| A trip to the Grand Canyon is a must for everyone. | | | | in good company aboard the GCR. Presidents Teddy |
| The absolute magnificence of the canyon gorge is | | | | Roosevelt, Howard Taft and Dwight Eisenhower, |
| unduplicated anywhere else in the world. There are | | | | movie stars Clark Gable, Jimmy Durante, and Doris |
| many ways to visit: day trips from Las Vegas or | | | | Day, and millionaires like Bill Gates have all ridden |
| Flagstaff, helicopter tours, or by car. But the best way | | | | aboard the Grand Canyon Railway. |
| is to make reservations aboard the Grand Canyon | | | | GCR tours can include a bus tour along the Canyon |
| Railway. It's an Old West experience and a | | | | rim and lunch before boarding the train for the return |
| wonderfully historic way to get to the Canyon. GCR | | | | trip. Other packages include overnight stays at the |
| offers numerous packages. One is sure to meet your | | | | Canyon. Or you can take advantage of free shuttle |
| needs and exceed your expectations. | | | | service to explore on your own. Stand on the rim |
| The Old West town of Williams is located just off I-40, | | | | overlooking the canyon floor. Watch donkeys descend |
| two blocks north of historic Route 66. It's 60 miles | | | | the narrow path to the ranch below (if you'd like to do |
| south of the Grand Canyon. Williams is the railhead for | | | | this, schedule well ahead). Perhaps you'll see a |
| the Grand Canyon Railway. For convenience, check in | | | | canoeist on the distance Colorado River. Feel the |
| at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. The | | | | winds as they follow the canyon. Explorers, native |
| accommodations are comfortable, and the public | | | | Americans, miners and settlers had the same |
| areas are authentic. Rail packages include dinner at | | | | experiences. |
| Max & Thelma's (check out the railway running | | | | Enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks (try a |
| around the dining room above the doors). Head back | | | | Colorado Cooler) on the way back to Williams. |
| to the hotel for a libation in the 'saloon', aka Spenser's | | | | Midway through the return trip, an outlaw gang rides |
| Lounge, with its 19th century hand-carved oak bar. | | | | across the high desert to hold up the train! While a |
| The next morning, after breakfast (also included), | | | | Marshall chases them through the rail cars, the outlaws |
| wander to the 'town square' beside the depot for a | | | | divvy up their 'loot' (gold chocolate coins) with all the |
| wonderfully staged 'hold-up' before the train departs. | | | | kids on board! |
| 'Shots' are fired. A few of the 'bad guys' fall to the | | | | Back in Williams, wander out to the main street (Route |
| ground - while avoiding the horse do-do, of course! | | | | 66), marked only with a stop sign in the center - literally |
| The Marshall corrals the outlaws and everyone heads | | | | - of the intersection! There's an old bar called Pancho |
| for the train. | | | | McGillicuddy's - a tribute to the Irish and Mexicans who |
| Book an upgrade to first class service (or better) for | | | | built the railway. It's the oldest building in Williams. A |
| the trip to the Grand Canyon. Seating is plush and the | | | | singing cowboy ... a bucket of iced shrimp, and the |
| amenities are well worth the additional cost. Sample | | | | BEST (and hottest) Con Queso anywhere! A perfect |
| fresh pastries and beverages, compliments of the | | | | night after a perfect day. |
| railway. A singing cowboy entertains in each car on his | | | | This two-day mini-vacation is a perfect addition to a |
| way through the train. | | | | Las Vegas trip or the beginning of a week's |
| The Railway started operations in 1901, when Arizona | | | | exploration across northern Arizona. It's a memory |
| was still a part of the Territory of New Mexico. You're | | | | waiting to be experienced. |