In the universe of summer vacation spots, certain destinations rank as supernovas. The Grand Canyon. Niagara Falls. Old Faithful. They are the vacation destinations that define a childhood. What's magical about these spots, we've discovered, is that no matter how many times you see them in photographs, or read about them or view them on TV, they still blow you away in real life. Indeed, visiting them may well be the closest experience the modern American family has to an ancient pilgrimage. So in that spirit, we present a natural wonder your family will remember for a lifetime, the magnificent Grand Canyon located in northern Arizona. (For other classic family vacations, click on the following links: Old Faithful Geyser, Niagara Falls, the Statue of Liberty, and Mount Rushmore.)

GRAND CANYON, AZ

WHY FAMILIES LOVE IT: There's nothing else like it on earth. Teddy Roosevelt called it "one of the great sights which every American, if he can travel at all, should see." One look over the edge, and you'll see why.

BEST TIME TO GO: Visit in the spring or fall, especially if you plan to get down into the canyon. In June, July and August (high season for tourists), temperatures at the North and South Rims are in the 70s and 80s, but down in the canyon they can soar to 120. From late October to March, the North Rim is closed; the South Rim is open, discounted and beautiful, with dustings of snow on the canyon ledges.

TOURING STRATEGY: There are three main areas to explore: the South Rim, the North Rim and the inner canyon. Unless you have several days, don't try to do both rims--they're 215 driving miles apart. If you're after superb views, trails and tranquility with limited concessions, head for the more remote North Rim. Otherwise, follow the 90 percent of park visitors who choose the South Rim, which bustles with lodges, restaurants, museums, shops, concessions and a full complement of ranger programs.

INSIDER'S TIP: To avoid traffic at the South Rim, start early and purchase a prepaid park entry ticket at a vending machine near the Pizza Hut in the IMAX theater in Tusayan (follow signs off Route 64). At the gate, zip through the prepaid ticket line, then park at your hotel, the South Rim Visitor Center or the Maswik Transportation Center lot and wait for the park's shuttle bus. From the bus, you can explore all of the South Rim, historic Grand Canyon Village and the eight-mile West Rim Drive. To see the 26-mile East Rim Drive, take your own car and go early or late in the day.

BEST FAMILY HIKES: Try the crowded but spectacular West and South Rim Trails, which are mostly paved and begin at the South Rim Visitor Center (928-638-7771). To hike into the canyon, your safest route is the Bright Angel Trail, which is equipped with water, shade and rest rooms. For a more pristine hiking experience, try Hermit Trail, at the end of West Rim drive; it looks down on the impressive Hermit Rapids. We suggest hiking in the morning to avoid the intense afternoon sun.

BEST CLASSIC CANYON EXPERIENCE: Consider an overnight mule trip to historic Phantom Ranch, on the canyon floor. Cost for a one-night trip is about $360 for single person and about $640 for two people. Riders must be over 55 inches tall, under 200 pounds and have no fear of heights or large animals. Call 303-297-2757 in advance, 928-638-2631 at the park.

BEST LODGING: Inside the park, there is one lodge on the North Rim--Grand Canyon Lodge--and five options on the South Rim, ranging from cabin and motel accommodations to the El Tovar, an elegant pine-log hotel built in 1905. At the rustic Bright Angel Lodge, the giant fireplace in the History Room off the lobby is made with stones from each of the canyon's geological layers set in chronological order. For all park lodging, call 303-297-2757; you can reserve up to 23 months in advance.

BEST SOUVENIRS: Anasazi stick figurines and authentic Navajo crafts and jewelry.

MONEY-SAVING TIP: Save on lodging costs by staying in the park's gateway village of Tusayan, or in the outlying cities of Williams, Cameron or Flagstaff.

BEST SPLURGE: Take a raft trip down the Colorado River. "No other way to see the canyon does it the same justice," says onetime guide Steve Dupuis. Take kids over age 12. Some trips on motorized boats are suitable for children 8 and older; inquire when you call. Costs run on average $300 per person per day. Try Oars (800-346-6277; oar trips only), Aramark-Wilderness River Adventures (800-992-8022; oar and motorized boat trips) or visit their Web site. Reserve six months to a year in advance.

FACTS AND FIGURES:
Where it is: The northwest corner of Arizona.
Annual visitation: Roughly 5 million people.
Size: 6,000 feet deep, 10 to 18 miles wide and 277 miles long.
Claim to fame: From river to rim, it cuts through two billion years of geologic history.
Admission: $20 per vehicle for a seven-day pass.

RESOURCES:
General information: 928-638-7888.
Recommended guidebook: Frommer's Grand Canyon National Park, a pocket-size treasury of information. For others, contact the Grand Canyon Association (800-858-2808).
Web site: National Park Service: Grand Canyon.

Rani Arbo is a frequent contributor to FAMILYFUN. Steve Dupuis and Curtis Rist contributed tips to this report.

Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated July 2005.