lynn

ww will arrive by lunchtime, with 2 nights stay. Our plan is definetly take a plane/heli ride to GC on day 2 and perhaps a Lake Mead evening cruise on first night (waiting for info back on cruise). So in between what would you recommend as must sees? We are not big gamblers (probably try a few slots in passing, but thats about it). So would it be better taking in the hotel sights during daytime and leaving night for nice dinner etc.? P.S. It will be mid October - will it get dark early then (I'm thinking about what we can see from cruise). Thanks for your help once again.

Loki

Nothing personal, but why would you want to spend 1 of only 2 nights in the city with arguably the greatest nightlife on a dinner cruise in a reservoir? I don't think you will see anything at night and I can't imagine the food being better than restaurants in Vegas. I would save a dinner cruise for the SF Bay or somewhere like that. Vegas is all about the strip at night.

Taking in the hotel sights is much better at night, Bellagio fountains all lit up, the views from atop the Strat or Eiffel Tower, Mirage volcano, etc.

I'd recommend nice dinner, going to a show, and then seeing the strip all lit up at night for quintessential Vegas.

gotribe

I have to agree with Loki on that one.

I'd do the cruise if I was there four
nights - maybe. But definitely not for a two night trip!

There are so many shows to choose from, the Bellagio fountains, Fremont Street, Stratosphere, etc., etc.

If you don't see any of that, you're definitely missing out.

lynn

I take your point there, the reason in our thinking was so we could fit in Hoover Dam as well (like killing 2 birds with 1 stone!), but I suppose we could do that daytime. It's all down to timing really with just a couple of days to fit.

ltt

sorry lynn but another vote for slowing things down. las vegas is so exciting in the evenings. do your grand canyon thing and then don't plan anything else except enjoying the strip and maybe the pool area if that's your thing. you can spend hours walking there. i could spend tons of time just enjoying the bellagio fountains at night.

nickie

Must concur: skip the evening dinner cruise, too dark to see anything. Vegas comes alive at night. Re Hoover dam--it's interesting, but if you only have 2 days, don't bother, it's not THAT interesting. As ltt already suggested, pick a few priorites and relax! Have fun!!!

Scarlett

If Hoover Dam traffic is as bad as it was a couple of years ago when we thought we would do that visit, you will spend 2 nights just waiting in the line to get there!
Lake Mead is prettier from a distance, if you must take a drive out of town, leave in the morning, drive to Red Rock Canyon and spend some time driving through, take a small hike, watch the crazy rock climbers.
Then after lunch drive out to Lake Mead. See how much the whole area looks like a Martian moonscape Then go back to the Strip and stay there!
Must sees:
The Aquarium at Mandalay Bay (sharks under you)
Bellagio Fountains, day or night, especially night.
The silly Volcano at the Mirage, at night.
Ceasars Forum shops and ceiling.
The Venetian,
Luxor, NYNY,MGM..they are all so huge and wacky, all you need to do is start at one end of the Strip and just walk!
Have a great time!

hipvirgochick

if you can do a show, pick mystere or o, they're expensive but well worth it! we have seen the shows many times and have never been disappointed. book in advance! walking most of the strip and alternating with ducking into casinos for a drink and cool down, going on some rides and trying new places to eat is a fun to get a balance of the upscale as well as the fun visuals in the newer themed casinos. good luck!

hotandsweaty

i would like to suggest that you book a window seat on the way to and from vegas- the views you see of the desert from the plane are far superior to what you will see in a rushed drive into the desert...and really, with only two days, that will barely get you from hotel to hotel. you have to see the fountains at bellagio. you have to see the gardens at bellagio. you have to see the new pirates show if it is ready (free) and the volcano. you have to walk around fake venice in the venetian...wear comfy shoes, and wear and outfit you can use as a repeater (i have seen your packing post) and then plan on really exploring all the fun hotels...oh and paris, you have to get pastries at le notre in paris...and the desert passage mall. seriously if you can just view the place as a giant theme park, you will really enjoy it much more and there are so many places to eat in all price ranges...enjoy it! (not really part of the convention and visitors bureau, i swear )

gail

Regarding Hoover Dam - we were there on a Sunday in August and traffic was not bad - just slowed a bit about a mile from the Dam. Plenty of parking. It was over 105 degrees, but should be cooler in October!

PrincessPhoto

If Hoover Damn is a real interest, you can do that early, day 1. The spend the rest of the afternoon and evening on the strip. I would assume the ride over the GC won't take the whole day, so you can also enjoy take in more attractions that evening. Vegas never sleeps, so you can see several things in one night and still have some gambling time.
Oops.... I just noticed you are not arriving until around noon, are you driving or flying in? The last time I took my son, we drove in, and rather than checking into the hotel we drove straight to the HD, we made it back to the hotel before dinner time and then went to the Freemont Street to see the light show.
You won't see everything, but you can squeeze in a lot.