Spending just a few hours at the Grand Canyon is better than no hours at all! Many people go there for a quick drive-by and photo op, so do not feel bad if you have a tight schedule. The Grand Canyon is a must-see at least once in a lifetime!
For me, the Grand Canyon will always have a special place in my heart because it’s where my husband proposed! But that’s a whole other story! :)
Now, let’s dive in to some of the best things to do if you only have a few hours to spend at the Grand Canyon.
North or South Rim?
If you are deciding which Rim to visit, both will offer beautiful views so you really can’t go wrong with either! The South Rim is the more popular choice – offering more tours, more lodging and dining options so it will be the most crowded.
The North Rim is more remote and will be less crowded.
The South Rim will be easier to get to from most of the larger cities. For us, it’s the one that made more sense because it was more accessible from Sedona, which is where we were coming from.
Since you only have a few hours, my recommendation would be to visit the South Rim if you can, especially if you’re a first-timer because the South Rim is known for having the more “famous” views.
Watch a Magical Sunrise
My top recommendation at the Grand Canyon is to watch the sunrise. The most popular viewing spot is at Mather Point, but although it gets really busy, the views are spectacular. You need to arrive at least an hour before sunrise to get a good spot..and then stay a few hours after sunrise.
Helpful Tip:
Be sure to check the sunrise hours to see what time you’d need to be there by, to plan (and DRESS) accordingly because you will be there for a while.
Eat at the Famous El Tovar Dining Room
Make sure to order the French Onion soup! It was definitely the highlight for us. You won’t regret it!
Visit the Breathtaking Viewpoints
You don’t have to hike into the Grand Canyon to experience the wonder it truly is. There are so many viewpoints to choose from to get your fill of scenic views. We took our time and walked between a lot of the viewpoints along the South Rim trail and it was perfect for us.
Helpful Tip:
There is no way that you can get to all of them with only a few hours at the Grand Canyon though! But if you want, you can drive to each viewpoint to try to see more.
Stay the Night at El Tovar Hotel
If you’re staying overnight at the Grand Canyon in order to watch the sunrise the next morning, then I would recommend to stay as close to the park as possible to make the most of the little time that you have.
If your budget allows, splurge on a room at the historic El Tovar Hotel and stay inside of the National Park. This hotel is a National Historic Landmark, so beware…the rooms are super tiny! But the south rim is literally just a few steps away!
Admire The Wildlife
We saw a lot of Elk grazing around the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Seeing wildlife definitely added to the excitement of our trip! So keep your eyes open!
Grab a few or A LOT of souvenirs at the El Tovar Gift Shop
You can easily spend more than an hour here looking at all of the goodies! We found a Grand Canyon baseball souvenir for the hubby, a Grand Canyon long-sleeved shirt for myself, and A LOT of Elk beef jerky, Prickly Pear jams, Prickly Pear candy, and magnets for our friends and family.
Heading back through Sedona? Grab my Top Things to See and Do in Sedona, Arizona itinerary.
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