Donna

How many days do you need to see Vegas and other sites like the dam? This is for a family with a teen age daughter - no gambling, but would really like to take in some shows. Thanks for your input!

panhandle

Depends...
The wife and I daont gamble and we were done with vegas after about 4 days. Not that we didnt like it...its just sensory overload. You could easily spend a couple weeks in Vegas and not see everything in and around.
It seems better to include Vegas in a southwest itinerary than to do Vegas on it own to me. We will include a trip over to Zion and or Bryce next time. We did a day trip through Oatman Arizona around part of Route 66 last time. It was a lot of fun and in many ways my favorite day of the trip.

Lori

I'm in Vegas alot and I would say no less then 4 days for your visit. Even if you do not gamble there is alot to see/do. "Seeing Vegas" is mostly the strip to the average visitor, the actual city is just like any other city out this way (I live in AZ) - it's sprawling suburbia and of little interest to most tourists once off the Strip.

I'd plan a day for Hoover Dam and perhaps another day for Valley of Fire and leave two days for hitting the hotels, shopping, and strip activities. Choose a centrally located Strip hotel and you will be able to walk most everyplace too.

Not sure what kind of shows you like, but Love is great. If you have not seen Phantom of the Opera the Vegas production is marvelous (and even if you have seen it, as I have, it is still wonderful to see again). Lots and lots of Cirque shows to choose from as well, depending on your tastes.

diann

When we were there in June we did a day trip floating down the hoover dam on a raft. It was excellent and one of the highlights of our trip. I would look into it depending on when you are going. I think it runs yearly. With a teen that might be a fun thing to do. They include a packed lunch. As suggested the Valley of Fire is great to see. We are not gamlbler either and I think we were there 5 days and that was enough. We were ready to come home. See Mystere, LOVE or one of those shows. Walk around downtown. See the light show one night. Just stuff to do. If you go in the summer/late spring you can use the pools in the daytime.

mikesmom

We like four nights in Vegas. Not too long, but not too short either. We've done three nights and it's not quite long enough. Especially when we have a four hour plane ride.

Have fun!

trippinkpj

One could do Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire in one day, if you start your day early enough (leave hotel by 9 am). Red Rock Canyon could be done in a 1/2 day, unless you want a real hike.

LilyLace

We are leaving Friday for our 7th trip to Vegas we'll stay 6 days but I think 4 days will work fine. My husband would stay for 2 weeks if he could but I get bored after a while! Of course he is a big gambler so there's more for him to do.

The suggestions above are good ones and do make sure to take your daughter to the light show on Fremont street. It's free and great for all ages.

Donna

Four days sounded right - thanks for all the input. If you have any more "don't miss" suggestions, they will be appreciated.