Grand Canyon Visitor Center Imax
Grand Canyon Visitor Center Imax
4
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
Located at the South Rim entrance of the Grand Canyon, the Visitor Center provides news, travel information about Grand Canyon attractions, hotels, a variety of selected Grand Canyon tours and Park passes. Visitors can take part in interactive exhibits to learn about the Grand Canyon, watch our famous award winning IMAX movie and talk to local area representatives. Inside the center guests can also enjoy a meal at our Explorer’s Cafe dining area which includes Pizza Hut, fresh deli sandwiches and other items or take their time to browse through our Grand Canyon merchandise store.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travelers are saying
- John DLayton, Utah12 contributionsGreat film of the history of the Grand Canyon.The visitors center had a large wall full of photos, facts, dates, maps, etc. explaining key events regarding the history of the Grand Canyon. The 37-minute film kept our attention and was very well done.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 20, 2024
- Chris DEast Longmeadow, Massachusetts18 contributionsNice stop & IMAX film. But tix online for 20% offNice spot. Clean and two food options plus restrooms. Nice gift store & also we did the IMAX film - you can get tickets online for 20% off. Note: they also have a 55+ discount. Film was pretty good.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 1, 2024
- openroad1014 contributionsGreat IMAX ExperienceSuch a fun experience! The gift shop is nice, the IMAX movie is interesting and fun. There’s a discount for tickets if you buy tickets online. I’m glad we did this before we entered the park! It made the day a lot of fun.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 18, 2024
- Jeff R6 contributionsNice hiking breakThis was a good break from hiking but not as informative as I had hoped. The IMAX movie was ok (not the standard I’d expect for IMAX). I liked the historic photos on the wall when you walked out of the movie. As for “visitor center”, there wasn’t much. I did appreciate the options that suggested what to do at the canyon if you had a few hours, a half day , etc -but these were scan codes on a board. I could get the same info in a google/you tube search. There wasn’t a staffed information desk. Just a person booking jeep tours and a person selling IMAX tickets (who clearly didn’t want to chat with visitors). The souvenir shop had some neat and unique items I didn’t see anywhere else, but their prices were as much as the shops in the actual park. I don’t regret going and it was a good midday break from hiking but I would say it is a “if you have time” or “need a break” suggestion - not a “must see”. Skipping this place will not cause you to miss out on anything.Visited October 2024Traveled with familyWritten October 19, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
925 reviews
Excellent
373
Very good
311
Average
160
Poor
65
Terrible
16
Bruce B
Ash Fork, AZ55 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We live near Williams AZ and so are locals to the Grand Canyon. We had been considering driving to the Tempe AZ Mills IMAX theater to see Oppenheimer as a number of newspaper articles said it was the only place in AZ with large format IMAX. We happened to luck upon the GC IMAX website; we know the theater is there of
course but had no idea they started showing Hollywood feature films in May! Neither did any one else we know in Williams of Flagstaff. We bought tickets to a Wednesday night showing (a bit frustrating as it turns out their system
didn't accept MC debit cards) and saw this very much in demand movie with a grand total of about 30 people...with almost 500 capacity it was pretty easy to get a good seat!!! We'll be checking the website a lot more often. Only thing is they schedule these movies late in the evening after the standard GC movie, so 7:30 PM for a 3 hour movie was not convenient and few people
would be willing to make the hour drive both ways. I'd bet running an afternoon show might draw a crowd.
course but had no idea they started showing Hollywood feature films in May! Neither did any one else we know in Williams of Flagstaff. We bought tickets to a Wednesday night showing (a bit frustrating as it turns out their system
didn't accept MC debit cards) and saw this very much in demand movie with a grand total of about 30 people...with almost 500 capacity it was pretty easy to get a good seat!!! We'll be checking the website a lot more often. Only thing is they schedule these movies late in the evening after the standard GC movie, so 7:30 PM for a 3 hour movie was not convenient and few people
would be willing to make the hour drive both ways. I'd bet running an afternoon show might draw a crowd.
Written July 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane N
19 contributions
Apr 2022
We didn't try the ice cream or the Pizza Hut. The movie was fine...that's it. It's IMAX so it looks great, but most of the 'movie' is historical reenactment, not a nature doc. It's imagining original native americans hundreds of years ago, spanish explorers and then old west explorers mixed in with scenic shots. Not a 'must see', but a decent way to kill time if you need a break.
Written April 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Drlaura229
Cheverly, MD79 contributions
Dec 2021
The movie was a reenactment of the first navigation by Europeans down the Colorado and they actually ran the river in similar boats that were used. It was filmed in the 80's but was worth the history lesson and the action. The food was excellent soup in a sourdough bowl and the salads were very fresh with a variety of field greens. We had dinner there the following night.
Written January 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NHmember
Contoocook, NH67 contributions
May 2022 • Family
Not impressed. I guess I expected a NPS visitor center. This was a large gift shop with info desks where you could book jeep tours, helicopter tours, etc. there is a kiosk where you can buy your NPS entrance ticket. There was an iMax movie that I think was $12
Written May 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George V
1 contribution
Jul 2023
the prior version "Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets" is more informative to GC than the newer one "Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time". The prior one focus on the GC as a whole and the newer the focus is more on the rafters. Please include the content or show the prior version also,
Written July 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colleen C
Troy, NY2,543 contributions
Apr 2021
The great thing about this Visitor center is it's way outside of the park and can get info and souvenirs with out having to pay to go into the park. They also is a small museum here as well as a café area.
The only thing is it doesn't open until 9AM~ I feel like not just us but many people want to get up EARLY and get into the park before the hot sun is beating over head. We as well as 3 other families/couple all pulled into the parking lot around 8:30ish and we were all in awe that it wasn't open yet and no one wanted to wait around. So thankfully at the entrance they handed out maps to help us navigate through the HUGE Grand Canyon.
The only thing is it doesn't open until 9AM~ I feel like not just us but many people want to get up EARLY and get into the park before the hot sun is beating over head. We as well as 3 other families/couple all pulled into the parking lot around 8:30ish and we were all in awe that it wasn't open yet and no one wanted to wait around. So thankfully at the entrance they handed out maps to help us navigate through the HUGE Grand Canyon.
Written April 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm so glad you stopped but apologize for the hours. We as with many other business during the Covid issue have had to limit the hours, we simply do not have enough employees to operate our normal 8am to 10pm. We expect to be back to full hours in the Spring 2022. Thanks again,
Marty
Written October 7, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ed W
Cincinnati, OH6 contributions
Jun 2022
Great starting point for the Grand Canyon experience. I was pleasantly surprised you can buy the year-long National Parks pass there, both at a Kiosk or at the movie ticket desk. Awesome to use the pass to go through the pre-paid line at the gate. (can buy Grand Canyon only pass there as well).
Everyone there was very helpful with tips or ideas on how to experience the Grand Canyon. We did our research before the trip, but was nice to have one place to go and finalize our options before going into the park.
One tip - there are more and cheaper souvenirs other than this location.
Everyone there was very helpful with tips or ideas on how to experience the Grand Canyon. We did our research before the trip, but was nice to have one place to go and finalize our options before going into the park.
One tip - there are more and cheaper souvenirs other than this location.
Written June 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele739
North Augusta, SC1,897 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
IMAX was a great taste of going to see the Grand Canyon! Tickets are free if you go on the Pink Jeep and Hotels offer a buy one get one ticket free.
The IMAX movies was also a great history lesson. Visitor center offers Pink Jeep tours and who to call for airplane or helicopter rides as well as park tickets.
Great start to visit the canyon!
The IMAX movies was also a great history lesson. Visitor center offers Pink Jeep tours and who to call for airplane or helicopter rides as well as park tickets.
Great start to visit the canyon!
Written October 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MayfieldParrish
Denver, CO1,095 contributions
Jun 2020
We stopped by on our way out of the park and we were appalled at the prices for ordinary souvenirs. It is fine to charge a slight premium given your location. However, we saw prices at $8 for a simple magnet and almost $40 for a T-shirt. Oddly enough, the shops that are in the Grand Canyon are 1/2 the prices.
Written June 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by, a while back we did away with the majority of the cheap tzatziki type "gift shop" and focused on better quality items, Magnets are still $3-4, Post Cards, T-Shirts start at $12 for souvenir type on up to the hand spun cotton comfort. We have hand made Kachina's and Native Art, Handblown glass, Pendleton Blankets, Columbia and Kuhl Clothing and even Stetson Cowboy hats. So I'm not sure you were in the same place that I come everyday to work but gouging we are not. Thanks again,
Marty
Written July 30, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Curt and Susan S
3 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
A beautiful theater, a fun quiz at the beginning that keeps you occupied while waiting. The movie tells a story of the Grand Canyon while viewing amazing beauty and adventure. A must see!! Glad we finally did it, and saw it again the next week with more friends.
Written December 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shuttle busses? Do they work in this time of year?( for us in february 2020)?
Written January 19, 2020
Can you catch one of the free shuttles into the park from here?
Written April 28, 2018
Your best bet is to get your Canyon park pass from there then ask where to go for the bus. Even if you don't get your pass from there, ask at the park desk inside. They were very helpful.
Written April 29, 2018
I really meant to give this an excellent rating so will correct my error
Written April 19, 2018
Saw fast food service however we did not eat at the center.
Written April 20, 2018
jn0tes
Gladbrook, Iowa
We were there in July. Absolutely breathtaking! While we were there, before the seeing the movie, we visited the gift shop. My granddaughter got a beautiful coonskin cap. Loved it, but in our travels after we left there, it has disappeared. Would like to get her another one from there. Could you help me get in contact w/someone to maybe have another one sent to me for her. It was a beautiful one and she has been devastated. Thank you.
Written August 12, 2016
I'm so sorry that she lost it, give me a call on Saturday 8/13 928-890-7639 and we can help you out.
Marty
Written August 12, 2016
I would like to know how is the lunch there. Is it good?
Written March 26, 2015
Within the National Geographic Visitors Center and IMAX we have several choices for both lunch and dinner. We feature a Pizza Hut Express with both Personal Pan Pizza and Medium 12" Pizza as well as breadsticks. We also serve a full selection of Sandwiches, Salads and we've created our signature Rice Bowl with Teriyaki Beef, Spicy Chicken and Sweet and Sour Pork. We make everything in house, nothing prepackaged except for a few snack items and new menu items are added frequently and is subject to change. We hope you will stop in and see us.
Written March 26, 2015
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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