Hi, guys - in your opinion, is seeing Hoover Dam worth it? What about a boat cruise along Lake Mead? Or going to see the Grand Canyon? We're curious to get outside LV for a day just to see some of the surroundings. Is GC too far to make it worth it if we don't spend the night there? Any tour companies you would recommend? Thanks for any guidance you can give me.

Hoover Dam def. worth a close look its alos on the way to Grand Canyon GC - please don't miss going to GC if you are in Vegas it is 100% well worth the trip.

First time we did it was via small plane from local airport which flew quite low over the dam and then met by helicopter to fly into the Grand Canyon - amazing. Part of the tour was lunch and a boat ride down the Colorada River before journey back in reverse (heli/plane). It was a full day trip and in the hands of the tour operartor. But second time we went we drove from Vegas to Arizona stopping off at Hoover Dam for a couple of hours and we stayed at GC for 2 nights - the latter was the better experience as once all the tour buses leave its like having the Canyon to yourself and a few others - sunrises and sunsets wer just beautiful and the peace was priceless.

You could of course go by bus and come back in same day but I wouldn't fancy that trip much as most of the day is spent just travelling there and back.

My daughter and boyfriend just celebrated his 21st in Vegas in May this year and we bought them a heli ride to GC - there and back, it included limo transfers to airport, champagne luch on Canyon floor and night heli rtide down the strip on return journey - they said this was the highlight of their trip.

So plenty of food for thought there I hope?

It's about 5hr drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon National Park, each way.

There are tours that will take you to the western side of the Grand Canyon - either on federal or Native American lands.

In my opinion the Grand Canyon isn't one of those stop by for 1hr and check off my 'been there' list, so my answer is NO, it isn't worth trying to squeeze GCNP into a 1 day bus trip from Vegas.

The Grand Canyon is way too far for a one day trip. Personally I would fly into Las Vegas and head for the GC instead! That is what we did. I am one of those who didn't expect to like Las Vegas and found it sleazy and depressing. I can't understand why people (on your other thread) say you have to see it because it's unique.

VG: Go to Hoover Dam. It is pretty amazing and take a tour, if they are offered.

How long is your trip? A long weekend right? Then save the GC etc. for another trip. You want to go to the South Rim for your first time and a crammed day trip will not be worth it.

I first went to LV at age 40. My next trip was 12 years later. My next trip will probably be 5 or 10 years down the road. That is enough for me, but it was fun to at least see it and enjoy some good food and entertainment and hang out by the pool.

Good luck,

MY

Okay, we'll definitely put Hoover Dam on the list. Maybe GC is too far for this kind of trip, and we should save it to do another time. Maybe a future trip where we could white water raft.

I saw some dinner cruises and day cruises of Lake Mead - is that a pretty area?

Thanks for all your help!