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GRAND_CANYON_WHATS_NEARBY
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| The Surrounding Area |
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Tusayan is a small tourist town near the Grand Canyon with an airport and the usual assortment of eateries, bars, and hotels/motels.
The principle gateway to the Grand Canyon, however, is Flagstaff, AZ, which is accessible by plane, train (Amtrak) and automobile. This college town of some 60,000 lies at the southern foot of Humphreys Peak, which at 12,643 feet is the highest point in the state.
In many ways, “Flag” is the epicenter for a variety of stunning geologic and prehistoric attractions, many within a 100-mile radius. Flag is about 1 1/2 hours from the canyon.
The Indian ruins at Walnut Canyon are 11 miles away; Wupatki National Monument is 14 miles further up the road; volcanic Sunset Crater, which last erupted less than a thousand years ago, a mere wink in geologic time, is about 15 miles from downtown, and Meteor Crater, 45 miles east, is likely the world's most well-preserved remains of an extraterrestrial landing.
The main arteries through town, Milton and Sante Fe (old Route 66) too often trumpet fast-food chains and motels, blaring for tourist attention.
Flagstaff does have a cool downtown area, a kind of Greenwich Village Way West, featuring urbane cafes, funky shops and college bars. The University of Northern Arizona and its 16,000 students give Flagstaff that energetic college feel, with the area getting a little funkier for a few blocks south of the Amtrak railroad tracks. |
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GRAND_CANYON_ROADTRIPS
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Click on a trip below to adopt the trip. You can change the dates, add your preferences, or even rearrange the items in the Trip Plan, then plot the trip and save it as your own.
Road trips around the Grand Canyon
GRAND CANYON - FAMILY TRIP
Breath-taking views, museums and railways.
For details see article on: 
GRAND CANYON - HISTORICAL
Fossils, buildings, and trails all speak of a curious history of the land.
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