If you are like everyone else, you head to Vegas for fun and entertainment. The anticipation of the big win on the slots; the sparkle of neon lights against the night sky; and the numerous shows and celebrities offer visitors much from which to choose. If this is all you do while in this vacation oasis, you are missing out on the biggest thrill of all: a Grand Canyon helicopter ride.

The Vegas area gets over 250,000 visitors every year and many of them have discovered how easy it is to work in a trip to the Grand Canyon. When touring companies got on board and began offering these excursions, they were met with the long-awaited expectation of an added thrill. Just like the city itself, the best Grand Canyon helicopters are top of the line aircraft. The cabins offer comfortable climate control and other technological features that permit you to travel in the utmost comfort. To make it easy to go on one of these excursions, a tour guide will pick you up from your hotel, so transportation to and from the helicopter is included.

There are a few rules that must be followed. There is a limit of six passengers per tour and you are not allowed to take drinks or food on the helicopter. There are several tours to choose from so you are sure to find one that pleases everyone in your group.

The basic tour is an aerial one. Up in the air, you will have a chance to see Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam and Grand Cliffs Wash. The best Grand Canyon helicopters will take you over plenty of breathtaking scenery, so you'll want to take a camera along. If you want, you could drive three hours from Vegas to the Grand Canyon, but then you would miss some spectacular vistas that can only be enjoyed from a helicopter.

Do you want to set foot on the canyon and experience it in person? Then land on the bottom. The descent is nearly a mile and you'll see some of the oldest exposed rock on the planet. The best Grand Canyon helicopters offer perks such as a champagne picnic or a leisurely boat ride along the Colorado River with an experienced Indian guide at the helm.

You could also choose a tour that lands at the top of the canyon on the West Rim. That's where the Skywalk is located where you can walk over the edge of the canyon. This glass bottom walkway is suspended out over the canyon for more than 70 feet. A look down will allow you to ponder the 4,000-foot drop to the canyon floor. The Skywalk was designed to be perfectly safe, but if you have a fear of heights, you may find the experience a little terrifying. The Skywalk was made to be safe, but even so, it is an experience for thrill seekers with no fear of heights.

There are any other number of attractions that can be taken in while you visit the West Rim. The Indian Cultural Center, for instance, offers a look into the world of the Hualapai, the Indian tribe that owns Grand Canyon West. You can also enjoy a visit to an Old West town complete with gun dueling cowboys, or maybe you would like to watch authentic Native American performances at the amphitheater.

The ride back to Las Vegas will offer even more majestic views, and will signal the end of an exciting experience you will long remember. So the next time you visit Vegas, don't forget to reserve your spot on a thrilling Grand Canyon helicopter tour.