If you're planning a Vegas getaway this Memorial Day weekend, then you should consider taking a side trip to the Grand Canyon. Airplane tours are easy on your budget and they go to the South Rim or the West Rim. It's busy at the Canyon this time of year though, so you want to buy your tickets early, before they sell out.
West or South Rim? Two Fantastic Options
Las Vegas is closest to the West Rim, but you can also tour the South Rim from the town of Tusayan in Arizona. From Tusayan you can take the flight directly, or if you're in Las Vegas, you can choose to fly to the West or South.
If you fly from Vegas, you'll get some extra sightseeing on the way to the Canyon. Flights pass over the Hoover Dam and the reservoir of Lake Mead, so your adventure begins even before you get to the main attraction. If you are going to the West Rim, you'll be able to choose from landing and air only tours. Air Only tours will follow the scenic route, before heading back to Vegas. If you choose a landing tour, then there is plenty more adventure to be had.
West Rim Landing Tours
The West Rim is ideal for exploring on foot along the many scenic trails, and it is also where the Skywalk is located. The Skywalk is an amazing structure made of glass and steel that is suspended over the Canyon. It is an exhilarating experience to stand on the transparent floor 70 feet past the rim of the Canyon and peer down to the ground 4000 feet below you.
For added fun, you can add on a helicopter ride down to the bottom of the Canyon. This is a very popular tour option, and adds a lot to your trip. When you're on the Canyon floor, you can enjoy a champagne picnic or take a boat ride along the scenic Colorado River. Seeing the Canyon walls towering above you is a very memorable sight to behold and that's one reason bottom landing tours are so popular.
South Rim Airplane Tours
Whether you take the one hour flight from Las Vegas, or start your journey in Arizona, the South Rim has plenty of impressive sights to see. The plane tour from Tusayan is almost an hour long, and covers around 70% of the entire National Park. There's no other tour that will show you quite as much in one package. On this tour you will get to see the remote North Rim, as well as some of the deepest and widest areas of the Canyon. The South Rim is more remote than the West, and it receives less visitors. If you want to see true untouched natural beauty, then the South Rim tours might be the best option for you.
Dress for Summer Weather
It's hot at the Canyon by the time Memorial Day rolls around, so if you're going to take a landing tour on the West Rim, be prepared for the heat and sun. Cover your skin with sun block and lightweight clothing. Also, take some bottled water and snacks like energy bars and trail mix.
Summary
Hopefully, you're convinced to take a tour of the Canyon over the holiday. Don't forget to buy your tour early, and do it online with your credit card to lock in your seats. This gets you the lowest rate and instantly reserves your seats. Try to get your tour two weeks ahead of time, because if you wait longer than that, you may have to pay more. You'll have a lot of options and upgrades for creating a fun and exciting day at the Canyon. The Canyon is one of the most unique natural attractions on earth, and Memorial Day is an excellent time of year to visit it.
West or South Rim? Two Fantastic Options
Las Vegas is closest to the West Rim, but you can also tour the South Rim from the town of Tusayan in Arizona. From Tusayan you can take the flight directly, or if you're in Las Vegas, you can choose to fly to the West or South.
If you fly from Vegas, you'll get some extra sightseeing on the way to the Canyon. Flights pass over the Hoover Dam and the reservoir of Lake Mead, so your adventure begins even before you get to the main attraction. If you are going to the West Rim, you'll be able to choose from landing and air only tours. Air Only tours will follow the scenic route, before heading back to Vegas. If you choose a landing tour, then there is plenty more adventure to be had.
West Rim Landing Tours
The West Rim is ideal for exploring on foot along the many scenic trails, and it is also where the Skywalk is located. The Skywalk is an amazing structure made of glass and steel that is suspended over the Canyon. It is an exhilarating experience to stand on the transparent floor 70 feet past the rim of the Canyon and peer down to the ground 4000 feet below you.
For added fun, you can add on a helicopter ride down to the bottom of the Canyon. This is a very popular tour option, and adds a lot to your trip. When you're on the Canyon floor, you can enjoy a champagne picnic or take a boat ride along the scenic Colorado River. Seeing the Canyon walls towering above you is a very memorable sight to behold and that's one reason bottom landing tours are so popular.
South Rim Airplane Tours
Whether you take the one hour flight from Las Vegas, or start your journey in Arizona, the South Rim has plenty of impressive sights to see. The plane tour from Tusayan is almost an hour long, and covers around 70% of the entire National Park. There's no other tour that will show you quite as much in one package. On this tour you will get to see the remote North Rim, as well as some of the deepest and widest areas of the Canyon. The South Rim is more remote than the West, and it receives less visitors. If you want to see true untouched natural beauty, then the South Rim tours might be the best option for you.
Dress for Summer Weather
It's hot at the Canyon by the time Memorial Day rolls around, so if you're going to take a landing tour on the West Rim, be prepared for the heat and sun. Cover your skin with sun block and lightweight clothing. Also, take some bottled water and snacks like energy bars and trail mix.
Summary
Hopefully, you're convinced to take a tour of the Canyon over the holiday. Don't forget to buy your tour early, and do it online with your credit card to lock in your seats. This gets you the lowest rate and instantly reserves your seats. Try to get your tour two weeks ahead of time, because if you wait longer than that, you may have to pay more. You'll have a lot of options and upgrades for creating a fun and exciting day at the Canyon. The Canyon is one of the most unique natural attractions on earth, and Memorial Day is an excellent time of year to visit it.
About the Author:
Grand Canyon National Park professional Ione Mahler suggests these amazing National Park tours and these plane excursions from Vegas and South Rim that are specifically reduced for Memorial Day weekend break: http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/best-airplane-tours/
