11 Things to Do in the Grand Canyon Village

Most people travel to the Grand Canyon for spectacular views and don’t think much about what there is to see at the Grand Canyon Village.

The Grand Canyon Village is the center of action in Grand Canyon National Park. Though the village was constructed entirely for tourism, the village feels like a charming trip back in time. The village contains curio shops, restaurants, historic buildings with interesting architecture, the Hopi House, visitor centers, mule rides, and shuttle bus transportation.

Want to know more? I’m Matt and I live in the Rockies. I spend 70 days a year visiting the national parks in the West and the Grand Canyon Village is my favorite village in the national park system. I can’t wait to tell you why.

Don’t Miss: Grand Canyon Beginner’s Guide: Itinerary + Lodging & Tips

7 Things to See in the GRAND CANYON VILLAGE

Getting There

The Village is accessible by vehicle but it has a severe lack of parking. During the busy season, the best thing to do is to park at the Mather Visitor Center and take the Blue Line shuttle to the Village.

Check Out: Driving in the Grand Canyon: 10 Things You NEED TO KNOW

1. El Tovar Hotel

El Tovar is a famous and historic hotel – it’s really the centerpiece of the village. It’s an interesting mix of Norwegian Chalet and American Southwest design.

We highly recommend the El Tovar Dining Room, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner (reservations required for dinner). Read about all our dining recommendations in The Best Places to Eat at the Grand Canyon: Your Food Guide for the South Rim.

2. Kolb Studio

This museum was once a photography studio! The Kolb Brothers were icons in the Grand Canyon’s early days. They photographed mule riders, ran to the springs below to develop the pictures, and ran back to the studio to sell them when the riders returned.

The Kolb Studio has some great exhibits inside including the projector they used to show visitors their film of the Grand Canyon which ran from 1915-1976!

If you want to know a fascinating story about 2 adventurous brothers, this is a great stop!

3. Lookout Studio

Constructed as a competitor to the Kolb Studio, this building was designed to fit in with the surrounding rocks. Today you can visit the gift shop inside and walk onto the deck to look into the telescope.

4. Hopi House

Built as an homage to the Hopis who live nearby, this has always been a gift shop for Native American goods. Something that I think is really cool inside is the thatched roof. Even if you aren’t into shopping, you’ll find the architecture is worth checking out.

5. Verkamp’s Visitor Center

An early competitor to the Hopi House, this visitor center has a gift shop and displays about the park. It was owned by the Verkamp family for nearly 100 years! It is now a great spot to go pick up your Junior Ranger book for your kids.

Visiting the Grand Canyon and need a game plan? Check out our itinerary.

6. Mule Pen

Mule rides to the bottom of the canyon begin and end at the mule pen here. Mules famously walk along the edge of the trail as you stare into the canyon.

The biggest rule when riding the mules: “no leanin, no screaming!”

Mules are huge and its cool to check out these unique animals. Check out our review of mule rides in our article Grand Canyon Mule Rides: Our Review & What You Need to Know.

7. Train Depot

The Grand Canyon Train arrives daily from Williams, Arizona, dropping visitors off at this historic depot, just as the original Canyon visitors arrived in the early days of the park.

Every year, over 250,000 visitors ride the Grand Canyon Railway. Although there are no views of the Grand Canyon along the way, this is my favorite train ride I’ve ever done. You can read all about it The Grand Canyon Railway: Our Full Review + Helpful Tips.

8. Rim Trail and Trail of Time

The easiest hiking trail at the Grand Canyon is the flat, 14-mile Rim Trail, which follows the rim of the canyon from the South Kaibab Trailhead all the way to Hermits Rest. Most people only walk a portion of it.

Between the Yavapai Geology Museum and Grand Canyon Visitor Center, you’ll notice the Trail of Time display, which provides context to just how old the canyon is.

ADDED BONUS! Dogs are allowed on the Rim Trail!

9. Bright Angel Trail

If you want to actually get into the Grand Canyon from the Village, you’ll need to access the popular Bright Angel Trail. The views are incredible, but don’t take it lightly! The climb out is steep and brutal.

Discover: Hiking in the Grand Canyon: What You Need to Know (Hikes, Tips, Gear)

10. Bright Angel, Maswik, Kachina, and Thunderbird Lodges

If you want to stay in the Grand Canyon Village but don’t want to spend the money on El Tovar, here are four more affordable alternatives.

Of these, the Bright Angel Lodge is the oldest and has the most charm. But you don’t actually stay in the lodge; you stay in nearby cabins. It’s the most affordable lodging offered within the park. I stayed here and loved being able to roll out of bed and watch the sunrise.

The others are newer, built to accommodate increasing tourists, are farther away from the rim, and have much less charm.

Find out: Where to Stay at the Grand Canyon: Options & Our Recommendations (South Rim)

11. Shuttle to Hermits Rest

The Blue Line shuttle ends in the Grand Canyon Village. Those wanting to ride to Hermits Rest must get off here and hop on the Red Line shuttle.

Additional Resources

The history of the Grand Canyon is incredible. I’ve created a Grand Canyon Guide, complete with a walking tour and audio guide of the village as well as a step-by-step itinerary for the Grand Canyon so you can visit the best places at the right times.

Not only that, but I’ll tell you about the park while you drive with my audio guide!  Stop planning and start having the vacation of your dreams now!