10 Things For Kids To Do At Grand Canyon South Rim
Searching for a great place to spend you family vacation
? Try the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This National Park is packed with many different physical and educational activities that will appeal to kids of all ages. Here's a list of ten activities to get your planning "juices" started:Ranger Programs - Gain knowledge from the best. Attend a lecture or workshop by a park ranger. Trained naturalists, they are experts on the Canyon and know how to present it in a fun way. Subjects include geology, archeology, astronomy, among others. The Junior Ranger program takes kids in the field on adventure hikes and teaches them how to use the tools of the trade - binoculars, field guides, and other exploratory tools. Includes games based on the local ecology, too. The course concludes with the kids graduating as certified Junior Rangers.
Museums - There several great museums at the South Rim. Canyon View information Center by Mather Point has series of outdoor interpretive signs. More exhibits inside, including a ranger's desk where you can get questions answered. Verkamps Visitor Center, located near El Tovar Hotel, offers similar services, plus a superb bookstore. The Yavapai Observation Center's Museum of Geology is the perfect place for understanding how the Canyon was formed (make sure to check out the view from the station's glass wall). Kolb Studio, near Bright Angel Lodge, was built in 1905 and lives right on the Rim's edge. Its home to a huge early 20th Century movie camera used by the famous Kolb brothers and an art museum.
Ride the Shuttle - Shuttle buses are free and go to all key South Rim tourist attractions. The system is comprised of three color-coded routes: Blue (Village Route), Red (Hermit's Rest), and Green (Kaibab Trail). The blue route is between the red and green and connects them. Recommended rides: Hermit's Rest (red), Mather Point (green), and Yaki Point (green)
Day Hikes - There are lots of great hikes for kids. Bright Angel Trail is located next to Kolb Studio in Grand Canyon Village. The well-maintained trail is a delightful stroll down. It's the hike up via steep switchbacks that will determine how far you will go (consider taking the Ranger-led adventure hikes for kids). Two places to consider: Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse and Three-Mile Resthouse. The South Kaibab Trail, too, is in excellent condition and offers several outstanding lookout points for kids. The Rim Trail skirts the Canyon's edge from Hermit's Rest to South Kaibab. For the most part, it's flat terrain and never goes into the Canyon. It's excellent for strolling and includes access to the key South Rim lookout points. Note: Dress based on the season and bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and foods like salty trail mix.
Mule Treks - These must be scheduled advance, especially the trips down to the bottom to Phantom Ranch. If you don't have a reservation, check availability at the Bright Angel transportation desk inside the Lodge. Popular day trips for kids is the Abyss Overlook Mule Ride, a three-hour adventure that follows the Rim into Pondersoa, Juniper, and Pinon Pine woodlands.
Horseback Riding - One- and two-hour trail rides led by Apache Stables, located outside the Park's main gate in Tusayan. These rides traverse the Ponderosa Pine forest outside the South Rim. Twilight trips and wagon rides are also available.
Digital Photography - Check availability. This workshop is very popular and is led by professional photographers who guide "photo safaris" through the Park, all the while discussing how to best use a digital camera for wildlife and landscape pictures.
Helicotper Rides - A big favorite with kids, helicopter tours depart daily from the heliport at Tusayan and fly into the Canyon's Dragoon Corridor, the deepest, widest part of the Canyon. The tour continues to the North Rim before flying back over Grand Canyon Village to the airport. If you can swing it, upgrade to the EcoStar helicopters, which are bigger, quieter, and feature stadium-style seats.
IMAX Theatre - See in 34 minutes what would take a lifetime! The IMAX screen is huge. Seats are stadium style. The cumulative effect is similar to actually being there. The Theater, managed by National Geographic, features excellent exhibits, a knowledgeable staff, and a food court. Raft trips can be booked here as well. Ticket cost: Adults (11 ): $12.50. Youth (ages 6 - 10): $9.50.
Grand Canyon Village - The South Rim's been hosting visitors since the early 1900's and has the most amenities of all the Rims. Bright Angel Lodge is the center. It houses the best gift shop (t-shirts, cups, magnets, figurines, and more) and restaurant (huge portions), as well as a museum, snack bar (cheapest eats on the Rim), and lounge. The information center and lodging desk is here, too.
The Grand Canyon South Rim is an excellent place enjoy your next family vacation. The Park features a variety to activities for kids, ranging from the Junior Ranger program and horseback riding to helicopter rides and day hiking. The opportunities to explore are limitless, particularly if you use the Canyon's free shuttle and visit such famous lookout points like Mather Point and Hermit's Rest. The South Rim, unlike other destinations, is easy on your budget, too. So pack up the family and head over to Arizona. The Grand Canyon is waiting for you.
by: Keith Kravitz 10 Steps for Making Beeswax Candles With Kids 10 Simple Methods for a 'Balanced-Diet' for Children 10 Reasons to give a Kids Craft Idea for a Gift 10 Long Term Benefits Of Martial Arts For Kids 10 Good Actions For Autistic Young children 10 Essential Money Lessons All Children Should Comprehend 10 Essential Money Lessons All Children Should Comprehend 10 Effortless Suggestions for a Wholesome Diet regime for Children 10 Effortless Suggestions for a Wholesome Diet regime for Children 10 Christmas Gift Ideas for Children 10 Children's Clothing Options This Christmas 10 Causes Of Children Wetting Beds 10 Best Ipad Apps For Kids