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Thanks Southwest Dave. Any recommendation about the Grand Canyon visit for the first time?Quote:
Originally Posted by Southwest Dave
To which of the rims should we go? (South, North, East, West) Also, any recommendation for not too expensive accommodations?
The south rim would seem to be the obvious choice for your trip. It's the most visited and most accessible portion of the canyon and fits in easily with the rest of your trip. The cheapest accommodations are going to be a little over an hour away in Flagstaff or Williams, otherwise your choices are pretty much Staying within the National Park, just outside the Village in Tusayan, or at the Cameron Trading Post to the east of the park.
The North Rim is more remote and would be a long way from the rest of your itinerary.
The West Rim is not part of the National Park, is very expensive, not as impressive, and also doesn't really fit with the rest of your plan.
There is no East Rim (although you should plan to stop at the viewpoints along East Rim Drive, which takes you along the eastern half of the South Rim.)
I see some possible confusion. To add to what MWMichael stated, from the South Rim, you can view West Rim Drive and East Rim Drive. I believe West Rim Drive (which is really the "south-west rim") is done either by shuttle or on foot. One may drive on the East Rim Drive (which is the "south-east rim" that Michael mentioned).
By the end of September, the North Rim is being readied for closure, as it typically closes the gate to the public in mid-October.
Donna
Thanks guys, will 1 night in Grand Canyon will be enough?
Also, we figured out that 1 night in Durango and 1 night in Santa Fe wouldn't be enough, so it's better to choose to stay 2 nights in one of those places, to actually see it.
Which one would you recommend?
Is there any water activities available there in this season (beginning of October) in Durango? or the main attraction is the train trip to Silverton, visiting Monument valley and Mesa Verde?
Or would you recommend to drive to Santa Fe instead? Or perhaps it similar to Albuquerque? (which is also in our visit list)
Some of your questions really depend upon how much stuff you are planning to do in between your night.
One night at Grand Canyon could be enough, if you didn't have much else on either side. However, if you want to drive from Vegas 1 day, and then continue to Durango the next, then that doesn't leave you much time at the Canyon itself.
Similarly for Durango - Mesa Verde and the Narrow Gauge Railroad are both things that you should plan taking up basically a full day. If you're driving from GC and then onto Santa Fe, then 1 night wouldn't be much time. It's also worth noting Durango really isn't a good base for visiting Monument Valley, as it is a few hours away - although it makes perfect sense to stop their while driving in between GC and Durango.
Another question, we also would like to visit Albuquerque, since I read that there is annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in the first and second weeks of October and also because "Breaking Bad" was filmed there, and we really loved that show :)
So we thought to stay 1 night in Santa Fe and 2 nights in Albuquerque and on the last day to drive early in the morning to Truth or Consequences to White Sands National Monument. Can we do both on same day or it too much and it's better to split it?
So for example, drive to TorC at the afternoon, stay over night in that area and the morning after drive to WSNM?
Also, I saw that the drive from White Sands National Monument to San Antonio is about 9 hours. Is there interesting place to make a stop in this route?
If you're going to be in ABQ at the same time as the Balloon Festival, you better get your lodging reservations, pronto. Places fill very quickly, whether they're motels, hotels, RV parks or campgrounds. Many people love to watch the balloons!
Donna
Diana,
Hi! As DonnaR said, many thousands of people will be visiting Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta. If you can’t find a decent hotel room in ABQ and already have a place in Santa Fe, you might think about just keeping your room in Santa Fe, and driving down to ABQ for the balloons. It only takes an hour to get from Santa Fe to the Balloon Fiesta Park on the Interstate. There are some scenic back road routes that you could take on your way back to Santa Fe.
The Fiesta runs from October 1st to October 9th. The Mass Ascensions are held on the opening and closing weekends, with a smaller one in the middle of the week. The Special Shapes shows and the evening Balloon Glows are also very popular.Quote:
there is annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in the first and second weeks of October
Whichever events you plan to attend, you want to get out to the balloon park well ahead of time. Some hotels in Albuquerque offer shuttle service to the Fiesta, and there is Park-n-Ride bus service from various places around town.
The town nearest to White Sands National Monument is Alamogordo. Driving from ABQ to Alamogordo takes about four hours -- ABQ > Socorro, NM > Carrizozo > Alamogordo.Quote:
So for example, drive to TorC at the afternoon, stay over night in that area and the morning after drive to WSNM?
Just want to make sure you’re looking at the right place on the map – Google Maps shows “White Sands, NM” as being a little bit east of Las Cruces, NM. That isn’t the National Monument; that’s the US Army command post for White Sands Missile Range.
The National Monument is closer to Alamogordo and Holloman AFB, as you can see on the map below.
http://i.imgur.com/8FkGbNJ.jpg
As Howard notes, there is a difference between White Sands Proving Grounds and White Sands National Monument. US-70 goes through both. So while the Proving Grounds might not be on your list of places to stop, that doesn't mean that you won't be required to stop there, as they sometimes shut down traffic on US-70 to prove that their rockets work (thus the name).
AZBuck
Thanks Guys!
Additional 2 questions:
1- What do you think on this time frame? Is it too much?
October 2nd - Drive from Grand Canyon to Santa Fe & spend the day at Santa Fe (1 Night at Santa Fe)
October 3rd - Drive from Santa Fe to Albuquerque see a morning balloon session + "Breaking Bad" tour (1 Night at Albuquerque)
October 4rd - Drive from Albuquerque to Truth or Consequences spend a few hours there, then drive from Truth or Consequences to White Sands National Monument spend a few hours there. (Spend the night at White City). The next day continue to San Antonio
Or perhaps it too tight and it would be better to spend another night at Albuquerque and then at the afternoon to drive to Truth or Consequences (spend the night at Truth or Consequences area) and in the morning of the day after continue to White Sands National Monument and White City?
Also, Do you have any recommendations on interesting stops from White Sands National Monument or White City to San Antonio? I saw that it's about 9 hours drive.