Ness_JulesSthAussie

Hello! Im an Aussie planning a trip to California and Nevada (Las Vegas) in Sep/Oct. Ive been to Vegas a few times before, but only when I was young. How long would you recommend I stay to take in all the city has to offer?
Thanks

Tomsd

Hard to say - as what do you like to do? Visit some beautiful places outside of Vegas such as the Valley of Fire - or the closer Red Rock park.? Tour the big dam?

Definitely would say at least a couple of days - for seeing the Bellagio fountains and Arboretum inside - and some of the other interesting casinos, taking in a show (Cirque?), sampling some of the many dining options, clubbing? - hanging at a pool, and on and on.

emalloy

Before we knew how wonderful the National Parks in Utah and Arizona were, we flew into Vegas and did day trips from there then walk the strip and/or go to a show at night. If that is your style then you could spend 3 or 4 days going to Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Death Valley, Hoover Dam etc.

Since that time Vegas has become a place that sometimes has less expensive flights and car rentals and we use it to get to the west. Then we head for places like Grand Canyon,Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands etc. We also have flown into Albuquerque, Denver, and Phoenix.

Lately Albuquerque and Denver have had better rates for flights, but Denver often has much higher car rental rates, so I always look at both. We usual pick an area we REALLY want to visit each time and plan a loop through that area with visits to other places that fit with our general plan. If you click my name and scroll down to the trip reports, you can get an idea of how we travel.

Ness_JulesSthAussie

Thanks for your replies, I have seen all of the National parks and surrounding areas before as I have travelled the US extensively in my teens. I'm not a gambler, I just wanted to mainly dine, see some shows, enjoy some night life and perhaps see some of the famous hotels and casinos. I was thinking a week? But not sure if that's too long?

spirobulldog

2 days would be the most I would every stay in Vegas. It's one of my least favorite cities. There are only 2 reasons to go to Vegas really. To gamble or because you want to go somewhere close by(other places close by is why we go). Yes, there are shows and great restaurants, but the food can be found in every other city in the US and some form of entertainment as well.

emalloy

I would think a week would be way too much time for me to spend in Vegas, but only you know what your travel style is. If you want to eat and go to shows then I guess you can do that ad nauseum in Vegas. I would get out of town at least a bit and if you haven't been to any of the natural wonders in the area in years, you might find that you have a new appreciation for them now.

jayne1973

I think two full days, three max, would allow you to do just about everything you would want to do in Vegas.

MichelleY

I agree with Jayne. Two or three days is plenty. That will give you more time for the rest of your trip.

janisj

Unless you plan on gambling -- two days absolute max. Not that there aren't things to fill more time . . . but it would be a shame to miss gorgeous parts of California because you were spending the time in Vegas.

I do gamble some - but unless it was a trip including the Utah Parks and/or the Grand Canyon the most I'd stay in LV would be 3 days.

NewbE

I tend to agree, for dining, shows and nightlife, give yourself three nights at the outside. There are more than enough restaurants and shows to fill a week, but the days would become tedious IMO unless you drive out to see some nature.

happytrailstoyou

I was thinking a week?

That is way too long unless you want to gamble, go non-stop shopping, play golf, visit scenic attractions, take cooking classes--or something.

HTtY

tom42

I think a week is a little long, whether you gamble or not. A few days would be good - again it depends what you are looking to do - your days could be spent at the lavish pools, at the spa, visiting the hotels, shopping, not to mention some excursions off strip. Four days, three nights should be good.

nytraveler

Unless you're a gambler one day for LV is plenty. You can use it for trip to Grand Canyon et al (check the weather on places you plan to go - earl Sept can still be hot as hell).

tomfuller

If you are going to see sights outside LV, rent a car and stay in Henderson or even at the Hacienda which is 2 miles from Hoover Dam. My favorite in Henderson is the Fiesta which upgraded us to a nice suite at no extra charge.
If I'm headed for California from LV I stay at Buffalo Bill's in Primm.

janisj

Sorry Tom - but Primm is an armpit - a casino outpost on the CA/NV border, and staying in Henderson makes no sense if you want to see the Strip and anything IN Las Vegas for a couple of days.

simpsonc510

We frequent LV once a year for a trade show (January). We always allow ourselves an extra 3 days to do whatever we feel like doing. We are not gamblers (but will stop and play video poker for a relaxing drink at a casino bar). For us it's an escape from the ravages of winter, and a few extra days in Vegas is most welcome. We just enjoy being outside in the sunshine and mild(er) temps than at home for a few days!

nytraveler

If what you want is good food and shows there are tons of other places to go that also have a lot more to offer than LV. Without gambling IMHO it is a zero.

MichelleY

The LV stop is part of a road trip loop from LA, Central Coast, Yosemite, LV, LA.

clarkgriswold

September and maybe even the first 10 days of October can be blazingly hot...meaning that time in the sun by the pool is kept to an hour at most, and walking up and down the strip is unbearable. So stay for as many nights as there are shows that you consider must-sees......but you can find great dining in Los Angeles or San Francisco instead.

If you had not already visited Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Mt. Charleston, Zion National Park etc....then two weeks would be about right.

Ness_JulesSthAussie

Thanks everyone, your replies are extremely helpful. I will take your advice and spend more time touring California and only a few days in Vegas. The heat however is no problem, we will be heading into summer here and its a very dry heat similar to that i experienced in Vegas