drewzilla652

Going out to Vegas with wife for 50th birthday in mid-November. Staying at Bellagio.
Day 1: Hiking at Red Rock Canyon. Is this the best place to go somewhat near Vegas for hiking this time of year?
"O" show that evening, but tix are about $200! Are you kidding! Where can I find tix discounts.
Day 2: Exploring museums and casinos along strip.
Another show in the evening. Maybe Amazing Jonathan, who I've always wanted to see.
Day 3: No idea.

Any MUST SEES? Any tips on how to do Vegas?
Thanks in advance!!

doug_stallings

O discount tickets aren't too common. Le Reve is somewhat cheaper, and I really enjoyed it last month -- cheaper tickets are really not bad for this show since it's done in a very good theater in the round; it's a similar kind of show (though not Cirque du Soleil) playing at the Wynn.

Red Rock offers the best hiking near the Strip; I did a short hike there last month, and it was great. But this is a desert environment, so don't hike alone, but I though the trail wasn't too strenuous.

Debi

Another VERY cool place (but it's a bit of a drive) is Fire Canyon. It is really very beautiful. Also, if you haven't seen Mystere (at Treasure Island) - THAT is just fabulous... We got married at the Bellagio - GREAT birthday idea....

lgott

Red Rock Canyon is indeed the best nearby choice for hiking. Hikes vary from short and easy to long and strenuous. If you can give me an idea of what type of hike you want (short, long, easy, hard, with rock scrambling, etc.), I can give more info.

It's worth noting that a recent flash flood has changed the topography of some trails, some in very dramatic ways. If you're interested in a particular hike, check at the Visitor Center to make sure it hasn't changed.

Debi refers to Fire Canyon. Fire Canyon is a hike that may be found at the Valley of Fire State Park. To me, the Valley of Fire is more dramatic than Red Rock for a drive through, but Red Rock is far superior for hiking.

drewzilla652

Thanks for your replies.
Both of us are pretty good hikers, so we can handle intermediate/lower level heavy hiking. We want to hike in the best, most picturesque part of Red Rock.

smartcookie

You will probably want to spend the last day seeing more hotels and gambling and spending time by the pool. There are also free shows during the day at various hotels you may want to check out, as well as the Comedy Stop comedy club at Tropicana, which is cheap and pretty good.

trippinkpj

That's very smart keeping your third day open. What you do/ get to in the first 2 days, will help you decide what to do with your third day.

lgott

drewzilla652, you should be able to find many, many hikes that meet your needs. Here are a couple:

(1) White Rock, Willow Springs, and La Madre Trail. This 6.3 mile loop is a combination of pieces of several trails. It's well maintained, pretty easy to follow, and offers a lot of beautiful views. Effort is moderate. Figure about two hours if you're super speedy hikers, three hours if you're normal, and four hours if you like to stop and smell the cacti. I've temporarily placed a simple map of the hike at http://home.comcast.net/~traveling_m...kLoopInRed.jpg (the trail is in red). Being a loop, you can start either at Willow Springs or at White Rock. For more details about the hike, see Jim Boone's excellent description at http://www.birdandhike.com/Hike/Red_.../WhiteRock.htm .

(2)If the above seems like a bit much, consider hiking to La Madre Spring. As you might guess from the name, it's in the same area as the other hike, but is only 3.5 to 4 miles round trip. You can see it at the upper left corner of my map, or see details at http://www.birdandhike.com/Hike/Red_...Sp/LaMadre.htm .



Both of these hikes will provide very good views, but the best views take a bit more doing. They'll involve fairly strenuous hiking, and also some rock scrambling. However, unless you're experienced both at route finding and at scrambling, a guide would be best.

The only other thing I can think of is the weather. Red Rock Canyon starts out about 2,000 feet higher than Las Vegas; temperatures are about five degrees cooler, and it's frequently windy. If you decide to hike up a mountain, it can get a lot chillier, and a whole lot windier; snow in November is a definite possibility. Dress appropriately.

Have fun!

[To repeat my caveat from an earlier note, a recent flash flood has changed the topography of some trails, some in very dramatic ways. If you're interested in a particular hike, check at the Visitor Center to make sure it hasn't changed.]

lgott

I forgot that the Fodor's site can't deal with tilde's in url's. In the above message, you'll need to cut and paste my url (the one that includes "traveling_man").

SaraWOO

I know "O" was discounted till the end of september dont think it is anymore,
try this website for the most updated offers in vegas, you can get some get 2-for-1 ticket deals:
http://www.smartervegas.com/Shows.aspx

here a link for some vegas tips:
http://www.smartervegas.com/Tips.aspx

hope the info was helpful

claudechev

Re the "O" Show: I would call the Bellagio ticket office directly. I found a lot better seats, and cheaper, than these brokers or discount places. We got good seats for cheaper than $200. What I do for the shows is get the seating charts on the web, look at it while I am talking to the ticket person. Also got good seats for "Reve" using the same strategy.

Good luck !!

amsdon

We have seen a few of the Cirque shows and love them, There is a new one I belive?

I usually go for the least expensive one though...Usually the ones at TI or Mirage are less$ (sorry I get those 2 hotels confused)
We also enjoyed Zoomanity @ NY NY which is anothe Cirque production, much more intimate venue but really liked it. A little bit naughtier btw.

One day we happened upon a "Prince Imitator" at House of Blues in Madaly. It was terrific and the crowd went wild just as with the real Prince, who is not there I belive at the Rio.

Also for a reaxing we enjoyed the jazz in the little jazz bar in Cesars. It's near the back they have a room with a bar & a Piano combo that is terrific. (not to be consused w/ Cleopatra's Barge, that's more 70s/80s/90/s dancing.)

Also the lounge near the entrace to Paris is pretty good at night. The groups usually play a good mix.

Italygirl55

If you're staying at the Bellagio make a point of having drinks in the evening at the Fontana Lounge right at the Bellagio. When you're at the velvet rope ask for a table on the patio. The patio should be open as last time we were there they had patio heaters. You have a great view of the fountain show and music. Very romantic. We've always enjoyed the house band.

SkaiSW

The evenings in Vegas are easy. It's the days I have some trouble with, but this is a list of my favorite daytime Strip activities:
1. Startrek rides at the Hilton. A must if you are or ever were a Trekkie.
2. Secret Gardens at the Mirage
3. Auto Museum at Imperial Palace - alot of old Rolls Royces and the like. They are for sale which makes you dream even more. I actually asked the sales person if I could test drive a $440,000 1967 Rolls. He said I could if my finances checked out. I said "My Fico is okay, but my credit limit might be a bit of a problem."
4. Venetian Wax Museum -you absolutely need a camera
5. Ventian Gugganheim Museum
6. If you don't get sick from moving ceilings (I do, unfortunately) the Gondolfo boats at the Venetian
7. Bellagio Fine arts Museum
8. 4D movies at the Luxor
Have a great time.

planning_ahead

bookmarking for future reference