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Las vegas and Grand canyon trip with parents ( 4 days)

Las vegas and Grand canyon trip with parents ( 4 days)

Old Sep 11th, 2014, 02:07 PM
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Las vegas and Grand canyon trip with parents ( 4 days)

Hi all,

I am planning a trip to Las Vegas and Grand Canyon in late September with my elderly parents ( > 60 years). Initially we planned a visit to Niagara falls, NYC or Washington but decided not to, as they have limited walking activities. I think LV & GC trip would have less walking than the former. This is their first visit to US, hopefully the GC scenes and Vegas life would be a nice experience for them.

We'll be arriving at LV around 9 am, and planning to rent a car from the airport and drive to GC. I checked the lodging at GC, but no luck with lodging inside the park. Trying to find a place in Williams or Flagstaff. Next day go back to GC, spend half a day and drive back to LV, planning to stop by the Hover dam on our way back. Planning to spend next two days in LV and fly back on 5th day morning.

My parents will enjoy the sight scenes rather than spending hours in gambling, so I am not sure how to plan the two days in Vegas. I am thinking of driving to Zion for one day, but not sure whether it's too much for 4 day itinerary. Would love to have some suggestion from you folks.

Greatly appreciate your help. Thank you...!!!
panpeter is offline  
Old Sep 11th, 2014, 03:00 PM
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There is quite a it of walking in both GC and Vegas; paths are not all level and smooth either. And it will still pretty hot in both places at end of Sept.

Go to Sedona for nice scenery instead of Vegas.
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Old Sep 11th, 2014, 03:04 PM
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We liked Red Rock Canyon--it's beautiful. We hiking, but there's also a driving route. It's quite close to LV.
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Old Sep 11th, 2014, 03:05 PM
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If lodging in Grand Canyon NP is booked online, try calling Xanterra direct 1-888-297-2757. Often there are cancellations that don't show up online.
Keep calling too, I am sure you will luck out.
If not, try Tusayan, it's much closer than Williams or Flagstaff.

Giddyup
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Old Sep 11th, 2014, 03:23 PM
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Exactly what Gilbert56 said - call every day to get a reservation inside the park. Make a backup reservation for Tusayan.

I would opt for either Valley of Fire or Red Rock Canyon as a day trip from Vegas. Zion is too far for a decent day trip.
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Old Sep 11th, 2014, 04:11 PM
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Thank you guys for all the suggestions. I will keep on calling Xanterra. I tried last couple of days, but had no luck.
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Old Sep 12th, 2014, 03:43 AM
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Do call, call, call and in the mean time, make a reservation in Tusayan or Cameron (at Cameron Trading Post).

The GC is wonderful even for people who don't hike. Take the park bus from Bright Angel to Hermit's rest. Get off at the wonderful overlooks and walk out a short path to the view then back and wait for the next bus.

If you get lodging in Cameron, stop at the eastern overlooks as you come into or out of the park, otherwise do the trip to the east while you are in the park.

From Vegas do take a ride through Valley of Fire and Red Rock canyon, much beauty from the car or with a short walk. Bring drinks,snacks and/or lunch with you are there are no dining options in either park.
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Old Sep 12th, 2014, 04:31 AM
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The hotels in GC allow you to cancel up to 72hrs before arrival with no fee so even if you don't find something now chances improved as the 72hr cutoff approaches.

You can also check availability at xanterra.com. Often easier to do then on phone.
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Old Sep 12th, 2014, 04:47 AM
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The paved rim path at Grand Canyon is smooth and very easy for walking, and you have access to shops, hotel restaurants and other sites. Like emalloy said, the buses are great for getting around.

Your plan does seem pretty packed for four days, but it really depends on whether you all like to sightsee from the car. Instead of trying to do Hoover Dam on the way back from GC, you might want to consider seeing it on one of your Vegas days and doing one of the dam tours that are offered throughout the day. Check the schedule because they seem to fill up pretty fast.
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Old Sep 12th, 2014, 10:16 AM
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Grand Canyon and Zion seems like too much driving for just a 4 day trip, but of the two I'd choose Zion.

Springs Mountain Ranch and RedRock Canyon Park is a nice afternoon loop from Vegas. Whether or not you should picnic at Springs Mtn Ranch depends on the heat....it is about 10 degrees cooler than Vegas but if it's 105 in Vegas it's probably not picknicking weather at the Ranch.

You don't really see much of the Vegas strip from a car, how much walking can they do? And where are you staying...we can point out anything interesting that's within a short walk of your hotel. They might enjoy The Springs Preserve so check to see what's happening there over your two days...it's also a nice place to have lunch and look at the gardens/desert cactus (you don't need an admission ticket just to see the gardens and have lunch).
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Old Sep 12th, 2014, 11:16 AM
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Thank you very much for your great suggestions. I made a reservation in Tusayan, will keep calling xanterra to find something inside the park.

@clarkgriswold thanks for your suggestion. Even I prefer Zion over GC. I did GC before, but not Zion. It's in my bucket list for awhile. But my parents know only about GC, know little or nothing about Zion So I thought they would enjoy a place that they have heard or watched on videos before. We will be staying at MGM. Max walking time 15-20 min and rests in between. Thanks for any suggestion.
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Old Sep 12th, 2014, 12:22 PM
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Hoover Dam would also be very accessible if they might be interested in the tours there.
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Old Sep 12th, 2014, 04:27 PM
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Oh my, you're not in the "Emerald" section at MGM, are you? Some of those rooms are 20 mins walk just to get to thlobby. I'm trying to think of any casino hotels where one can just walk the long hallways, take an elevator, and then be a short walk to the lobby/car pickup. You might even want to stay off-strip, because from MGM...even just walking across to NYNY and back is going to be quite a chore. You'd probably be better off in a low rise where they can just walk out to the car easily, then you drop them at the valet/main entrance of whatever hotels/casinos you decide to experience.
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Old Sep 13th, 2014, 05:28 AM
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While MGM is OK, the location is further down the strip, with more distance to other casino hotels. I thought it was much more fun staying in the center strip area-- Flamingo, Paris, Bellagio, etc. That way you are in the middle of the action and can see more without an extreme amount of walking. It just has a different feel.
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Old Sep 13th, 2014, 03:49 PM
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If your parents can only walk 15-20 minutes at a time, then you are going to be fairly restricted in Vegas. You can maybe walk from one casino to the next one, but then they will have to take a break. I would suggest you plan on driving up and down the Strip to show them the sights instead.

If they want to see a specific casino or two up close, drop them off at the front entrance so they have less distance to walk or plan on taking taxis.
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Old Sep 13th, 2014, 07:46 PM
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You can go to the Valley of Fire out of Vegas.

As for the South Rim, there are free shuttles for those with limited walking. Do your parents react to high altitude. They may feel it at Grand Canyon.
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Old Sep 15th, 2014, 06:38 AM
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< Also the road is a little risky.>
No, it's not.
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Old Sep 15th, 2014, 08:58 AM
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I don't know what sarahsherhols is talking about? Perhaps the West Rim?

The road to the South Rim is not at all risky. And "you can't stand on a hill and view the GC properly" makes no sense for the South Rim as there aren't really any hills at the rim. I've never been to the West Rim so I don't know if there are hills there but whatever she's talking about has no relevance to the South Rim.
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Old Sep 16th, 2014, 02:54 PM
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I would surely pick flying into Phoenix over Vegas any day. We made a wonderful trip from Phoenix to the GC and back one spring. It was a beautiful drive. Stayed one night in Sedona, one night at Guldings Ranch in Momument Valley, one night in a Bright Angel cabin on the south rim of the canyon, and one night on the Navajo reservation.

And BTW.....60 is NOT "elderly".
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Old Sep 17th, 2014, 02:51 AM
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sarahsherhols, most of the folks here would rather go to the National Park at either the south rim or the north rim than the west rim which is in a side canyon off the Grand Canyon. It is pretty, but not as spectacular as the Grand, and the costs and restrictions for photos are off putting.
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