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Since Francisco Vásquez de Coronado and his party first set eyes on the Canyon in 1540, it is a safe bet that no visitor to the area has ever come here to sit in his or her hotel room and watch television. There is just too much to do and see. And, of course, the Canyon itself is the first and foremost point of interest. Avid outdoor enthusiasts enjoy a myriad of options when it comes to exploring the area, which encompasses nearly three thousand square miles. The Visitor Center, located a mile east of Historical District/Grand Canyon Village is a valuable source for planning your adventure. There, you will find exhibits and information to help you map out your strategy, whether it includes backpacking down into the Canyon via Bright Angel Trail, scaling the steep and strenuous South Kaibab Trail to the suspension bridge or a casual, carefree stroll along the paved Rim Trail. You say you are looking for a more adrenaline-inducing way to see the Canyon? Well, how about a pulse-pounding mule ride down into its depths? Day trips and overnight excursions from the South Rim and half and full-day North Rim tours are available to physically fit frontier-types with advance reservations (please note: for summer and holiday trips, you may need to reserve up to a year ahead). Or is white water rafting more your style when it comes to extreme entertainment? Guided tours on the often-turbulent Colorado River provide a perspective of the Canyon you can't get any other way. On the flip-side, helicopter and small aircraft tours provided by Air Grand Canyon, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters and a number of other operators, give you a birds-eye view of the vastness and varying topography. Looking for a memorable means to see the Canyon that is less taxing on the nerves and muscles? Consider a bus or self-guided tour to one or more of the observation points: the 70-foot-tall Watchtower at Desert View, built in the 1930s as a rest stop, is a re-creation of an original Southwestern lookout and allows visitors to scan the horizon hundreds of miles in every direction. At the Yavapai Observation Station, you will not only witness panoramic views, but you can also browse through historic exhibits and participate in educational programs. Trace the Canyons original peoples and cultures at the Tusayan Ruins and Museum, about 20 miles to the east of the Historical District/Grand Canyon Village, off East Rim Drive. The remains of a pueblo, artifacts and exhibits chronicle the Native American inhabitation of the area. The North Rim, while much less developed than the South Rim, offers equally spectacular views, best seen from Point Imperial, the highest point on the canyon rim. To, quite literally, get the "big picture" on the Grand Canyons history and natural wonders, the Grand Canyon IMAX Theater "Grand Canyon-The Hidden Secrets" is a must-see cinematic sensation. You will almost feel the spray of the rapids as the early expeditions forge their way down the Colorado! From the theater, venture north, toward the Canyon, to the Historical District/Grand Canyon Village, the heart of the South Rims lodging, dining, entertainment and shopping. Plan to spend a couple of hours wandering through the Villages historic, rustic-yet-elegant lodges, starting on the east end at the El Tovar Hotel. This grand dame of the Grand Canyon was built by the renowned restaurateur and much-hailed hospitality industry pioneer Fred Harvey in 1905 to accommodate and entertain visitors who came from the East via railroad. Perched just 50 feet from the South Rim, the propertys European hunting lodge elegance, fine dining restaurant and luxurious accommodations have made it world famous. Opposite the El Tovar Hotel, the Hopi House, a reproduction of a Native American dwelling, offers insight into the life of the original Canyon area dwellers. When the Babbitt brothers first set up shop at their trading post in the late 1800s, it operated out of a tent. Today, Babbitts General Store & Deli is the Historical District/Grand Canyon Villages quarters for souvenirs, camping and hiking equipment, supplies and foodstuffs. They also operate two outposts of the store, on the North Rim at the Watchtower at Desert View, and south of the Park in the village of Tusayan. Several other retail outlets offer everything from memorabilia to Western-wear. Pioneering Canyon explorer and photographer Emery Kolbs Kolb Studio, teeters on the edge of the South Rim, at the west end of the Historical District/Grand Canyon Village, and is open to the public from April through October, featuring a wide variety of Southwestern art exhibits. Just outside the South Entrance to the Park, in Tusayan, are a number of other exciting entertainment opportunities for visitors. On weekends, between Memorial Day and Labor Day Moqui Lodge treats guests to real western cookouts in the Kaibab National Forest, complete with live country music and chuck-wagon chow. The lodge also offers horseback trail rides and wagon rides at its Apache Stables. Nearby, the areas newest lodging location, The Grand Hotel, introduces visitors to the areas original cultures with nightly performances by Native American dancers. Navajo teacher, artist and medicine man James Peshlakai and his troupe both entertain and educate in their colorful, authentic costumes. As you continue south on State Route 66, toward Williams, make a stop about halfway in Valle at the Planes of Fame Museum. Here, you will get a fascinating feel for the history of aviation, as seen through some of the most unique aircraft ever flown. Among them are the Douglas Dauntless, considered the best dive bomber in World War II, the Lockheed Constellation which was General McArthurs transport during the Korean War, and a 1929 Ford Trimotor, which was used until very recently to provide Grand Canyon tours. There is even a plane that can take off and land upside down! Hop back on the highway and head to the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon," as Williams has long been known. Named for trapper and mountain man "Old Bill" Williams (a statue in his honor can be seen on the west end of town), this historic burgh offers a full spectrum of sights and activities for the visitor. Shop for antiques, jewelry and souvenirs, and dine in turn-of-the-twentieth century buildings in the downtown business district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Re-live the lore of Americas "Mother Road", Route 66, which runs right through the center of town. Have a mini moment of nostalgia at the Small Town America Museum, featuring dioramas of life in the 1950s and Old West Arizona. And be sure to stop into the Fray Marcos Hotel, Arizonas oldest and largest surviving concrete-poured building, which now serves as a depot for the Grand Canyon Railway. The railroad itself is, by far, the most memorable way to get to and from the Grand Canyon. Travel in a restored 1920s coach, pulled by a turn-of-the-century steam engine on a one-and-a-quarter-hour journey through time from downtown Williams to the South Rim. Musicians and western characters add to the festive atmosphere. It is an exciting adventure for your entire family! During the summer, Williams comes alive with even more 'wild west? spirit at the summer cowboy gunfights right there in the streets. The local Civil War Band also performs each evening. Interested in archaeology, geography, flora or fauna? Within an hours drive of downtown Williams you'll find even more exciting natural wonders to explore at the Grand Canyon Caverns, which boasts Northern Arizonas largest display of selenite crystals and Arizonas second-largest canyon and wilderness area, Sycamore Canyon. Discover pre-civilization petroglyphs and the remains of the areas first cultures throughout the Kaibab National Forest. Just eight miles east of Williams, the Grand Canyon Deer Farm, is an animal wonderland. There, kids and grown-ups can pet and feed several varieties of deer, pygmy goats, pint-sized donkeys and many other exotic and domestic breeds. Throughout the year, special events in the Grand Canyon and Williams area provide residents and visitors with even more entertainment. On the first weekend of May, the Route 66 Fun Run Car Rally cruises through Williams featuring more than a thousand classic and vintage automobiles in shiny, mint condition. On Memorial Day weekend, the town celebrates its western heritage with Rendezvous Days, kicked off by a big parade, with a carnival, arts and crafts fair, dance and the Bill Williams Buckskinners' Black Powder Shoot. Independence Day in Williams is pure Americana. The Small Town Fourth of July features a Main Street Parade and a variety of events including, of course, a fireworks extravaganza. Throughout the summer, local, regional and national cowboys compete in Wild West Rodeos held each weekend and, in August, the working hands get their chance to shine at the Cowpunchers Reunion Rodeo. The Williams Labor Day PRCA Rodeo attracts many of the sports' top cowboys from around the world, and Octobers All Indian Rodeo provides a unique twist to the rodeo schedule. More than a thousand Harleys roar into town in late June for the annual H.O.G. Rally and street dance and, later on in the summer, classic vehicles vie for spectators' attention during the Williams Cool Country Cruise-in and Williams Route 66 Festival. September of 2001 holds a special place in Williams history, marking the centennial celebration of the Grand Canyon Railroad. A huge Railroad Days gala is being planned--you won't want to miss it. Also in September, the Grand Canyon Music Festival presents concerts by the nations finest chamber musicians at the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium at the South Rim. The Mountain Village Holiday, each December, features a parade of lights, craft sales, decoration contests, carolers and great gift shopping. Check the individual listings for more information on these fun-filled events. For those who would rather participate than be a spectator, the area abounds with outdoor activities. Elephant Rocks Golf Course, just west of the city, is a Gary Panks-designed course that recently expanded from Arizonas top nine holes to an even more challenging 18. It also features a driving range, pro instruction and a historic turn-of-the-century clubhouse with a pro shop, restaurant and bar. Just ten minutes south of town, Williams Ski Area has downhill runs and cross-country trails, plus snowboarding and a "tubing hill" for inner-tube sledding. Mountain biking through the Kaibab National Forest is a popular local pastime with suggested biking routes ranging from six to ten miles, with varying degrees of difficulty. The City of Williams/Kaibab National Forest Visitors Center is happy to provide bike tour information. Have a fetish for fishing? This area is an Eden for anglers! From rainbow trout to catfish, the local lakes are well stocked between mid-May and late-October. Within 20 miles of Williams, fishermen (and women) reel 'em in at the Santa Fe Dam, Cataract Lake, Kaibab Lake, Dogtown Lake, J.D. Dam and White Horse Lake. True, there is no more spectacular sight than the Grand Canyon itself. But to focus on this wonder alone would be doing yourself and your family a grave injustice. Northern Arizonas High Country affords visitors an array of activities, sightseeing and entertainment opportunities nearly as broad and deep as this Eighth Wonder of the World. We encourage you to explore, discover and create your own uniquely Arizonan memories. |
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