When visiting Grand Canyon National Park, most visitors head straight for the iconic South Rim. Yet just east of the busy Grand Canyon Village lies a stretch of road with equally jaw-dropping vistas and far fewer crowds. Desert View Drive, a 25-mile scenic route along Arizona Highway 64, is a low-key wonder that rewards those willing to wander slightly off the park's busiest paths.
The rolling hills seem endless-but drive far enough, and the landscape shifts. Suddenly, around 32 miles southwest of Marfa, the pavement ends, the ground drops away precipitously, and the gentle plains give way to craggy rocks and steep, dramatic mountains. If you keep driving, you'll descend into Pinto Canyon along the Pinto Canyon Road, one of the most stunning drives in the state of Texas.
Hacienda Restaurant offers bold Latin American flavors, including slow-cooked meats and fresh house-made salsas, emphasizing traditional Mexican and Spanish cooking.
