This latest trip follows other recent vacations where the Obamas enjoyed Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon

. They actually went white water rafting while visiting the Grand Canyon.

via OTL » Obamas’ weekend getaway.

Grand Canyon West, home of the world-famous Skywalk glass bridge, opened its new Welcome Center and Air Terminal with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony this past Saturday July 10, 2010. Doing the honors of cutting the ribbon was the Hualapai Tribe’s Eldest Woman, Christine Cooney, age 94.

via New facilities open at Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk.

One of the most amazing sites at the Grand Canyon is the Skywalk. You just can’t go to the Grand Canyon without taking some time on the Skywalk. You’ll see this beautiful part of nature like you’ve never seen it before. This is a must-see area of the Grand Canyon for anyone who’s visiting, whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is located on the West Rim of the canyon. The project plans were presented to the Hualapai Nation in the year 1996 by a Las Vegas based tour operator and entrepreneur named David Jin. He also funded the project that has been open for visitors to enjoy since 2007. It’s managed by the Grand Canyon Skywalk Development, LLC and the profits are divided between Jin and the Hualapai Nation.

The skywalk is a glass bridge that forms a “horseshoe” shape over top of the canyon. You can actually see through the bridge and look down at the canyon as you walk across it. What an amazing view that’ll take your breath away! Unfortunately, you’re not allowed to use cameras at this time but this is still a view that you don’t want to miss out on.

It’s a sight that the whole family can enjoy and it sits four thousand feet above the Colorado River that runs through the canyon. The bridge itself spans for seventy feet from one end to the other and it’s become one of the most exciting and popular destinations on the West Rim. It’s one of the most well-known cantilever type structures found anywhere in the world.

Since the skywalk is located in a remote area it’s self-contained with the power being produced by diesel generators. Water is brought into the facilities and all waste is removed by trucks. The phones and internet is kept operational by satellite. The skywalk is open every day and provides a view that you won’t see anywhere else in the world.

You won’t see a fireworks display at the Grand Canyon due to safety reasons but there are still plenty of ways for you to enjoy the 4^th of July. If you want to see fireworks the towns near the Grand Canyon will often have firework displays, depending on the weather conditions. Sometimes, it’s too dry to set off fireworks since these areas are surrounded with a thick forest so it will depend on the how dry everything is.

Every year the community of the south rim has a parade and fundraising auction just outside of the park on state road 64 in Tusayan. It’s hot and humid during this time of year so it’s not uncommon for the visitors and the people on the floats to be spraying water at each other. The marchers you encounter at the entries will have signs saying “water” and “no water”. This will let you know which way to go depending on whether you want to get wet or spray someone else or stay dry.

There will be musical events to enjoy along with horseshoes, tug-o-war, 3 legged races, gunny sack races and a dunk tank. You can take part in the hotdog eating contest or just enjoy the Mile Deep BBQ and live auction. As the sun sets you can watch the Electric Light Night Parade on highway 64 and then enjoy live music and dancing after the parade.

You don’t have to watch a fireworks display to enjoy the 4^th of July. Make plans to spend a couple of days celebrating Independence Day at the Grand Canyon. It will be lots of fun for the whole family with something for everyone to enjoy. It’s going to be an exciting time for all.

Going on a vacation trip to the Grand Canyon is fun and exciting but planning the trip can be difficult. Planning your vacation trip in advance can help to make your day trip more fun and enjoyable. All of the details will be taken care of and you can concentrate on having a great time when you plan in advance. Since you will only be spending a day at this amazing park you’ll want to take advantage of every minute instead of spending time taking care of details.

How to plan a family day trip to the Grand Canyon:

• Decide which part of the canyon you want to visit.
• Learn as much as you can about the South and the North Rims so you can choose the one you want to visit on your day trip.
• Decide how you’re going to get to the Rim of your choice. Most people choose to fly to their location because it’s faster but you can choose to drive if you prefer. However, driving will limit the activities you can enjoy on your day trip considerably.
• Decide which activities you want to take part in while at the canyon. You can choose from rafting, hiking or you can take advantage of the scenic drives.
• Dress appropriately for the time of year you’re visiting the canyon. It can be cold in the mornings and hot during the middle of the day so it’s best to dress in lightweight layers. Always wear comfortable shoes you can walk in easily.
• Take along accessories such as sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and plenty of water. Dehydration can be a real problem in this type of environment. Take along a well-prepared first-aid kit just in case you run into problems.
• Have your vehicle checked out before you head to the canyon to make sure it’s in good shape and keep the gas tank full. It can be a long way between gas stations.

Exploring the Grand Canyon first hand is an amazing experience that creates memories your family can share for a lifetime. Proper planning will ensure you have the best time.

The Grand Canyon is a huge park with many exciting sights to see. Visitors can book a bus tour with the Grand Canyon Tour Company from Las Vegas to get a close up view of the sights this extraordinary park has to offer. The most accessible points for sightseeing are the South and West Rims. You’ll need to choose one of these locations to start your tour but how do you know which one to choose?

When choosing the area best suited for your family, you need to consider which sights you want to see but you also need to consider how much time you have for your tour and your budget. Making a decision will be easier when you know a little something about both of these locations and what they have to offer. The following information will make it easier to decide which bus tour to take and from which Rim.

The West Rim is a better choice for those who are limited on the amount of time they can spend for their tour. Some of the sites you’ll see from the West Rim include Boulder City, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. One of the bus tour packages includes a helicopter flight and another takes visitors to the Skywalk, which is a glass bridge in the shape of a horseshoe that overlooks the Colorado River.

For those who have plenty of time to enjoy a bus tour of the Grand Canyon the South Rim will provide an exciting adventure. The South Rim is the most popular among tourist because it has more amenities than the west side. For example, meals, entrance fees to the park and pick up and drop off from your hotel are included in different packages.

Tour buses will stop at Hoover Dam, the historic Route 66, the Grand Canyon Railway and Mather Point so visitors can take pictures. Plan your bus tour and pay for the package you want in advance to ensure you get the tour best suited for you and your party. It’s also less expensive when you take care of everything in advance.

When you visit the Grand Canyon it’s important to be comfortable. You can’t enjoy yourself and have a good time when your clothes are too loose or too tight and when your shoes are rubbing blisters on your feet. This is a trip in which comfort will make the difference between having a good time and a great one you’ll never forget.

There are so many wonderful things for your family to enjoy at the Grand Canyon that you’ll want to stay at least one night. It’s important to pack correctly to ensure you get the most out of your visit.

What to pack for an overnight trip to the Grand Canyon:

• Make sure you have the proper footwear. If you don’t have a pair of shoes that is comfortable and easy to walk in, it’s recommended that you buy a pair or two before you go on your trip. You also need to have the right type of footwear. For example, if you plan to go hiking, invest in a good fitting leather hiking boot so you don’t have trouble on the trails.
• Bring enough clothing to dress in layers. It will be cooler in the morning and evening than it will be in the middle of the day. Bring along both shorts and long pants because the weather can change quickly and you may need to switch off.
• Take along a waterproof light-weight jacket, heavy coat and an umbrella. It’s also good to have extra clothing in case you get caught in an unexpected rainstorm.
• Carry along a lightweight pair of pants and long-sleeve shirt made from breathable fabrics to wear on hot days to help prevent sunburn.
• Pack plenty of accessories to make your trip more comfortable such as a wide-brimmed hat with strap, sunscreen and sunglasses. It can be very hot and humid in this desert climate.
• Bring along containers for water because it’s recommended you drink about one quart of water per hour to prevent becoming dehydrated.
• Take along a first aid kit and pack some emergency supplies. The emergency supplies should include a flashlight, fresh batteries, whistle, high-energy snacks and a set of spare car keys would be a good idea.
• Don’t forget your camera and charger because you’ll want to get as many pictures of your family enjoying the sights as you can.

The more prepared you are, the more enjoyable the trip will be. Take some time and go over your list of items before you head out for your stay at the Grand Canyon. This will help to make sure you have the best time possible in this beautiful park.

Did you know that the Grand Canyon offers helicopter tours? What a great way to see the sites from an angle that not just anyone can enjoy. The view will surely be breathtaking! Taking a tour of the Grand Canyon from the air will certainly be an experience that you’ll always remember. It’s an adventure that you can share with friends and family for a lifetime.

Booking a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon is not a difficult task but there are a few things that you’ll need to know in order to choose the right tour for you and your family. Before you can book your tour you’ll need to set a budget, consider how much time you’ll have for the tour and take into consideration any special needs that you or another family member may have. Once this is done, you’ll be able to choose the package that will suit your needs perfectly.

Most of the helicopter tours leave from the Grand Canyon Airport located just on the outside of the South Rim and others will leave from the West Rim. There are a variety of different packages offered that vary in prices. This makes it possible for visitors from all walks of life to enjoy this amazing opportunity.

The package you choose will determine what you’ll see while on your tour. For example, the only helicopter tour that takes you to the bottom of the canyon will leave from the West Rim. On this tour you can get off the plane and explore the chasm’s floor and get an up-close view of the Colorado River.

The tours that leave from the south side are not allowed to land at the bottom. However, you will have the unique adventure of flying through the deepest part of the Canyon called the Dragoon Corridor along with several other fascinating sites that you have to see to believe. The most famous pictures are taken from these tours.

You can even combine other activities with your helicopter tour such as a boat ride, horseback riding and you can visit the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Taking a helicopter tour of this National Park will give you access to parts of the Grand Canyon that it would take other tourist hours or even a couple of days to reach by foot. It will certainly be a memory that you’ll cherish forever.

If you’re thinking of visiting the Grand Canyon, a great time is coming up in June. The Grand Canyon National Park will offer free admission on June 5^th and June 6^th. What better time to pack up the family and head on out to the Grand Canyon?

If you remain in the park past June 6^th, you will have to pay regular admission fees for the remainder of the time you stay in the park. The free admission does not apply to fees on camping, tours or reservations.

June too soon for you? There are other free-admission days coming up:

• Aug. 14 and 15
• Sept. 25
• Nov. 11

The National Park Service offers a good overview of Grand Canyon river trips. Among the offerings:

One day commercial trips: Half-day and full-day whitewater and smooth water trips on the Colorado River launch from Quartermaster or Diamond Creek (western end of Grand Canyon).

via See the Grand Canyon from a river tour | Travel | Dallas-Fort Worth Lifestyles News | Star-Te….