Grand Canyon West
I’ve been to Vegas so many times that I’m pretty bored with it (I’m not a big gambler). I wanted to do something very different on this past trip. I found my answer when I heard about the Grand Canyon West Skywalk earlier this year.
The Skywalk is an architectural marvel. It’s a u-shaped glass walkway that extends 65 feet beyond the edge of the canyon. At the edge, you’re standing 4,000 feet above the floor. I love that they used tinted glass on the edges; it makes it feel much safer for scaredy cats like myself. Visitors wear shoe covers to try to prevent scratches on the glass. They’re also not allowed to bring cameras (a pic of us on the walk is, thus, coming soon - our friends have it ($25!)).
Grand Canyon West is a tourist attraction run by the Hualapai tribe. It has three points of interest for visitors (not counting the main gift shop): Eagle Point, Guano Point, and the Hualapai Ranch. You park at the visitors center and take one of their buses. There are 2 routes - one goes to the Ranch and the other goes to Guana and Eagle Points. Lunch is included - either at Guana Point or the Ranch.
We headed straight for the Skywalk (Eagle Point). We took a ton of pictures, went on the Skywalk, and then headed for lunch at Guano Point. Our picnic table (yes, you have to eat outside regardless of weather; there’s a roof of sorts for part of the area, but I wouldn’t count on it keeping rain out) had the most amazing view of anywhere I’ve ever eaten. Wow. Since we’d Skywalked and eaten, we skipped the ranch and headed back to Vegas.
I loved our trip. It was expensive ($75 pp) and they’re still working on improvements, but it was one of those things you do one time in your life and you’re glad that you did.
Words of warning: (more…)
Add comment January 8, 2008
