Question: OT: What to do and see in Las Vegas

[vilts]

I'm going to visit Las Vegas this summer and will have a few free days to drive around there.

What would be the places to see and visit, which are in 1 day driving radius? I've been there once and then visited Grand Canyon (a long-long drive from Vegas but totally worth it), Death Valley and Mt. Charleston, drove over Hoover Dam and swam in Lake Mead. Took the New York roller coaster too.

Maybe some must-see shows? Museums, attractions?

Fake Trevi and Eiffel weren't that impressive, though

 

[sam]

When will be you coming? I'll be in Las Vegas in late June for the JCK show.

Personally, I loathe Las Vegas. I love working the show and hanging with my friends and customers, but the town...I would never go there if it wasn't for a trade show. I should add that most everyone else seems to love it, and I'm one of the few grouchy people who don't like it

 

[vilts]

I'm coming in the beginning of August, 4th probably. Unless I decide to make some kind of road-trip or something and come bit earlier than that.

I agree, the city itself is... what it is. But I really loved what was around it, truly stunning nature. Especially when coming from a flatland (and cold!) like Estonia

 

[Haraga.com]

Red rock canyon hike. It's on the west side of town up against the mountains.

 

[sam]

If you're near Louisiana it would be great to see you again, Viljo.

 

[Southern Custom]

The fountains and lobby of the Bellagio are a fun diversion while on the strip. A Cirque du Soleil show is always fun. Outside of that, I can't think of very many other redeeming qualities in Vegas.
Sam, you are not alone. I'm like a fish out of water if I don't have a swamp within 10 minutes of me.
Layne

 

[Big-Un]

Red Rock Canyon is a must. Plus, the Las Vegas Race Track is great, with a lot of motor sports shops around it. Don't miss the Shelby Museum and manufacturing facility near the track, and there is good racing at the "bullring," a 1/2 mile oval track, every Friday night. While at the track you can watch "touch-and-go's" from B-52's to F16's at Edwards Air Base next door. My wife and I love to hit all those places mentioned and seldom go on the strip.

Bill

 

[Beathard]

The Buffet at the Rio is beautiful and tasty. But I'm definitely food motivated.

The Gun Store, you can even rent full auto firearms to shoot on their range.

 

[DakotaDocMartin]

If you like magicians, the best magician in the history of the world is there at the Luxor: Criss Angel - Believe

 

[Beathard]

You can always marry a stranger at the Graceland chapel.

 

[rodsta]

Viljo they have the best sushi bar in one of the malls there that is to die for....if you like sushi.

Rod

 

[Donny]

When will be you coming? I'll be in Las Vegas in late June for the JCK show.

Personally, I loathe Las Vegas. I love working the show and hanging with my friends and customers, but the town...I would never go there if it wasn't for a trade show. I should add that most everyone else seems to love it, and I'm one of the few grouchy people who don't like it

I'm pretty sure I hate vegas ten times more than you Every time we've ever been there I go to what ever trade-show is in town and walk the tables during the day. At night I go see a country singers concert. Otherwise they can turnout the lights and throw away the keys.

Donny

 

[JakeW]

Bryce Canyon national park and Zion national park are amazing! Both are in Utah

 

[BKJ]

Aw... skip Vegas come up to Carson City, NV and see Virginia City where Mark Twain spent a lot of his time. A lot of history up here.

I avoid Vegas at all costs!

Besides Lake Tahoe is 20 minutes from me... just saying!

 

[Marcus Hunt]

A few years ago I did a road trip and used Vegas as a base for the first couple of days; believe me you'll need to stay somewhere just to get over the jet lag. We did a day trip out to the Hoover Dam and went back to Vegas for a show we booked. Vegas is interesting for a day or so if you've never been there before but by day 3 we were more than ready to hit the road.

We drove up to the Grand Canyon and overnighted in one of the lodges there (book in advance or you might be disappointed). Next day we hiked down but not to the bottom - well worth doing. Next we drove to Flagstaff and stayed there overnight. I really like this town and I love Arizona - it's one of my favourite places that I've been to, and such a place of contrasts. Then we drove down and stayed in Sedona for 3 days; the red rocks are just amazing! Then we drove cross country via Jerome (an old mining town that's been taken over by artists now) to a guest ranch near Wickenburg. 4 days riding in the desert was amazing! Finally back to Vegas overnight, which was a bit of a waste of time but because I wanted to make sure we were back in plenty of time for the flight back we headed back a day earlier than was needed.....we were 'Vegased out' from the beginning of the trip so it really was not enjoyable second time around.

All in all this trip took around 2 weeks and we loved it but probably not much good if you've only got a few days although Wickenburg wasn't that far and is great if you like cowboy stuff. You can also get into southern California in 4-6 hours.

I'd only recommend Vegas if a) you love to gamble, b) you've never been there before - it's Disneyland for adults or c) you have to use it as an entry point to the SW USA.

Have fun!

 

[Marrinan]

One thing about Venus if you are not a gambler, Buy a stack of chips and pretend your thinking of gambling you car away (yes they will let you do that) you will get free drinks and free food to keep you at the tables. Vegas, a town founded by gangsters and still operated on PT Barnum's theory "there is a sucker born every minute" so lets take his money. Sheik's have become camel jockey's overnight. Family fortunes have been lost the same way. I found the nicest thing about the city was leaving, Fred

 

[SamW]

Though a long way from the strip, the Clark County Shooting range on the north side of town has many skeet/trap ranges, sporting clays ranges, rifle and pistol ranges, archery ranges and I forget what else. I have shot skeet there two or three time and it is excellent for the shooting sports. For those overnight trips out from Vegas, 7 1/2 hours away is Moab, UT, where you can indulge yourself floating the Colorado, hiking in Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Park. Also many jeep trails and mountain bike trails. Moab is a destination for people from all over the world. Delicate Arch is one of many wonderful arches in the area.

 

[Barry Lee Hands]

Fashion show mall is a good mall, has a great Starbucks out front on Las Vegas blvd, I am sitting in the genius bar at the fashion show mall apple store as I write this, sushi on rainbow is the best place I know of for all you can eat sushi, the firefly on flamingo is the currently hot place for drinks and tapas, el Cortez has decent 9.95 prime rib.

 

[Andrew Biggs]

Don't just drive over the Hoover Dam. Stop and have a look. It's worth a few hours visit and is quite an amazing piece of architecture.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[vilts]

Wow, this is most excellent. Such a good stuff

Seems that I have to take on Red Rock Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion Park. And possibly drive a Lambo on the track. These are the things I definitely can't do at home.

And by the suggestions it looks like extra trip is needed to visit all other Utah national parks...

I'm going there for a 4 day conference, so I'll have plenty of time to enjoy the possible pleasures of City as well. Staying at Rio, so will visit the buffet, as suggested

Sam, I'd love to pay you a visit. Just wish that Louisiana were bit closer than 1700 miles...