Grand Canyon Visitor Center Tours and Activities
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The National Geographic Visitor Center is both a gateway to the Grand Canyon and a destination in its own right. Conveniently located near the South Rim entrance, the center makes a logical first stop at Arizona’s iconic landmark. Visit the center for guidance on your trip, and to experience its IMAX Theater, cafe, and exhibits.
The Basics
Between the visitor center’s IMAX Theater experience and its many interactive exhibits, you could spend all day at the Grand Canyon without ever leaving the visitor center. But, when you are ready to explore the canyon itself, take advantage of the resources at the National Geographic Visitor Center to plan a self-guided trip or join a guided tour of the canyon.
You can opt for a Jeep tour that starts out with an IMAX movie before heading to the East Rim of the canyon. Or, if you are visiting the canyon from Las Vegas, book a bus tour that includes a stop at the National Geographic Visitor Center and the chance to watch the IMAX movie before you enter the park.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The National Geographic Visitor Center is great for anyone who wants to learn about the history, geology, and culture of the area.
- The on-site Explorers Cafe serves pizza, rice bowls, sandwiches, and more.
- Purchase your park pass at the visitor center and skip the park entrance line.
- The National Geographic Store sells souvenirs and essentials for your trip.
- The visitor center and IMAX Theater are wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
The visitor center is less than 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the park’s South Rim entrance on State Route 64. The center can be reached by car, bus, or on a tour from Las Vegas, Phoenix, or Flagstaff. The nearby Grand Canyon National Park Airport is serviced by private and charter flights and is where many flightseeing tours land.
When to Get There
The National Geographic Visitor Center is open year-round with reduced winter hours. From March through October it is open early morning to late evening and November through February it has somewhat reduced hours. The IMAX movie showtimes also vary by season, playing every hour from 8:30am to 8:30pm in summer and 9:30am to 6:30pm in winter.
The IMAX Theater at the National Geographic Visitor Center
The 6-story-high screen and 12,000 watts of surround sound at the IMAX Theater brings to life the majesty of the Grand Canyon on screen. The 34-minute “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” takes viewers through the experiences of early explorers, the canyon’s history and evolution, and reveals larger-than-life visuals via IMAX technology. The theater seats nearly 500, and the film plays every hour on the half hour.
Address: 450 Arizona 64, Tusayan, AZ, USA
Admission Tickets (1)
Grand Canyon IMAX Movie
30
Want to know what it feels like to fly over the Grand Canyon? Visit the Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center’s IMAX Theater and watch the movie “Grand Canyon: The Movie.” Fly like an eagle over the rim and swoop into the depths of the canyons. Take a whitewater rafting trip down the raging Colorado River. Experience the history of the Grand Canyon and enjoy the incredible scenery, all in front of a six-story movie screen with 12,000 watts of digital surround sound power. Upgrade your ticket to include an on-site meal and drink.
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From
$13.59
From
$13.59
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
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Grand Canyon IMAX Movie
30
Want to know what it feels like to fly over the Grand Canyon? Visit the Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center’s IMAX Theater and watch the movie “Grand Canyon: The Movie.” Fly like an eagle over the rim and swoop into the depths of the canyons. Take a whitewater rafting trip down the raging Colorado River. Experience the history of the Grand Canyon and enjoy the incredible scenery, all in front of a six-story movie screen with 12,000 watts of digital surround sound power. Upgrade your ticket to include an on-site meal and drink.
…More
From
$13.59
From
$13.59
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More