There are many things you don't want to miss out on when you visit Vegas. For example, you will want to see Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. And since the Grand Canyon is so close, you wouldn't want to pass up the chance to see it either. Is it possible to see all these amazing sites in one day? I recommend helicopter tours. There are many Las Vegas helicopter tours to choose from, so you can select the perfect one for your interests and budget.

National Park air tours are the only way to go, especially when you consider how big the canyon is. For starters, the canyon is 277 miles long and comprises more than 1 million acres. Its width equals 18 miles and it is one mile deep.

The size of the Grand Canyon is impressive and it's age is truly staggering as scientists think it was created by the Colorado River two million years ago. Scientists may debate the age of the canyon, but everyone agrees that it holds awe-inspiring beauty; it is one of the most visited tourist spots on the planet and has been designated as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Each year, the canyon receives about five million visitors, the vast majority of which will view the gorge from the South Rim. For views from a higher elevation, there are those who will visit the North Rim, though it is closed during the winter. Recently, the West Rim has actually become very popular, particularly with tourists who want to experience the Skywalk.

The West Rim, officially known as Grand Canyon West, sits on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, and in these tough economic times, the increase in tourism has actually helped the reservation to thrive. The locals provide visitors with a number of unique services that bundle education, cultural entertainment and guided excursions that when taken as a whole create an unforgettable vacation experience.

West Rim helicopter tours that originate in Las Vegas are adventures full of exciting activities. These are also called landing tours because they land at the canyon and allow tourists to explore the Grand Canyon Skywalk, enjoy a champagne picnic lunch, and take a boat ride down the Colorado River.

Visitors love the Skywalk, which is a U-shape glass walkway that lets you walk out over the canyon below. Guests are not allowed to take pictures while on the Skywalk. This is simply because there is a possibility of dropping a camera, thereby causing damage to the bridge. However, when you are in the air, you can take as many pictures as you want.

There's also an aerial tour. These go over the West Rim and are shorter trips that allow guests to get an amazing view of the canyon below. Planes hold up to 17 people, are very comfortable and spacious and feature over-sized viewing windows that give you a clear shot of the terrain below. These air-only tours are unforgettable, and a great way to see the canyon for those short on time.

My final thought about canyon helicopter tours regards pricing. There are a lot of tour operators out there offering flights at rates that make no rhyme or reason. You really have to be careful so you get the best deal. My advice is understand the special you're about to purchase. A lot of times, the best deals are found online, but you have to make your reservations online to get the discount. Failing to do this often disqualifies you from getting that fantastic Internet discount.