What to see in United States

Grand Canyon

Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979, the Grand Canyon, in Arizona, is a deep and imposing gorge, at its widest point stretching 18 miles across, carved out by the Colorado River millions of years ago.

It is one of the most popular natural wonders in the world and is one of the essential visits on a trip along the West Coast of the United States. The canyon is thought to have been inhabited for at least 10,500 years old, an estimate generated from the evidence of early human presence found in the area.

Part of the canyon is located within the national park of the same name which was declared one of the first national parks in the country. The most popular attractions for visitors is the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass walkway that allows you to walk on the gorge on a transparent platform, giving the illusion of walking on air.

It was inaugurated in 2007 and stands at an impressive height of 1,300 meters. If you would rather get an entire overview of the otherworldly landscape and gorge, helicopter rides are a very popular way of exploring the site.

A visit to the Grand Canyon offers many other leisure activities such as rafting, which takes place between Lee's Ferry and Diamond Creek, or trekking. Some of the most spectacular viewpoints to include on a Grand Canyon tour are Mather Point, on the South Rim, Yavapai Observation Station and the architect Mary Colter’s Lookout Studio, a historic stone building and her Desert View Watchtower.

Visitors can trace the canyon's geologic history at the Trail of Time exhibition, located on the South Rim.