Grand Canyon Attractions & Nearby Activities

Visitor Centers

When visiting the Grand Canyon, whether for one day or three, you must include at least one Grand Canyon National Park visitor centers and ranger-led talks. At the South Rim, visitors have several visitor center options, including the Canyon View Information Plaza, located near Mather Point at the east end of Grand Canyon Village.  Also located within Grand Canyon Village are three other smaller visitor centers, including Verkamp's Visitor Center, Yavapai Observation Station, and Kolb Studio. At the east end of Desert View Drive, which is the artery in and out of the South Rim's east entrance, you'll find the Desert View Information Center as well as the Tusayan Museum and Tusayan Ruin.

At the North Rim, visitors will be happy to discover the North Rim Visitor Center near the Grand Canyon Lodge. It is home to a bookstore, park and regional information, maps, brochures and exhibits as well as interpretive programs led by friendly, knowledgeable park staff.

The West Rim, which is operated by the Hualapai Tribe, is an emerging destination. It features an information center adjacent to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a gift shop and the Skywalk Cafe. Interpretive exhibits and amphitheater performances are also located at Grand Canyon West's other points of interest, Guano Point, Indian Village and Grand Canyon Ranch.

Ranger-Led Programs

While there are myriad ways to tour the Grand Canyon at all price points, you can't beat the free ranger-led talks that are offered by the Grand Canyon National Park Service at both the South and North Rims. Programs, hikes and talks change seasonally and run nearly all day long. Learn everything about the Grand Canyon from its geology to history, flora to fauna, art to astronomy. Before you visit, check out the National Park Service's newspaper called The Guide or check out our Calendar of Events for a list of seasonal ranger programs, descriptions, times and meeting places. We recommend that you plan your Grand Canyon trip to include both a paid tour like a helicopter, van, railway or air tour as well as one to two ranger-led programs. This combination is the perfect balance of high and low price points, morning and afternoon activities, and fascinating facts and memorable fun.

Attractions Beyond the Park

Think outside the park when planning your Grand Canyon vacation; there are attractions in nearby towns like Tusayan, Sedona, Flagstaff and Camp Verde that can make your trip well-rounded and family-friendly. You'll find everything from an IMAX movie to a world-class drive-through wildlife park, an airplane museum, hot air ballooning, ancient Native American ruins and national monuments, relics of Route 66 and mining history and more. Be sure to explore outside the Grand Canyon down to Williams, Sedona, Flagstaff, Camp Verde, Kingman, Seligman and more to take in all the very best attractions that northern Arizona has to offer.