If you want a real zip line experience instead of a few seconds over Fremont Street try Bootleg Canyon. http://lasvegas.about.com/od/MuseumsAttractions/a/Zip-Lining-In-Las-Vegas.htm
Are you renting a car or going on group tours? The rental car gives you a lot more flexability to go some places the tours don't go and the chance to travel at your own pace with air conditioning.
When leaving Hoover Dam, you can drive up the west side of Lake Meade and end up going through Valley of Fire State Park.
From the State Park, go west to get back on I-15 in time to see the light show over Fremont Street.

I would suggest you the Grand Caynon by Helicopter.

I costs a bit more but you get some awesome views plus you get picked up from your hotel and and you are back within 4 or 5 hours instead of speading 12 or more hours on a bus that leaves your hotel at 7am.

We've seen Cirque O and Ka. They were amazing!!! Check for discounts on broadwaybox.com. Second tomfuller's recommendations to see Hoover Dam, Lake Meade and Valley of Fire if you get a chance.

I took a group bus from Hoover Dam and then to Grand Canyon on same day.
As for best site... the babes! All the drunk girls showing off their boobs all over.
As for the fake NY, Paris, Italian architecture... na, forget it, go see the real things. And the shows, ok, some good some bad, but all cost too much. I dont care for any of them. Overall, I do my gambling in Atlantic City, so why go to Vegas? In Winter, I would, again just for the babes.

Bellagio Fountains, their Arboretum and the huge chocolate fountain, go to the top of the Eiffel Tower and/or the Stratosphere, the gardens at Mars Candy - toward Henderson, the Fremont experience/lazer show, try to take a tour down into Hoover dam, any of the Cirque shows, Phantom of the Opera, and the beat goes on............................

Also - Red Rock Canyon - about 20 minutes west. They also have a nice visitor's center.

Gav_Davie do you have a recommendation for which Helicopter tour to take? I'm organising a trip for some friends and they really want to do this. We did it years ago by fixed wing plane. The prices all seem much the same but would love to hear from someone who's done it.

We just got back from 5 nights in Vegas and we did a helicopter tour with heli USA. It cost about $600 for the two of us but they pick u up from the hotel and you get about 2 1/2 hours in the helicopter flying over Hoover dam, lake mead and below the rim of west rim of grand canyon. On the way back yo fly over the strip. I think all the companies do pretty much the same. You can pay extra to do a trip where you land in the canyon.

We also went to the gun store - being Brits this was a novelty to us - fired 20 rounds each with a hand gun, rifle and machine gun. Cost approx $160 each but they have cheaper/more expensive packages.

We also did CSI experience, shark reef and new York rollercoaster - all three cost about $50 dollars total

Have a great time

Be sure to check the safety record and most importantly - the average flying hours of the pilots at the company you select. I don't think they have had any problems there lately - but better safe than sorry.

I always want to have the most experienced pilots - just in case nature decides to deal you a set of tough conditions.

And while I grew up hunting and shooting rifles in Oregon - some people get a real kick out of visiting the shooting ranges in Vegas - including letting er rip with the auto.

The Springs Preserve is the loveliest attraction in Las Vegas. Other things that we like such as Red Rock, Valley of Fire, Boulder Zipline etc, I just can't recommend doing in the heat of summer. But then, I'm just one of those people who's miserable in 105 degree sunshine.

For those with an electic bent...

The Las Vegas Pinball Hall of Fame.
The Rough Exhibit at the Tropicana - focusing on Sin City's seamy past.
The works of Claude Monet at the Bellagio Art Gallery.
The Mob Museum.
The Liberace Museum.
The Gun Store - shoot machine guns and Uzi's til you run out of money.
The Graceland Chapel, or the Elvis impersonators at the Viva Las Vegas Chapel.
The Atomic Testing Museum - New Exhibit on Area 51.
The Pawn Shop run by the folks at Pawn Stars.
Bodies: The Exhibition - no, not babes.
Titanic Exhibit at the Luxor.

I could go on, but this should keep you busy for a day or three. Funny, no one else is recommending these places.

I believe the Liberace Museum is closed.

My favorite attractions are walking on The Strip in the stretch from MGM to the Venetian, watching the Bellagio Fountain, and making excursions to the Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon.

HTTY

Sorry about Liberace, they closed it about 1 1/2 years ago.

" fired 20 rounds each with a hand gun, rifle and machine gun. Cost approx $160 each"

huh? only 20 rounds? The gun ranges in NJ are far cheaper. I could buy a rifle and shoot all I want.

The Las Vegas Pinball Hall of Fame.

--more interested in video/arcade games.

The Rough Exhibit at the Tropicana - focusing on Sin City's seamy past.

--never heard of it.

The Liberace Museum.

--closed down due to lack of visitors. The old folks who saw him are either dead or in Fl.

The Atomic Testing Museum - New Exhibit on Area 51.
The Pawn Shop run by the folks at Pawn Stars.

--sounds fun. Will see next time I am there.

Bodies: The Exhibition - no, not babes.

--there are lots of them all over. One on Pier17 in NYC. Disgusting. Dont eat prior to going there.

Titanic Exhibit at the Luxor.

--tired of hearing about it.

POMAH - The Titanic Exhibit is about as bad as the Star Treck Exhibit than ran on for way too long at the now former Hilton Las Vegas.

Then why would you recommend it and wonder why other people WEREN'T mentioning it?

This will be the best advice you've gotten so far. It's too hot here in Las Vegas in the summer to do almost anything outside during the day. 105 -110 degrees. At midnight it can still be 100! So don't do Valley of Fire (it's usually even hotter there than Vegas), don't do a drive to Hoover Dam either. You can't see anything from the car and you won't want to get out because of the heat. DON'T do the Boulder City Zipline. It's just too hot. There's absolutely no shade anywhere and there is hiking involved between the zipline connections. DO take an airconditioned helicopter tour for outstanding views of the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and the Strip. DO go Downtown and spend the whole day/night and do the little zipline there. It's short, but fun and there's tons of cheap things to do downtown. DO see the Mob Museum downtown during the day. It's amazing and inexpensive. Plan on two hours there and the time flies by. DO have dinner downtown at either Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse ($$$), in the Golden Nugget for one of the best steaks you'll ever have, or Second Street Grill ($$) at the Fremont Hotel get the blackened Ahi Tuna there it's the best!! Or try Oscar's Steakhouse at the Plaza for some old school Vegas style. DON'T eat at Simpatico it's aweful. After dark go watch the Fremont Experience and check out the FREE entertainment. Lot's of cool bars to walk to; Downtown Bar, Beauty Bar, Insert Coin, Don't Tell Mama (a must visit), Drink & Drag (staffed by drag queens lol). The Rush Lounge in the Golden Nugget is great and check out their pool! Go see Ka or Le Rev. Don't spend anyhing extra on tix for Le Rev. There's not a bad seat in the house. For more ideas check lasvegasbylocals.com. I use that site all the time. The pinball museum is lots of fun. I f you go there's a little place called Strings that's family owned, casual and has delicious italian and is very inexpensive and it's afew blocks from the pinball.

For great deals check out Groupons.com and Livingsocial.com. Just put Las Vegas as the city you're interested in and see what comes up. They offer deals on pretty much everything, dining, attractions, tours, shows etc. and will notify you by email. I've seen frequent offers on helicopter tours for half price and since you have some time before you get to Vegas see what pops up. You could save a bundle. I use both sites all the time. They're excellent. No membership fees either. Good luck. You'll love Vegas.

Thanks for the wonderful replies; I can always count of Fodors posters for lots and lots of ideas.

We are not fans of flying...just going from Pittsburgh to Las Vegas is going to be enough in the air for us. So we are taking a "Grand-Adventures" sunset tour, a small group of 10 or less, to Grand Canyon. It's highly rated on TripAdvisor. Probably going with Dean's Outdoor Adventures for the Hoover Dam trip.

I'm writing all these other ideas in a notebook. Thanks also for the links, will check them out and get email notifications from them.

tracys2cents - The request was for must see attractions.

Drunk babes are one person's must see, the Pinball Museum might be another person's.

I can't see inside their heads, so I just lay out somethings that aren't too obvious and hadn't been said.

BTW: I've been to most of the attractions I've listed.

If you want to do something outdoors during the summer, a good choice is the Mt. Charleston area. At elevations from around 7,000 to 12,000 feet, it's very different from the desert floor -- and much cooler. If you decide to go hiking, check weather forecasts for thunderstorm activity (and for some of the higher, more exposed hikes, be off the mountain by noon so as to avoid the unexpected storm).

Some great suggestions you have received.

Loved the Bellaggio art museum when Steve Wynn had it. Once at the Bellagio - helped out with a charity for kids - and Steve gave us a personal tour - along with MC Robin Leach.

Didn't know they have a Monet exhibit there now. Would definitely go to that, and always love seeing their great Botanical Garden (changes themes 4 times a year) and the adjacent - largest chocolate fountain in the world at Jean Phillip's Patisserie. http://www.bellagio.com/restaurants/jean-philippe.aspx http://www.bellagio.com/ Of course - the magnificent fountains in front are the main event.

Have wanted to get to the Mob Museum - just haven't done it yet. And loved when the Venetian had a Guggenheim display - with a number of Impressionist works - but that's gone now.

And downtown/"Old Vegas" does have some bargains/fun thing to do. Saw a magic act there - trying to remember which hotel - and he was very good/inexpensive - and they had a good prime rib dinner (complete) for under $10 - and my wife is really a prime rib lover, and I like it too (However - I would take a Rib eye steak if it's at the same price).

Ah ha: I think the good/inexpensive magic show was Mike Hammer at the 4 Queens - which reminds me: Afternoon magic shows are one of the best bargains in Vegas, and check out these places selling discount tickets: http://www.tix4tonight.com/afternoon-comedy-magic-show.html

And it was their Magnolia Veranda that had a good prime rib dinner for under $10 and if you joined their gaming club (free - just takes a couple minutes to sign up) - they gave you a $2 discount for dining or some such, which made it a better deal. Seemed like they had some repeat customers in there. Here are some other dining bargains in Vegas: http://www.vegas.com/restaurant/specials.html

Used to love to go see the Lions on display at the MGM but heard they closed it down? Just amazing to walk through the glass enclosure and see a big Lion sprawling asleep you. And the trainers in there were always playing with them - sorta scary in my book. One of the 300 lb plus females grabbed a big bone from a trainer and just crushed it with her jaws, all the time, rubbing her tale on him.

Also like the roller coaster ride at NY NY - which has a tight turn - just like pulling over the stick on a jet fighter. And you can also get a good piece of Pizza there - in the "neighborhood".

And the desert gardens at the Ethyl M chocolate factory - toward Henderson - are great - especially at night when they have the lights on. http://www.vegas.com/attractions/off_the_strip/ethelm.html

http://blackcanyonadventures.com/Black-Canyon/

My husband and I did this rafting tour in 2006. It was great and a lot of fun. One of the highlights of the trip. I would recommend it, not hot as they provide water. The scenery is fantasic. I am also going to LV the end of May. Not sure if I will do this rafting again but just a hoover dam trip or cruise might work this time. Have fun.

Check out Go Trek USA they do a trip which has four parks-grand canyon zion monument valley and lake powell 3 days inclusive!

Papillon or mavericks are the best helicopters they are the newest.

be sure to check out the buffet at the Wynn too-AMAZING!

have fun!

Our top things in Vegas- 1. Phantom of the Opera
2. Old Strip at night with the laser show and free concerts
3. Stratosphere late at night
4. Bellagio fountains were fantastic and wax museum good to dork around in.

Things we didnt like 1. Chocolate Factory 2. Eiffel tower

also, could have skipped the expensive buffet food not that fabulous as some of the reviews suggest.... just go for an expensive regular restaurant instead.

and hoover dam was okay but not terribly exciting plus it was hellishly hot there

I have also used Bindlestiff Tours to get around they do custom and private tours of Las Vegas by locals and as well as fabulous tours of The Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Zion, Bryce and tons more they are really good. Used to be called Go Trek USA
www.bindlestifftours.com

Kardashian Khaos:


Where else are you going to find a $10 keychain, a $15 notepad, a $4 standard-sized pencil, and a $4 bumpersticker all in one place??

I bought an $1 keychain in AC just for the my TR card. Bellagio fountains did not impress me at all. I guess water squirting up to loud music isnt my cup of tea.

I ran into a buxom babe who was featured on front page of an escort mag. She just happened to stop over to check out her own photos in it. Nothing new for me as I see celebs, models, etc. posing and doing whatevers in Times Square all the time.

Bellagio Fountains
Freemont Street (you must go into Binions or one of the others for a cocktail)
VooDoo Lounge or Rain for the view

Some good ideas here. We do not gamble so I was looking for what to do. Appreciate ideas of cheaper things. Would you bring your kids? We live near Eugene,Oregon where there is a non-stop flight on Allegiant to Las Vegas fairly cheap most of the time. Have been considering a long weekend in spring just to go somewhere a bit warmer and not raining. We do like to hike some, museums are good, like antiquing, older daughter likes vintage clothes, younger one loves horses. Would go see a show that we can afford?

Check the Allegiant website for shows, rental cars, tours etc.
Allegiant also flies to Phoenix/Mesa and Hawaii from Eugene now.
I used to fly from Redmond but Allegiant dropped them.
Rent a car to go see Hoover Dam, South Rim GC, Red Rocks, Valley of Fire and maybe Death Valley.

?Funny how travellingmike joined up to top a 4 month old post to shill a tour company.

More funny still is that it was FIVE months...