Las Vegas

[Jules001]

It is a special wedding anniversary this year and instead of having a party Mr Jules and I fancy going to Vegas, but we are unsure how long we would need there to do it justice ie take in a show(s), do a spot of gambling and see all the hotels, we were thinking it would also be a good idea to take a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon, AND what else can we do as it seems a long way to travel if we don't make the most of it IYKWIM.

[Cathyhuns]

We spent 3 full days in Vegas this summer as part of a longer holiday so didn't need to leave time for shopping.

We spent 1 day visiting Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, with a picnic on the shores of Lake Mead and taking the road home through the National Park. This requires a National Park ticket but is much more scenic.

We also did a 1 day white water rafting through the Grand Canyon.
http://www.grandcanyontourcompany.com/wwlowst. html
This goes through Indian lands rather than the National Park but was still very spectacular. Expensive ($550 approx) but the highlight of our trip.

We spent our last full day visiting the hotels and their (air conditioned) shopping arcades as the temperature when we were there was almost 40 deg C.

We went to Cirque du Soleil - which was amazing and had no trouble getting tickets. Most of the hotels offer online booking and if you book direct with the hotel you don't have to pay the very substantial cover charges of the ticket agencies.

We also booked with Virgin Holidays which actually worked out at about the same price as booing everything ourselves over the net.

[campbellking]

Las Vegas itself only kept us amused for a day. Grand Canyon was great fun walking down and admiring the view, and even more fun seeing the rather large Americans puffing and blowing trying to get back up again.
Have to say that my favourite place in this area was Death Valley, which has lots of beautiful features and very variable landscapes. (Also some rock hard ground to try and pitch your tent in...)

[mightywease]

We spent 5 days in Vegas had never got bored.

We went to nearly all the hotels on the strip - the Venetian, Bellagio and Mandalay Bay are especially lovely. Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay is especially good, as is the lobby ceiling and the conservatory at the Bellagio and the Eiffel Tower Experience at the Paris Las Vegas gives great views over the strip and desert beyond.

My thrill seeking husband did the rides at the Stratosphere and New York, New York, being Trekkies we also spent an afternoon at the Hilton and the Star Trek Experience.

The Neon Lights of Downtown are worth seeing in the evening and as for shopping the stores in the Desert Passage at Aladdin, Forum Shops and Caesar's Palace and Grand Canal at the Venitian provided a few hours of retail therapy.

We actually never made it to the Grand Canyon as we were having such a great time in Las Vegas itself but if we ever go back I'd make visiting there a priority.

Enjoy. I loved Vegas and SO want to go back!

[mrsann]

I agree fully with all the points in the previous answer but think Freemont street is unmissable with its hourly light shows and smaller casinos bursting with atmosphere.It's great to watch a story in lights unfold while enjoying a 1$ hotdog in one hand and a 1$ margueritas cocktail in the other suitably tacky but great! The helicopter trip over the grand canyon is amazing but do prefasce it with a visit to the Imax cinema to watch the story of the canyon.It's quite a good idea to stay a few days out of town i.e. in Lauchlin about fifty miles from Vegas and situated right on the Colorado river with great boat trips as well as the fun of going from state to state every time you cross the river this includes a one hour time change as well as a totally different atmosphere in each state an added bonus is an excellent Wallmatr a short bus trip away when you are in Arizona.the shopping malls in all the casino hotels are amazing as well as all the best stores to be found easily.we sayed for a couple of weeks and failed to do all we wanted to so will use the excuse to revisit one of these days

[Miss Inquiry]

I went to Vegas last Easter with 10 friends for 4 days and 4 days was enough. I had an excellent time but by day 4 I was happy to be going home again, for some sleep and to get away from the clanging change in the fruit manchines, and bright lights.

I would highly recommend the helicopter ride over the canyon and also seeing Cirque de Solei was amazing.