if not, try Phoenix.

Bring a GPS because nothing is close by. The major shopping centres are Arizona Mills Shopping Center (Vaughn Mills is a twin for this place, but this is even larger). This is a huge discount mall. Another mall is the Scottsdale Fashion Square. Old town Scottsdale has small shops selling jewellery from local tribes (Zuni, Pima etc). If you go there, I can't remember the name of the store, but it is small and the owner is Chinese and she gives large discounts. We purchase a lot from her every year and she remembers us (maybe cause we're Canadian Eh).

Not fancy enough? Hit up the Biltmore Fashion Park. A large name jeweller (bailey banks and biddle) was so financially crippled, I was offered several $7000 watches I was looking at for as little as $4200. Like discount stores? Ross Dress for Less! I punched this into the GPS and hit five stores in an afternoon. If you don't know, Ross is like winners except you can actually find stuff. I bought Kenneth Cole shoes originally priced at $108 US (which means $150 CDN) for $22. Same for two pairs of Steve Madden shoes. $35 for Rockport sandals. My GF bought a Nine West purse for $20.

You need to go to the Heard Museum which will showcase lots of culture and history. Phoenix and Scottdale is artwork in itself, the highways are perfectly landscaped with multicoloured stones in patterns that are native indian. All of the undersides of the bridges have been covered in parging with indian designs. Some of the bridges have wrought Iron Indian designed art installed under them. Just look at this bus shelter a block over from the hotel:



You need to go to Pinnacle Peak Restaurant for a dinner. So many celebrities have gone there and you can see their pics (unless you hate mesquite grilled steaks or don't like country/western type places).

I was going to suggest this:
http://www.saltrivertubing.com/
because it is so awesome and relaxing. Bear in mind, I am not that much of an outdoors person and haven't been camping since Boy Scouts.

It's getting a little late and I am leaving lots out, but if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

Just came back from Vegas+ Grand Canyon tours a week ago and I would totally agree with others that the Sky Walk is totally not worth it and I believe it's a 10 hr drive from Vegas to the Grand Canyon and Back

+1

Stay away from the SKYWALK biggest ripoff in the west.
You drive to this dusty parking lot off site where you board a shuttle which was the bus once used by the Partridge family. Cost $30. Then when you arrive it costs another $30-40 to walk out. No cameras or cellphones as "if they are dropped over the skywalk, they will hurt the natural environment of the GC."...... complete BS! The indians force you to buy their pictures, food, etc at high costs.

Total cost about $70............ I would feel better donating my money to a charity!

Originally Posted by Armeee

The indians force you to buy their pictures, food, etc at high costs.

At least capitalize the word!!

Originally Posted by frankmp

Try the skywalk....looks like great fun and we'll do it when next in Vegas. Watched the Discovery channel special on how they built it and its totally amazing.

http://www.grandcanyonskywalk.com/


Frank

ps- don't worry about it breaking off or moving. Built to hold up a 747 and includes dampening systems.........

Humm maybe I won't go.....the construction of it was cool though..........

Frank

I'm flying to Phoenix on October 30th we're planning to visit the GC as well.

Flying out of Buffalo was much cheaper than out of Toronto. We're paying $236 each return via Northwest.

We will be driving to the south rim from Phoenix. Apparently it's about a 3 hour drive (1 way).

We took a plane/helicopter/pontoon boat trip.It cost about $280 US but was worth it .They pick you up at your hotel and the tours lasts all day .

Good advises.

We're thinking to fly to visit Grand Canyon, then drive to LA. Can fly to Las Vegas or Phoenix. Sounds like might as well fly to Phoenix, see the city a bit, then drive to GC. After that drive to Las Vegas, before going to LA.

How did you guys rent the car? If renting from the airport, there're usually lots of taxes or airport "fees" they add on. This year from SFO, for the same rental fee of about $105 over 3 days, renting from the airport would add about $50 more, while renting off airport adds about $10 of tax/fee.

So has anyone rented off Phoenix for one-way rental at a good rate?

Thanks.

Thanks everyone - particularly Audi for that incredibly informative post. I have printed it out I really appreciate you taking the time to be so thorough and detailled and your pix are fantastic.

Could you clarify something for me in your post, Audi?

"This was one of the cheapest hotels. When we went this year, for 5 nights, we paid $580 per person. This was taxes included but this also covered flight from Toronto, so I am sure you could do really well booking with them, but if not, try Phoenix."

Did you book a package with someone or did you book hotel/flight separately? It sounds like a really great deal so I'd like to check it out...

I am booking tonite as I know the 7 day window is the longest you should wait..

Thanks again for the amazing help.. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it..