Be awed by stupendous scenery (- the Grand Canyon is only one spectacular spots; learn about Navajo culture; go rafting in canyons, or houseboating on a lake in a flooded canyon; saddle up at a dude ranch; ride the Grand Canyon Railway (with train robbers!); explore a ghost town; go retro with Route 66 in Williams Arizona. Or simply enjoy the pampering and kids programs at a family-friendly resort.
1. The Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon - Photo © Teresa Plowright
The Grand Canyon is almost too "grand" to comprehend: there's the North Rim (less visited), the South Rim, and the 18-MILE spread between them; the 227 miles of length; the mile drop to the Colorado River. You can hike into the Grand Canyon, take a mule ride down, do a multi-day raft adventure, or swoop in my helicopter. Definitely do stroll along the rim; also, take some time to explore some of the visitors'centers.
2. Grand Canyon Railway
photo © Teresa Plowright
All aboard, for this great little tourist railroad that runs from Williams AZ -- see above-- to the train depot by the El Tovar Hotel in the Grand Canyon, about an hour and half ride. Salon-style seating, snacks and drinks; and a train-robbery liven ups the trip. The Grand Canyon Railway becomes The Polar Express at Christmas-time.
3. Wiliams Arizona
Part Wild West, part retro Route 66; and overall a great little town. Also, here's where you board the Grand Canyon Railroad.
4. Monument Valley Tribal Park
photo © Teresa Plowright
A place of stunning beauty. Right at the Visitors Center, iconic buttes and bluffs will be instantly recognizable from old and new Western movies. Within the park are amazing sandstone rock formations including arches and eyes. Visitors on their own are restricted to one road and a few trails; for the best experience, take a tour with a Navajo Guide.
5. The VIEW - Monument Valley
photo courtesy of The VIEW Hotel
This new-in-2008 hotel adjoins the Visitors Center in Monument Valley Tribal Park, and as the name suggests, definitely offers the most stunning views of this iconic scenery. The VEW -- the first hotel ever built on Navajo Tribal Park land -— is owned by a Navajo family, and is the only hotel right at Monument Valley; other lodgings are available nearby.
6. Navajo National Monument
photo © Teresa Plowright
Not to be confused with Monument Valley! This free-to-visit National Monument (part of the National Park system, though within Navajo land) has a beautiful lookout with views across a scenic valley to the Betatakin/Talastima cliff dwellings. Hiking and camping available too.
7. Tuba City: ExploreNavajo Interactive Museum
Tuba City -- bewteen Flagstaff and Monument Valley -- is one of the main towns in the Navajo Nation Reservation; the museum here is a good introduction to Navajo history and culture.
8. Canyon de Chelley National Monument
Antelope House, Canyon de Chelly, photo © Betsy Malloy.
Canyon de Chelley (pronounced "Shay") is a place of wondrous beauty; though a National Park, it's in the Navajo Reservation and is home to Navajo families who keep sheep there.
9. Page Arizona: Lots to Do!
Page is a budget-friendly town that can be home base for some great sightseeing and recreation. Such as: visiting the Glen Canyon Dam, that created Lake Powell; houseboating on Lake Powell; visiting the famously beautiful Antelope Slot Canyons, or the Rainbow Bridge National Monument. At the small but interesting Powell Museum, you can learn about the wild river rides of John Powell and his men, adventuring through the Grand Canyon in the 1860's.
10. Lake Powell Arizona - Houseboating
Lake Powell is amazing for its scenic beauty-- a limpid lake in a flooded red-rock canyon-- and is a top spot for houseboating. Famlies -- often, extended families-- get together on a large houseboat; kids love the slide at the back of the boat, and can try kayaks and other watersports (-gear is rentable.)
