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-   -   Anything adventurous for me to do in LV (while my husband plays golf)? It's my first visit to Las Vegas. (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/anything-adventurous-for-me-to-do-in-lv-while-my-husband-plays-golf-its-my-first-visit-to-las-vegas-669178/)

kippy6 Jan 10th, 2007 07:28 PM

Anything adventurous for me to do in LV (while my husband plays golf)? It's my first visit to Las Vegas.
 
My husband and I are going on his business trip to Las Vegas in February. We are staying at the Bellagio. We will be there 3 nights/3 days.

My husband's company has planned 1 or 2 days of golf (18-holes each day). I'm not a golfer. I may tag along w/my husband during the 1st day of golfing, but on the 2nd day of golfing, what can I do?

Believe it or not, I'd rather not shop, gamble, or do spa treatments. And hanging out at the pool is an idea, but I'd like to do something a little more adventurous, as this will be my 1st time to Las Vegas. I don't want to stay cooped up in one place (no matter how large the hotel). I want to see something. Shopping is okay, but I can shop at home.

Is there an interesting place for me to visit while he's playing golf?

SheilaRoss Jan 10th, 2007 07:34 PM

Try Red Rock Canyon...just a short drive out of town. Pretty place, nice easy hikes, good visitors center. Also, Hoover Dam. It's a cliche, but it's pretty magnificent and the new visitors center is wild.

kippy6 Jan 10th, 2007 07:39 PM

Thanks, just driving through the city (with a cool destination in mind) sounds great. Both places sound good to visit. So would I just wake up in the morning and call a Taxi to take me to one of those places? Is it safe to go alone?

trippinkpj Jan 10th, 2007 07:44 PM

Is the Bellagio Pool even open in Feb.? Keep in mind the temps will most likely be cool not warm (check weather.com for averages) in mid Feb.. I do agreen with the Red Rock Canyon or Hoover Dam suggestions. A friend of mine really liked the Valley of Fire.

trippinkpj Jan 10th, 2007 07:46 PM

Kippy- Taxi's would be very expensive to those places as they are out of town. If you don't have a car, you could check with a tour company. Or the Bellagio conciege.

kippy6 Jan 10th, 2007 07:55 PM

Thanks. I could check with the concierge. I'll call them and see what they say.

I'm not sold on a tour, as I have limited time there, and wanted to feel a little freer than that. I don't mind going on a short tour once I arrive at my destination, but would like the freedom to leave if I want to see something else. And I guess I could rent a car, but I think I'd have more fun as a passenger so I could see more.

I'm assuming to see these sites you'd either rent a car or take a tour w/no options in between.

I'm looking forward to the trip, and having fun planning what I'll be doing while my husband is golfing. It will be nice to have a little adventure on my own.

bethmac Jan 10th, 2007 07:56 PM

When I saw the word "adventure" it automatically made me think Valley of Fire. It's a state park north of LV where there are some very curios stone formations. I envy anyone who visits there sometime OTHER than late June, as we did. Holy cow, it was hot. But very interesting, though. You would need a car, but I think it would be safe to go alone. If money is no object, a great adventure from Las Vegas is one of the helicopter trips over the Grand Canyon. This would enable you to do something very adventurous without renting a car because I believe you can do the whole trip on a tour bus from somewhere on the strip. Go to any of the vegas websites and you'll see ads for them.

tracys2cents Jan 10th, 2007 09:20 PM

There's plenty to keep you busy within walking distance. All of the surrounding hotels have neat themes and are interesting to walk through. Go up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, or walk down to the Luxor pyramid, see the lion cubs at the MGM or the dolphins at the Mirage. I think there's also a hop-on hop-off bus tour that goes up and down the strip these days so you can get on and off wherever you want and browse around.

And don't count out window shopping at the Forum Shoppes in Caesar's Palace. Not your typical shopping experience!

tracys2cents Jan 10th, 2007 09:45 PM

Whatever you do, don't follow your husband around the golf course all day! You can do THAT at home, too. Oh my....if I had hours and hours without the husband to browse around all those gorgeous Vegas shoppes...HEAVEN! Even just sipping a coffee outside the Venetian canals or overlooking the fountains all by myself...without the husband checking his football scores and answering his cell phone....HEAVEN!

kippy6 Jan 11th, 2007 03:23 AM

Thanks for the ideas! Since I've never been to Vegas, I really don't know what to expect. I guess I just don't want to wander around aimlessly. I want to see some of the highlights.

Shopping might be okay, but we have started a new budget in January, and I normally love to buy, buy, buy. I was trying to stay away from that temptation. I have $ to spend, but b/c of our budget, I don't want spending to be on frivolous purchases. I suppose I should see the city too and see what it's like. I figure if it is has taken me 4 decades to get there, I might not be able to go back again.

I am trying to keep everything in balance. Maybe hit some highlights in Las Vegas, and also venture off to see Valley of fire or something. Being in such a big city, I may feel tempted to hang out at the hotel without a plan. I don't want to do that.

What are some highlights to see?

placeu2 Jan 11th, 2007 05:37 AM

Try this site for a bunch of ideas and ratings: http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/

From your posts, I would start at the activities link and look at exhibits. This site has a lot of content beyond that as well.

Wandering around the strip in and out of hotels is always fun for most people, especially 1st timers. Your day will fly by. Just get out on the street and start!

Have fun.

rockie Jan 11th, 2007 03:22 PM

Hi Kippy,
We have been to both Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire and I think either of those would be perfect for your few hours alone. We loved both for wonderful scenery and the "escape" from the strip. If you like to hike, I think Red Rock was a little better with more varied trails and things to see. If you like to drive and get out for the view, Valley of Fire is great. Red Rock was 35 minutes or so away, VOF was a little over an hour. Have a great trip!

HarmonyGrit Jan 11th, 2007 04:05 PM

How do you feel about flying? If OK w/it, how about going to the bottom of the Grand Canyon? Scenic Airlines and Papillon Helicopters both offer trips to Grand Canyon West that touch down on the banks of the Colorado. This is on Hualapai Indian Tribal Lands which is technically not a part of the National Park, but it's still fun.

TahitiTams Jan 11th, 2007 04:18 PM

kippy6..
If you want something fun and adventurous, I would do the Flyaway Indoor Skydiving right off the strip..its about $70 bucks and what a blast that would be.
Your husband and his buddies will be so jealous!

flyawayindoorskydiving.com

mrwunrfl Jan 11th, 2007 04:39 PM

You could take an airplane tour to the Grand Canyon. It flies past Hoover Dam and you get great views all during the trip. Then hop a bus that goes into the park at the South Rim and stops at a couple of the most fabulous viewpoints for the G.C. The early flight will have you back at your hotel by 2PM.

trippinkpj Jan 11th, 2007 04:42 PM

I have some tour company liknks that I put together for our family reunion letter (this coming June). FYI, I haven't had personal experience with them:
http://www.alllasvegastours.com/
http://www.vegastours.com/
http://www.looktours.com/

Itlhermits Jan 11th, 2007 06:15 PM

mrwunrfl, Do you have the url of the airplane/bus tour? Sounds great!

sarge56 Jan 11th, 2007 10:13 PM

kippy says she's on a budget folks...

My daughter did Hoover Dam tour on honeymoon and loved it. (as long as you're not afraid of heights!) Most of the "free" stuff is best at night..the water dance at the Belagio, the pirate ship show at the Treasure Island. Inexpensive trip up the "Eiffel Tower" at Paris is better at night. I agree that just walking underground at Ceaser's is incredible. Lunched in the restaurant there, poolside. Lovely. Just lovely. :) If you like to walk, just walking from one end of strip to the other (main part..Four Seasons to Treasure Island)is a really good hike! (Wear comfortable walking shoes!!!) It is really fun to walk through all the casinos and look at their theme-inspired decor and artwork, etc. Whatever you do, kippy, you WILL have fun. It's the law there. :)hahaha (You don't have to be a gambler to have a good time!)

mrwunrfl Jan 11th, 2007 10:57 PM

Itlhermits, coincidentally the url it was mentioned by trippinkpj above: looktours.com

Scroll down the page and see the airplane under the title: Grand Canyon Airplane and Bus Tour - #1 Seller. I think that the earliest flight is best, if you can get up (or stay up) for it.

bankbabe Jan 12th, 2007 04:09 AM

Don't forget about Madam Trousseau's wax museum at the Venetian. Pretty cool if you've never been to one.


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