Take a ride aboard the Grand Canyon Railway for a fun family vacation

May 19, 10:44 AMEarly Childhood Parenting ExaminerAngele Sionna

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The Grand Canyon is a place everyone should visit at least once to really appreciate the beauty and wonder that is Planet Earth. There are several visitor points of interest, but the most famous is the South Rim, with several hotels, restaurants, gift shops, and activity centers, not to mention gorgeous views and famous trails. You can drive in for $25 per private vehicle or if you enter by bus, foot, motorcycle, bike, etc., it's $12 per person.

An alternative, relaxing, albeit longer, trip to the Grand Canyon is on the Grand Canyon Railway. It departs Williams, Arizona for the Grand Canyon daily. My three year old, 1.5 year old, my husband and myself just hopped aboard the train for the trip to the Grand Canyon last month and had a blast.

Grand Canyon Railway is an easy and relaxing way to cross Northern Arizona's high desert without worrying about traffic or waiting in long lines to enter the park, which does happen in the summer. It's a little long for the kiddos at 2.25 hours each way, plus about four hours free time in the park, but decent for adults. They jazz up the ride back with a cheesy old-west "train robbery" that kids find a hoot.

This trip we rode first class, which is the way to go, especially if you have a tall person in your party like I do (my husband is 6'4"). First class includes comfortable bench-style seats that face each other with a table in between for playing card games or for kids to sit and draw at, etc. You also get morning and afternoon snacks and beverages included in the ticket cost. Plus your car attendant comes around and offers personalized advice on things you may want to see on your trip to the canyon.

A money saving option is to ride coach class. Or if money is no object and you're not traveling with children under 12, you should opt for either the Observation Dome or Luxury Parlor Class cars. Dome class offers panoramic views. The parlor class cars have comfortable couch-like chairs plus access to an open-air rear platform. Both include all the amenities that the first class offers. Children under 12 are not allowed in either of these luxury cars.

The Grand Canyon Railway has updated its train cars. If you've previously ridden coach, you'll notice this right away. All cars are air conditioned. That's a big plus because in the summer the cars with no a/c were way too hot in the summer.

The Grand Canyon Railway also offers packages including hotel either in Williams or the Grand Canyon. For more info on these packages or the Grand Canyon Railway itself, visit thetrain.com.

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