The secret's out: The bus tour to the Grand Canyon's South Rim is one of Las Vegas' hottest day trips. If it's not yet on your list of things to do in Sin City, here are 5 reasons why this bus trip should be:

#1 - The views are incredible - This is the Rim you see in National Geographic. It's an all-star line-up: Yaki Point, Mather Point, Yavapai Observation Station. Nothing matches up to the views you will get from these famous lookout points.

#2 - The bus drivers are incredible tour guides - These driving professionals know the route better than anyone else. They also know the National Park like it's their own back yard. Their anecdotes and insights greatly enhance this tour.

#3 - It's fun to ride a motor coach - These are deluxe buses and come replete with plush seats, individual A/C stations, plasma TVs, and over-sized windows. The drive over is super comfortable and effortless. Ideal for families, groups, and special occasions.

#4 - Great souvenir shopping - The Bright Angel gift shop is the king of gift shops. You name it, they've got it. Local delicacies, hats, magnets, DVDs, t-shirts, postcards, hiking equipment, water bottles. You name, it's here.

#5 - It's cheap - Tours start at $80 per person and include lunch, guide, and up to three hours at the Rim. On your way, you also get to see Lake Mead and Hoover Dam. Most tours now include a photo-stop on the Arizona side of the Dam. Now that's a bargain!

This bus tour is an all-day trip that takes 15 hours to complete. Tours, which include pick up and drop off at your Las Vegas hotel, depart at 7 a.m. The rim is 277 miles east of Las Vegas and one-way drive time is 5.5 hours (it goes fast aboard these luxury buses). Expect to be back on The Strip around 9 p.m. Refrain from making dinner or show reservations after this trip. There's no guarantee that you'll make it on time.

Dress for the season. During the summer, wear light clothing. Shorts, t-shirts, brimmed hats, and running shoes are fine. Bring sunscreen and water, too. If you check out one of the rim's fabulous trails, I suggest limiting it to 15 minutes one way. That’s plenty of time to get a feel of what it’s like to be in the gorge without "overheating." Winter is cold at the South Rim. Dress in layers. Take along a beanie, a pair of gloves. Come dressed in pants. I've seen Vegas travelers in shorts. Avoid that. The elevation of the rim is nearly twice that of Las Vegas' which amounts to a completely different weather environment.

The three big Las Vegas-based tour bus operators are Grand Canyon Coaches, Papillon Tours, and Grayline. There's also a number of smaller, niche bus tour companies out there and many are excellent. From reviews I've read on some of the top travel forums, Grand Canyon Coaches gets a lot of kudos for its commitment to comfort, value, and safety. The up-and-comer is Paradise Found, which has one of the best all-inclusive tours I've ever taken.

It's best to book your Grand Canyon bus tour online and in advance as this is a popular trip that sells out. If you want the best deal, buy direct online from the tour operator. These business compete hard for your travel dollar and constantly post great rates on their websites.

The Grand Canyon bus from Las Vegas is an excellent trip. From beginning to end, it's packed with things to do and see. Highlights include Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Mather Point, Yaki Point, Bright Angel and more. If you're searching for a day trip that let's you say, "been there, done that," this bus tour's the one. See you up there!