Veteran's Day is one of year's best three-day weekends. Make it extra special. Take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour.

(TRAVPR.COM) USA - November 7th, 2013 - Veteran's Day is Monday, November 11, and it’s one of the final three-day weekends in the U.S. To accommodate the influx of travelers, Grand Canyon helicopter flights will be operating on a regular schedule.

"Last year, Veteran's Day was a success in terms of air tour departures," said Keith Kravitz, owner of Grand Canyon Helicopters, a leading provider of air-tour information and discounts. "We don't expect anything less this year, either."

Visitation, in fact, is expected to increase because the National Park Service is waiving the admission fee to the Grand Canyon for the weekend. "This is quite an opportunity to visit on of the U.S.' best national parks," Kravitz said. "Especially since you can do it on Uncle Sam's dime!"

Typically, all visitors entering the park by car must pay a $25 fee.

Helicopters to the Grand Canyon will be departing from Las Vegas, NV, and Tusayan, AZ. "Those are the two main departure points," Kravitz said. "There are also flights out of Sedona, but they are expensive. To save money, self-drive to the Park and take a heli from Tusayan."

Las Vegas and Tusayan offer aerial and landing tours. Vegas air-only flights go over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and the canyon before heading back. South Rim aerials go over the South Rim, East Rim and North Rim before returning. "The more airtime the better," said Kravitz. "It's the best way to see more, do more."

Kravitz, however, prefers landing tours and recommends that travlers consider them if time and budget permit. "Landing tours give you the best of both worlds," he said. " From the air, one can see just how huge the wilderness area is. The same can be said from the ground, except from a different vantage point."

Las Vegas landing tours are allowed to go below the rim and land while South Rim trips must stay above the rim. "Going to the bottom is what makes Vegas helicopters so special," said Kravitz. "It would be great if the same could be done at the South Rim but the National Park Service forbids it."

The top-selling Vegas landing tour is the one that goes to the bottom for a Champagne picnic. The same tour extended with a boat tour down the Colorado River is the runner up. "These two landing tours are quite remarkable," Kravitz said. "In a relatively short time one experiences the top and the bottom of the canyon. It's awesome."

The South Rim's most popular "landing" tour is one that combines a helicopter ride with a sunset Jeep tour. "This one's a hit with groups and families," Kravitz noted. "And there's nothing quite like catching a sunset at the South Rim."

Several helicopter tour operators will be offering special discounts for Veterans. “These promotions happen every year,” Kravitz said. “It takes a little work to dig them up but they’re out there. Just make sure to bring a Military ID when checking in or the discount is waived.”

For a selection of Grand Canyon helicopter tours at reduced prices, please visit:

http://www.grandcanyonhelicoptertourreviews.com/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-deals.html

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