Arizona
Experiences|Attractions

Here Are 12 Incredible Things You Need To See And Do At Arizona’s Grand Canyon

Discover various activities and scenic spots to explore during a visit to the Grand Canyon.

Published Oct 21, 2016

Written by 

Monica Spencer

I think it's kind of an understatement to say that the Grand Canyon is one incredible place. Its beauty speaks to every person who visits and it's easy to find some semblance of peace when looking at the canyon's depths whether you've been there only once or make a visit there regularly. If you've been planning a visit sometime soon but haven't quite figured out what to do, here's a handy list to help you determine what to do.

1. Travel to the North Rim, which is visited far less often than the South Rim.

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Johanna Madjedi/Flickr

You'll find the forest here to be more dense and wildlife more present. Just keep in mind that it switches to day use only from October 15 to December 1.

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2. One incredible way of traveling to the canyon? Take a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams.

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Maarten Otto/Flickr

3. All of the viewpoints from the Grand Canyon are beautiful but one spot you definitely need to stop at is Yaki Point to see sunrise or sunset. It's during this time that the canyon's layers look incredible.

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Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr

4. Hike Bright Angel Trail, one of the most popular trails that leads hikers down into the canyon.

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Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr

5. Another iconic hiking trail to consider is the South Kaibab Trail, which takes you to the Colorado River.

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Felix's Endless Journey/Flickr

6. Pay a visit to Havasu Falls, the incredibly scenic waterfall located near Supai.

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Vinh Tran/Flickr

7. Book a stay at the El Tovar Hotel, a historic hotel that offers a rustic experience at the edge of the canyon.

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Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr

8. If you're planning to hike down the canyon, consider booking a stay at Phantom Ranch.

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Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr

9. Take some time to relax after a grueling hike to Elves Chasm.

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Alan English CPA/Flickr

10. Kayak through the canyon via the Colorado River.

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Leif Kirchoff/Flickr

11. Another water activity includes rafting the Lava River Rapids, which is one hair raising experience!

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Alan English CPA/Flickr

12. When you get to the Grand Canyon, one fantastic way is to ride a mule or horse down the trail.

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Moyan Brenn/Flickr

The Grand Canyon is arguably the most Looking for other things in Arizona to add to your personal bucket list? Check out our article, The Ultimate Bucket List For Anyone In Arizona Who Loves The Outdoors.

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Experiences|Attractions

This Roadside Stop Along Route 66 in Arizona Is the Epitome of Americana

For those traveling along Route 66, Jack Rabbit Trading Post is a must-stop roadside attraction.

Published Sep 20, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

There are many things that are strictly American. There’s music like country, bluegrass, and folk, attending baseball and football games, foods such as hot dogs and apple pie, and cowboys, all of which are deeply rooted in our culture. And then there are road trips. The Great American Road Trip on which we travel great distances in search of adventure and to explore our gorgeous landscapes, states, and National and State parks. While one Great American Road Trip may involve driving cross-country, coast-to-coast like I did in my early 20s when I moved from Rhode Island to California, there’s one iconic route that also falls under that category.

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If you haven’t yet guessed which iconic road I’m talking about, it’s Route 66. This route first opened to car traffic in 1926. The road began in Chicago, Illinois, and ended in Santa Monica, California, routing through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona along the way.

jack rabbit trading post arizona
Owaki/Kulla/The Image Bank via Getty Images

While once a major highway, Route 66 is now a road less traveled. It’s also quite nostalgic given the vast number of retro diners, motels, and roadside attractions along the way.

I’ve traveled along portions of Route 66 in Arizona, and it never fails to amaze me. I thoroughly enjoy stopping at roadside attractions that are truly a piece of Americana like Jack Rabbit Trading Post in Joseph City.

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Bill Eichelberger/Flickr CC BY-NC 2.0

For those traveling along this iconic highway-turned-byway, Jack Rabbit Trading Post is a must-stop roadside attraction. It was first opened in 1949 by Jim Taylor who had a huge black rabbit statue that became quite a hit to road trip adventurers. It was a perfect photo op that still remains today. Another photo op here? The iconic “HERE IT IS” sign is painted bright yellow with an image of the black rabbit on it.

When you pop inside this trading post, you’ll find a vast inventory of Arizona and Route 66 souvenirs including t-shirts, jewelry, novelty items, and treats like cactus lollipops that can only be found in Arizona.

For a dose of nostalgia, you can’t miss stopping at Jack Rabbit Trading Post. Just look for the sign on Route 66 and you know you’ve arrived at a true piece of Americana.

Jack Rabbit Trading Post is located at 3386 U.S. Rt. 66 in Joseph City, Arizona. To learn more, visit the official Jack Rabbit Trading Post website along with its Facebook page.

Getting your kicks on Route 66 anytime soon? Take a look at our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for all the things you’ll need on the drive.

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Experiences|Attractions

This Massive Indoor Amusement Park In Arizona Is Fun For All Ages

Uptown Jungle offers a variety of indoor attractions for all ages, making it a perfect family destination in Arizona regardless of the weather.

Updated Jul 2, 2024

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

As we know, outdoor fun in Arizona isn't possible year-round. It's uncomfortably warm more often than not, and we also have monsoon season to think about. Luckily, there are several indoor amusement parks in Arizona where the whole family can have a blast regardless of the weather and time of year. One indoor playground in Phoenix is Uptown Jungle. This fun spot has slides, obstacle courses, climbing walls, and many other attractions for all ages.

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When you're in search of a one-stop destination for family fun, look no further than Uptown Jungle.

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Facebook/Uptown Jungle N. Phoenix

With four locations across the Valley, this massive indoor amusement park in Arizona boasts nearly a dozen different attractions for all ages - rain or shine!

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Facebook/Uptown Jungle N. Phoenix

When you go to this indoor playground in Phoenix, you and your family can test your maneuvering skills on several climbing walls...

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Facebook/Uptown Jungle N. Phoenix

...or embark on an obstacle course filled with challenging elements to conquer.

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Facebook/Uptown Jungle N. Phoenix

You'll also see oversized sports games when you visit Uptown Jungle, plus an arcade with classics like air hockey.

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Facebook/Uptown Jungle N. Phoenix

This indoor playground in Phoenix also features a giant play structure with rope swings and slides galore. Go head-to-head with a friend or family member...

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Facebook/Uptown Jungle N. Phoenix

...or race the whole pack down to the bottom!

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Facebook/Uptown Jungle N. Phoenix

This one is for the adults (although little ones love it, too!) Enjoy a nostalgic throwback with Uptown Jungle's very own light board. What will you create?

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Facebook/Uptown Jungle N. Phoenix

Other attractions that make this space a popular spot for kids' birthday parties in Phoenix include a mini zipline, ninja course, ball blaster arena, and air floor where kids can jump around to their heart's content on a soft, padded surface.

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Facebook/Uptown Jungle N. Phoenix

There is also a special room for children under five, although they are also free to play in the other areas. Special events are held regularly, as well.

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Facebook/Uptown Jungle N. Phoenix

Please note: all participants must sign a waiver before play begins, and grippy socks are required (they're available for purchase inside.) Visit Uptown Jungle for more information, including admission prices and current hours.

Have you ever been to Uptown Jungle? Do you know of any other indoor amusement parks in Arizona worth visiting? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

Don't forget to check out our previous article for a nearby, over-the-top milkshake bar in Arizona that would make the perfect ending to your day of family fun. Feel free to also refer to Airbnb Experiences when you're looking for more unique activities to do with your family in the Phoenix area.

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