GRAND CANYON, AZ—Once you get your first glimpse of the Grand Canyon, you'll grasp why this mammoth formation—190 miles long, one mile deep and covering 1,900 square miles—is hailed as one of the world's seven natural wonders. Although depicted by an array of artists, it's richly hued scenic splendor is best captured by the naked eye.
Canyon View Information Plaza, open from 8am-6pm near Mather Point, should be your first stop at the South Rim since it has information about every aspect of the canyon.
About 1.5 kilometers below the South Rim, you will spy the mighty Colorado River, which wends its way west through the canyon, averaging a speed of four miles an hour, a depth of 100 feet and width of 300 feet. Also visible, a mile below the rim, are the Indian Gardens and Phantom Ranch, standing out as lush green oases on the canyon floor. Credit: Ann Widmann
WILLIAMS, AZ—Long heralded as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon®, Williams is 59 miles from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Steeped in heritage, the quaint downtown has many edifices erected in the early 1900s housing restaurants, bistros, galleries and gift shops with a variety of wares including Native American jewelry, antiques, Western and Route 66 memorabilia. In 1984, the downtown business district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The same year Williams became the last Route 66 town bypassed by Interstate 40 and has become a popular stop for Mother Road enthusiasts with a segment of Route 66 serving as the town's Main Street. Credit: Ann Widmann
SELIGMAN, AZ—The small community of Seligman, Arizona, located on Historic Route 66 and Interstate 40, nestles in northern Arizona's scenic mountain foothills between Williams and Kingman. A visit to this small town is like a step back in time....
