We're a young, active couple who will be spending the first week of September in Las Vegas. Looking for the best options to visit while heading out of town on a couple day trips. We will be flying in and out of LA - therefore we will have a rental car for the week. Considering Death Valley? Valley of Fire? Mojave National Preserve (might hit this one on the drive to, or from,Vegas),and of course Hoover Dam!! Anything else we're not considering?? Are these the best options in the area? Trying to keep it to a couple hours drive at most - just day trips.

This is our first trip to Vegas and will definitely be spending some time exploring the local area, shows, restaurants and of course checking out a casino or two - we'd also appreciate suggestions on the best places to eat (moderate budget), any 'not to miss' shows (wanting to see 'O',anything else?) or any other bright spots in Vegas that are 'not to miss'!!

Thanks to all!!!

I've been to valley of fire and death valley, they are both beautiful! Once you get to death valley, it takes a lot of driving to get around, especially if you drive all the way to Scotty's castle. I think for just a day trip I'd do valley of fire. Hoover Dam is fun to see too, although I've never taken the tour. They are doing construction there on a new bridge, so if you go there keep in mind you may be sitting in traffic. The speed limits have been reduced in that area. It slowed us down some, but no too bad. Most of it was on the other side of the dam anyway, so may not be a problem for you.

I've seen O, Mystere, LOVE and Zumanity. LOVE is my absolute favorite over all the Cirque shows. O and Mystere are both great too. Zumanity was not my thing.

If you like Mexican food, we love Isla in TI (Treasure Island). Great margaritas! Also, Mon Ami Gabi in Paris is good. Part of the restaurant has an oudoor patio and it is where you'll want to sit. Crepes there are delish, alhtough occasionally we get a snooty waiter. But the food is so good I don't care.

We drove out to Zion for the day when we were staying in Las Vegas. We were able to do two good hikes.

Valley of Fire, definitely! And you can drive through and catch Hoover Dam on your way back to LV.

I'd skip Death Valley because of the intense heat in September, and go the 2.5 hours to Zion National Park instead. With 7 nights in Vegas, you might even want to do and overnight near Zion.

Vegas is going to be very hot,too, do not get a convertible! Valley of Fire/Lake Mead/Hoover Dam is a nice day....be sure to get off the main road at Valley of Fire to see some of the more interesting corners...the great Visitor's Center at Valley of Fire will give you a good map. Have a good breakfast first on this day...and bring bottles of water...not many places to stop and refresh.

If you're driving to and from LA, keep in mind that holiday weekend traffic will be crazy on Fri Sep 4 , Sat morning, and Monday the 7th. I can take 7 hours instead of 4.5 to get to Las Vegas.