Las Vegas is a great place to spend the holidays, and if you go, be sure to take a bus trip to the Grand Canyon. Bus tours are very affordable and they give you an amazing view of all the scenic wonders in the area.

I know it can be tough pulling yourself away from Las Vegas. But it doesn't hurt to take a break from the neon and get into nature. Taking a ride to the canyon is the perfect way to refresh yourself and get away from the city.

So how do bus tours work?

The first thing to note is that they leave once a day around 7 a.m. There are no other departure times because it takes time to reach the canyon. Although the departure time is set, you can choose a tour any day of the week because they operate daily, all year long.

Be prepared to spend some time on the bus. The ride to the South Rim lasts 5 hours and the ride to the West Rim lasts 2 1/2 hours. And of course, you spend the same length of time on your return trip. It will be evening when you get back to your hotel.

Can you make plans for a dinner and show the same day? You can if you want, but you will probably be too worn out from a day spent on the bus. Still, you shouldn't schedule anything before 9 p.m. so you'll have plenty of time.

West Rim

There are plenty of things to do and see at the West Rim. The basic tour includes a scenic bus ride to the canyon where it drops you off. Then there are others that come with side trips like a helicopter ride to the bottom of the canyon and a boat ride.

The West Rim is also home to the Grand Canyon Skywalk. This is a glass bridge that juts out past the canyon rim so you can walk out 70 feet beyond the edge. By the time you get out to the outermost point, you're standing 4,000 feet over the edge. It is an exhilarating experience.

The West Rim is actually the only place in the canyon where helicopters are allowed to fly below the rim and land on the canyon floor. That's because the West Rim is owned by the Hualapai Indians and they're the ones who granted landing permission to the tour operators.

Bus Tours To The South Rim

Considering how long the drive is to the South Rim, you'd think it would be playing second fiddle to the West Rim. South Rim tours are very popular though. I believe this is because it represents the official Grand Canyon and is home to many of the Park's most famous photos. It is definitely the rim of choice if you are mostly interested in scenic wonders.

Wrap Up

Bus tours are a fantastic add-on to a Vegas vacation. You can go to the South or West Rim from Vegas. If you go to the West, consider adding some side trips into your package. If you head to the South Rim, be sure to take a camera so you can preserve your memories. Wherever you decide to go, be sure to book your tour online. It's where you'll find the best selection and deals.