Are you ready to have a fun time doing something exciting and different? Well, it's time to celebrate New Year's Eve in grand fashion by taking a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon.
Helicopter flights run all year round, barring Christmas Day, so you won't have trouble seeing the Canyon on New Year's Eve, or any of the days around it. Of course, you will need to book fast, because tours are expected to be incredibly popular for the end of the year.
Booking early also allows you to have a wider selection in available tours, and when you buy your tour online, you'll get the lowest price available.
Vegas Chopper Tours
Vegas is by far the most popular place to begin an air tour of the Canyon. Because of that, the Vegas tours offer a lot of options. All the flights give you an aerial view of the Colorado River, the Hoover Dam, and Lake Mead, while some even offer a flyover of The Strip.
If you don't want to spend much time or money, then you'll probably want to book an air-only tour. These tours provide you with amazing aerial views of the Canyon, and then fly back to Vegas. The other option is to take a landing tour, and these are very popular because you get to land at the Canyon and explore on foot.
Landing tours are so popular because they provide the most adventure. Your helicopter can land on top of the rim, on the bottom of the Canyon, or do both.
At the top of the Canyon, you will have access to the public walkways and viewing platforms. For a little extra, you could purchase a ticket to the Skywalk. If you haven't heard of the Skywalk, it is a glass platform that extends 70 feet over the Canyon rim, and allows you to look down a 4000 foot drop to the bottom of the Canyon. If it sounds scary, don't worry, it's actually one of the most exciting things you could ever do, and it is well worth the price.
If you want to land on the Canyon floor, you can enjoy a Champagne picnic by the Colorado River and then take a fun boat ride along the colorful Canyon walls. This landing tour is great for couples and celebrations, and is the most popular out of the landing helicopter tours.
South Rim Helicopter Tours
South Rim helicopter tours take off from the small town of Tusayan, Arizona. If you're in Arizona, you can drive yourself to Tusayan, but if you're in Vegas, you'll need to catch a flight there. The Tusayan airport is just outside of the main gates to the National Park. Even though there are no landing tours permitted at the South Rim, you'll still find the tours there worthwhile. One of the air tours lasts 30 minutes and it flies to the North Rim and back to Tusayan. The extended tour, which I highly recommend, will do everything from the standard tour, while also taking you to the far eastern area of the Park. The longer flight lasts 50 minutes and flies over nearly 75 percent of the whole National Park.
Deluxe Tours
You can book a basic or deluxe tour. Basic helicopters follow the same routes, but they use older choppers. Although the choppers are older, they are well maintained and safe for flight at all times.
If you have extra in your budget, deluxe is the preferred option. The helicopter you will fly in has been specially built for touring the Grand Canyon. Seats are large and comfortable, and they're laid out like stadium seating, so even if you're in the second row of the cabin, you will have the perfect view. The cabins are oversized and climate controlled. Most importantly, the deluxe helicopter has a huge windshield that provides 180 degrees of unobstructed sightseeing. The newer helicopters are also quieter inside, and smoother while in flight.
Conclusion
Remember, it's cold at the Canyon this time of year, so dress accordingly. It can sometimes snow at the South Rim, so dress warm!
Touring the Canyon is a fun way to spend New Year's Eve. Remember to book your tour as soon as possible or you may get shut out. For the best chances of getting the tour you want, secure your seats with your credit card by buying your tour online at least two weeks in advance if you can. You will get the best prices, and you won't have to worry about losing your reservation.
Helicopter flights run all year round, barring Christmas Day, so you won't have trouble seeing the Canyon on New Year's Eve, or any of the days around it. Of course, you will need to book fast, because tours are expected to be incredibly popular for the end of the year.
Booking early also allows you to have a wider selection in available tours, and when you buy your tour online, you'll get the lowest price available.
Vegas Chopper Tours
Vegas is by far the most popular place to begin an air tour of the Canyon. Because of that, the Vegas tours offer a lot of options. All the flights give you an aerial view of the Colorado River, the Hoover Dam, and Lake Mead, while some even offer a flyover of The Strip.
If you don't want to spend much time or money, then you'll probably want to book an air-only tour. These tours provide you with amazing aerial views of the Canyon, and then fly back to Vegas. The other option is to take a landing tour, and these are very popular because you get to land at the Canyon and explore on foot.
Landing tours are so popular because they provide the most adventure. Your helicopter can land on top of the rim, on the bottom of the Canyon, or do both.
At the top of the Canyon, you will have access to the public walkways and viewing platforms. For a little extra, you could purchase a ticket to the Skywalk. If you haven't heard of the Skywalk, it is a glass platform that extends 70 feet over the Canyon rim, and allows you to look down a 4000 foot drop to the bottom of the Canyon. If it sounds scary, don't worry, it's actually one of the most exciting things you could ever do, and it is well worth the price.
If you want to land on the Canyon floor, you can enjoy a Champagne picnic by the Colorado River and then take a fun boat ride along the colorful Canyon walls. This landing tour is great for couples and celebrations, and is the most popular out of the landing helicopter tours.
South Rim Helicopter Tours
South Rim helicopter tours take off from the small town of Tusayan, Arizona. If you're in Arizona, you can drive yourself to Tusayan, but if you're in Vegas, you'll need to catch a flight there. The Tusayan airport is just outside of the main gates to the National Park. Even though there are no landing tours permitted at the South Rim, you'll still find the tours there worthwhile. One of the air tours lasts 30 minutes and it flies to the North Rim and back to Tusayan. The extended tour, which I highly recommend, will do everything from the standard tour, while also taking you to the far eastern area of the Park. The longer flight lasts 50 minutes and flies over nearly 75 percent of the whole National Park.
Deluxe Tours
You can book a basic or deluxe tour. Basic helicopters follow the same routes, but they use older choppers. Although the choppers are older, they are well maintained and safe for flight at all times.
If you have extra in your budget, deluxe is the preferred option. The helicopter you will fly in has been specially built for touring the Grand Canyon. Seats are large and comfortable, and they're laid out like stadium seating, so even if you're in the second row of the cabin, you will have the perfect view. The cabins are oversized and climate controlled. Most importantly, the deluxe helicopter has a huge windshield that provides 180 degrees of unobstructed sightseeing. The newer helicopters are also quieter inside, and smoother while in flight.
Conclusion
Remember, it's cold at the Canyon this time of year, so dress accordingly. It can sometimes snow at the South Rim, so dress warm!
Touring the Canyon is a fun way to spend New Year's Eve. Remember to book your tour as soon as possible or you may get shut out. For the best chances of getting the tour you want, secure your seats with your credit card by buying your tour online at least two weeks in advance if you can. You will get the best prices, and you won't have to worry about losing your reservation.
About the Author:
Grand Canyon National Park professional Beth Adams suggests readers check out this listing of the best chopper tours as well as this page which lists the most recent deals and promotions: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopter.org/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-coupons.html
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