If you'll be spending Christmas vacation in Vegas, you should take a bus tour of the Grand Canyon while you're there.

The great thing about starting from Las Vegas is that you have choices. For starters, you can choose to go to the West or South Rim, but you have to choose because you can't go to both on the same tour.

Here's a little more information about the two rims.

The West Rim is closest to Las Vegas. It's 120 miles to the east and requires riding the bus for 2.5 hours.

The South Rim, which is 270 miles away, translates into a 5.5-hour bus tour.

Distance is not the only difference between the rims, the activities on offer are different too. The West Rim is packed with adventure and is the place to go if you're looking for excitement, while the South Rim is where you want to go to feast your eyes on scenes of natural beauty.

More specifically, it's at the West Rim where you can take a helicopter ride to the bottom and a boat ride down the Colorado River. You could also walk on the world's largest glass cantilevered bridge if you're brave enough. You will want to visit the best lookout points too and you can get to those on the free shuttles provided.

Some of the best lookouts in the canyon are located at the South Rim. You will see some awesome scenic vistas there. A lot of the coach tours to the South Rim go right inside the park and take you to some of the best viewing areas. The other thing you can do is add a South Rim helicopter ride into the mix, which is something I strongly urge you to consider.

Unlike air tours (e.g. helicopter and airplane rides), bus tours offer the traveler plenty of availability. But don't let that lull you into a sense of complacency. Coach tours should always be booked at least three days in advance so you don't get shut out. There will be plenty of tours on offer over the holidays, but the buses do not run on December 25th, which is Christmas Day.

One thing that travelers really like about these coach trips is that they are all-inclusive. You don't have to worry about last minute added fees like paying to get into the park. What you pay when you book your seats is the final price. There are no other charges. Trips also include a guide, lunch and drinks. Bus tours offer a lot of value for what you pay.

Do expect to spend an entire day on these adventures. If you go West Rim, you'll be back on the Vegas Strip after 8 p.m. and if you go to the South Rim expect to return after 9 p.m. Although it makes for a long day, the motor coaches used for these tours are very comfortable. Lastly, avoid making plans for evening before 10 p.m.

To Conclude

The Christmas holiday is a perfect time to take a bus tour of the Grand Canyon. First, choose between the West and South Rim. Next think about the fun side adventures you want to add on. Then get ready for one of the greatest road trips you'll ever experience.