Grand Canyon Railway Resort - Williams

The Grand Canyon Railway carries passengers from historic Williams to the South Rim aboard vintage-style train cars, trading the drive for a scenic ride through pine forest and high-desert grassland. It's a genuinely different way to arrive at the canyon, and the two reviews on file are both five stars.

What the trip is like

Reviewers describe an upbeat, welcoming crew — one rider said the staff were so consistently nice she asked her husband how they found so many friendly people in one place. In the first-class car, snacks, beverages, and a full-service bar are available for purchase; one family found themselves with the car nearly to themselves and called the trip better than expected. Another reviewer's key advice: book ahead, since walk-up tickets aren't guaranteed and driving yourself is otherwise the only way to reach the canyon from Williams.

• Departs from: Williams, AZ, arriving at Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim
• Classes of service: multiple, including first-class with bar service
• Booking: reserve in advance — reviewers warn that tickets can sell out

Worth building a Williams stop around, especially if you'd rather sit back with a drink than deal with South Rim parking. Just don't leave the booking until the last minute.