14 Best Things to Do in Tusayan, Arizona

By VI Staff on April 20, 2019

Situated at the doorstep of one of the seven wonders of the natural world and Arizona’s grandest attraction – the magnificent Grand Canyon, Tusayan is the gateway to the Canyon’s South Rim. Located high in the Kaibab Forest just outside the national park entrance, Tusayan is home to the Grand Canyon National Airport, where several helicopter and airplane plane tours depart daily.

1.Canyon View Information Center

The Grand Canyon Visitor Center is based at the South Entrance Station of the Grand Canyon National Park and offers a wealth of information about the park; its history, and a variety of brochures, maps, park entrance tickets and information on various tours on offer. Four parking areas are available for cars, and a shuttle bus or a short walk takes visitors to the nearby to nearby Mather Point for spectacular views. A free Park-and-Ride shuttle bus system takes visitors to various outlooks in the area, as well as the Grand Canyon Village. The Visitor Center also features an array of exhibits, including a sizeable video-enabled relief map of the canyon, interactive trip planners, displays of historic artifacts, and a Science On a Sphere® program, along with a 20 minute movie called Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder, which takes visitors on a on a rim to river and dawn to dusk journey through the park. The Park Store sells a variety of park-related items such as books, souvenirs, and gifts and bicycles can be rented or used for guided bicycle tours between March and October.

Grand Canyon, AZ 86023, Phone: 928-638-7888

2.National Geographic Visitor Center

Located at the South Rim, the National Geographic® Visitor Center offers an exciting and informative overview of Arizona’s famous landmark and is an excellent starting point to begin any visit to the Grand Canyon National Park. The Center provides a variety of brochures, maps, park entrance tickets and information on various tours in and around the Grand Canyon and has a team of knowledgeable local representatives that can help with any questions about guided trips, programs, and special events happening in the area. The National Geographic® Visitor Center also houses the IMAX theater and ticket desk, a selection from exhibits, a store, and a casual café.

450 AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, Phone: 928-638-2468

3.Grand Canyon Imax Theater

The Grand Canyon Imax Theater is an enormous six-story high by 82-foot-wide movie screen that shows a documentary on the Grand Canyon titled Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder. Using state-of-the-art IMAX® technology, 12,000 watts of digital surround sound and high definition imagery, the movie is visually stunning and takes audiences on a virtual reality experience through the Grand Canyon. The documentary delves into the history of the Grand Canyon, dives into the depths of the craggy canyons, soars over the over the rim of the canyon, and marvels at the fantastic scenery. Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder is 20 minutes long and is shown on the hour.

450 AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, Phone: 928-638-2203

4.Hermit Trail

The Hermit Trail is a favorite hiking trail in the Grand Canyon National Park that provides access to a historic area of one of the world’s natural wonders. The path also offers a more challenging route to the Colorado River for more experienced canyon hikers. Located 0.25 miles southwest of Hermit's Rest on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the trail wanders 1.5 miles through ancient rock formations to the Colorado River and is accessible by shuttle bus from the Grand Canyon Village. The Hermit Trail also has unobstructed access to the Colorado River, and there is designated camping at the Park Service campsite.

All-Star Grand Canyon Tours Inc. ®, 2420 N. 3rd st. Suite D, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, Phone: 928-814-8887

5.Grand Canyon Jeep Tours & Safaris

Grand Canyon Jeep Tours & Safaris offers 4×4 tours to various parts of the Grand Canyon. Established in 1993, the company is the longest running 4×4 tour company in the region and offers guided tours led by professional guides in specially designed, eco-friendly, open-air safari vehicles. Featured tours include the Grand Sunset Tour, which showcases the Grand Canyon’s kaleidoscope of colors in the sunset; the Indian Paintings Tour which takes a trip to an historical site of Native American predecessors through the Kaibab National Forest; and the Grand Canyon Safari & Rim Walk Tour which travels through the Kaibab National Forest on a 4x4 jeep before strolling along the rim of the Grand Canyon.

313 AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, Phone: 928-638-5337

6.Pink Jeep Tours Grand Canyon

Established in 1960, Pink Adventure Tours offers unique insight into the Grand Canyon on a Pink Jeep Tours Grand Canyon Tour. Tours are conducted in open-air Pink® Jeeps® and led by professional guides with unique insights and experiences which provide expert knowledge about each stop. Tour stops include the once-bustling tourist destination of centuries past known as Grandview, and a show at the IMAX which delves into the mysterious places of the Grand Canyon called Grand Canyon: Hidden Secrets. The tour includes admission fees to the park and tickets to see the IMAX movie: Grand Canyon: Hidden Secrets.

450 State Route 64 Tusayan, AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, Phone: 844-239-7465

7.Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines

Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines has been offering incredible airplane tours over the Grand Canyon for more than 90 years. Established in 1927, Scenic Airlines is one of the most experienced aerial sightseeing and tour operations in the world, having transported over 10 million more sightseers across the canyon since opening. Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines offers over 20 unique tours ranging in time from one-hour, air-only sightseeing flights, to three-day and two-night getaways at the canyon that take in some of the world’s most impressive and awe-inspiring landscapes. Scenic Airlines also offers customized tours for specific occasions such as incentive programs and company retreats.

1265 Airport Road, Boulder City, NV 89005, Phone: 800-634-6801

8.Maverick Helicopters

Experience the beauty of the Grand Canyon with a guided helicopter tour with Maverick Helicopters. Departing from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the Canyon Spirit Tour travels over the beautiful Kaibab National Forest, home to the world's largest ponderosa pine forest and over the North Rim and the eastern end of the canyon which boast some of the most spectacular views in the entire canyon. The journey continues to follow the Colorado River upstream to the point where it meets the Little Colorado River with fabulous bird's-eye views of the Painted Desert, the Desert View Watchtower, Marble Canyon and Point Imperial, crosses the Colorado River over the South Rim and the Kaibab National Forest and lands back at the Grand Canyon Airport. The tour lasts approximately 45 to 50 minutes.

107 Corsair Dr., Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, Phone: 928-638-2622

9.Grand Canyon Apache Stables

Experience the beauty of the Grand Canyon on a guided horseback trail ride with Grand Canyon Apache Stables. The company offers guided trail rides on gentle, well-trained horses and mules through the pines of the beautiful Kaibab National Forest. Guided campfire trails are also provided, which include a one-hour ride followed by a campfire in the forest with wagon riders. Other adventures available include horse-drawn wagon rides, through the woods to join the trail riders at the bonfire with all snacks and drinks self-supplied.

472 Moqui Dr, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, Phone: 928-638-2891

10.RP's Stage Stop Internet Cafe and Gift Shop

RP's Stage Stop Internet Cafe and Gift Shop is an offbeat, counter-serve Internet café and gift shop that serves specialty coffees, healthy smoothies, gourmet sandwiches and other light fare in a relaxed and laid-back setting. Located a mile from the South Rim Entrance to Grand Canyon National Park, RP's Stage Stop is part of the Red Feather Lodge, which was built as a stage stop in 1963 by "RP" Thurston, who was one of the first settlers in Tusayan. The café serves not only delicious fare and drinks, but also offers high-speed Internet access, and has a gift shop that sells Grand Canyon souvenirs and a diverse variety of original handmade Native American jewelry.

400 Arizona 64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, Phone: 928-638-3115

11.Plaza Bonita

Located in the Red Feather Lodge in the heart of Tusayan, Plaza Bonita is an authentic Mexican-American restaurant serving classic dishes and traditional margaritas in a casual, and relaxed setting. The restaurant boasts a bright décor with Native American art and furnishings, red tiled floors and colorfully painted wooden chairs. The menu features a wide variety of southwestern-inspired fare served in both a la carte lunch and buffet styles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and includes dishes such as tacos, Camarones Mexicanos, fajitas, and Chile Verde, along with make-your-own salads, and decadent desserts.

352 Arizona 64, Tusayan, AZ 86023, Phone: 928-638-8900

12.Coronado Room

Located in the Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn at the southern end of Tusayan, the Coronado Room is an upscale steakhouse that offers traditional and innovative main dishes of prime steaks, fresh seafood, and crisp salads, along with signature cocktails and fine wines. The restaurant boasts retro décor and a classic, old-fashioned steakhouse ambiance with low lighting, dark wood accents, and warm hues. The menu featured sumptuous cuisine such as homemade soup, freshly prepared salads and entrées of ocean-fresh seafood such as Chilean sea bass and smoked salmon, traditional cuts of beef and prime steaks, bison burgers, and elk medallions. A full-service bar offers local microbrew and themed cocktails, as well as fine wines from around the world.

74 AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, Phone: 928-638-2681

13.We Cook Pizza & Pasta

Located on the north side of Tusayan, We Cook Pizza and Pasta is a casual, family-friendly restaurant that serves Italian essentials such as pizza, pasta, meat dishes, and desserts. Boasting a relaxed, laid-back vibe that is perfect for family dinners, the restaurant is clean and spacious with retro-feeling décor and fast, efficient counter service. The menu features classics such as wood-fired pizza with a variety of crusts, toppings, and sauces, a well-stocked salad bar, with an array of fresh toppings, dressings, and veggies, Italian favorites like fettuccine alfredo and spaghetti, and classic American bites such as chicken wings and fried mushrooms. A good selection of local microbrews is available, along with other libations and soft drinks.

605 Arizona 64, Tusayan, AZ 86023, Phone: 928-638-2278

14.Big E Steakhouse & Saloon

Big E Steakhouse & Saloon is a Western-style steakhouse and traditional saloon that serves prime steaks and meat dishes and fresh seafood, paired with fine wines from around the world and live entertainment. Founded by Elling Halvorson in 1963, the family-friendly steakhouse specializes in prime beef and bison steaks and burgers, along with homemade pasta and vegetarian and gluten-free offerings. Big E Steakhouse & Saloon pride themselves on serving exceptional food with courteous and seamless service in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, as well as providing outstanding entertainment for the whole family.

395, AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, Phone: 928-638-0333