Grand Canyon - South Rim

[Biggsly]

Definitely make sure you do the Meteor Crater, painted desert/petrified forest.

I agree. It has been years ago, but I still remember all 3. They are all worth seeing, if you are in the area.

 

[Boehlertaught]

Stay in Flagstaff and take the train to the canyon. It's a great time.

 

[Lurkerinthewoods]

Our 8 year old is the same way...I'm not convinced he won't try to find a way to parachute to the bottom with a bed sheet.

There are the old steps you can take to the bottom. There is a turn around spot a little ways down in case you change your mind. And you can't miss the numerous signs telling you to turn around because it's the same distance up as it is down.

 

[turkeyrun]

We stayed in Williams in RV park, but HIGHLY recommend the evening, campfire horseback ride through Kaibab National Forest. The mule rides to the canyon bottom book over a year in advance.

 

[Poke78]

Definitely make sure you do the Meteor Crater, painted desert/petrified forest. The forest is about an hour outside of the Grand canyon I believe. Completely amazing, unlike anything you could imagine. They close early, so plan ahead.

I agree with putting those on the list but would add more travel time. MapQuest shows 3.5 hours travel time from the Petrified Forest to the South Rim via I-40 to Williams and north. The Meteor Crater is west of the Petrified Forest.

Two other good stops: a knife shop in a former Stuckey's location on I-40 and Winslow AZ of the Eagles song fame. In Winslow, visit the former Santa Fe Railroad depot - great southwest architecture and really good restaurant.

 

[dvPete]

Definitely make sure you do the Meteor Crater, painted desert/petrified forest.

This. And if you can spare another day on the way out there, this is also pretty cool:

http://icecaves.com/

Privately owned park south of Grants NM. We stumbled across this on a trip to CA a few years ago and the kids loved it.