The hardest part about taking a Grand Canyon tour is deciding to check out the South Rim or the West Rim. Both are fantastic places. So, in an effort to break this tie, I am going to do a brief rim-by-rim evaluation that will ensure you're paired with the spot that's best for you.

Are you interested in activities or scenery?

The West Rim excels in fun-based activities. It's the only place where one can ride a heli 4,000 feet to the base. Then, if you're so inclined, you can walk upstream and river raft the Colorado River.

The internationally famous Grand Canyon Skywalk is here. This attraction is a superbly engineered glass walkway that lets you walk 70 feet beyond the edge as it lifts you 4,000 feet above the river. Don't look down if you are susceptible to vertigo.

More exotic things to do here include a helicopter flight to a ranch, ATV trail rides, Hummer 4x4 adventures, and horseback riding. One of my favorite things to do at Grand Canyon West is the Hoover Dam one-day, smooth-water float trip to Willow Beach.

The South Rim is tame compared to the West Rim. What it does not have in "thrills" it makes up in natural splendor. This is the section of the National Park that even the rangers allude to as the "real" canyon.

There are no helicopter flights to the base at the South Rim. If you want to get to the base, you have to walk. That said, the air tours here are exceptional. The heli ride from Grand Canyon Airport goes straight into the heart of the Dragoon Corridor, the broadest, deepest section of the Canyon, while airplane trips cover the South, East, and North rims.

There's also the amazing 1-day Grand Canyon water-rafting journey that operates from April to November. Options include taking a bus or plane to Page, AZ, and then changing to a water raft. This is a smooth-water trip so there is no whitewater. Children ages four years and older are welcome.

The trails at South Rim are amazing. South Kaibab, Rim Top, and Bright Angel trails are the most in demand. For lookouts, go to Hopi Point, Mather Point and Yaki Point. Most excursions include guided tours to these points of interest.

Where are you coming from?

Grand Canyon West is only 120 miles from Vegas. Choppers, airplanes, and coaches can make the trip in 45 minutes, 25 minutes, and 2.5 hours, respectively. Grand Canyon National Park is too far for Vegas choppers. Your only alternatives are the airplane or the tour bus.

I highly advise taking the 45-minute airplane ride from Las Vegas to the National Park. It's fast, comfortable, and one of the very best deals on the market. The coach is incredibly economical, but one-way drive time is 5.5 hours and total tour time is a whopping 15 hours.

Phoenix and Sedona tourists can drive to the South Rim in 4 hours and 2 hours, respectively. There are bus, plane, and heli trips from those locations but it's far more affordable to drive and do an air tour from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan.

How much time to you have?

Grand Canyon West tours from Las Vegas are perfect day trips. The longest tour is 1 day. Air-only tours are around 4 hours, and that includes hotel pick up and drop off. The Ground Canyon South Rim car takes 15 hours minimum, which is why I advocate for the plane trip considering the fact that it will have you back on The Strip in time for your evening reservations. Trips that begin in Northern Arizona are full-day trips. I often tell folks to reserve a room inside the park and stay overnight. Easier said than done because National Park accommodations are generally reserved a year in ahead of time.

How much can you spend?

South Rim and West Rim bus excursions are the most affordable and include lots of add-ons like river rafting, Skywalk passes and heli rides. Air tours are more expensive, but you also see more canyon in less time. I calculate that what you see on a half-hour heli flight is equal to a couple of days on the ground. Plus the aerial views are outstanding.

Let's see the canyon!

Grand Canyon tours are packed with action and beauty. The two best areas are Grand Canyon West and the West Rim. The challenge is which rim to visit. If you are beginning from Las Vegas, the West Rim is your closest option. However, if your heart is set on Grand Canyon National Park, take the 45-minute airplane flight. I recommend doing the National Park for travelers starting out from Phoenix and Sedona. The key to being sure you get the holiday of your dreams is too book ahead of time and on the Internet. Adhere to this system and you'll get your Grand Canyon trip at a decent price.