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StuQ Apr 2nd, 2006 06:06 AM

Well, I never made it out there the other times. hopefully the third time is a charm!

StuQ Apr 2nd, 2006 08:59 AM

Is a day trip to both Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire recommended? Can I do both and be back on the strip by 4:00 or 5:00 if I want to

StuQ Apr 4th, 2006 03:07 AM

THanks for the help. If anyone is new to the thread, feel free to respond to my original inquiry

stu

schlegal1 Apr 4th, 2006 08:09 AM

We did both VOTF and Hoover Dam in one day and were back at the strip by 5:30 or 6 (we got up VERY early to see sun come up at VOTF). Most people probably won't recommend this but it worked for us. But then, we weren't into staying out late on the Strip so coming back exhausted after Hoover Dam was ok by us.

PalmPilot Apr 4th, 2006 09:33 AM

Just back from Vegas last night and VegasNative's suggestions were dead on IMHO. Definitely pepper your stay with a side trip or two. Hoover Dam or Valley of Fire (I went there and then on up to Utah to Bryce -- AMAZING!) I stayed at Mandalay Bay -- lovely. And I liked being at the end of the strip -- gave you a sense of going home and a little less harried than staying mid-strip.

teadrinker Apr 4th, 2006 11:58 AM

We were just in Vegas last month. My husband goes to Vegas about 4X a year. He always stays at the MGM. He likes the layount. However, he said it's getting a bit "worn", meaning the rooms need updating in his opinion. Since this last time, he took me, we decided to try the Wynn. We didn't much care for the Wynn.. layout of casino floor not great, but what was worse was trying to enjoy the Wynn's cocktail places of which there are not a lot... we waited about 30 minutes for the waitress to come over to ask us what we wanted to drink, then another 20 for the drink to arrive (heck it was only beer for him, wine for me...)
I loved photographing the "old" part of the strip at night. I walked from PARIS way down to where Circus Circus is... It is so cool down there, so much more old fashioned, the neon signs are different. I highly recommend taking it in on foot, like myself, at night. It's a little seedy, but I wasn't afraid for my safety.. not that much anyway...there were enough people around, it seemed. The LIGHTS at Circus Circus are incredible...too bad my photos didn't measure up! Roseann Barr was the featured performer at The Stardust... The Stardust is my favorite icon on the strip... I go for the old time stuff all the time. It is interesting to look back at what was so "In" and "Hot" way back when as far as Vegas goes. It's so different now. We stayed 4 nights, and it got old after 4 nights to tell you the truth. I would have loved to have gone on a tour outside the city, but my husband wanted to stay and shop - the shops are fabulous - I bought some great clothes. I had not expected to shop at all this trip (what was I thinking anyway)? but that's about all we did during the daylight hours as I don't gamble and neither does my husband during the day. At night, we went to shows. I was not excited about our tickets for Elton John but his show ended up being the best one!!! We saw Danny Gans - wow is he talented - and a nice guy, he gives a lot of $$$ to charities, etc., - and we took in a Cirque D Soliel show which was good but not quite as good as the recent one in HTFD Connecticut... Elton John's is weird... very artsy and very weird, so be prepared if you go to it. I like offbeat stuff, so I loved it. He has a giant screen with old photographs of Marilyn Monroe and himself showing throught the music... Cool 60's stuff. Pretty awesome flower power. I was eating it UP, although the suicide video was disarmingly uncomfortable - even for me - to watch. Rocket Man was ultra cool. I really thought the video was of the young Elton himself, but it's Justin Timberlake acting as if he is Elton... Elton wanted Justin to do the video. I thought it was really an old video, but it was done to look old. Elton's very talented. I was surprised there was no reference at all made to Princess Diana, though. That was unexpected. Enjoy your time in Vegas and DO get outside the CITY for me!

StuQ Apr 4th, 2006 04:22 PM

Wow! Thanks.
I think I will be staying at MGM. From what most people say, Mandalay Bay is really at the end of the strip, a bit too far removed. (But does anyone know how far it is from MGM walkign-wise)?
I am thinking of Valley of Fire and Hoover Dam in one day as well.
So 4 nights max huh? I'll either do 3 nights with the folwing night/morning red eye, or 4 nights.

Thanks

StuQ Apr 7th, 2006 06:24 PM

Well----I just booked it! I am going for sure. April 16-April 20.
Thanks for all the advice!

trippinkpj Apr 7th, 2006 06:39 PM

Four nights sounds perfect. You'll have a great time!


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