Hi we are visitng Las Vegas next year and as part of our trip we want to stay for 3-4 nights and then drive to the Canyons and through the desert. We have been to Las Vegas before, 5 years ago and are wondering about the new resorts and attractions built, as well as driving in July.
Thanks in advance
Donna and Craig

You will be in for quite a shock. Las Vegas has added many super resorts since your last stay. Just in the last couple of years, there is the Bellagio, Venetian, Paris, Mandalay Bay, Alladin ( opens this year ). I probably missed a few but you will have plenty of new attractions. I didn't include the ones that were a little earlier as they are nothing compared to the ones mentioned.

Driving in the desert and canyons will be VERY hot in July. Bear that in mind. Make sure that your car is in good working order and carry lots of water with you.

If possible, schedule your desert driving in order to avoid the heat of the afternoon. We like to start very early in the morning or else very late in the evening.

The desert around LV is worth the trip. Someone gave us good advice: take water AND food. We decided to make a picnic out of it and stopped at one of the rest parks that offered cover. We took bread and cold cuts to make sandwiches as we wanted them. It was so DRY, that before the sandwich could be made and two bites taken, the bread was as dry as toast! Of course I live in a very humid area, so this was amazing to me!

To those who have given me some suggestions, thanks very much. I would like some information or tips for an itinerary of must sees, ponits of interest etc

Donna, our family of four has taken road-trip vacations out west for the past five summers. Just last month, one of the Nat'l Parks we hadn't visited was Death Valley, approx. 2 hours from Vegas. Contrary to many suggestions that we avoid it, we went anyway, and it was one of the best days of our trip!

Vegas and the surrounding desert IS hot, but Badwater in DV was 120 that day. However, it was MUCH more tolerable than many of the humid days in the midwest - and Vegas! And we were not alone. There were many families like ours, from America and around the world, that wanted to experience DV. While we'd love to travel when the crowds and heat-index are both lower, having school aged kids doesn't allow it.

We travel in a mini-van, and had absolutely no problem. As suggested, make sure you carry lots of water and also have a full tank of gas. We did see one gas station open in DV last month - gas was $2.32 a gallon! But what a bargain if you happen to need it!

Whatever you decide, be it DV, Grand,Zion/Bryce Canyons, you will have a wonderful time! Let us know how it goes!

Hi Donna,
My boyfriend and I went to Vegas July 96 and then for New Years 99/00 and "WOW!" just in 3 1/2 yrs. the whole place looked different! I read somewhere that they are remodeling part of Ceasars (not sure if finished or what part). We missed the opening of Aladdin but enjoyed Bellagio, Paris (our very favorite), and Venetian.
Also on our trip in 96, we drove north through Zion NP and then around to the South Rim of the Canyon. Being that I'm from the Northeast part of the country, I fell in love with the scenery!