Las Vegas, Nevada
 

We are thinking about taking our vacation to Las Vegas the end of June through July 5th. I know it is very hot then, but is it unbearable? Also, we are planning to go for a whole week. Do you recommend any interesting places to travel to, other than the Strip, since we will be renting a car?

Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean are only 4 hours away by car. I'd book my airfare into Vegas , returning from LA (this qualifies as a round trip). Then rent your car with drop-off at LAX. Spend 4 or 5 days in Vegas and then take a desert drive to Los Angeles, spend a night or two at the beach.

Around Vegas, I recommmend a drive through Red Rock Canyon, a drive to Lake Mead/ Hoover Dam, a picnic at Floyd Lamb State Park or a drive to Mt. Charleston

If you plan to get off the strip in Vegas at all, you will need a car. A car is also helpful in the summer if you want to just see the different parts of the Strip so you don't have to walk in the heat!

Red Rock Canyon was great, and it was only a 20 minute drive from the Strip. We also enjoyed seeing the Ethel M Chocolate factory. Be sure and go during the week when the factory is running.

if you are not use to the heat you may find it very unbearable. the rest of this week it is predicted to be over 100 F, about 24 C. increase that by 10 degrees by the end of june. make sure that your pool area has shade - it won't matter heat wise but at least you won't fry. if you go on any trips to the canyons, leave VERY early in the morning.

Most pools have 'misters' that spray cooled water around the pool area. Those drop the temp about 20degrees (so it's only 90!)
It seems you always get a bit of a sunburn. At night, I am always freezing in the air conditioned casinos (esp. Mandalay Bay!). Don't let the heat stop you. You don't even need to leave the casino if you don't want--restaurants, shopping, spas, gambling...all under one roof!

Adventure Tours, which I highly recommend haa a tour that includes rafting on the Colorado. They also have tours of the Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire, Red Rock etc. I only mention the rafting, becuase it will be hot!

We particularly enjoyed the Valley of Fire State Park. Got some pix (plus a couple of Lake Mead) at http://community.webshots.com/user/bookhall .

I'd plan any trips for early in the day while it's relatively cool.