STAY: Yavapai Lodge just had a facelift. The newly remodeled main lodge, now managed by Delaware North parks and resorts, got a mid-century modern ski lodge-like upgrade—picture roaring fireplaces and cozy common areas—while the sleeping quarters keep the rustic charm of the original motel-style lodgings. What hasn’t changed is its primo location. Surrounded by juniper trees and piñons, the South Rim mainstay is only a mile walk from the canyon’s South Rim.

EAT: Yavapai Tavern has the best burger selection this side of… well, the Grand Canyon. Burgers are stacked high with basics and fancy fixins. Even the flavor combos that make you go hmmm (a patty with peanut butter, marinated carrots, jalapeno, bacon and grilled pickles?) will have you sighing in delicious delight. Oh, and their Brisket Mac & Cheese is epic too!

DO: One of the joys of the Grand Canyon is the countless ways to see its majesty. Yes, standing at any of the lookouts and gazing down is a given, but hiking to the bottom and looking up is just as spectacular (try Bright Angel Trail, an 8-mile decent). Or climb to the top of Desert View Watchtower on the South Rim, a Mary Jane Colter-designed historic landmark constructed in 1932. The extra 70-feet adds a vertigo-like vantage point to the abyss below. The Pink Jeep Tour is touristy, but the guides are masters of fun facts that add more color and context to the Canyon’s many layers. Save the best for last: Get a bird’s eye view of the Canyon via helicopter, an absolute must that’s better than any roller coaster in the world.