A good friend of mine explained to me before I went to the Grand Canyon that “once you’ve seen it, you’ve seen it”. While that’s true in some sense–it’s a 10 mile gorge in the ground–it’s not true in others. While I won’t go into detail about every stop along the way, I will say that each had its merits and if you have more time available to you, spend at least a few days marinating there. You’ll thank yourself for it.

Of all of my stops of my trip, the Grand Canyon was well…the most Grand. Nothing I’ve seen in America compares to it. Here are a few of the stops you should definitely see if you’re on the South Rim:

• Mather Point – It’s the “starter” view and absolutely does not disappoint with getting you adjusted to the Grand Canyon.

• Yavapai Point and Geology Museum – For those who want to see the canyon and not be exposed to elements while learning something along the way, this is for you.

• Desert View Watchtower – Like Mather Point, it boasts a visitor center and various shops and stores along with the most interesting visual object you’ll see on the South Rim.

• Tusayan Museum and Ruin – For the geologist at heart, visit this site for a boutique museum and the opportunity to walk along the ruins of ancient people who lived on the Grand Canyon.

• Grandview Point – Careful here! To truly get a good view of Grandview Point, you’ll need to go out past the partition and out onto some of the narrower rock paths that have little to no protection if you fall. High reward to a moderate risk.

• Shoshone Point – This point isn’t marked on the Grand Canyon map, but it’s accessible via a 1-mile dirt trail just past Yaki Point. It boasts one of the most rewarding views of the Grand Canyon and a beautifully balanced rock to focus on for photo enthusiasts. It’s my second favorite view of the trip.

• Hopi Point – With its deep red rocks and views of the Colorado River, it’s a must-see for sunset.

• Hermit’s Rest – Another great place for sunset. There’s also a trail that leads off into one of the verdant, forest-like patches of the Grand Canyon.