Hello everyone,
I am thinking about a trip to grand canyon with my family in the first half march.
We will be traveling from Springfield, IL. I thought of getting a flight+hotel combo deal to las vegas, spend a day or two in las vegas and then either rent a car to go to grand canyon or get the tours for grand canyon.
So how does it sound so far? Is there a better alternative where I can save some money. Las Vegas is not really a place we HAVE to see, but it seemed to me that going that route will save me money and we will be able to see las vegas as well. I am open to other ideas.
Now some other questions,
1. Is first half of March bad for grand canyon visit? We cannot postpone the trip. Are we better off going somewhere else? My parents really want to see the grand canyon, however they came to USA during winter and hence the problem.
2. If my above plan about going to vegas and then going to the canyon is not good, i would like to hear some alternative plans.
3. If we go for the vegas route, is going to san fransisco or any other nice places in the west coast feasible?
4. How many days it would take for the trip? I will have at the most a week for this trip.
Thank you for your help.
Suggestions for a Grand Canyon trip
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Vegas is usually the least expensive gateway for Grand Canyon in terms of air fare and rental car costs. Sometimes you can get a good package deal with a hotel if you really want to see Vegas.
That said, you have no control over the weather. I've been there in February when it was fine, light jacket weather, and with light snow in April.
I would go for it, and stay flexible. You will probably have no trouble getting lodging at GC if you want it and I would want to spend one night there.
There are lots of other interesting places to see from Vegas too Valley of Fire State park, Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Meade, etc.
Most of the Vegas hotels have web sites that let you look at the cost of a room over the month. There are also sites that give the deals in Vegas.
> Is first half of March bad for grand canyon visit?
Not perfect, but far better than going in the summer, when crowds and heat make in an abomination.
> If we go for the vegas route, is going to san fransisco
> or any other nice places in the west coast feasible?
Plain and simple: no.
> How many days it would take for the trip?
> I will have at the most a week for this trip.
Some people can spend an entire week in Vegas, but this is a place NOT suitable for families: just ask Prince Harry. Two days in Vegas may well be about right, two days for the Canyon (spend one night close enough to the Rim for you to see the sunset and sunrise), and that leaves three days for other stuff. Check out Zion NP and Bryce NP; although March is a bit early for these.
And by "early March," do you mean in about two weeks? If so, and if you take my advice and spend one night near to rim of The Canyon, make absolutely certain you have a place to stay! You can NOT show up there and expect to get any room at any price.
If you are not really into Vegas, I would suggest one night there, rent a car and drive yourself to the south rim of the GC. Since it is a 5 hour drive, plan on 2 nights there. After the second night,exit through the east entrance and see Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crate ( a loop road), then head to Sedona for a few nights.
The GC is at 7000 feet elevation, so will probably be quite chilly, if not downright cold. Sedona is at 4500 feet and will be a lot warmer, but could still be chilly.