Grand Canyon West: Things For Kids To Do

Going to Las Vegas and looking for things to do with the kids? Take them to Grand Canyon West, where they can walk on a glass bridge, go river rafting, and fly to the bottom. If it's family excitement you seek, the West Rim is your ticket.

Getting to the Rim is a snap. Luxury motor coaches leave every day and do the trip in 2.5 hours; a helicopter flight will have you there in 45 minutes. Plus you get two major bonus sights en route: Lake Mead, which is the largest reservoir in the U.S., and Hoover Dam, a structure that's been hailed as one of the greatest engineering feats ever.

Grand Canyon West is situated on 9,000 acres owned and managed by the Hualapai Indians. The vision is to develop it to include restaurants, a golf course, a ferry to the bottom, and more. Meantime, there's more than enough attractions and sights to entertain the family. Here's a list of the best:

#1. Grand Canyon Skywalk. This is the legendary "Glass Bridge." It juts 75 feet past the edge and suspends you 4,000 feet above the Colorado River below. The bridge, which is comprised of 46 panels that cost $250,000 each, can beat back 100 MPH windstorms and hold up to 800 people simultaneously. Personal electronics are banned as dropping them may scratch the glass panels. However, professional photographers are on deck to snap hi-quality photos of the family. The Skywalk, which opened in 2007, cost $31 million, and is jointly operated by the Hualapai Indians and a Las Vegas businessman.

#2. Helicopter Descent to Bottom. Just imagine you and your kids entering canyon airspace, then winding down to the bottom in a descent that you will remember for a lifetime. The drop is 4,000 vertical feet - that's almost two times the size of the tallest skyscraper on Earth. Your helicopter will land on a smooth-dirt pad next to the Colorado River. You'll deplane; have lunch, then given free rein to explore the "center of the earth."

#3. Pontoon Boat Ride. The West Rim is the only part of the Canyon where you can helicopter to the bottom. This comes with lots of extras, including a memorable rafting trip down the Colorado. Typically, you and the kids will exit your helicopter, walk 100-or-so yards upstream, and climb into one of the waiting pontoon boats. These aren't ordinary rafts. These are adventure-grade, rubberized boats that are specially made for the toughest river rapids. Dress to get wet. And bring lots of suntan lotion.

#4. Hualapai Ranch. Located at the top of the rim, there's a real western town and Indian village. Staged gunfights between cowboys occur daily, and are guaranteed to thrill your little ones. The outdoor Indian museum is also delightful and features real Native American dwellings, including a tee-pee, as well as a clay fire-pit, and an outdoor amphitheater, among other things. Keep your eyes open for the petting zoo, which features the most exotic creatures that thrive in this high-desert environment.

#5. Horseback Riding. Saddle up, partner! A stable of horses, all of which are comfortable with child riders, is included in the ranch and available for western-style trail rides. Seeing the Grand Canyon on horseback is an activity that you can't do anywhere else (The South Rim of the Canyon offers burro rides). If any of your kids dream of being a cowboy, this is as good as it gets.

#6. Exploring the Rim on Foot. The Rim's trails are safe and well-marked. You are encouraged to walk along the Rim, where you'll see first-hand Eagle & Guano Points. Built in 1958, Guano Point was once a thriving guano mine - what remains are old mining structures that were used to extract the guano. There's a good chance you'll see hawks soaring upwards on air vortexes. Or, if you are really lucky, you'll espy a family of Bighorn Sheep. Wildlife, as you'll soon see, abounds at the west Rim.

The West Rim is loaded with attractions and activities that will appeal to all family members. The Grand Canyon Skywalk, some say, is equal to or better than any of the thrill rides in Las Vegas. There are natural activities, too: River rafting, horseback riding, and trail hiking. And, if your youngster is a fan of the Wild West, there are gun fighting cowboys and Native Americans in ceremonial dress walking about as if right out of the 19th century. Situated a mere 120 miles away from Las Vegas, Grand Canyon West is Sin City's ultimate day-trip attraction.