Grand Canyon Village, South Rim

The Grand Canyon National Park's south rim is home to the famous Grand Canyon village. It is the central meeting point for most tourists, who come set up camp, park their RV or rest in its hotels. It is also the location of many activities, trails, tours, stores and restaurants.

The Grand Canyon Village is located on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. This part of the national park provides a starting point for most tours, activities, trails and the local visitor center. It is also full of fine restaurants, hotels and shops.

The village was built as a tourist and vacationers rest spot before heading into the hotels, to the RV parks or off towards the campgrounds. Many tour companies are located throughout the village, and shops carry everything from souvenirs to skiing equipment. The visitor center, which is owned by the National Geographic Society, houses a must see movie display in its huge IMAX theater.

Hikers enjoy the village because it has immediate access to two of its most used trails, which lead to others within the park. It is quite common in the summer to see backpackers and hikers huddled together on picnic benches and the roadside, nibbling on snacks from the nearby cafes and bistros.

During the summer, crowds swarm on the village to enjoy the park's annual chamber music festival. Visitors are delighted to raging temperatures, combined with cooling shade, and all set to the backdrop of exquisite scenery and serenaded by top class musicians playing soothing classical music.

Food is also another attraction in itself. Restaurants range from the very casual to the very formal, but the prices are extremely reasonable compared to other nationwide attractions. A steak can set you back as much as $8, whereas casual and native cuisine comes around the same price.