How I did it: We celebrated my completion of grad school by going to the Grand Canyon.  We drove in from SoCal and stayed outside of the park in Tusayan because rooms there are cheaper.  It's a short drive into the park, and even in the snow that's there now, we found plenty to do along the rim. 
We also took an overnight mule ride to the bottom of the canyon, where we stayed at Phantom Ranch and rode back up the next day.  Going to the bottom is amazing, and your perspective changes with each step.  The hospitality at Phantom and the friendliness of the hikers there was overwhelming!  It was such an incredible experience (despite the soreness it caused).

Lessons & tips: Plan what you want to do in advance, and if you can help it avoid compromising - you'll have the most fun if you can do all you want in one trip!  Bring a camera, spare camera batteries and memory cards, and a tripod if you want to do any photography at sunrise/sunset/nighttime.  And remember that the GC Village and Tusayan (the town just outside the park entrance) are very small towns and are isolated - so food/entertainment selections and prices are adjusted accordingly. 
Check what the weather will be like when you're there, and dress for it.  We were there in December, and there was snow on the ground and the wind had some bite - remember that the desert isn't always desert-y feeling!
Finally, bring aspirin! :)

Resources: Mule rides are arranged through Xanterra and need to be reserved months, if not year(s) in advance.  We booked our December ride in April, but winter is their off-season. 

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Dec 17, 2009, 07:29PM PST | 4 comments | 11 cheers