Please help planning second day itinerary

Question

Hello all - of the full trip the following is the grand canyon section. I will be traveling with wife and two kids 8 and 11. I have a few questions. Can you look at the plan below and help with the questions?

Apr 15 (day 3) - drive from monument valley to Navajo Moenave dinosaur tracks and then proceed to Cameron trading post for lunch. Fill up gas since it's cheaper than the park. Grab some food to go for Grand canyon. Drive to GC east entrance. Stop at desert view and if tickets are available do the desert view watchtower. Then continue driving and stop at lipan, Moran and Grandview points. Then drive down to Hopi house I am expecting this whole trip from arrival to visiting all these places to take about 2.5 hours. So if I complete lunch around 2:00 pm, I should be done with all these by max 5:00 pm. Then drive to the visitor center (which would be closed at 4:00 pm), park and take the shuttle to Grand canyon village, wlk around the village and wait for sunset (since it's about 7:00 pm for sunset I need to find what to do for 2 hours). And then after sunset either check into hotel if I find accomodations in GC or drive to Tusayan and stay there.

I would like to find out:

1. If the plan above looks good on first day.

2. On the next day, if I stayed at GC the previous night, wake up for sunrise. If staying in Tusayan, get to GC at the earliest possible time. Can you help me plan out an itinerary for this day? Should we do Bright Angels or South Kabab trail? Which one is easy for kids and how do I fill up the day?

Answer

Your first-day plan from Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon via the east entrance looks quite solid. The stops you’ve chosen—Navajo Moenave dinosaur tracks, Cameron Trading Post, Desert View, Desert View Watchtower, Lipan, Moran, and Grandview Points—are all scenic and interesting for both adults and kids. Completing this portion between 2:00 PM (after lunch) and 5:00 PM is realistic if you stick to minimal time at each viewpoint, though you might want to keep an eye on the clock to avoid rushing.

For the evening, after parking at the Visitor Center (even if closed), you can take the shuttle or walk along the Rim Trail towards Grand Canyon Village. To fill the 2-hour gap before sunset around 7:00 PM:

Stroll the Rim Trail from the Visitor Center to Mather Point or other nearby overlooks. This trail is paved and stroller/kid-friendly.
Explore the historic buildings in Grand Canyon Village, including Hopi House and Lookout Studio.
Grab a snack or early dinner at one of the lodges’ casual dining areas or bring your packed food.
Photography: This is a great time for golden-hour shots along the rim.

Second day itinerary: If staying in the park, wake early to catch sunrise at Mather Point or Yaki Point, both of which are easy to access and offer spectacular views. If staying in Tusayan, plan to arrive at the South Rim around sunrise.

Post-sunrise activities for a family with kids (ages 8 and 11):

Bright Angel Trail: Recommended for families. The trail is well-maintained, shaded in parts, and has rest houses at 1.5 and 3 miles down. You don’t need to go all the way; even a short 1–2 mile hike down and back provides a great canyon experience.
South Kaibab Trail: Steeper and more exposed with less shade. Short hikes like to Ooh Aah Point (1.8 miles round trip) are excellent for kids and offer panoramic views without too much effort.
Combine a short morning hike with exploration of Grand Canyon Village: rim walks, historic buildings, and shuttle stops along the Hermit Road (shuttle-only) for viewpoints like Hopi, Mohave, and Pima Points.

Lunch options:

Pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the overlooks or rim benches.
Dine at one of the lodges in the village if you prefer indoor seating.

Afternoon suggestions:

Take the free shuttle to Hermit Road viewpoints for shorter walks and scenic photography.
Visit the Yavapai Geology Museum for an interactive, kid-friendly learning experience.
Consider a short visit to Kolb Studio and Lookout Studio for history and photo ops.

By late afternoon, you can return to your lodging, rest, and perhaps catch sunset from another viewpoint if desired. The combination of a short morning hike, scenic shuttles, and exploration of the village keeps the day active yet manageable for children.

Overall, your first day is busy but doable, and the second day can focus on shorter, scenic hikes and village exploration, which is perfect for your family’s ages and energy levels.

Please help planning second day itinerary

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