Rafting down Grand Canyon

Flagstaff sits just north of the center of Arizona, only a few hours’ drive from Phoenix. Less than an hour from the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff is covered in pine forests and is an ideal destination for hiking, skiing and other outdoor activities.

The San Francisco Peaks surround Flagstaff and attract many tourists to its hiking and biking trails; science buffs will relish the Lowell Observatory, where astronomy and the solar system are hot topics; and the Meteor Crater Visitor Center offers visitors telescopes from which to view the giant hole in the ground that spans 4,000 feet across.

Located 80 miles from the Grand Canyon and 140 miles from Phoenix, this hotel is situated on the border of the world's largest Ponderosa Pine forest. Enter the Radisson Woodlands Hotel Flagstaff and you'll experience a grand lobby, richly adorned with Italian marble and granite details, hand-carved teakwood art, and an inviting, woodburning fireplace. Outside is the world's largest Ponderosa Pine forest, home to great fishing, hunting, hiking, golf, and sightseeing. The snow-clad San Francisco Peaks attract skiers, while the volcanic craters of Sunset Crater National Monument, and age-old Native American ruins at Wupatki and Walnut Canyon National Monuments are a haven for hikers.Only slightly further is the Red Rock country of Sedona, and the striking vistas of the Painted Desert. The spectacular Grand Canyon is less than two hours from the hotel's doorstep. Standard room amenities include two phones per room, voice messaging, free high speed internet access, computer data ports, Free HBO, complimentary business center, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, and coffee and coffee maker. Upgrade for a nominal fee to Radisson?s new Sleep Number Bed Rooms, found exclusively at Radisson Hotels & Resort, allow you to adjust your mattress just the way you like, with the touch of a button. Discover your Sleep Number, right here, at the Radisson Woodlands Hotel Sleep Number Bed Guest Rooms also include, upgraded, deluxe linens, down pillows, premium down-filled comforter in an ultra-soft duvet cover, plus all of the standard-guest-room features.During crisp winter months guests can ease into our indoor whirlpool spa, where a picture window frames tall pines and blue skies. A soothing steam room, sauna and fitness center is also on premise, and the hotel is only 30 minutes away from Snowbowl for great winter skiing. In the summer, guests can bask under Flagstaff's sun by the swimming pool and whirlpool spa.

The Grand Canyon draws more than 10 million visitors a year. As one of the seven natural wonders of the world, this amazing landscape awes and inspires. A mile in depth and more than 250 miles long, the Colorado River winds through its vast corridors. Drive or ride the Grand Canyon Railway as an alternative to getting there. Park amenities include both rustic and upscale lodging. Fine dining is available at the four-star dining room of the El Tovar. Admission is around USD20 per car.

Adventurous visitors to the Grand Canyon who wish to hike down into the spectacular geological wonder can choose from two maintained South Rim hiking routes, one of which is the Bright Angel Trail. This trek is not a spur of the moment endeavor, but a trip the hiker should carefully plan out. Descending 4,000 feet, this eight-mile trip to the Canyon floor takes approximately five hours going down, and nine hours returning. Although this trail is considered the most popular and easiest of the two maintained trails on the South Rim, hikers have rated it "strenuous." This place is open sunrise to sunset.

South Rim's Grand Canyon Village is the hub of activity for canyon visitors. A variety of accommodations, from historical landmarks, quaint cabins, modern facilities or camping and hookups for RVs, are available. Museums, gift shops, restaurants, mule rides, train rides and other activities are clustered here as well. Yet, it is the spectacular canyon views that bring the visitors back each year. The Visitor Center, which was previously located here, is now across from Mather point.

The Bright Angel Lodge's food service operations include a full-service family restaurant, open for three meals daily, an ice cream fountain that also serves snacks, soft drinks and coffee and a lounge with live entertainment nightly from March-December. The restaurant serves home-style breakfasts, sandwiches, soups and salads at lunch. Beef, poultry, pork and pasta entrées are available at dinner. Furnishings are of solid woods and the decor is rustic and comfortable. Service is friendly and efficient.

At 7,406 feet, Grandview Point is one of the highest lookouts along the south rim, providing sightseers with a unique view looking down on the mountains. Due to its altitude, it receives more moisture, which in turn brings more vegetation than to other areas along the south rim. This is where Grandview Trail descends into the canyon to take hikers by the site of the old Grandview Hotel, one of the original tourist facilities in the late 1800s.