SandiBeach

Love this forum and everyone's comments. Husband and I are going to Vegas for first time mid May. Look forward to the experience but also want to feel we can relax around a pool and decompress. As the city that never stops is this an unrealistic expectation? and if so our vacation time is 6 days so we can split from Vegas and head to visit family in San Diego. Any bus line suggestions for this option? Thank you all...

sylvia3

Plenty of decompression available; the pool, the current show at the Getty in the Venetian, restaurants, just strolling around people watching...it's only as frenetic as you make it. The commotion will be mostly at gaming tables and clubs.

happytrailstoyou

When I was in Las Vegas in mid-March, the sidewalks were crammed to overflowing. It was very hectic, made more so by the elimination of some of the places to cross Las Vegas Boulevard.

We found relief in our room and on drives to the Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon.

To what does "bus line suggestions" refer?

SandiBeach

The "bus lines" refers to any recommended companies that make the trip to San Diego vs. using a one-way car rental or flying there. Then we can just catch our return flight home from SD. Thanks to each for our reply's, there are appreciated.

Jean

I have no personal experience with this company, but look at:

http://www.luxbusamerica.com/bus-schedule-pricing.php

happytrailstoyou

Have you investigated the cost of an air ticket home-LV; LV-SD; SD-home?

Even, if not, a LV-SD air tickent may not cost much more than a bus ticket, and the trip will go much faster (and bus routing would not be a very interesting drive).

Scarlett

I just answered this on your other post with this same question.

Yes, one can relax quite well in Las Vegas.
a bus trip to San Diego sounds like hell to me.

GranthamMommy

You can definitely decompress in Las Vegas, although you may have to pay for it.

The Wynn is one of the most comfortable places I've ever stayed.
So is the Venetian.

Mandalay Bay is nice with a great pool but more out of the way.

Do not take the bus to SD. Truly hell going through the desert during the day. Bus went pretty slow not to overheat in the mid day sun heading through the mountains.

Check for flights from LV or rent the car. If we drove with only one quick stop, we could make it in 4 1/2 hours. Plan on something between that and six depending on day/time.

Rent the car when you get to Vegas and go to Hoover Dam or Red Rock if you want to get away from the ching ching ching of the slot machines.

SandiBeach

Great suggestions, will avoid the "trip from hell" bus trip and take the advice to head to the hills of red rock and Hoover Dam. sound great. Which also brings another ? to mind... Having never seen the GC and not wanting to take the drive over to the South Rim ( already looked into hotels etc and booking too late for May), will we still get the Oh My God reaction at seeing the West Rim? With future planning for a real GC destination. Again thanks to each of you for helping us out we so value your guidance and commentaries...

Paytons_Grandma

Have you booked your lodging yet? I think you can easily relax in Vegas. Take a nice stroll down the strip, go only as far as you want to. It's fun to stay on the strip, but there are many options just off the strip, behind the major casinos. We've stayed in Ramada Suites (time share) behind Imperial Palace, (now another name, I think), Grand Desert (also condos & a 15 min walk to the strip or the Hard Rock), San Remo (behind Tropicana)one year, then there again the next year after it became Hooters, and this past January, I stayed at Grandview Resort (also time share), on LV Blvd, 7 mi. south of the Mandalay Bay, near a great outlet mall and had a trolley that went to the mall and Mandalay Bay every 30 min, cost $1.25 per ride. I'd take it, walk the strip awhile, hit some casinos, shop, eat, whatever, but kept it all at a relaxing pace. Just across the street north of the Grandview was South Point Resort(used to be South Coast), with a huge casino, several restaurants, which was convenient. Most time share resorts do not have a casino. I love Las Vegas, people think I'm nuts, it's so busy, but I tell them I go there to relax!

In the Hard Rock, there is the 777 Restaurant... not on the menu, but if you ask for it, you get a nice steak and shrimp for $7.77. Ellis Island (2 blks behind Bally's) had $4.95 steak dinner, usually very good. The California has $6.99 prime rib dinner and Terrible's has a $4.99 chicken dinner. If you are interested in saving some money and getting a good meal.

GranthamMommy

In all my trips (many!) we have never made it to the Grand Canyon so I can't comment on that.

If you like Monty Python, get tickets to Spamalot at The Wynn.
My friends and I have never laughed so hard.

If you get up early, walk the strip to get in some exercise. I go every year for a conference that I teach at. I get out for a walk at 6am up one side of the strip, then back on the other. Grab a Starbucks for a treat. Or find a cheap breakfast.

A low key day - pool in the morning
We usually hit the pool from 9 -12 because it was so hot after that.
Dinner and a show in the evening.

Food can be cheap or really expensive. You'll be drawn to all the big name chef restaurants, but at a price.

The Fashion Mall (across from the Wynn) has a California Pizza Kitchen and a Maggiano's Little Italy.

If you want to gamble and get a view of "old" Vegas, head down to Fremont Street to watch the light show.

Have a very special dinner at Hugo's Cellar in the Four Queens.
All the women get a rose when they enter. They bring the salad bar to your table and make it for you.
Dessert is remarkable. Order the Kona Coffee for something special.
Make reservations.

Have fun!

jojo46

Had a really relaxing stay at Mandalay Bay with its extensive tropical pool area. Would avoid the action of the big wave pool and relax, read or sunbathe in the quiet nooks and corners of the Lazy River.

SandiBeach

Once again, thanks for all the suggestions. I would be happy to stay "off strip" at a resort and visit,but my hubby really wants to be on the strip. Sure it will be fun for both especially as first timers. If anyone has experience visiting West Rim would love to hear it. I may need to post GC link.

WannabeinaMontserrat

I always take advantage of the spa services at least one day. If you get a massage, or other service you can use the entire facility for the day (most run $25/day or more, otherwise). With this you can include some breakfast & snacks as there are always food items and drinks available (for free). I'll usually go in first thing in the morning, get a massage, hit the sauna, steam room, plung pool, etc. & then head out to the pool about lunchtime. In the morning you will likely have the place to yourself as well.

kelliebellie

Just check the pool hours. Many close at 4 pm because they don't want you out enjoying the free pool, they want you in gambling.

FainaAgain

Many strip hotels/casinos have nice pools, even less expensive Flamingo and Tropicana have very nicely landscaped pools with palm trees, waterfalls and grass.

needsun

You can also use Greyhound bus to LA or SD. Check the rates on thier website. They have LA specials around $ 33 one way to LA. From LA you can take Amtrak to SD, a very scenic 2 hour ride along the coast. Amtrak leaves from the same Union station where you get off of greyhound bus.

capxxx

Peacefull things on the strip:

There is a terrace at the Wynn facing the waterfall and reflecting pool. Get a drink and sit in the comfy chairs and enjoy the water.

The pool area at the Flamingo is a nature habitat with koi and all kinds of waterbirds (including flamingos) walking in the wooded lanes. You can hear birds chirping and ducks quacking. You don't have to swim to enjoy the nature trail.

The lion habitat at MGM is also quiet and sort of scenic.

Drive out to Red Rock Canyon for the most absolute silence (except the wind) you have ever heard.

Paytons_Grandma

I don't know about you, SandiBeach, but I've found some new ideas here for my next trip to LV. I didn't know about Hugo's Cellar at Four Queens or the nature habitat pool at Flamingo.

We have been to Red Rock Canyon twice, both times it was pretty cool, but everyone is right, it is beautiful and peaceful. Take a picnic lunch, they have picnic tables in several areas. We did a picnic lunch in late Oct, 2000, it was really cold, but it was my b-day and that was what I had planned for 2 months, so cold or not, we did it!!

Pull over and walk some of the trails, there are huge rocks you can climb on. Find some of the rock "marbles" like the Indian kids used to play with. Spend time looking for rock formations as you drive. One looks like a human face, one looks like an elephant head, but if you stare long enough it looks like a full body gorilla. There are many others. It's a wonderful place.

Paytons_Grandma

Also, before you even get to the RR Canyon Nat'l Park, there is a place off to the right that is kind of on the edge of RR. It's a short drive down in there, but there is a wood trail that has been built and you can walk quite aways on it. The sand there is red and very fine. It was an excellent place for pictures.