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Did you know that Grand Canyon Railway carried 222,277 passengers into Grand Canyon National Park in 2005? That translates to nearly 7 percent of total South Rim visitation. Looking to the future, Grand Canyon Railway has the potential to more than triple its passenger counts and plays an integral role in Grand Canyon National Park's conservation and transportation solution.
President Theodore Roosevelt called the Grand Canyon "the one great sight which every American should see." He made this proclamation on May 6, 1903 after traveling to the South Rim aboard Grand Canyon Railway. Today, travelers from all over the world are invited to relive history both en route to the canyon and in Grand Canyon Railway's restored, historic locomotives and passenger cars. Grand Canyon Railway's fleet of equipment is like a traveling train museum, and is guaranteed to capture the imaginations of leisure travelers and train enthusiasts alike.
Grand Canyon Railway recently completed a master plan for more than 100 acres of Railway property. The plan includes 900 new hotel rooms, eight new restaurants, 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space, employee housing and even the development of a full-service spa. These amenities will be built based upon need. The first amenity to be built (projected for 2008) is a new 200-room hotel.
Northern Arizona is unlike anywhere else on earth with striking red rocks, cool pine trees, high prairie lands and the most magnificent natural wonder ever created - the Grand Canyon. Recognized as the crown jewel in the national parks system, Grand Canyon National Park is but a sampling of the diverse and breathtaking landmarks gracing Northern Arizona. All located within a short drive are several national monuments including Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, Montezuma Castle, Tuzigoot, Sunset Crater and the Vermillion Cliffs, as well as the popular Glenn Canyon National Recreation Area, red rocks of Sedona and of course, the Navajo Nation.
Each of northern Arizona's national monuments provides a window to the past. Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, Tuzigoot and Montezuma Castle all boast well-preserved dwellings of the Sinagua and Anasazi people. Walnut Canyon and Montezuma Castle both feature spectacular cliff dwellings, while Tuzigoot and Wupatki showcase the Sinagua's expansive ancient villages.
Williams, Ariz. was the last town in America on Historic Route 66 to be bypassed by the freeway. Interstate 40 replaced the last surviving segment on Oct. 13, 1984. Founded in 1874, the town's current population is approximately 2,900. The downtown business district of Williams is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and many of the downtown buildings were constructed around 1900. This Historic Downtown District covers six square blocks, along with the Grand Canyon Railway Depot. Visitors can take a self-guided historic walking tour of this Historic District and famed Route 66 with the help of a brochure available at the visitor center.
The journey west has always been one of fascination and adventure, and the tradition continues today with many diverse venues in close proximity to choose from. Combine Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon for the perfect vacation mix of entertainment, education and relaxation. A person is able to experience the nonstop action and excitement of one of the world's most notorious towns - Las Vegas. Then, by traveling just a few miles, they have the opportunity to get away from it all in quaint mountain havens like Williams, Ariz. and quench their thirst for knowledge by visiting American icons such as the Grand Canyon.
Traveling to northern Arizona means leaving behind all the preconceptions you have about the state in general. You'll discover quaint mountain villages, scenic byways, travel back in time aboard a historic railway, see more stars than city lights and enjoy the great outdoors like never before - even during the summer months. The Colorado Plateau boasts diverse climates, with landscape changing from high desert to prairie to thick ponderosa pine forests in a matter of miles. Visitors can view many of the areas offering with a quick trip to The Arboretum at Flagstaff. The arboretum is one of the highest elevation botanical gardens in the world - situated on 200 acres at 7,150 feet above sea level. A botanical garden, research station and environmental education center, the Arboretum is known for its astounding collection of 2,500 species of plants, its guided tours and views. And while northern Arizona's evening stargazing is spectacular on its own (thanks to cities establishing themselves as "dark cities" with low light pollution), visitors can get up close and personal with a trip to Lowell Observatory. The Observatory was founded in 1984 and is best known for its discovery of Pluto. It is also where astronomer V.M. Slipher gathered the first evidence that the universe is indeed expanding.
Summer vacations have become complicated and expensive; not the case when you plan a vacation with Grand Canyon Railway. With money-saving all-inclusive packages and a historical destination, Grand Canyon Railway makes summer travel relaxing, fun and educational. One-, two- and three-night packages are available, including an overnight stay at Grand Canyon National Park as well as regional day tours. Packages start as low as $149 per person based on double-occupancy April 1 - Oct. 14, 2006 and include roundtrip coach class train travel, overnight stay at the GCR Hotel in Williams and breakfast and dinner for each person at Max & Thelma's Restaurant.
Many people visit Grand Canyon National Park during the warm summer months, but miss the canyon's winter splendor. The Grand Canyon changes with every season, and the winter months are when the canyon's colors are most vibrant, popping against a blanket of white snow. As an added bonus, the canyon is less crowded during the wintertime, which makes for a more personal experience. Grand Canyon Railway offers winter visitors a safe and comfortable winter travel option. And once you've seen the canyon, hit the ski slopes. Both Williams and Flagstaff offer downhill ski resorts with diverse runs. Beginners and experts alike will enjoy the breathtaking views from northern Arizona's snowy mountain tops.