Deal: Grand Canyon Railway offers free rides and selected meals for kids

Here’s one way to avoid traffic at Grand Canyon National Park: Take the train instead. The Grand Canyon Railway sweetens the cost of a two-night stay this summer by adding free train tickets and meals for kids this summer.

The deal: The Grand Canyon Railway takes visitors on a 2-hour, 15-minute ride between the tiny town of Williams, Ariz., and Grand Canyon National Park.

With this deal, you spend two nights in the 298-room Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams and take a day’s ride to and from the park’s South Rim.

Children 2 to 15 years old, with a paying adult, receive a free ticket in a vintage Pullman class rail car, and two dinners and two breakfasts at the Grand Depot Cafe.

When: The offer is good through Sept. 5, based on availability.

Tested: I checked online and found the deal available July 2 to 4 (over Fourth of July) for two adults and two children: $727, excluding tax and a $30 entrance fee to the national park.

The price covers hotel, dinners and breakfasts and train tickets for all. The children’s train tickets are valued at $29 each. Tip: On selected days, you can ride on vintage steam-powered trains; check the website for dates.

Info: Grand Canyon Railway, (800) 843-8724

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