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Category: Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park

[ 0 ] February 13, 2012

For its sheer beauty and awesome scale, there are very few holiday destinations that beat the Grand Canyon. People talk about the majestic grace of the Grand Canyon. But in truth, no description, video or photo can do real justice to one of nature’s best pieces.

The Grand Canyon is high on the list of most family and kid friendly vacations. Different points offer varying views of the canyon’s splendor. You can watch the play of colors against the rock as they change with the different times of the day. More importantly, the Grand Canyon offers some of the most affordable vacation packages in the country allowing you to enjoy an amazing family vacation without breaking the bank.

There are many things that you can do with the family on a Grand Canyon vacation. Some of these include;

  • Explore the Bright Angel Trail: Looking for a challenge? Head out on the Bright Angel trail. Exploring the Bright Angel trail is a great way of soaking up the beauty of the Grand Canyon. The trail runs for about six miles and may take several days to complete. The trip is a challenging but safe. It’s a good option if you’re travelling with teenagers who may be able to withstand the occasionally grueling phases of the trail.
  • Visit the Grand Canyon Village: Vacation at the Grand Canyon would not be the same without a visit to the Grand Canyon Village—the major entry point to the park. The Grand Canyon village offers some of the best view points of the canyon such as the Yavapai points. You can also visit the Grand Canyon Railway depot with your family and learn more about the history of the canyon. At the Hopi house, you can shop for genuine native American souvenirs while a visit to the Kolb and lookout studio will reveal interesting works of art
  • Stop by the North Rim: If you’re looking for a less crowded area to spend time with your family, then the North Rim is a good choice. There are several attractive viewpoints worth visiting such as the Point Imperial and the Bright Angel point which offers a great view of the Roaring Springs.
  • Havasu Falls: Havasu Falls is sometimes described as the most beautiful sight at the Grand Canyon. That alone is worth the visit. Boasting startling clear blue water, Havasu fall is a beautiful oasis. You can enjoy the view and get great many memorable vacation shots by visiting the falls. Close to the Havasu falls is the village of Supai where you can buy snacks and souvenirs.

Outside its beauty, one of the reasons why the Grand Canyon is listed among top kid friendly vacations is that most of the sights can be visited for free.  Most families choose the more affordable option of staying at the different camping grounds located at the park. However, depending on the season, for a little extra, you may find affordable vacation packages that allow you lodge at hotels located within the Grand Canyon village.

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Grand Canyon Adventures – Family Vacations Hot Spot

[ 0 ] February 1, 2012

The Grand Canyon is perhaps one of the most well-known attractions in the United States and as a favorite amongst the list of top family vacations it truly stands out. Located in Arizona and created by the Colorado River, it contains the Grand Canyon National Park as well as two reservations for the Hualapai and Havasupai tribes. It should not come as a surprise that it is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

One mile deep, 277 miles long and 18 miles wide makes it a staggeringly beautiful place to take your family and the sights from some of the best spots are breathtaking.

Flora and Fauna of the Grand Canyon

If you are into family vacations where your kids can learn lots about natural plant and animal life, then the Grand Canyon is one of the best places to go. 63 of the plants found in the canyon have received a special conservation status by the US government and it is filled with thousands of unique species of plants — any kid who is into botany will have a lot of memorable experiences here.

The National Park area itself has a few major different types of ecosystems, allowing scientifically curious families to see a huge range of biodiversity in a relatively small area. Three of the four desert types in North America are present in the canyon and in addition to that there are five different life zones. It has often been said that the Grand Canyon contains enough biodiversity as if one had traveled from Mexico to Canada.

Some of the animals that can be seen in the Grand Canyon are beavers, coyotes, raccoons, bobcats, gray foxes and even the rare spotted skunk. There is a huge variety of reptiles, with almost 50 different species present. Mountain lions are occasionally spotted as well.

Touristic activities in the Grand Canyon

There’s without a doubt plenty to do in the canyon and it attracts over 5 million tourists per year. It can get pretty crowded in the spring and the summer and many International tourists flock to the area as well.

Sightseeing, hiking and rafting are among the most popular family activities in the Grand Canyon. Every year there is the 78-mile Grand Canyon Ultra Marathon, which is one of the most difficult in the entire world due to the desert conditions and heat exhaustion.

The floor of the canyon has some adventurous ways to access, which could also be appealing for kid friendly vacations. One can take a mule ride down or by riverboat or raft upriver.

It is also possible to go camping in the Grand Canyon on the North and South Rims, however you are restricted to camping in specific zones. Camping in the Canyon itself is discouraged, but limited permits are available each year.

For a truly memorable and stunning holiday that you can add to the list of your top family vacations forever, you can also close to the Grand Canyon from helicopters that depart from Las Vegas and Phoenix.

The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic family vacations destinations in the United States. Read on to find out more about the various activities that you can do there with your family.

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