Have you been to Niagara Falls or Grand Canyon?

[Lovely2CU]

I'd love to see them both one day, not for a while though as no trips planned, but if you've seen them, did you prefer one over the other, or are they both awesome in their own right?

My SIL recently saw the GC, from a helicopter and from the river in some type of boat, and she didn't rave about it like I thought she would.

 

[Danauk]

I've been to the Grand Canyon 3 times (not bad for someone from England!) We went to a different place each time, twice was via helicopter from Vegas (once to the sky bridge and we did the boat thing), the other time we drove out to a different rim. I have to say that all 3 trips were amazing. The sights were awsome and the tourist museum bits we saw were also very good.
DH has also been to Niagra Falls, he said that was amazing too (especially the Maid of the Mist.) However he said that he prefers the Grand Canyon as overall there is more to do there.

 

[mrspaha]

I've been to both -- as a child and then as an adult taking my kids. I think Niagra Falls is more fascinating, since it's just so powerful. As a child, I remember thinking that the falls were eventually going to dry up; then as an adult I was thinking it's 30 some years later, and it's going as strong as ever. We did one of those touristy things where you walk you're near the bottom and you're almost walking alongside the falls -- it was awesome.

My kids were impressed with both, but when we were driving from Flagstaff south towards Phoenix, they were more impressed with the mountains south of Flagstaff; I think it's called Sedonia.

 

[JoanGirardi]

I've been to both, and to me the Grand Canyon was much more impressive. That could be because I've been to the Falls more times because I live near there now, but I remember the Grand Canyon and the whole surrounding area to just be breathtaking. Niagara Falls is very impressive, and certainly worth the trip, but if I had to choose one I'd go with the Grand Canyon.

 

[eduk8r26]

I've been to both. They are both awesome in their own right. You can't compare them. Another place I thought was incredible was Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado. As amazing as Grand Canyon. Bryce Canyon in Utah is also an amazing place.

 

[Inigo]

To me, Niagara Falls is a one time trip. The Grand Canyon has so much more to offer, and is so vast that it takes multiple trips to explore everything.

Of course, I'm not the type of person who does the touristy-schlock stuff.

And for the person above who recommended Bryce, I definitely agree. I want to retire to St. George, UT, so I can go to Bryce on a frequent basis. It's beautiful!

 

[nikkistevej]

Been to both- they are both awesome in their own way. Like someone else said- you can't compare them. DH and I have been, but we want to take our DD too.

 

[Amy]

I've been to both, and I can't honestly say that I prefer one over the other because they're so different. I'd love a return visit to each, but at diff. times of the year. We just went to Niagara Falls this summer, and it was awesome! If you go, be sure to stay on the Canadian side. The views are better. Of course, that's also where all the "touristy-schlock stuff" is, as Inigo mentioned. But that's kind of fun in it's own way. I'd love to return to Niagara Falls in the winter when the mist from the falls freezes on everything and it sparkles. They have a winter festival of lights, too, that I'd love to see.

The Grand Canyon is just amazing - you see pictures, but they don't prepare you for seeing it in person. The vastness of it, knowing that it took millions of years to form - truly awe inspiring. It's another one of those places that I'd love to see during diff. times of the year - we were there in July and visited the South Rim only, and I'd love to go back in the spring to see the wild flowers. And I've heard that the North Rim is completely different from the South Rim - there's even one type of squirrel that is ONLY found on the North Rim, nowhere else in the world.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, I have been to the Grand Canyon.

(I can NOT imagine not being impressed with a helicopter tour... Wow???????)

The other poster is right...
Stay just South of Flagstaff at Sedona.
OMG gorgeous - Red Rock Country.

Pink Jeep Tour is a MUST... do the most popular one - I can't remember the name - maybe DiamondBack.... Their slogan is very true, taken from countless recommendations 'Ya GOTTA do it!'

This area of the American Great Southwest was on my to-do list.
Way ahead of Niagara Falls..
I can highly recommend it.

NOTE: The Grand Canyon is not just a 'drive thru one afternoon' and you've seen it thing. in the height of the day is the least impressive viewing. We went from Sedona, and sat and watched the sunset from Yavapai Point. Now this is when you really experience the Grand Canyon. Awe inspiring!

My son LOVED it.

He is only 11, and has said that he would like to get married overlooking the Grand Canyon one day.
If it is still true, I read somewhere that one can actually rent a small point/overlook for this type of thing.
I can just envision a pre-sunset ceremony.

I might even consider returning to this area before seeing Niagara.

 

[MM27]

I did a tour one summer of the Parks of the Southwest. We started in Las Vegas and visited Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and Grand Canyon. We stayed in cabins at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and one of our excursions was rafting on the Colorado River. It was a really fun trip, but we spent a lot of time on the tourbus between parks. It was painful at times because I hate sitting still for so long.

 

[HelenePA]

Niagara Falls twice or maybe three times. Never been out west.. I'd love to some day but right now that's not in the cards!