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0°F / -17°C
(Sunny. Frigid.)
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Ever since Francisco Vásquez de Coronado and his party first set eyes on the Canyon in 1540, it is a safe bet that no visitor to the area has come here to sit in his or her hotel room and watch television. There is just too much to do and see. And, of course, the Canyon itself is the first and foremost point of interest.
Outdoor Activities
Avid outdoor enthusiasts enjoy a myriad of options when it comes to exploring the area, which encompasses nearly three thousand square miles. The Visitor Center, located near the General Store and not far from the Historical District/Grand Canyon Village is a valuable source for planning your adventure. There, you will find exhibits and information to help you map out your strategy, whether it includes backpacking down into the Canyon via Bright Angel Trail, scaling the steep and strenuous South Kaibab Trail to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, or a casual, carefree stroll along the paved Rim Trail. To learn more about the long history of the area the Kaibab Petroglyphs in the Kaibab National Forest or the Tusayan Ruins and Museum are a great place to learn about the history of local Native cultures. To continue canyoneering Sycamore Canyon is the areas second largest canyon.
Museums
Even though most visitors come to the Grand Canyon to experience the great outdoors, there are still some interesting things to do indoors too. The Planes of Fame Museum provides guests with a history of planes and aviation, even featuring one of General McArthur’s planes from the Korean War. Inside the canyon gates, at Grand Canyon village you can visit Kolb Studio, former home of the Kolb brothers, famous Grand Canyon photographers. Today the building is an art gallery and bookstore. Another museum in Grand Canyon Village is the Bright Angel History Room which exhibits memorabilia from the early days of the canyon as a tourist destination. If you’re more interested in local culture, the Navajo Interactive Museum teaches visitors all about the Navajo lifestyle and culture.
Festivals
Throughout the year, special events in the Grand Canyon and Williams area provide residents and visitors with even more entertainment. On the first weekend of May, the Route 66 Fun Run Car Rally cruises through Williams, featuring more than a thousand classic and vintage automobiles in shiny, mint condition. Independence Day in Williams is pure Americana. The Small Town Fourth of July features a Main Street Parade and a variety of events including, of course, a fireworks extravaganza.
More than a thousand Harleys roar into town in late June for the annual H.O.G. Rally and street dance and, later on in the summer, classic vehicles vie for spectators' attention during the Williams Cool Country Cruise-in and Williams Route 66 Festival. In September, the Grand Canyon Music Festival presents concerts by the nation's finest chamber musicians at the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium at the South Rim.
Rodeos
This is truly cowboy country, and throughout the summer, local, regional and national cowboys compete in a slough of rodeos. In August, the working hands get their chance to shine at the Cowpuncher's Reunion Rodeo. The Williams Labor Day PRCA Rodeo attracts many of the sports' top cowboys from around the world.
There is no more spectacular sight than the Grand Canyon itself. But to focus on this wonder alone would be doing yourself and your family a grave injustice. Northern Arizona's High Country affords visitors an array of activities, sightseeing and entertainment opportunities nearly as broad and deep as the Eighth Wonder of the World. Explore, discover and create your own uniquely Arizonan memories.
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