Decided to take our teenage kids to see the Grand Canyon via helicopter while passing through Vegas and we all loved it! This was the trip where you get to land in the canyon.
What you need to know
- helicopter seats 7 plus pilot. You can see from all seats but the 2 in the middle back aren’t great for taking photos. They will rotate who is in front on the way there and back. If the Hoover Dam is an important picture, get a front seat for the way out.
- the AC system can only cool the air by about 20 degrees so if it’s 105 outside, the best you’ll get in the helicopter is 85. That felt hot but bearable - if it’s hotter outside either schedule when it’s cooler or bring a cooling cloth.
- speaking of cooling cloths … Maverick provided them to all passengers when we landed in the canyon and they were great! Pilot even recommended dipping them in the cooler to make them cold and it was so refreshing!
- nice selection of snacks, champagne, soda, water during the ~30 min in the Canyon
- landing site also had tables with umbrellas - this was helpful and I’m not sure that all have them so worth asking
- plan to wait once you arrive, like most group tours. Our trip was a 2pm, we were “required” to be there at 1:15 (got there about 1:35), and got called to board helicopters at about 2:15. The waiting area was spacious and air conditioned and there was even a gift shop so not bad but best to know it’s coming.
- if you get motion sickness, probably not a good tour
We drove ourselves each way rather than take the shuttle so I can’t offer advice on the shuttle part of the trip other than the drivers were very nice when we were leaving.