2-Day Grand Canyon & Antelope Canyon Tour
As part of our Mother/Daughter Las Vegas trip, we also wanted to visit the Grand Canyon. I offered to rent a car and drive us around to all the sites, but my mom suggested a group tour.
We did the small-group MaxTour 2 Day Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon Tour from Las Vegas and it was well-paced, super organized, and good value for money. I typically avoid group tours because they’re A. expensive and B. can feel like being herded around like sheep, but this tour was not that!
Itinerary Summary:
Day 1: Vegas → Hoover Dam → Route 66 → Grand Canyon (South Rim)
Day 2: Lower Antelope Canyon → Horseshoe Bend → Glen Canyon → Vegas return
Day 1: Hoover Dam, Route 66, Grand Canyon
We were picked up at an ungodly hour (5:40 AM!) outside our hotel, Vdara. The 15-person van was clean and comfortable, and our guide Cash was organized but very chill.
Our first stop was the iconic Las Vegas sign. Somehow, after ~15 trips to Vegas, I’d never actually seen it in person! There was no one there and it was cool to see it FINALLY. We took turns taking pictures, then headed off for the Hoover Dam.
Hoover Dam
Our first official tour stop was at the Hoover Dam. We were the first to arrive and it was beautiful to see the massive dam in the early morning light before it was spoiled by crowds. The dam was built over five years during the Great Depression and it’s in both Nevada and Arizona — so you can stand in both states at the same time!
Oddly enough, the bathrooms were one of the most impressive parts with some stylish mint green walls and art deco gold doors.
Seligman, AZ
We made a quick stop in quirky Seligman, Arizona, the town that served as the inspiration for Cars, the movie. We browsed the Copper Cart gift shop and took photos with some famous Cars characters before driving down Route 66.
Route 66 & Williams, AZ
We drove along Historic Route 66 for a LONG time and also got out and did a lil photoshoot, creative directed by Cash.
This was followed by a break for lunch in nearby Williams, AZ, known as the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon.” We ate some solid burgers and bruschetta at Historic Brewing Company and enjoyed the small town vibes. We didn’t spend much time exploring Williams, but it had a lot going on — there’s Bearizona Wildlife Park… a park full of bears. And a train that takes you to the Grand Canyon! Fun fact: This is the Polar Express town!
Grand Canyon - South Rim
Then we loaded back into the van for the day’s main event — the GRAND CANYON! While the West Rim is closer to Las Vegas, the South Rim is considered the most scenic part of the Grand Canyon.
We stopped at the first of our three Grand Canyon South Rim spots, Yavapai Point, which had INSANE views, plus a small museum and gift shop.
Everything everyone has ever told me about the Grand Canyon is true — the scale cannot be understood through photos. You NEED to see it in person. TBH, even in person, my brain was still having trouble making sense of it. It is breathtakingly massive!
We also visited two other lookouts: Grandview Point and Moran Point. A major benefit to going with a guide was that Cash seemed to know the best photo spots and also the best times to visit places so nowhere felt crowded.
Page, AZ
We ended our day in Page, AZ for our dinner and overnight stay. Dinner was on our own, so my mom and I crushed some taco salads at Fiesta Mexicana before heading to the hotel as a group around 9pm.
We stayed at Sleep Inn & Suites and it was perfectly nice and comfortable for our brief stay. Cash had our room keys ready for us once we arrived at hotel so we could immediately pass out.
Day 2: Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend & Glen Canyon
Antelope Canyon
The next morning, we were up bright and early for our hotel’s buffet breakfast and then ON THE ROAD AGAIN at 7:30am for our 8:30am scheduled tour at the stunning Lower Antelope Canyon. This was an optional tour add-on for $80, but everyone in our group participated and it was certainly not one to miss. Read my full Lower Antelope Canyon guide here!
Only Navajo guides are allowed to give tours here, so Cash handed us off to our guide, Shoshanna. She was great at guiding us down the steep staircases into the canyon and herding us through at a reasonable pace. The canyon was formed over thousands of years from flash floods and erosion, and is now an insanely popular tourist destination!
It was really magical and we both agreed it was the highlight of our trip.
Horseshoe Bend
Next up: Horseshoe Bend, another famous attraction in northern Arizona. It’s a horseshoe-shaped bend of the Colorado River and it’s a stunning sight from above. This was probably the most crowded of the places we visited during our tour, but there was still plenty of space to explore and take pictures.
It’s about a 15 minute walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint and there is no shade anywhere, so bring water! And be mindful about what time of day you visit. There are a couple of shaded rest areas with seating along the path if you need to take a break.
I definitely want to return to the area and see everything from a kayak on the water!
After Horseshoe Bend, we grabbed lunch at Bird House in Page, AZ where I had an excellent honey butter fried chicken salad. Healthy? Questionable!
Glen Canyon
Our final stop was at Glen Canyon. We walked down some SLIPPERY stairs (use the handrail!) to a scenic overlook and then explored the nearby museum and gift shop by the dam.
After Glen Canyon, we made the long drive back to Las Vegas. Check out my Las Vegas post for ideas on what to do and see in Vegas!
MaxTour Review
While I typically avoid group tours, the tour we did with MaxTour was incredibly well organized and good value for money. The pacing was solid — the itinerary felt full but never rushed, even though we covered three states (Nevada, Arizona, and Utah) in just two days! We were never stuck in the car for that long of a stretch, minus the final drive back to Las Vegas when we were zonked anyways and didn’t care.
The group size was also perfect - there were 13 people plus our guide. We didn’t mingle much but everyone was pleasant, easy-going, and (most importantly) ON TIME.
Our guide Cash knew all the best photo spots, clean bathrooms, and times to visit to avoid crowds.
Tour Tips
What to Pack: Daypack with sunblock, hat, refillable water bottle, layers + a small overnight bag
Bring Cash: Tip your MaxTour & Antelope Canyon guides
What’s Included: Breakfast (Day 1), Hoover Dam + Grand Canyon + Horseshoe Bend entrance fees, water/ snacks
Not Included: Antelope Canyon ticket ($80), lunches/ dinners, tour guide gratuities
