My husband and I are arriving at Las Vegas Airport at noon (late April) and we're planning to drive to Grand Canyon OR Sedona and spend just one night. The next day maybe we'll take the Pink Jeep Tour (if we stay at Sedona) OR see the sunrise at Grand Canyon or Sedona and go back to Las Vegas. We're even considering a helicopter tour at GC OR a hot balloon tour at Sedona if we could find them at a fair price (any suggestions?)

It's our first time, we're not hikers but we appreciate nice views. I don't even know if Sedona is the best option for this short trip. Since we're arriving at afternoon, is the best option staying at GC or Sedona (or other city) for the sunset/sunrise?

I know we're running out of time and we've just booked the hotel in Las Vegas for the following days.
I really appreciate you help.

Miau 10, I took the helicopter tour of the GC and it was the worst flight ever. They just hoovered, and hoovered, and hoovered. The view sucked. I recommend keeping your feet on the ground. If you land in vegas at noon by the time you rent a car and get to the GC it will be almost sundown. Have a room booked ahead of time. Sun down and sun up is the best time for viewing. The Native Americans have an observation deck that is closer to vegas but I have not been there and I don't think they have hotels. Sedona has some nice sites but not like the GC. The GC is awe inspiring. ziggypop

Ziggypop, I appreciate your reply. I've decided indeed to get the most possible of GC on the ground and only visit Sedona if we have time on the way back to LV.
Thank you for sharing your experience!

Do go to the www.nps.gov site and navigate to Grand Canyon and see if you can get lodging for the night you arrive. If not, or if you want to upgrade take the number and keep calling back as they get cancellations all the time.

Even if you are not hikers, do walk along the rim trail from Bright Angle towards Hermit's rest and hop on the bus when you get tired. Also, try going down a little way below the rim, the perspective is different even a little way down.

You don't have time to get to Sedona. Spend the night at the Grand Canyon. Reserve online at www.xanterra.com. At this late date, they may be sold out. You can call directly--they do get cancellations. Call everyday, people do get last minute reservations in the park 928-638-2631 888-297-2757

I suggest you give further consideration to your plans. Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon (the South Rim in the National Park, that is), is perhaps a longer drive than you are thinking, and the Grand Canyon in one day with a drive back to Vegas hardly does it justice. On the other hand, if this is your only opportunity and you're up for a long drive, late arrival and just a couple of hours to say "we saw it," I wish you good weather and safe traveling.