liner80

Are there any particular shows that one should not miss besides Circ du soleil (along with Cris Angel) one shouldn't miss ? What is the best way to see the Canyon by chopper or by rafting? The rafting seems like a lot of fun. Get in via the chopper & then raft? Food? Any other suggestions?

Placename

The best way to see the Grand Canyon National Park is to drive there and hike in the canyon.

Placename

The helicopter/rafting trips are not in the Grand Canyon park, proper. They are in a western part of the Colorado River.

liner80

Thanks for the advice guys . I was reading someone's report on http://www.antelopecanyon.com/index.html . Has any one else used them? I think we need to drive ourselves out there.

liner80

I also read that it takes 6+ hours to get to the Canyon, didn't think if renting a car but then again its never too late

doug_stallings

It's a long drive to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, and those who can afford it often take a flight to save time. I don't really recommend the helicopter flight, but you can certainly drive down and back in one very long day (though an overnight would be best). It's unlikely you could organize a last-minute rafting trip of the main part of the canyon since those take several days and book up months in advance.

I'd skip Criss Angel if I were you, but if you're a fan ... well ...

There's lots of good (but much very overpriced and not very good) food in Las Vegas.

Bill_H

What is the best way to see the Canyon by chopper or by rafting?

If you have enough time rafting is great, especially the longer trips. The really short trips miss all the good whitewater (just do the lower part of the river). Flight-seeing trips are a good way to experience it as well, but not as good as rafting.

Get in via the chopper & then raft?

There are trips from Bar-X ranch where you fly to the ranch, chopper down to the river near Whitmore Wash and then raft the slower bottom section, usually 2-3 days, sometimes 4 days depending on take-out spot. These are OK, though not as good as the longer trips that start further upstream.

Also seen ads for a day-trip where you raft a short stretch near the end and then are choppered out ... sounds rushed to me (I like those 14 day 226 mile paddle boat trips myself) but you would indeed get the chance to raft and chopper the canyon.

Food?

What type? What's your budget? Anything from a Michelin 3* with French food (Joel Robuchon) to buffets to 99 cent shrimp cocktails ... here's a great site to start from, this guy Larry knows Vegas restaurants like few others and I've found his reviews to be very trustworthy and helpful: http://home.comcast.net/~lasvegasvac...rantGuide.html

liner80

Doug_Stallings & Bill_H thanks for the advice guys. I said to my husband that we have to come back to Vegas again. A bit more planning would be required of course. As far as the food goes I tried the Hash house a go go before we left, saw it on Man vs food.