Highways US 180 from Flagstaff and AZ 64 from Williams meet at this road junction, pronounced "Valley," 28 miles south of Grand Canyon Village. The tiny community has an excellent aviation museum, a simple theme park based on the cartoon Flintstones, two motels, a campground, convenience stores, gift shops, and gas stations.
Planes of Fame Air Museum
Outstanding aircraft of the past reside in
this collection (Grand Canyon Valle Airport, on the south side of town, 928/635-1000,
www.planesoffame.org, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
daily, but may close in winter, $10 adults, $5 kids 5–11). It's part of the
Planes of Fame Air Museum based in Chino, California, so some planes rotate between
the two locations or may be on tour.
You'll see replicas of
a few famous WW I aircraft. World War II highlights include a Douglas AD-4N Skyraider
and Messerschmitt Bf 109G. Newer fighters represent the dawn of the jet age. Some
homebuilts and other light aircraft, a Link Trainer Model C-3 ("the sweat box"),
and a timeline of women in aviation round out the collection. Exhibits change as
planes rotate between here and the Chino facility.
The nearby
airport terminal has a display of antique autos and trucks, which you can see 7
a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily, free.
Flintstones Bedrock City
Fans of the cartoon series The Flintstones
may enjoy walking around this life-size town (928/635-2600,
www.bedrockaz.com, 6 a.m.–sunset daily
in summer, decreasing to 7 a.m.–sunset daily in winter, $5 ages two and up).
It has the houses of Fred and Barney and their families, businesses, dinosaur statues
(one is a kid's slide), a little ride through a "volcano," and a theater
where the cartoons play. The park is open year-round but the volcano ride and theater
don't run in winter. There's also a campground and a snack bar.