Five Crucial Hints for Your Hoover Dam Tour

There are many sights to see in the Grand Canyon area and none is more impressive than the engineering marvel that is the Hoover Dam.

This colossal structure attracts 7 million visitors annually to see its massive concrete walls, 726 feet tall and 1,244 feet long. It was built to control the flooding of the Colorado River, to provide water for the agricultural fields of the new West, and to provide hydroelectric power to the growing population in the area. The Dam was built by over 200 engineers and 7000 dam workers that endured harsh conditions and extreme danger. Construction on the Dam began in 1931 and was completed in 1936 and now both water and tourism to the northern Arizona economy. Though you may think engineering projects are not your cup of tea, be assured that visitors of all ages now enjoy marveling at this enormous structure from our nation's past.

You will first assemble at the Hoover Dam Visitors Center where there a maps, displays, and historic of the Dam project. At the Visitor's Center Theater, you will view a 10-minute film that describes the massive construction effort of the Dam, and shows how the Dam has contributed to the growth of the area. Then, you will don your hardhat and descend in an elevator to the Hoover Dam Powerplant for a one-hour tour. A quick elevator ride up will take you to the Nevada wing to see 8 of the 17 generators that draw power from the Dam water. Travel through the tunnels to see some of the inspection markings written on the walls. Feel the breezes rising through the tunnels from the river below. From the Observation Deck, see the expanse of the Dam, Lake Mead, the Colorado River, and the areas beyond the Dam. Hoover Dam Discovery Tours offered at the Dam are $11 for adults, $9 for children and senior citizens.

Hoover is only 35 miles from Las Vegas and is a popular side trip for all those who visit the glittering city in the desert. Here are five crucial hints to make your Hoover Dam tour a highlight of your vacation:

Choose a reputable tour company with an established record.

Not all tour companies are alike. Check its reputation with friends, your hotel concierge, or online reviews.

Book early. Day trips from Las Vegas and the nearby Grand Canyon National Park are popular, so don't leave your reservation to chance.

Crowds are heaviest in the summer months. You may prefer to book your Hoover Dam trip during less crowded periods. The Dam is open year round from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. It is closed for only two days: Christmas and Easter.

Driving through the Hoover Dam area can be lengthy and time-consuming. Construction delays are frequent. Leave plenty of time to park.

All visitors are required to enter the Visitors Center through a security checkpoint. All carry-in possessions will be scanned.

For additional information or a free Insider's Guide to the Grand Canyon visit: www.FreeGrandCanyonGuide.com