More Vegas questions... About This Page:

[Straitlover]

Well, the Grand Canyon will be a whole day by itself. You can drive (8 hrs one way I believe), or they do bus trips.

If they don't have a tour bus to the dam, you could rent a car that day. If you don't plan on leaving the Strip, you could probably do w/o a car as they have busses that run up and down the Strip. If you still plan on staying at the Nugget up in Downtown, I would say get a car. They also have tons o' taxis, but I don't know how much they run. I wouldn't think it would cost too much for airport transfers, since the airport is right off the Strip. I didn't realize how close it was until last July when I flew in on a layover at 11 PM. You could see everything all lit up!

As far as how long, I can't say for sure. I've only been there once (other than my layover), and it was only for 24 hrs (drove in from San Diego - was visiting friends in SD). It kinda depends on what all you want to do. If you don't plan on gambling much at all and don't need a lot of rest during the day, I would think 4 days would be enough.

I wnet in April. Temp was around 90 during the day, but because it was a dry heat, it felt great to me! Night was cool; I needed a sweater.

[Bert & Sully]

I've been doing research for a trip out there. May seems to be an ideal time before Memorial Day weekend as the temps are more "moderate" and it's before the summer crowds start.

We are actually planning a longer trip.

If you drive up to the Grand Canyon think about checking Sedona out, among other places.

[Hanners]

When is the best time to go?
Rent a car or no?
Is 4 days enough if I want to also visit Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon?
Any favorite websites or books?
Thanks so much!

[Bert & Sully]

I KNOW there are others that have been here because I got great suggestions several months back when I initially started looking into it.

[AKLRULZ]

Originally posted by Bert & Sully:
I KNOW there are others that have been here because I got great suggestions several months back when I initially started looking into it.

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">Globetrotting isn't the most popular forum on these Passporter boards, so perhaps the folks who helped you out before haven't seen this post - you might want to run a search of archived or old posts specifically in Globetrotting to help you find what you are looking for and then link them to this thread if you find some good scoop! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] If you need assistance, feel free to PM me, and I'll be more than happy to walk you through the steps. [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img]

[TiggerAlli]

I can't say when would be the best time to go, I've been there in early Sept. & late Oct.. Sept. was VERY hot, Oct. was chilly at night (needed coats). My DMIL & DFIL go ALL the time & have been there during all the seasons but I don't think they have a favorite.

If you want to go out to Hoover Dam or to check out Red Rock Canyon definitely get a car, at least for the day you're going out there. Apparently they have started up a 'monorail' of sorts recently that links a number of the hotels but you have to get off at each hotel & walk through their casinos (Hot tip from said in-laws who just got back from a trip). That is, from what I understand, in the heart of the strip though so I'm not sure if it would help you.

4 days was plenty for us but we don't gamble so that might have something to do with it.

Favorite book: Bob Sehlinger's Unofficial Las Vegas, used that a lot when we went

If I can make a suggestion, if you have the money/time, go see Mystere or O or both. They are AMAZING & honestly the only things that would get me back in Vegas!

Hope that helps! Have fun!

[DebiDebiDebi]

Hanners,
I have been to Las Vegas twice...if you have any questions, feel free to ask...or PM me, I am more than willing to help!

We went in July and October, both fantastic times to go...very hot in July, naturally, but with all that airconditioning, you hardly notice! I would say no to a rental, but since you are headed to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon, then a car is a must. Keep in mind the Grand Canyon is not as close to Vegas as you might think...about 275 miles. I would suggest more than 4 days, as the Grand Canyon is at the very least, a 2 day excursion. (-OR-Maybe a helicopter tour would be nice, I know they offer those, and that would be a time saver.) I have not been to Hoover Dam, so no advice there. And as for travel guides, we didn't buy one, but found TONS of shows on the Travel Channel about Las Vegas that were extremely helpful.

[dsnytina]

Hanners:
I'm in the same boat you are. I've never been to Lost Wages before and I'm very curious. I've checked out almost every guidebook from the library, but I'm still looking for a detailed walking tour. We're going Aug 31-Sept. 5. Five nights at TI. We're not renting a car since we're on the Strip and not planning to go further than downtown for a night. I've already planned to go to Wet n Wild Labor Day since it'll be so hot!!! [img]graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img]
Hope you find lots to help you!
Tina [img]graemlins/usa.gif[/img]

[PS - I LUV WDW]

Sorry I missed this topic or I would have responded sooner! I haven't been on much, otherwise I would have seen it as I always come to this forum when I'm on.

We've only been in late April/early May and found the weather to be great! Warm enough for the pool, but can be a little cool at night (think sweatshirt weather).

We have gotten a rental car on each trip as it seems to make things a bit easier. Although it appears that things might be close, looks can be deceiving. We've also gone to Hoover Dam (pre 9/11) and really enjoyed the trip. We also went to Red Rock Canyon and on another trip to the Valley of Fire. Definitely need a car for any of these.

We haven't gotten to the Grand Canyon from there yet and as others have mentioned it is a bit of a drive!

As for the four days, we've done that many nights before and have said that next time we will stay longer and like TiggerAlli we also don't gamble!

There have been many Vegas discussions in this forum.. Here's a few for you to sample:

Going to Vegas from 6/4/02

Vegas Highlights - July 2002

If you have any other questions feel free to PM me or ask away here! We love going to Vegas so I always love talking about it (actually right now I'm looking thru Frommer's 2003 Vegas as we are tossing around the idea of going for a week in May).

Pam

[dsnytina]

Thank you for those links - I actually bumped one because it had so many LV tips!

[Bert & Sully]

Yes, THANK YOU Pam!

[Wendyismyname]

We went last year in July to celebrate my hubby's b-day. We stayed for 5 nights and 4 days. We arrived late into the night so the next morning was a do nothing day. We stayed at Mandalay Bay and they have a FABULOUS pool, complete with a wave pool. i think, if i remember right, it's the biggest wave pool west of the mississippi. But don't quote me on that. On the second day, we did a Hoover Dam tour by bus. It was nice indeed! However, temps that day at the Dam reached 120 degrees! We were chugging water like crazy! Since 9/11, you don't get the whole tour, as they don't let you down past the generators. In the elevator, our guide did say "Yes I am your DAM guide", for those of you who have seen Vegas Vacation, you'll know what i am talking about.
Our third day, we took a city tour, which included the Morman Fort, Fremont Street, an art studio(whoopee) and Liberace Museum. The next day we had to go home early.

We took our kids, then 7&6, and they really liked the tours. That Dam is awesome!

we didn't make it to the Grand Canyon, we really needed one more day for that, but you can tour by bus, hummers, helicoptors, and even white water raft! They do take 8-10 hours. It's a rather long drive too, but it would be worth it.

We took turns gambling because of taking the kids. I gambled big time---$20! which i lost and Ben gambled less than that. We could both see how easy it would become hooked on it.

Mandalay Bay is linked by monorail to Luxor and Excalibur. all three are owned by the same company, which also own Monte Carlo and Circus Circus.

Next time we go, we would like to spend an extra day there just so we can do the Grand Canyon. The lights on the Strip are really neat and EVERYTHING looks within walking distance, but it's a nice long hike!

www.vegas.com www.lasvegas.com are both good websites!

Have fun if you go!

Wendy

[Wendyismyname]

I forgot to mention that Mandalay Bay also has Shark Reef. It's open to the public and costs around $14 per adult. We did that too on one of the days we were there, but can't remember which one.

Wendy

[Hanners]

Thanks for all of your help, everyone!

[bub]

We just returned this week from Vegas and Arizona, with our 2 kids aged 9 and 11. Stayed at Excalibur - good location on the strip and inexpensive on weekdays, nothing special otherwise. We enjoyed all the sights of the hotels. We saw the Hoover Dam - interesting but very hot. It took about 6 hours to drive to Grand Canyon - we spent a day and a half there and could have stayed longer. Also spent a day in Sedona - took a Pink Jeep tour - very worthwhile. Stayed in Flagstaff in Arizona - good location for daytrips.