I've been to the Grand Canyon before but this was my first time seeing The West side of the Canyon.  I enjoyed this trip but skipped one of the stops.  First off, $$ shouldn't really be the judge of this situation.  If you don't like spending $$, don't spend money and shut up about it.  If it's going to make you bitter to spend a little more money to go on the sky walk, then go to the other parts of the canyon and save a few bucks.  \n\nThe skywalk isn't a must but it definitely was interesting.  You get to stand over the canyon but you are very close to the edge. Upon entering there is a sign that warns that the skywalk is earthquake resistant only up to 8.0 (which was very scary).  The skywalk itself felt very sturdy and you get a photographer who will take as many pictures as you want so that later you can choose some and buy then if you choose to do so.  They are pricey $30/print, but we just bought one and it worked out since we didn't have anyone to take unlimited pix of us otherwise (only two of us).\n\nI preferred Guano Point to the Skywalk.  The Skywalk was fun but I felt more impressed at the top of the little mountain on Guano Point.  You don't have to pay extra for that and you get this tremendous 360 view of the canyon, you can take AMAZING photos from here but be prepared to climb a little for the best view.  Also, at Guano Point you can eat lunch on top of the world!\n\nFor anyone coming from Vegas, the drive is pretty long but it's beautiful!  Once you get off the freeway the roadside gets prettier and prettier as you near the canyon because you enter a Joshua Tree forest.  Beware of cows and jackrabbits. We almost hit a cow on our way in (they're right by the road).  Also, be warned that there is a long dirt road on the way to the canyon.  I enjoyed the dirt road but it was at least 30mins work of rugged landscape (very pretty, we played cowboy songs).  There is also a ranch leading up to the canyon and you can stop there for beer and food.  \n\nAll in all the trip was long but I enjoyed it.  It was a different view of the canyon than I had ever seen before.  Not being able to take my camera on the skywalk was super annoying, something done to make money off of turning part of the res into a tourist attraction.  It makes sense so I didn't much mind.\n\nThe buses that take you to the different locations were very nice charter buses, so don't worry about getting an old beat up twinkie bus because that didn't happen.\n\nHonestly I would've done this trip just for the drive out, I hadn't seen a Joshua Tree forest in a very long time (haven't been on a road trip in a while) and the dirt road was a hoot!  \n\nDON'T SKIP GUANO POINT, ITS THE BEST VIEW!\n\nAlso: keep your children close because they do not rope off the edges of the canyon, anyone can just fly off if they feel like it so watch them!\n\nI'm giving this a 4star just because it cost so much money to do the things we did.  It was worth it but so are the other parts of the canyon that cost less to see and provide more of a view. This was a unique experience and I loved it!