USA TODAY 10Best
Experience the breathtaking landscapes of the US on the 10 best helicopter tours
Best Helicopter Tour (2024)
Whether it’s the majestic layers of the Grand Canyon, flashing neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip, or beautiful rainforests and beaches of Hawaii, top destinations across the United States often look even better from the air.
Set out to see them with the 10 best helicopter tour operators of 2024, selected by an expert panel and voted by readers as the cream of the crop for their friendly and well-trained pilots and staff, in addition to the stunning locations they show off.
- Vertical Ventures Aviation - Whitefield, New Hampshire
- Air Kauai Helicopter Tours - Lihue, Hawaii
- Charm Aviation - New York City, New York
- Fly-KeyWest Helicopter Tours - Key West, Florida
- Black Hills Helicopters - Keystone, South Dakota
- Rainbow Air Helicopter Tours - Niagara Falls, New York
- Guidance Air - Sedona, Arizona
- Maverick Helicopters - Multiple locations
- Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours - Las Vegas, Nevada
- Island Helicopters Kauai - Lihue, Hawaii
Photo courtesy of Vertical Ventures Aviation
No. 10:
The staggering natural beauty of the Granite State is on full display with Vertical Ventures Aviation, an aerial tour company that showcases some of New England's most stunning mountain ranges. On a one-hour Spectacular Tour, guests can bask in the splendor of Franconia Notch, while the half-hour Executive Tour is perfect for gaining some new perspective on New Hampshire's iconic White Mountains.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Doering / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 9:
With doors on or doors off, Air Kauai Helicopter Tours offers unobstructed 180-degree views of some of the most scenic spots in Kauai. Even better, pilots provide a wealth of information on Kauai's landscape, geology, and history.
Photo courtesy of Charm Aviation
No. 8:
See New York City’s iconic landmarks from the air in one of Charm’s helicopters. Enjoy a romantic flight for two or take the entire family to appreciate this experience of the city from the best possible vantage point.
Photo courtesy of Fly Key West Helicopters
No. 7:
With numerous flights ranging from 10 to 60 minutes, Fly-KeyWest Helicopter Tours offers guests the most exciting way to experience this famous Florida city and its environs. View the city’s most well-known and historical landmarks and get a bird’s-eye view of sea life and sunken boats. Or take a relaxing flight over backcountry lands and see dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and stingrays in their natural habitat. For a romantic experience for two, book the scenic sunset flight, complete with complimentary champagne.
Photo courtesy of BHH
No. 6:
Passengers aboard a Black Hills Helicopters flight get to see two of the world’s largest sculptures — Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse — from a new perspective. These flights also show off the unique geology of South Dakota’s Black Hills.
Photo courtesy of DrMaestro / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 5:
If experiencing Niagara Falls and the Horseshoe Falls from the sky is on your bucket list, look no further than Rainbow Air Helicopter Tours. This memorable journey sits you above one of the most iconic landmarks in the world and touts itself as a "limousine to the sky."
Photo courtesy of Guidance Air
No. 4:
Among the most popular outdoor activities in Sedona is a helicopter flight above the magnificent red rock formations. Guidance Air offers scenic flights to natural landmarks like Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Courthouse Butte, as well as special tours to the Grand Canyon.
Photo courtesy of Maverick Helicopters
No. 3:
Maverick Helicopters operates in Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and Hawaii, offering a wide range of experiences. See the sparkling lights of the Strip or Mother Nature’s masterpiece at the Grand Canyon, or hover above the Hana Rainforest of Maui.
Photo courtesy of Isaac Brekken
No. 2:
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours has been flying visitors to the Grand Canyon since 1965. The fleet includes oversized windows for better views, and the company enjoys access to exclusive landing sites on Hualapai and Navajo Nation lands.
Photo courtesy of Island Helicopters Kauai
No. 1:
There are few things more scenic than seeing the world from a helicopter, and the splendor of Kauai provides an ideal backdrop. Experienced pilots with Island Helicopters share facts about Kauai as you enjoy a bird's-eye view of lush greenery, cascading waterfalls, coastlines, and famous landmarks.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She... Read More
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for Insider, Fodor's Travel, Yahoo, the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, Viator and Reviewed among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com and can be found on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for Insider, Fodor's Travel, Yahoo, the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, Viator and Reviewed among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com and can be found on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion... Read More
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Melanie Reffes
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in... Read More
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com. A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com. A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Olivia Christine Perez
Olivia Christine Perez is an outdoor + travel... Read More
Olivia Christine Perez is an outdoor + travel wellness expert, author, and the creator of O. Christine: a travel and wellness platform inspiring thousands of people to travel more and get outdoors for their wellness. Living with an autoimmune disease herself, Olivia helps people find wellness through the outdoors, self-care adventures, and mindful travel experiences. You can follow her work at ochristine.com and instagram.com/ochristine.
Olivia Christine Perez
Olivia Christine Perez is an outdoor + travel wellness expert, author, and the creator of O. Christine: a travel and wellness platform inspiring thousands of people to travel more and get outdoors for their wellness. Living with an autoimmune disease herself, Olivia helps people find wellness through the outdoors, self-care adventures, and mindful travel experiences. You can follow her work at ochristine.com and instagram.com/ochristine.
Rob Taylor
Rob Taylor is the author of The Road Trip Survival... Read More
Rob Taylor is the author of The Road Trip Survival Guide (being released May 25, 2021) and the founder of 2TravelDads, the original LGBT Family Travel blog. Focusing on ecotourism and education, 2TravelDads inspires LGBT families (and traditional families also) to go beyond their usual getaways and use travel to learn about and be part of a bigger world. 2TravelDads blazes the way for other two-dad and two-mom families to travel to previously overlooked destinations or places we as gay people would normally avoid. We share the struggles we've faced and the surprising gems and welcomes we've had along the way. Traveling as a family is one thing, traveling as an LGBT family is completely something else.
Rob Taylor
Rob Taylor is the author of The Road Trip Survival Guide (being released May 25, 2021) and the founder of 2TravelDads, the original LGBT Family Travel blog. Focusing on ecotourism and education, 2TravelDads inspires LGBT families (and traditional families also) to go beyond their usual getaways and use travel to learn about and be part of a bigger world. 2TravelDads blazes the way for other two-dad and two-mom families to travel to previously overlooked destinations or places we as gay people would normally avoid. We share the struggles we've faced and the surprising gems and welcomes we've had along the way. Traveling as a family is one thing, traveling as an LGBT family is completely something else.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
