Holidays to Las Vegas should be packed with fun and glamour, but can also involve a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular natural attractions – the Grand Canyon.

Situated in Arizona, the canyon is a 277-mile long scar on the landscape caused by millions of years of the Colorado River forcing its way through the rocky terrain. It is up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep in places, and is packed with unusual features, including caverns, washes, waterfalls and unique rock formations.

While you may have seen photos and television footage of the Grand Canyon, it is difficult to understand its scale and rugged beauty without seeing it close up – something you will have plenty of chance to do during Vegas holidays.

There are a wide variety of trips available from Sin City to Grand Canyon National Park, using a number of different forms of transport. Perhaps the best choice is a helicopter flight above the carved peaks and steep sides of the canyon.

Approaching from the air will give you a panoramic view over the vast canyon, as well as a unique perspective on some of its most spectacular features. While you circle around this natural wonder, you will also have the chance to see Kaibab National Forest and the 6,020 ft summit of the Tower of Ra.

Your day trip out from your luxury holiday accommodation in Las Vegas should also present you with the chance to explore parts of Grand Canyon National Park on foot. A stroll along the paths of the South Rim Trail will lead you to some beautiful spots perfect for enjoying stunning views over the canyon – particularly at sunrise or sunset.

There are equally impressive views to experience at the Grand Canyon Skywalk, one of the few manmade features you will find in the area. The visitor centre at Eagle Point includes a 70 ft cantilever glass-bottomed observation deck that stretches out over the canyon and allows sightseers to look 4,000 ft down to the Colorado River.

The breathtaking views from the Skywalk come courtesy of the ambition of Las Vegas entrepreneur David Jin. His vision for the centre, which is built on land owned by the Hualapai Tribe, is typical of the kind of thinking that Nevada businessmen use when they plan new attractions.

A couple of hours strolling down The Strip on your return to Vegas from the Grand Canyon will confirm that, as you will come across some of the most remarkably brash and fun buildings you will see during holidays to the USA. A manmade volcano, a replica of Venice featuring a canal network, a tower with a rollercoaster running around it and a hotel designed to look like an Egyptian pyramid are among the bizarre sights you will encounter between the miles of neon signs in Sin City.

The buildings are mostly part of the casino resort complexes that dominate the centre of Las Vegas. They range from those suitable for people planning a holiday on a budget to upmarket casinos where high-rollers attempt to increase their fortunes at the blackjack table and roulette wheel. Novice punters can also dream of winning millions during their stays in the Nevada gaming hub, as most casinos have slots rooms that include machines with seven-figure jackpots.

Even if you are not keen on gambling, you are sure to find plenty to enjoy in the casinos, which have nightclubs, luxury shopping malls, bars, spas and lavish restaurants. Most also have concert venues with world-renowned stars performing almost every night and theatres that put on musicals and circus shows on a daily basis.

Visiting the over-the-top extravagance of Las Vegas and the rugged beauty of the Grand Canyon will allow you to enjoy two very different sides to the USA, but you may be keen to experience more of the country during your trip.

It is simple to arrange a multi-destination break that will give you the chance to enjoy a range of attractions. A holiday to Las Vegas and Hawaii is a good choice for those who want plenty of variety, but there is no reason why New York, Washington DC, Alaska, Florida, the Great Lakes or the Rockies couldn’t form part of your itinerary.