Hoover Dam remains one of America's greatest engineering achievements, measuring 1,244 feet in length and 726 feet high at its crest. At the time, no structure of such magnitude had ever been constructed and many of the procedures were untried.

Upon completion, Hoover Dam was almost immediately included as one of the Seven Wonders of the Industrial World. Even more remarkable, it was completed two years ahead of schedule and came in under budget.

Although it is a designated National Historic Landmark, it still accomplishes its original goal of harnessing the mighty Colorado River, which helped control irrigation water flow and flooding while generating hydroelectric power.

Hoover Dam VIP Tour

Don't be fooled by other tours. The best tours have two very important features: the organization and friendly, knowledgeable drivers who are willing to share their personal and humorous insights about the area along the way. This Hoover Dam VIP tour has both.

As an exclusive VIP tour, drivers sometimes make short scenic stops so visitors can take pictures of the panoramic views of Lake Mead and the Colorado River at the opening of Black Canyon. On the Black Canyon side, the Hoover Dam Bypass, the new and nearly complete 1,060-foot arch bridge, is clearly visible.

The real magic of the tour, however, is walking through the winding passageways inside the dam. Along the way, operators share a combination of presentations and exhibits, including 30-foot-diameter pipes that can transport nearly 90,000 gallons of water each second from Lake Mead to the dam's hydroelectric generators.

The tour also includes a panoramic view of the 650-foot-long Nevada wing of the power plant and eight of the dam's 17 huge generators that provide approximately 4 percent of all Nevada's energy needs.

Since the construction of Hoover Dam Bypass, several more attractions have been added to Hoover Dam, including a theater, exhibit gallery, the old exhibit building, dam spillways, intake towers, and the beautiful Winged Figures of the Republic.

The five-hour tour, which includes complimentary pick-up and drop-off at your hotel, is narrated from beginning to end. Water and snacks are provided. For complete logistics, prices, and times, please visit Tourguy.com for Hoover Dam tours.

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