The Las Vegas Strip is one of the most famous landmarks in the world. Host to such internationally acclaimed resorts like the Bellagio, the MGM Grand and the Luxor, the area shines like a diamond in the wind-swept Mojave Desert. The best way to experience this epic sight? By helicopter, of course.
Strip helicopter tours are available night and day. Most take off from heliports that are minutes away from the resort district. Others depart from airports situated about the metro area. If possible, go with a flight that leaves from the Strip as it's much more convenient.
The standard tour departs from the south end of the Strip, usually near or between the Mandalay Bay and the Excalibur. From there, you'll head north to downtown then u-turn for the final segment of the flight. In all, you'll be airborne for up to 15 minutes.
In that time, you'll see more of Las Vegas than the average visitor. Moreover, you'll experience The City of Entertainment in a way that's reserved exclusively for people who are savvy to the value of air tours.
In the air, you'll fly over The MGM Lion, Paris' Eiffel Tower, The Stratosphere Tower, the Mirage Volcano, the Treasure Island Pirate Ship, the Bellagio Lake, the NY NY skyline, the Excalibur Castle, the Luxor Pyramid and much more. Day flight passengers get incredible views of the surrounding area. Key points of interest include Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Red Rock Canyon, Mt. Charleston and the stunning Sheep Mountain Range. Due to demand, there are more available flights during the day than at night.
Las Vegas is also a great place from which to take Grand Canyon helicopter, too. I bring this up because a number of companies offer a canyon flight that combines a ride to the West Rim with a flight over the Strip. Other canyon helicopter rides include one that lands at the bottom for a Champagne picnic that can be upgraded to include a Colorado River boat ride, as well as another that comes with tickets to the Grand Canyon Skywalk. It should be noted that there are no direct helicopter flights from Las Vegas to the South Rim - if you want to do this, I recommend taking a airplane or bus package that incorporates a rim-to-rim helicopter ride at Grand Canyon South.
Always book Strip helicopter tours in advance. Nearly 40 million people a year visit Las Vegas, and many of them take a helicopter ride. I recommend that you book your flight at least 72 hours prior to your desired departure time. It's best if you can reserve your trip a week ahead of time. '
The best deals on these flights are on the Internet. Lots of travelers scour the web for hours looking for the lowest price. Avoid that trap. Buy your tour direct from the tour operator. I know it sounds contradictory, but, as you will discover, operators post deals that are way better than what you'll find on Expedia, Priceline and Viator. Remember, too, to complete your purchase on the Internet in order to qualify for the online discount. Not doing this can result in you paying retail price for your tour and defeats the purpose of booking online.
Ready to fly? First, bookmark this
helicopter review site. Next, check out this list of Las Vegas Strip helicopter deals, which rates the best by price, quality and safety:
http://www.lasvegashelicopters.org/vegas-strip
