Just about every hotel in town has a tour desk offering a seemingly infinite number of sightseeing opportunities in and around Las Vegas. You're sure to find a tour company that will take you where you want to go.

Gray Line (tel. 800/634-6579; www.grayline.com) offers a rather comprehensive roster, including the following:

  • A pair of 5- to 6-hour city tours (1 day, 1 night), with various itineraries, including visits to Ethel M Chocolates and the Fremont Street Experience
  • Half-day excursions to Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon
  • A half-day tour to Lake Mead and Hoover Dam
  • Several full-day Grand Canyon excursions

Call for details or inquire at your hotel's tour desk, where you'll also find free magazines with coupons for discounts on these tours.

Vegas by Air

Most people are satisfied with the views of Las Vegas from terra firma. Walking or driving up the Strip, especially at night, is a requirement for the first-time Vegas visitor. But, for some, there is no better way to see Sin City in all its neon glamour than from the air. If you are one of these intrepid souls, then look for a helicopter tour of Las Vegas.

There are more than a dozen competing companies offering tours of the city and surrounding areas, and most offer the same type of services at very similar prices. We’re including a few of the more well-known companies below, but comparison shopping is highly encouraged.

Maverick Helicopters (tel. 888/261-4414; www.maverickhelicopter.com) is one of the most well-known tour operators in Las Vegas. Its large fleet of ECO-Star helicopters has one of the best safety records in the business, and a variety of packages are available, including twilight and night flights over the Strip. If you want to venture farther, Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon packages are available. Rates start at around $119 per person and go up from there, depending on the length and distance of the tour you choose. Most include transportation to and from your hotel.

VegasTours.com (tel. 866/218-6877; www.vegastours.com) features a similar list of air adventures, including a nighttime flight over Vegas and several to the Grand Canyon; while Papillon Tours (tel. 888/635-7272; www.papillon.com) not only offers helicopter tours, but airplane and ground excursions as well.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.