‘RHOC’ Shines The Spotlight On This Incredible Natural Wonder

While most people visit Las Vegas to do some gambling, enjoy the nightlife, and get away from colder temps for a fun getaway, there are other things to do not far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Vegas is also known for its beautiful scenery, great hiking trails, and picture-perfect sights just a short drive from the neon lights. 

One place that outdoor enthusiasts should add to their to-do list when visiting Vegas is Grand Canyon West. Just a two-hour scenic drive from the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, this is an amazing place to spend a day enjoying nature in a unique and memorable way. 

In a recent episode of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” fans got to see the reality stars experience Grand Canyon West while they were on their Vegas girls’ trip. 

When the housewives of Orange County visited Las Vegas for an episode, their adventure took them way off the Strip to see some amazing sights at Grand Canyon West.

The caption on Grand Canyon West’s Instagram post shared some information about what they did while visiting.

“The episode aired Thursday, August 20 on Bravo and shows the OC Housewives experiencing one of Grand Canyon West’s most recognizable attractions — the breathtaking Skywalk,” the caption reads.

“Located on the Hualapai Reservation just 2 hours east of Las Vegas, Grand Canyon West offers visitors an unforgettable opportunity to experience the beauty and adventure of the Grand Canyon from a unique perspective. During the episode, the Housewives take in the spectacular views from the glass Skywalk, which extends 70 feet over the canyon’s rim and offers a thrilling vantage point approximately 4,000 feet above the canyon floor below.”

They also explored the area a bit and did some ziplining.

‘They Were Fantastic’

Paul McGuire, Chief Marketing & Revenue Officer at Grand Canyon West, told The Blast exclusively that the housewives were a “hoot.” 

“I actually brought them out to the Skywalk, to the arch of the Skywalk,” he said. “Tribal members brought out champagne and we all toasted to the housewives being there.” 

He then broke the group into two smaller groups; one went ziplining and the other group went to Guano Point where they shared and opened up amongst themselves.

“I was there while they were having their conversations. It’s a lot more organic than I thought. My perception was it’s contrived and all that good stuff, but it was very, hey listen, have a chat about this and see where it goes,” McGuire told The Blast exclusively. “They were fantastic, by the way. The interaction amongst themselves, it’s a feeling like they’re a bunch of college girls doing their thing. They were fun, funny, really gracious, really sweet. We’d love to have them back.”

‘RHOC’ Wasn’t The Only Show To Film At Grand Canyon West

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“RHOC” wasn’t the first to take advantage of the absolutely majestic and beautiful scenery to highlight on the show. 

“Filming is a great opportunity. And coming from Vegas, filming and content creation and making the destination available to any and all is really important,” he said. “We make it easy for you to do business with us and shoot content.” 

McGuire oversees the filming component of a visit. As long as it’s respectful to the tribe and the land, and the content is appropriate, he’s ready to say yes! 

“An example of that is Disney. This past year, Disney came in. They have a new attraction called Soaring Around the World, where they feature prominently major experiences and destinations and we are represented there,” he shared. “We’ve had the Discovery Channel out. We were on ESPN and had Barstool Sports, National Geographic, Virgin Atlantic, and that’s just within this past year.”

Traveling From Las Vegas To Grand Canyon West Is Part Of The Experience

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The adventure begins long before you arrive at Grand Canyon West if you’re taking the trip from Las Vegas. McGuire said there’s a misconception about just how far away it is from Sin City.

“I drive there at least once a week. It’s a beautiful scenic two-hour drive. You pass through Boulder City, where the community that built the Grand Canyon exists. You come upon Washoe Tree Forest, which is absolutely beautiful and stunning,” he said. “And then once you get there, your jaw just drops. We’ve all seen pictures of it, but nothing compares to actually physically being there. It’s literally one of the seven natural wonders of the world and the only one in North America.” 

If you don’t want to drive from Vegas, there are other ways to get there that are just as scenic. There are bus tours that go from Vegas to Grand Canyon West, as well as a small plane or helicopter. 

“You can actually fly from Boulder City in a fixed wing aircraft, and it’s about a 40-minute flight. You’re flying over Lake Mead and there’s also narration behind it, kind of telling you about the history in the background and what you’re seeing,” he said. “You can also get a helicopter from the Las Vegas airport. A bucket list experience for sure.”

There’s Plenty To Do And See At Grand Canyon West

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A visit to Grand Canyon West isn’t just about taking in the beauty of the area. There are also other things to do while there.

One unique way to check out the sights is to take a walk on the iconic Skywalk. According to Grand Canyon West’s website, “You can step out on the 10-foot wide, horseshoe-shaped glass bridge extending 70 feet out over the rim of the Grand Canyon. If you dare to look down, you’ll see breathtaking views 4,000 feet to the Canyon floor below.”

McGuire said it’s best to give yourself at least three hours to enjoy everything, depending on what you’re most interested in doing while visiting.

“Just the tranquility, I love just grabbing a sandwich or coffee and going out to Guano Point and just absorbing and taking it all in. There’s a sense of peace and serenity there for sure,” he said. “There’s a lot to do, a lot to take in, but just being there and seeing it with your own eyes is breathtaking.”

There’s also a zipline experience to enjoy, cafes and restaurants, Indigenous song and dance performances, walking trails, an arcade, and more.

For more information about Grand Canyon West, visit their website.