Las Vegas Sightseeing Trips

Thanks to Maverick, I was able to take a Grand Canyon helicopter ride. Having never flown on a helicopter, I really didn’t know what to expect. Although I will say that it wasn’t that I was scared, but just anxious as to how it will feel flying in such an agile aircraft.

We arrived at the Las Vegas terminal armed with our camera, identification and a small water bottle. After our quick check-in we were escorted out to our helicopter by our pilot, Rick. Making small talk with the other passengers, we found out that we were the only couple from the United States. After our safety briefing, we all took individual pictures with the pilot in front of the helicopter then we boarded for the flight of our life!

Lifting off from the terminal was the coolest feeling, the helicopter reacts so quickly to the pilot’s movement and it seems to just glide across the taxiway as we prepare for clearance from the control tower. Did I mention the perfectly timed I-Pod Nano that played all the classics that had anything to do with Las Vegas or flying?! That definitely made the flight more interesting and fun.

As we lifted up over the Las Vegas strip, the city disappeared beneath us and we could see for forever! Having lived in Las Vegas for almost 4 years, I didn't realize that there was such greenery!  Once we were out of the Las Vegas airspace, the pilot began his narration of the points of interest we passed.  Flying by Lake Las Vegas on the way to Hoover Dam provided for a nice scenic helicopter tour.  We flew over Lake Mead and within 40 minutes of taking off from Las Vegas, we had come upon the Grand Canyon!   The West Rim of the canyon is very different than the South Rim and it offers a different kind of beauty that is surely appreciated by all that visit.  We flew through the canyon beneath the rim and felt like the size of an ant among giants! 

Arriving at Maverick's private landing site, we were speechless at the pristine surrounding.  Once we got out of the helicopter, Rick our pilot got to work setting up our snacks and popping the bubbly!  Since it was before noon, we opted for a mimosa and enjoyed a pastry. 

This was my husband's first trip ever the the Grand Canyon so we had to make sure that we took plenty of pictures to remember this trip.  We even got to meet the local wildlife... chipmunks that is. 

Our helicopter ride back to Las Vegas detoured over the downtown Fremont Street area as well as the Las Vegas strip. Looking down on the strip from the helicopter provided for a new perspective on city.  

On our arrival back to the Las Vegas terminal, we were greeted by the friendly staff that ended the best helicopter tour!  

Having taken many Las Vegas sightseeing trips over the years, I would have to rank Maverick Helicopters as #1! 

If you are interested in taking a helicopter tour with Maverick Helicopters, feel free to contact them today!

Maverick Helicopter Staff Have 10 Things To Love About Hoover Dam

1. This magnificent engineering feat is the work of man. Not to diminish the amazing wonders found in nature, but the construction of Hoover Dam is a gigantic tribute to human ingenuity. A visit here may even inspire a belief in your own ability to accomplish whatever you put your mind to.

2. When you walk onto Hoover Dam, there is a point in the middle through which the state border runs. You can straddle it with a leg on the Nevada side and a leg on the Arizona side. It’s one of the few instances where you can claim to be in two places at once!

3. The Colorado River is a treacherous unpredictable river that flows through seven states—and Hoover Dam reigns in this raging torrent. It controls flooding while storing water for irrigation and for people to drink. Talk about power!

4. Actually, talking about power…Hoover Dam contains 17 hydroelectric generating units, each of which can supply power to 100,000 households. This is great for the environment as no pollutants are released—but you will spy about 2,700 miles of transmission wires running all across the Southwest to deliver electricity to eager users.

5. Hoover Dam is an example of a government project that was actually completed ahead of schedule. Construction of it began in 1931 and the last concrete was poured in 1935, which was two years before its estimated completion date.

6. Hoover Dam makes you appreciate the improvement in today’s work conditions. When the dam was constructed in the ’30s, more than 5,000 men toiled day and night in the blazing heat (temperatures often soared above 120° F). They were also exposed to dangers including carbon monoxide poisoning, dehydration and electrocution from electrical lines.

7. Hoover Dam is an example of Americans pulling together. Would you believe every state in the U.S. contributed some supplies and materials for its construction? That’s something our state governments could learn from today!

8. Hoover Dam is also an example of the grandeur of the past. It was once the world’s tallest dam towering at 726 feet. Sadly, it’s fallen in ranking over the past few decades and now holds the No. 18 spot. Currently, the tallest dam in the world is the Nurek Dam in the Central Asian nation of Tajikistan, which stands at 984 feet—dwarfing Hoover Dam.

9. In some ways, you could say Hoover Dam built Las Vegas. By the early ’20s, the gambling city’s fortunes were on the decline and the population had fallen to only 2,300. When construction of Hoover Dam began in 1931, money and people flowed into the area. Soon the population swelled to 7,500—and visitors started flocking in to check out the progress of the mighty dam!

10. Hoover Dam is spectacular from all viewpoints—up close or from a distance, on top or from the water below. You can’t go wrong no matter which perspective you choose to see it from. In fact, among the most popular Hoover Dam tours are helicopter trips because they allow you to do your sightseeing from multiple angles with ease.

Planning a trip to the Las Vegas area? One of the places you should be planning a sightseeing tour to is the beautiful Valley of Fire. We want to provide you with some facts, figure and history on this state park to help you decide on why your should experiecen this wonder.

Formed more than 150 million years ago, the Valley of Fire certainly provides you with a glimpse back in time. It’s also a place of rare beauty where the rocks take on every possible shade of red imaginable. Here’s some trivia about this natural wonder located in the Mojave Desert just 60 miles northeast of Las Vegas—so you’ll be well informed when you join all the other visitors who flock to it annually. 

By The Numbers

·        At 36,000 acres, theValley of Fire is Nevada’s largest state park.

·        Don’t get the Valley of Fire in Nevada mixed up with the Valley of Fires in New Mexico, which is a popular recreational area comprised of many miles of black lava fields.

·        The bright red colors at the Valley of Fire are a side effect of iron oxide (better known to many as rust!) found in the rocks. Manganese and other oxides are responsible for the black pigmentation, called “desert varnish,” that you’ll see on other rocks.

·        You’ll want to bring water with you because you won’t find much of it at the Valley of Fire. The area receives only four inches of rain each year—and often that comes from a single thunderstorm in July or August.

·        You can get some water from the Valley of Fire State Park Visitor Center. A well was drilled 1,500 feet beneath the ground. Power lines that provide electricity to the center are also buried 940 feet underground.

·        Among the species of wildlife you can see in the Valley of Fire are bighorn sheep, badgers, coyotes, white-tailed antelope squirrels, rattlesnakes, ring-tailed cats, desert tortoises, ravens and lizards.

·        There are nearly 20 miles of roadway in the Valley of Fire. The main road runs from west to east. You can enter on either side and the drive is gorgeous in both directions. A scenic six-mile loop also forks northward from the visitor center, where you’ll find viewpoints and the most popular trails.

·        When the Valley of Fire first opened as a state park, it averaged 9,000 visitors each year. Today, about 250,000 people visit annually.

By The History

·        Petrified logs and stumps from ancient forests that existed 225 million years ago—before the Valley of Fire was formed!—can be seen at two locations in the state park.

·        About 200 million years ago, a deep ocean basin covered the area that would become the Valley of Fire.

·        The Valley of Fire was formed about 150 million years ago, during the age of the dinosaurs. First, the floor of the ocean rose, and in the years that followed, a great shifting of sand and shaping due to the geological process of wind erosion took place.

·        Among the prehistoric users of the Valley of Fire were the Anasazi Pueblo peoples. They visited from 300 B.C. to 1150 A.D. for the purposes of hunting, gathering food and conducting religious ceremonies. Since there was little water, it was impossible for them to settle in the area.

·        In the 1890s, a renegade Paiute Indian named Mouse worked on a ferry that crossed the Colorado River. After a drunken episode where he shot up an Indian camp, his employers fired him and dumped him off in Arizona, where he killed two prospectors. Intensive searches for Mouse were conducted, but he hid in a natural basin in the rocks at the Valley of Fire. On July 11, 1897, a posse finally tracked Mouse down and he was shot and killed. His hiding spot, now known as Mouse’s Tank, is located at the end of the most popular trail at the Valley of Fire.

·        A large brick monument of a cross was erected at the Valley of Fire in June of 1949. It honors pioneer travelers including Captain John J. Clark. The retiree of the 13th New York Volunteer Cavalry Regiment had been driving a wagon along the Arrowhead Trail and died of thirst in June of 1915.

·        The Valley of Fire State Park was established in 1935. It is Nevada’s oldest state park.

·        You don’t need a horse and buggy to get to the Valley of Fire today. Every mode of transportation is possible. You can go by car or bus or even by helicopter - where you can land on top of a remote plateau.

·        The Valley of Fire State Park Visitor Center was built in the late ’60s. It was remodeled in the late ’80s and features the same red color as the sandstone cliffs behind it. There are plans to remodel and expand it in the near future.

·        Since 2005, every year in November, the annual Valley of Fire Marathon is held.

 
Maverick helicopters know first hand the beauty that surrounds the Las Vegas area. We have created the best helicopter tours that include the amazing red rock formation for you to expereience. Plus, our wonderful in-house wedding planner has created a helicopter wedding package where mother natures handy work is a backdrop for your special day.

The Valley of Fire Tour: Truly Amazing!
The most beautiful drive I’ve ever taken was on State Route 169—or more specifically, the part of the highway that went through the Valley of Fire State Park. It was breathtaking! I’m telling you, as far as state parks go, this one is a must-see—especially if you’re visiting Las Vegas, where it’s situated only 55 miles away. That’s less than an hour by car, and even quicker by a sightseeing helicopter tour.

The most memorable thing from my trip to the Valley of Fire was being greeted by amazing rock formations—the likes of which I’ve never seen before. I felt as if I were getting the red carpet treatment, but here, instead of flashbulbs, everywhere I looked there were rocks gleaming in a variety of gorgeous shades of red. And would you believe these beautiful rocks are always changing? With the movement of the sun, their colors deepen and their shadows alter, making the formations take on totally different appearances from sunrise to sunset.

My first stop was to the Valley of Fire State Park Visitor Center. The staff is very friendly and I got a little inside information about the park’s background and geology. I always find I enjoy things more when armed with knowledge. I also discovered there are a ton of things to do at the Valley of Fire—from hiking and picnicking to camping. You can even cool off with a swim at Rogers Springs or Lake Mead, which are located nearby.

Another highlight of my visit to the Valley of Fire was doing the short, fairly easy White Domes loop trail. It’s just over a mile long, and I remember passing through several unique settings during the trek. I navigated rocks on a dry wash bed, scuttled on soft sand and even entered a narrow canyon—where the red rocks dazzled me yet again. About halfway through, I came across the remains of the film set from The Professionals, which was shot at the park in 1966. That was much better than viewing movie memorabilia at a museum and it cost less!

Of course, I highly recommend a drive on the six-mile scenic loop where you’ll find that many of the Valley of Fire’s most popular rock formations (like Arch Rock) are just steps away. It’s a somewhat rough unpaved road, but well worth the bumpiness as you can drive right up to most of them. Many are named for animals or other objects—such as the Beehives, Atlatl Rock and Elephant Rock—although in some cases the resemblance is a bit of a stretch. I did like the Seven Sisters formation, which is a beautiful grouping of tall, red boulders in the midst of the flat desert. These rocks had an eerily sacred presence that gave me a feeling of inner peace and tranquility.

Maverick Helicopter tour company based in Las Vegas knows first hand the beauty the Valley of Fire has to offer. Maverick has created helicopter tours that include these inspirational red rock formation for you to experience. Plus, our talented in-house wedding planner has designed an amazing wedding package where mother's natures hand work is a bride's backdrop for this memorable day.


Overall, you cannot beat the natural beauty of the Valley of Fire. It’s a great place to visit. I know you won’t be disappointed.

Written by our Travel Gal, Renee Libutti

You keep asking so we keep it coming. We have more sightseeing tour questions of the day.

 What’s a Grand Canyon helicotper wedding like?

Getting married with us couldn’t be more romantic—or stress-free. First, you’ll get to select from several exotic and breathtakingly beautiful destinations, like the Grand Canyon or the Valley of Fire. Our in-house wedding coordinator, Leanne Semenza, will go through a list of wedding packages with you and then handle all of the arrangements. On your big day, you’ll be picked up by a limousine and brought to our main terminal, where the minister will meet with you briefly to iron out any details about the ceremony. At that point, you’ll board a private Maverick helicopter and be whisked away—as will your wedding party and guests, if you’ve chosen to have them in attendance. Your wedding destination is completely private, although you may spy other sightseeing helicopters off in the distance. Be assured that they will be far away and won’t interfere with your wedding. After the ceremony, based on your selected options, you’ll have time to enjoy champagne, cake, hors d’oeuvres—and, of course, the memorable setting that has played such a big part in your special celebration of love. Did we catch your interest on our one of a kind helicopter weddings? Read some of our previous blogs for more wedding details.

Is it difficult to drive to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon?

The drive to the West Rim is not necessarily difficult, but it does take nearly three hours to do. Plus, you’ll encounter a rough patch of unsealed road during the last 15 miles of your journey. Not only is it bumpy, but it can also be hard on your car. Flying by Maverick, on the other hand, couldn’t get any easier or be more time efficient. For example, a Maverick Airlines flight to the West Rim takes only 20 minutes and a helicopter flight to the West Rim takes about 45-50 minutes. Both of these trips are sure to be less bumpy—and you’ll get to leave the driving to someone else!

Why should I fly from Las Vegas to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon instead of take a motorcoach tour?

A ground tour to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in a motorcoach lasts approximately 10-12 hours. Unfortunately, the bulk of that time is spent on the road—as the drive just to get there takes nearly five hours. If you’ve ever been on a bus during a long trip, then you know what can happen: you’ll have use the bathroom onboard. Yuck! Motorcoach bathrooms have never had a reputation for cleanliness, especially when 50-100 people need to use them. By contrast, a Maverick Airlines flight to the South Rim takes only 40 minutes. 

The Las Vegas Strip Sightseeing At Night With Maverick Helicopters Tours: Tripping The Lights Fantastic!

What I love most about Las Vegas are the lights. My favorite moment of driving home at night from a weekend trip to California or Utah is when a warm glow, almost like a halo, begins to break out on the black horizon—and it grows and grows and grows until it becomes a bona fide light extravaganza. I also like landing at night at McCarran International Airport for the same reason. There’s just something magical about the way the lights of Las Vegas take shape in the desolate desert and soon become overpowering. It truly stirs the soul.

Thanks to Maverick Helicopter Tours, I recently got a chance to see Las Vegas’ lights from an entirely different perspective. The company offers a Vegas Nights helicopter tours, which is an evening helicopter flight above the Strip. It departs from Maverick Helicopters’ main terminal, which is located south of Mandalay Bay and across from the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.

I arrived there early and found both the Maverick staff and lobby to be pleasant. The check-in process was easy. I was asked to show a photo ID, and then I was weighed. Luckily, it’s a discreet floor scale and no one told me what my weight was—as that might have lessoned my delight upon being served a free glass of champagne.

While sipping my bubbly, I made myself comfortable in one of the black leather chairs and took a look around. The lobby is light and airy and a perfect backdrop for some stunning photographs of Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon helicopter tours. Large-screen TVs were even showing a video montage of the Strip, which only heightened my anticipation of the Las Vgas sightseeing helicopter tour.

I couldn’t help but notice a young couple dressed in a tux and white gown. They had checked in and were getting ready to be married on a private helicopter wedding flight. The pastor was going over the last-minute details for their midair wedding ceremony—and I could only imagine the glimmering scene that would envelop them when they would recite their vows.
Soon my name was called and I joined two other couples that were scheduled for the same Las Vegas helcopter night tour. We got a brief safety lecture covering the basics, like standing away from the dangerous rotor blades and where to find the fire extinguisher. I did make a mental note about the location of the “motion discomfort bags”—just in case.

Our Maverick helicopter pilot was Chris Spircu. He walked us out to the helipad and joked, “Besides me, who else is flying in a helicopter for the first time?” The humor and his all-around confidence put me quickly at ease. We posed for a souvenir photo in front of the aircraft and then were helped onboard. It was roomy inside, even with eight leather seats. Trying to decipher the multi-buckle seatbelt was a bit like doing a Rubik’s Cube. Needless to say, once I’d gotten the two shoulder straps and waist strap latched, I felt well secured to the helicopter. After that, Spircu gave us a quick rundown on the headsets and microphones, which would not only help drown out the sound of the rotors, but also allow us to communicate with each other.

Before I knew it, the Survivor song “Eye of the Tiger” began playing in my ears, and as I heard the words “Risin’ up,” so did we. We were lifted a few feet off the ground and began to make our way toward a short runway outlined in blue lights. Next, the helicopter leaned noticeably forward and then it gently took to the air. There was no stomach-dropping sensation that I usually get on roller coasters. In fact, it felt smoother than taking off in an airplane. Moments later, we were cruising just above the roofs of all the famous hotels that line the Las Vegas Strip.

I can honestly say that if you want to experience a unique view of Las Vegas—one that not many visitors see—the Las Vegas Night Helicopter tour .

First, I saw Mandalay Bay and its spectacular swimming pool area. Then, there was the Luxor pyramid, where I looked down upon the towering sphinx. I also got a close-up of the colorful spires atop the Excalibur before we flew by the splendid skyline of New York-New York. Our journey took us over the emerald green MGM Grand, where we looked down upon the massive lion that bravely guards its entrance. We continued along the east side of the Strip, where we drifted over the sleek new tower being constructed at the Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort. It’s coming along quite nicely.

Each second of the helicopter tour was filled with a new visual discovery. I couldn’t believe that I was seeing the city’s famous hotels and marquees from this unusual vantage point—and while they were illuminated so majestically. What could be better than an after-dark Las Vegas sightseeing trip like this one?

For example, one of my favorite sights was the Eiffel Tower replica at Paris Las Vegas. I spotted both couples onboard holding hands as we passed by it, and I was even feeling a bit romantic with that sparkling structure lingering just below. At that moment, a man wouldn’t have to work too hard to woo me.

And do you remember the commercials in which Steve Wynn introduced his Wynn and Encore resorts while sitting atop the copper-colored buildings? Now I can appreciate the guts it took for him to film them after catching sight of the sloping roofs. I can hardly believe he sat so calmly with his legs crossed while dangling his feet above the Strip.

Next up was the 1,149-foot Stratosphere Tower that looms over the city. It was amazing to hover above its pod and hear people screaming out with fear on the thrill rides.

For a connoisseur of lights, Downtown Las Vegas (aka, “Glitter Gulch”) and Fremont Street Experience’s canopy, which is comprised of 12.5 million LED bulbs, do not disappoint. The entire area was radiant and beyond it the whole desert valley lay twinkling in the night. To me, it looked a lot like Christmas.

At that point, our Maverick helicopter pilot Spircu made a U-turn and I got a glimpse of the World Market Center’s massive buildings as we began to fly up the west side of the Strip. Much of this leg of the helicopter tour went by in what I can only describe as a beautiful blur. I do remember passing above the golden Trump Tower and the volcano at The Mirage. As luck would have it, we floated over the Bellagio while a fountain show was in progress—and that was breathtaking. Afterward we traveled the path of the I-15 and by the colossal CityCenter project, where the nearly completed Aria and Vdara resorts dominated the landscape.

I could hear a recording of Elvis’ song “Viva Las Vegas” playing in my headset. Its lyrics perfectly summed up how I felt at that moment: “Bright light city gonna set my soul, gonna set my soul on fire.”

Indeed, the lights of Las Vegas are something everyone should see and I highly recommend doing it via Maverick Helicopters’ Vegas Nights  tour. I think I could take this helicopter tour 10 times in a row and still find new things to marvel at, as the experience is an ever-changing visual wonder. Not only will you revel in the lights—but you’ll be convinced that Las Vegas is the most beautiful city on earth!