Then one day he said he wanted to see the Grand Canyon before leaving the United States. I was surprised—not because the Grand Canyon is surprising, but because he had actually said what he wanted. I knew I wanted to make it happen.
We booked Papillon’s VIP at the Rim Helicopter Tour & Skywalk from Las Vegas. My wife and kids stayed at the hotel that morning, while my dad and I went on the tour together. It felt like a small father-and-son trip inside our larger family vacation.
The shuttle picked us up in front of our hotel at 7:00 a.m. and took about 50 minutes to reach the airport in Boulder City. The weather could not have been better. The sky was a deep, clear blue, and the morning sun made everything feel fresh and full of possibility. My dad said he was excited. Hearing that made me happy, and I quietly hoped this would become a really good memory for him.
At the airport, we joined two other guests. There were four passengers in our helicopter. I had hoped my dad would get a front seat with the best view, but I quickly learned that seating was not something passengers could choose. The staff asked everyone’s weight and assigned seats to balance the helicopter. A lighter female passenger sat in front, while my dad and I were placed in the back. I was a little disappointed at first, but of course it made sense that safety came first.
Once the propellers began spinning, the experience became much more real. There was a sharp smell in the air—maybe fuel or exhaust—and the helicopter was far louder than I expected. Luckily, we wore headsets that allowed us to communicate and listen to the pilot. Still, I remember thinking, “I had no idea it would be this loud.”
The takeoff was also more intense than I expected. The helicopter shook quite a bit, and my dad looked a little nervous. To be honest, I was nervous too. Sitting inside a small helicopter while it vibrated and lifted off the ground was not as effortless as it looked in travel videos.
But as we gained altitude and moved forward, the shaking gradually eased. The nervousness gave way to wonder. From the window, I could see vast, empty stretches of desert that seemed to go on forever. It was strange and amazing to see that landscape with my own eyes rather than on a screen.
At first, the ride toward the canyon felt quiet and simple: desert, distant ridges, and a thin ribbon of water. Then the land began to change. More canyons and valleys appeared below us, and suddenly the Grand Canyon was in front of us.
Because we flew early in the morning, the sun had not reached every part of the canyon. The areas still in shadow looked darker and deeper, which made the layers of rock feel even more dramatic. Seeing the Colorado River flow between those massive walls made me realize how powerful nature can be.
My dad pointed at the canyon, then gave me a thumbs-up. We could not really talk over the noise, but we did not need to. That one gesture said enough.
After flying over the canyon, we landed at Grand Canyon West and took a shuttle to Guano Point. We walked around together on a short hike, surrounded by striking red dirt and rocks. The scenery was unforgettable, but the desert heat was real. My dad eventually said he was tired and sat down at a shaded rest area. I sat beside him after buying a cold ice cream from a nearby snack stand. An ice cream while looking out over the Grand Canyon may sound simple, but it was one of the best ice creams I have ever had.
Skywalk
Next, we went to the Skywalk. Walking out over a glass floor with the canyon far below was honestly scary. There were many visitors, and staff counted people as they went onto the platform for safety. I understood why they did it, but watching them count made me even more nervous. I could not help wondering, “Would it break if a few more people walked out?” Of course, it did not. We took the official photos together and had a good laugh afterward.
Funny thing was, they wouldn't let anybody take their cellphone or camera with them. We literally had to put our phones away at designated lockers. Not only that, they also made us put on shoe cover to protect the glass that we were about stepping on. Only pictures that we can get is from their photograph and we had to purchase it. We did purchased 3 photos for about $50 and that's what you are seeing. Funny thing is they don't even provide you with hardcopy. They only give you a receipt with QR code to scan and print the photo for yourself. I thought that was a scam, but what can we do.
When the tour ended, we returned to the helicopter and flew back to Las Vegas. We did not have a deep conversation on the way home. My dad simply said he was happy that we could see the Grand Canyon in about five hours instead of spending an entire day driving. That was enough for me.
The tour cost us about $1,100 for the two of us in 2023, which includes helicopter ride, shuttle service and entrance to Skywalk. It was expensive, but I would recommend it to anyone who has limited time in Las Vegas and wants to experience the Grand Canyon without a very long drive. I would not strongly recommend it for very young children because the helicopter is extremely loud, even with headsets. Also, bring cold water in a thermos if you can—the walk around Grand Canyon West can be hot.
More than the views, this trip gave me something I will always carry with me. I felt sorry that my dad had spent so many years working and caring for us without seeing more of the world. At the same time, I was grateful that I could show him at least one place he had wanted to see before returning to Korea. I only wish we had traveled together sooner.
Still, I am thankful we went. Watching my dad point at the Grand Canyon and give me a thumbs-up from the back of that helicopter is a memory I will never forget.
LET'S GO!
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