Perched on the rim, Grand Canyon’s town site is a registered National Historic Landmark District, with 257 contributing structures. Buildings designed by architect Mary Colter, historic Craftsman-style offices and residences, log cabins, and Santa Fe Railway structures are all linked by the Village Loop Road, but the best way to explore is on foot. A self-guided walking tour map is available at the transportation desks in Bright Angel Lodge, El Tovar, and Maswik Lodge.

You can begin the walking tour anywhere, but for Grand Canyon’s early visitors, the launching point was the Grand Canyon Depot, completed in 1909. At the time, well-heeled Easterners arrived by Pullman car, having enjoyed elegant meals prepared by the Fred Harvey Company.

The depot echoes the log-cabin styling of El Tovar, the Santa Fe Railway’s flagship hotel. Details include custom copper and wrought iron hardware. Train service ceased in 1968, and two decades passed before trains once again whistled their way into and out of Grand Canyon Village.