Going to SEMA? Don't Miss These Incredible Las Vegas Experiences!

You're heading to Las Vegas for SEMA. You've got the cars, the builders, the incredible custom creations, and enough automotive technology to keep you busy for days.

But here's a question.

While you're in Vegas, why not do something you'll remember for the rest of your life?

I'm talking about flying over the Las Vegas Strip at night. Seeing Hoover Dam and Lake Mead from the air. Walking onto a glass bridge suspended over the Grand Canyon. Or climbing aboard a helicopter and seeing one of the most spectacular natural wonders on Earth.

And I'm not just telling you this because it looks good in pictures.

I've actually done the Grand Canyon helicopter flight.

Let me show you what I mean.

I Took a Helicopter Over the Grand Canyon. WOW.

 

My actual helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon's South Rim.

I've seen plenty of photographs of the Grand Canyon. I've watched videos. I've stood there and looked out across it.

None of that prepared me for seeing it from a helicopter.

The canyon walls stretch as far as you can see. The colors are unbelievable. And when you look down and see the Colorado River winding through the canyon thousands of feet below, you start to appreciate just how massive this place really is.

It's one of those experiences where you just sit there thinking,I can't believe what I'm looking at.

Was it cheap?

NOPE.

Would I do it again?

HECK YEAH!

And here's the thing. If you're already going to Las Vegas, you have several ways to experience something like this.

You don't even have to spend an entire day doing it.

Four Incredible Adventures Worth Considering

1. The Grand Canyon — This Is the Big One

If you've never seen the Grand Canyon, put it on your list.

And if you have seen it from the rim, imagine seeing it from above.

Papillon offers helicopter excursions from the Las Vegas area to Grand Canyon West. Depending on the tour, you can fly over the desert, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and into the Grand Canyon region. Some packages even include a landing on the canyon floor.

Want to experience the South Rim instead?

There are also packages that take you from Las Vegas by airplane to the South Rim, where you can add a helicopter sightseeing flight.

That's especially interesting because the South Rim is where I took my helicopter flight.

Keep in mind that Grand Canyon West and the South Rim are different destinations. They offer different scenery and experiences, so pay attention to the itinerary when booking.

If you've got an extra day before or after SEMA, this would be my first choice.

See Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour Options

2. The Grand Canyon Skywalk — Would You Walk Out on This?

Now take a look at this thing.

That's the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

A horseshoe-shaped glass bridge extending 70 feet beyond the edge of the canyon, with a drop of roughly 4,000 feet beneath you.

And yes, the floor is glass.

Think about that for a minute.

You're walking out over the Grand Canyon, looking straight down through the floor beneath your feet.

For anyone who appreciates engineering, it's a remarkable structure. But the real attraction is the experience of standing out there with nothing but glass between you and that enormous canyon.

The Skywalk is located at Grand Canyon West, and some Las Vegas sightseeing packages include a visit.

Just make sure the package you're considering includes Skywalk admission. Not every Grand Canyon tour does.

Explore Grand Canyon West and Skywalk Tours

3. Las Vegas Strip by Helicopter — Now That's a Vegas Night!

Okay, maybe you're thinking,Troy, I'm going to SEMA. I don't have an entire day to disappear into the desert.

Fair enough.

How about taking a helicopter ride over the Las Vegas Strip at night?

Think about all those hotels, casinos, lights, and incredible buildings you've seen from the street.

Now imagine looking down on the whole thing from a helicopter.

The Bellagio. The Venetian. The enormous resorts stretching down the Strip.

It's a completely different perspective.

And compared with a Grand Canyon excursion, this is a much shorter experience that may be easier to fit around your SEMA schedule.

Spend the day looking at some of the most incredible cars in the world, then head out for a helicopter flight over Vegas that evening.

That's a pretty good day.

Explore Las Vegas Strip Helicopter Flights

4. Hoover Dam and Lake Mead — You've Got to Appreciate the Engineering

Now here's one for the guys who appreciate how things are built.

Hoover Dam.

Completed in the 1930s, this massive concrete structure spans the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona.

Even today, it's an extraordinary engineering achievement.

But seeing it from the air?

That's another perspective entirely.

You get to see the enormous curved dam, the Colorado River below, and Lake Mead stretching out into the desert behind it.

The contrast between the water, the desert mountains, and that enormous man-made structure is something else.

Papillon offers sightseeing flights featuring Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Las Vegas Strip.

If you love machinery, construction, and the engineering behind extraordinary projects, this is one worth looking into.

Explore Hoover Dam and Lake Mead Helicopter Tours

So Which One Would I Choose?

That depends on how much time you've got.

If you've got...	I'd look at...
A little free time in Vegas	A helicopter flight over the Strip
Time for a longer sightseeing flight	Hoover Dam and Lake Mead
Time for a major excursion	Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk
An extra day for a bigger adventure	A South Rim airplane-and-helicopter package

Just remember that actual flight time and total excursion time aren't the same thing. Transportation, check-in, and included activities all add to the schedule.

And some tours combine several attractions, so compare the packages before deciding.

Here's Why I'm Sharing This

I started V-Twins to V-8s to share my experiences, whether that's working on an old car, trying a new tool, or discovering something I think other people would enjoy.

And sometimes those experiences have nothing to do with turning a wrench.

My Grand Canyon helicopter ride was one of them.

I can still remember looking down into that canyon and thinking how incredible it was to be seeing it from that perspective.

I've bought plenty of things over the years that I don't remember much about. I remember that helicopter ride.

That's the difference.

If you're spending the money to travel to SEMA, why not consider adding one more memorable experience to the trip?

You might not get another opportunity for a while.

Go for the Cars. Stay for the Adventure.

Whether it's the Grand Canyon, the Skywalk, Hoover Dam, or the lights of Las Vegas, there are some incredible experiences waiting just beyond the convention center.

I've personally experienced the Grand Canyon from a helicopter, and I'd recommend putting it on your bucket list.

I haven't flown every tour mentioned here, so take a look at the options and decide what interests you.

Would I take that Grand Canyon helicopter ride again?

In a heartbeat.

And if you're thinking about doing something similar, you can explore the different experiences available through Papillon using my link below.

Ready for an Adventure of Your Own?

🚁Explore Papillon Helicopter Tours and Find Your Adventure

Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you book through my link, at no additional cost to you. Tour availability, routes, and included activities vary, so confirm the details before booking.

— Troy Kane | V-Twins to V-8s