When, not if, you get to the Grand Canyon, I urge you to do some of the "unmaintained" trails in addition to the Bright Angel-Kaibab superhighway which most people experience. You get a different experience on trails like the Hance , Horseshoe Mesa, and Thunder River. The BA-K is, however, a good introduction to hiking for a long distance downhill at the outset, usually a rather novel experience. Just avoidstepping in the abundant pools of mule urine (I am pretty sure the pools were produced only by mules....).
