After having traveled to Las Vegas a half a dozen times in the past couple years, on this current trip I was looking for something more than sparkling lights, feathered girls and dancing water fountains. Plus, it was my birthday, which absolutely warranted a unique adventure. And that was exactly what I found. The complete bonus was that the chosen celebratory venture would also knock two items off my bucket list, seeing the Grand Canyon and taking a helicopter ride. Plus, it would be a great addition to my list of the top things to do before you die.
A bucket list twofer was about to happen.
After a very late pre-birthday evening experiencing the Rose. Rabbit. Lie. show in Sin City, my husband, our good friend and myself woke up early to prepare ourselves for the main event of the day.
Preparation included mimosas, truffle fries and a few games of Three Card Poker.
In the early afternoon Sundance Helicopters was scheduled to pick the three of us up at our hotel, The Cosmopolitan. In a sea of black limousines, they showed up with a shiny grey stretch limo to whisk us away to the helicopter airport.
Limousines should be a requirement for all birthday ground transportation.
We arrived and were assigned to a helicopter and pilot. There were five passengers inside of our helicopter who would be taking the 45 minute ride to the Grand Canyon.
We strapped ourselves in, put on our headphones and started the journey to what is known as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
The ride produced a constant vibration, like getting a chair massage. Bonus.
We moved at what seemed like a snails pace though we were going well over a hundred miles per hour. Somehow, I felt more comfortable and safer in this helicopter than I did in any plane. Ever. This was most likely because I was seated next to the pilot and could witness her every move. Maybe this could be an option on my next commercial Airbus flight?
We traveled over Hoover dam and Lake Mead along the way to the grand finale. All the while, commentary explaining the sites below was communicated in our headphones.
Upon approaching the canyon, I was taken aback by its unique combinations of geologic color, erosional forms and massiveness. At up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep this was a natural wonder.
The helicopter proceeded to land 3200 feet below the canyons rim.
We only had a half hour on the ground to explore, which was way too short to take it all in.
There was also a picnic lunch waiting for us, complete with champagne and a chocolate birthday cake. My favorite.
Time to leave…
We were leaving the Grand Canyon in the early evening which meant the sun would be setting as we made our way back to Vegas.
The red-orange filled the sky in combination with the shimmering lights of the city, made the perfect ending to one of the most memorable birthdays.
Traveling Soon? Use my Favorite Resources for Booking Your Trip!
Book Your Flight
Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine, because it checks dozens of airlines so you can easily find the best fare deals. You can also select ‘cheapest month’ to find the lowest fares for your destination (I use this all the time!).
Book Your Accommodations
I use both Booking.com and Expedia for hotels, because each offers a couple different hotel choices and I like to compare the reviews on each one. If you have a group or are looking for more of a home atmosphere, head over to VRBO or AirBNB that has houses, apartments and even just a room for rent in every price range.
Book Your Rental Car
If love the freedom to explore like I do, driving from place to place is the best option! I always book with Discover Cars for the best prices and top brand options.
Book Some Fun Tours!
Viator and Get Your Guide are my go-to search engines for cool bucket list experiences! Each one can have different tours, so check both—why limit yourself, right?
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel can be unpredictable. Whether it’s a last-minute cancellation, an injury, or (ugh) theft, things happen. That’s why I recommend never leaving the country without travel insurance. Here are my faves: Safety Wing and World Nomads.
Get Packing & Travel Essentials Ready
Check out the Bucket List Journey Amazon Store to find all my favorite travel essentials. Everything from Packing cubes, to travel adapters and toiletry containers to walking shoes.
*Lastly, check travel.state.gov for visa requirements and safety information.
More About Arizona
A Guide to Visiting Goldfield Ghost Town in Arizona
Getting Bit By An Ostrich Bird. Not on the Bucket List.
The Cutest Town in Arizona: Jerome
Sedona Chapel of the Holy Cross: Church in the Rock
What to do in Scottsdale, Arizona in 12 Hours
A Unique Arizona Attraction: Mystery Castle in Phoenix
Visit Louis Lee’s Oriental Rock Garden in Phoenix
Wow, that looks amazing. Being from Sweden I have a long journey to get to the Grand Canyon, but I sure would love to go.
If you are ever in the area I can highly recommend it!