Grand Canyon Getaway: An All-American Road Trip From Vegas

Head out on the highway and hit up the Grand Canyon – one of the seven natural wonders of the world – with scenic tours and a stylish Wild West hotel.

With national parks and a natural wonder nearby, Las Vegas couldn’t be better suited for an all-American road trip.

“Vegas is uniquely positioned – within one day, you can visit so many different parts of the country,” says Steve Jones of local supercar experience Dream Racing. “You can be in urban LA or at the beach in Malibu within four hours; along the way, you could stop in Joshua Tree or Palm Springs to soak up the desert lifestyle. Or head about six hours north to the mountainscapes and redwood forests of Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.”

However, at the top of most hit lists is the Grand Canyon, a two-and-a-half-hour drive through Wild West scenery from Sin City – assuming you don’t stop (frequently) at one of many natural beauties along the way. Here, set yourself up in a chic little Arizonan inn – packed with Americana charm – and take yourself to heart-lifting hiking spots and dramatic canyon safaris along the way, all bookable right here on Culture Trip.

The South Rim is the most popular viewpoint for first-time visitors |

The Bright Angel Trail offers amazing vistas over the canyon |

Where to Stay: the Hotel…

1. Little America Hotel

Resort, Hotel

Drawing on the russet-and-stone palette of the desert landscape, pepped up with textiles and prints inspired by 12,000 years of local Native American culture, Little America Hotel is a rustic-chic treat of a stay. Family friendly but stylish enough for couples traveling alone, it’s just off Interstate 40 in Flagstaff, Arizona – a hub of adventurous excursions and handily located for iconic drives, including Route 66. Snuggle down in cozy suites with sofas and fireplaces, or chill by the pool before setting off on hikes or drives through the nearby Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park (each within a 90-minute drive). You’re also neatly placed for day trips to and from Wild West hotspots Sedona and Phoenix.

What to Do: the Experiences…

2. South Kaibab Day Hike Tour

Tours

Rainbow-striped rock in shades of olive, rust and ochre, plunging cliffs and stacked rock formations – the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is home to most of those much-photographed viewpoints of which you’ve been dreaming, and this hiking excursion takes you along the South Kaibab Trail to some of the most dizzying spots. It’s not hard to see how Ooh Aah Point got the name, but the favorite picnic patch on this tour, gazing down to the Colorado River, is pretty special too.

3. Off-Road Sunset Safari

Activities, Tours

Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Colorado are some of the most scenic states to put the pedal to the metal, and all are centered around the inimitable Grand Canyon. “One of my favorite driving routes is up through Utah, to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, then into Colorado, through the Rockies to Denver,” says Steve Jones. “You can then head south and loop around via the Grand Canyon.” If you want to be shuttled around the latter in style, consider this sunset safari in a specially converted vehicle with big panoramic windows.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.