Tusayan ArizonaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Tusayan, Arizona.
1. Grand Canyon Visitor Center Imax
CINEMATIC CANYON EXPERIENCE
The Grand Canyon Visitor Center Imax offers visitors an informative center with engaging exhibits and a captivating 37-minute film that delves into the history and beauty of the Grand Canyon. Guests can enjoy this immersive experience that provides context and background before visiting the actual canyon. The center also offers unique souvenirs for visitors to commemorate their trip to this natural wonder.
2. Hermit Trail
CHALLENGING CANYON DESCENT
Hermit Trail is a challenging hiking path that becomes increasingly difficult the further travelers venture down into the Grand Canyon. The trail offers breathtaking views that reward hikers willing to brave its steep sections and rugged terrain. Not recommended for inexperienced hikers or those with heart conditions, this trail provides a less crowded alternative to other Grand Canyon paths.
3. Grand Canyon Village
HISTORIC PARK HUB
Grand Canyon Village serves as the main visitor hub on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. The historic area features iconic buildings, lodging options, dining facilities, and prime viewpoints overlooking the canyon. Visitors can explore museums, attend ranger programs, and access multiple trailheads from this central location.
4. Grand Canyon Imax Theater
CUTTING-EDGE CANYON FILM
The Grand Canyon Imax Theater now features state-of-the-art IMAX with Laser technology and a 12-channel sound system for an immersive viewing experience. Visitors can enjoy spectacular footage of the Grand Canyon on the massive screen, providing perspectives that might be impossible to see otherwise. The theater serves as both entertainment and education before or after visiting the actual canyon.
5. Bright Angel Lodge
HISTORIC RIM ACCOMMODATION
Bright Angel Lodge is a historic accommodation perched directly on the rim of the Grand Canyon, designed by famed architect Mary Colter. The rustic lodge offers various room types, dining options, and a prime location for canyon access and spectacular sunrise and sunset views. Visitors can appreciate its historic fireplace that replicates the geological layers of the Grand Canyon.
6. Bright Angel Trailhead
POPULAR CANYON DESCENT
Bright Angel Trailhead marks the beginning of one of the Grand Canyon's most famous and accessible trails, featuring jagged cliffs, flowing creeks, and sandstone tunnels. Hikers can enjoy native gardens and desert vegetation while descending into the canyon's depths on this well-maintained path. The trail offers rest houses, water stations, and spectacular views for day hikers and backpackers alike.
7. South Kaibab Trailhead
PANORAMIC RIDGE TRAIL
South Kaibab Trailhead begins one of the most panoramic trails in the Grand Canyon, following a ridge rather than a side canyon. Hikers are treated to expansive, unobstructed views in all directions as they descend along this well-maintained but steep path. The trail offers several noteworthy destinations including Ooh Aah Point, Cedar Ridge, and Skeleton Point for day hikers seeking different experiences.
8. Hopi Point
PREMIER SUNSET VIEWPOINT
Hopi Point offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views along the Grand Canyon's South Rim, with nearly 180-degree vistas of the canyon's vastness. Visitors consider this location among the best spots to witness the canyon's famous sunset displays as the fading light paints the geological features in dramatic colors. The viewpoint is accessible via the park's shuttle system or by car during certain seasons, making it a popular gathering spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts.
9. Grand Canyon Railway
HISTORIC RAIL JOURNEY
The Grand Canyon Railway offers a nostalgic train journey from Williams, Arizona to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, traveling 65 miles through ponderosa pine forests and high desert plateaus. Passengers enjoy entertainment from cowboy musicians and historical characters while learning about the region's natural and cultural history. The vintage cars and steam locomotives (on special dates) provide an authentic experience that harkens back to the early days of Grand Canyon tourism.
10. Tusayan Greenway Trails
ACCESSIBLE NATURE PATHS
The Tusayan Greenway Trails offer visitors and locals alike a network of accessible paths perfect for walking, jogging, or biking near the southern entrance to Grand Canyon National Park. These maintained trails wind through the pine forests surrounding the town, providing opportunities to spot local wildlife in a natural setting. The trail system connects the small town with the national park, allowing for car-free travel options during busy tourist seasons.
11. Pink Jeep Tours
ICONIC CANYON EXCURSIONS
Pink Jeep Tours offers guided excursions around the Grand Canyon in their distinctive pink vehicles, providing expert commentary and access to viewpoints away from the crowds. Each tour is led by knowledgeable guides who share geological, historical, and cultural information about the Grand Canyon region. The customized off-road vehicles allow for comfortable transportation and optimal viewing opportunities of one of America's most spectacular natural wonders.
12. Helicopter Tours
AERIAL CANYON PERSPECTIVES
Helicopter tours departing from Tusayan offer breathtaking aerial views of the Grand Canyon that can't be experienced from the rim viewpoints. Passengers soar over the vast geological formations, witnessing the scale and majesty of the canyon from perspectives that reveal its immense size and complexity. Some tours even include landing experiences on plateaus within the canyon, providing truly unique opportunities for photos and memories.
13. Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument
NEW CULTURAL HERITAGE SITE
The Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument is a newly established protected area covering 1.1 million acres near the Grand Canyon. This monument preserves lands of cultural significance to numerous Native American tribes who have deep historical connections to the region. Visitors can explore the natural beauty while learning about the indigenous heritage that spans thousands of years in this sacred landscape.
14. The Arboretum at Flagstaff
HIGH-ELEVATION BOTANICAL GARDEN
The Arboretum at Flagstaff showcases the diverse plant life that thrives in the high-elevation environment of northern Arizona. Visitors can walk the trails and gardens while enjoying educational signage that explains the unique adaptations of native plants to this challenging climate. The facility serves as both a research center and public garden, offering seasonal events and educational programs throughout the year.
15. Arcosanti
EXPERIMENTAL URBAN LABORATORY
Arcosanti is an urban laboratory focused on innovative design, community living, and environmental accountability located about 70 miles from Flagstaff. The unique architectural complex was designed by Paolo Soleri as a prototype for compact, sustainable city living that minimizes environmental impact. Visitors can take guided tours of the structures, attend workshops, shop for the famous Soleri bells, and even stay overnight in this experimental community.